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11-08-2008, 12:14 PM
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Location: Rogers, Arkansas
1,279 posts, read 4,596,079 times
Reputation: 1223
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Now we are settled in Arkansas, we are preparing to get a dog, hoping to find one at an adoption event tomorrow maybe! Two minor questions came up:
- We have 9 months old twins. They have many toys that squeek and rattle, similar to dog toys, and they often end up on the floor! How can we get the dog to distinguish between his and the babies toys?
- We have a large breakfast area off the kitchen, with a table where we eat our main meals. I was thinking of having the dog's bowls in a corner there, but maybe that is too close to human food? The dog will not be given food from the table. Other options would be the utility room, spare room (but that is carpeted), or outside porch (too cold in winter, might attract snakes and rodents, so not really in favour of that).
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11-08-2008, 01:10 PM
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Location: Missouri Ozarks
7,383 posts, read 18,679,520 times
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My dogs seem to know the difference in what and what not to play with. I don't have young kids in the house but I do have a few stuffed bears and raccoons.
They have gotten ahold and wanted to play with the raccoon and I took it from them and replaced it with one of there toys. It took a couple of times, but they seem to know the difference now.
Don't scold them, just replace the baby toy with a dog toy.  |
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11-08-2008, 02:15 PM
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Location: Mostly in my head
19,856 posts, read 63,518,527 times
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Should not be a problem feeding in the kitchen. Establish a regular time for feeding and then pick up what's left. Some people do "free feeding" but I think a regular routine is better, no jealousy issues develop over who might be approaching the dog's food.
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11-08-2008, 10:48 PM
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Location: Jax
8,200 posts, read 34,365,949 times
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I agree, feed the dogs in the kitchen, it's easier clean up for you.
You'll probably be feeding the dogs their dinner either before or after the rest of your family, so I don't see any conflict there. They should be eating their food pretty quickly - you don't want to be leaving food out - so the dogs' breakfast & dinner should be pretty quick (10-15 minutes maybe...maybe not even that ).
As for the baby toys, a simple command of "leave it!" should work. "Leave it" is a good one for anything you don't want them to touch. One of our dogs who is still going through house training has a passion for socks and paper towels. We use the command "leave it" when we see her approach either. It works well . |
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11-09-2008, 08:15 AM
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Location: Maryland
1,667 posts, read 9,114,579 times
Reputation: 1650
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I'd feed the dogs after the people, as they will see first food as an Alpha competition and you don't want them to win that one (ask me how I know). Also, don't stress about the dogs eating from the table. You have two children, the dogs will be well fed from the table, guaranteed (unless dogs don't like vegetables).
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