Joined
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595 Posts
First, thank you all on this forum who have helped me get through all these months. The support and encouragement I received here has been wonderful.
I was wondering if any of you guys can give me a heads up on what to expect from our now 5 month old puppy. Being first time owners I worried a lot (and expressed it in the forums here) but things have not been difficult at all. He is stubborn, there are days when we have good walks and days when he will refuse to move and just sit and watch our neighbor's horses. He is not always obedient, but he does obey alteast 80% of the time, even at a distance.
I would like to wait till he is atleast 8 months old before neutering him. What can I expect (so I can be prepared for handling it) during this time? I know that ideally I should wait till he is atleast 2 years old, but being first time dog owners I worry about being able to handle the growing strength and testosterone combination.
He is friendly with dogs in general, and most people. But I am worried about the dominance issue. How protective should I be as older male dogs do tend to be hostile/ aggressive toward him?
And lastly, I really need a referral for a good trainer in NJ to help me with the socialization aspect. I would prefer somebody who does not use a prong or pinch collar. He is very eager to meet other dogs. Yesterday at a get together, as I was opening the car door, he rushed out and ran before I could catch his leash because he saw another dog(which turned out to be hostile). I would like to train him to wait for my okay before he greeted and while on leash to approach a dog and ignore him if I just kept walking past.
I was wondering if any of you guys can give me a heads up on what to expect from our now 5 month old puppy. Being first time owners I worried a lot (and expressed it in the forums here) but things have not been difficult at all. He is stubborn, there are days when we have good walks and days when he will refuse to move and just sit and watch our neighbor's horses. He is not always obedient, but he does obey alteast 80% of the time, even at a distance.
I would like to wait till he is atleast 8 months old before neutering him. What can I expect (so I can be prepared for handling it) during this time? I know that ideally I should wait till he is atleast 2 years old, but being first time dog owners I worry about being able to handle the growing strength and testosterone combination.
He is friendly with dogs in general, and most people. But I am worried about the dominance issue. How protective should I be as older male dogs do tend to be hostile/ aggressive toward him?
And lastly, I really need a referral for a good trainer in NJ to help me with the socialization aspect. I would prefer somebody who does not use a prong or pinch collar. He is very eager to meet other dogs. Yesterday at a get together, as I was opening the car door, he rushed out and ran before I could catch his leash because he saw another dog(which turned out to be hostile). I would like to train him to wait for my okay before he greeted and while on leash to approach a dog and ignore him if I just kept walking past.