Best Advice

starry

so here's a question for everyone,
what was/is some of the best/most used advice you have taken from this forum
and be specific so we can all benefit

mine would be rotating toys (it keeps my pup from getting bored and playing with things he shouldn't)
dog backpack recommendations (we have so much fun with ours)
and the tug a jug (such a time saver and helps keeps my pup engaged...its like TV for dogs)

KFontaine04

The best advice I have gotten from this forum was Nutrition! Dog food and supplements were something I never thought of as needing that much research until I came here, and Im glad I learned!

The best thing about this forum is the friendships I have with people who I have never met face to face...I feel like I know them better than some of my face to face friends!

Ryu

Definitely high-quality food recommendations, positive-reinforcement training techniques and immediate advice in times of crisis!!!!

sunyata

I think the best thing I have learned here is that I am not alone. There are lots of you guys with the same problems that I have, and it is great that we can learn from each other and help each other through trying times with our pups. From food allergies to reactive-ness combined we are like an encyclopedia! Only better because we all have our personal experiences to go along with the information.

Sangmort

How to find a good breeder & Nutrition. Indefinitely.



As well as just getting to talk to some awesome people who can help me through the very very long wait to get my pup! ~

Sangmort

Awesome thread idea Cherie! ~

tsukitsune

I've learned a lot about behavior and nutrition, a lot about the nihon ken different breeds...

I love the community feel of this forum. I feel I have grown so much as a dog owner because of the support and information shared here!

Oliversdad

I've made some new friends through the board.

Oliver is my first dog since I was a kid and I've gotten so much help here. I never realized all the "behind the scene" stuff that my parents did to keep our dog healthy.

I use a lot of ideas such as the toy rotation and learned about the behaviors of the breed. But I think the biggest would be the food (nutrition) and care that our dogs need.

ljowen123

Best advice...so much here:
1. Melatonin
2. Recordings of gunshots & thunder
3. Nutrition & Supplements
4. Training

Those are my top ones.

lindsayt

What I have learned:

-Positive solutions to behavior and training issues
-Medical and nutrition needs for these breeds
-Japanese breed education
-The most important thing to me is that I have learned how to become a better owner, as there are a lot of other people here with similar issues, learning from each other is the best part :)

lingmorton

learnt so much from this forum... but the best advice.. hmmmm

- dog nutrition (food, supplements..etc)
- behavior
- training

another thing i love about the forum is the abundance of cute pics/videos!!!!!

Calia

I'd have to say :

-good toys picks
-nutrition (seems like that has been the most helpful for almost everyone)

And not really advice, but learned that:

-there are many alternatives to every aspect of raising a dog
-we are all a bit nuts
-it's fun to make friends, even if you've never met them and/or they live on the other side of the world
-meet ups/play dates are great and I just can't get enough

KFontaine04

We are all a bit nuts

Beth! LOL. We totally are!

dlroberts

I laughed too, but it's actually the number one thing I've learned from the forum as well.

I'm not the only one! There are other people out there who love and care for their dogs as much as I do for mine. Who don't judge me because I ate ramen noodles (metaphorically speaking) for a few months to start to pay off the knee surgery my dog needed.

I have learned a lot about dog behavior, reading body language, nutrition, training, etc. which has made me a better owner. But those things aren't as valuable to me as knowing there are other people who share my passion.

Leonberger

I have to agree on the "I'm not alone" thing.
Especially coming from Portugal, where it doesn't seem that a dog's welfare that important. People around here always get amazed at the things we do for Kuma, it's rare to find someone that understands. Even more so when it's a rare breed around here.

CrimsonO2

Things I've learned around here:

- nutrtition (food rotation, RAW, etc.)
- I'm not alone
- reading your dog's behavior
- abandoning the alpha/domination concept as being the only heirarchy dogs follow
- learning about the other 4 Japanese spitz breeds that exist between an Akita and Shiba.
- If they don't want your physical affection, it doesn't mean they don't love you.

Jesse

okiron

Cheeseball containers..nuff said :P

Ok seriously..nutrition, training, how to handle behavior issues, etc.

KFontaine04

Oh yeah, I have also learned that there are people out there that understand why I want to drive 20+ hours to Madison WI in August to meet y'all. No one un-forum related understands that. :P

ljowen123

Absolutely! My family looks at me a little strange when I mention the WI trip.

Leonberger

I'm pretty sure I'd get the same strange looks if I could afford the trip, heheheh.

Darwin67

I'll concur with Lindsay's statement: "The most important thing to me is that I have learned how to become a better owner, as there are a lot of other people here with similar issues, learning from each other is the best part!"

One of my biggest lessons has been dog nutrition. This has been, I think, invaluable. If Kahlo could type, I think she would thank you all for the delicious advice I've taken!!

This forum is also one of the biggest reasons I have Kahlo...in hearing peoples rescue stories, I began to shed my mis-understanding of rescue dogs and stopped under-estimating my ability to train with older dogs. She has been a real gift in our family, and you rescue folks are big part of that!