Chixe

We got our black lab a little over a year ago when she was about a puppy, and the most challenging thing about her was the amount of times she needs to go out to the bathroom. She is doing a lot better now, but we take her out a lot, normally 7+ times per day between 7am - 4am, so it's a big responsibility.

Another piece of advice that's purely my opinion, but do not treat your dog like "a dog", treat them like a part of your family. I can't stand when people have their dog in a crate all day long, then they're forced to not get on the couch to cuddle, then they can't sleep on the bed with you, etc. That's ridiculous. If your pet isn't worth more to you than your couch or your bed then don't get a pet.

I'm no longer a dog owner, but in college we had a pit bull and got him when he was a puppy. We always had him around a lot of different people, and he turned out to be the friendliest dog I've ever known or been around. He loved everyone he ever met. haha

So getting him used to other people might not be a bad idea.

Keep your dominance. This doesn't mean be mean to the dog or beat it when it does something bad. Just make sure the dog knows you're the boss.

You can still cuddle it and have it sleep on your bed and whatnot just make sure that when you want it off the bed, it gets off without hesitation.

I love dogs and have had them my entire life. Nothing makes me happier than when I get home from work and my Abby is waiting for me, extremely happy. :)

But just like kids, they need to know who the boss is. That's just my helpful bit of advise.

To echoed what Mike said, invite Thursday into the family. Allow her to feel like she's part of the pack. At the same time, and here's one of those infuriating dichotomies, allow it to be a dog. I become silently annoyed when I see dog owners freak out when their dogs have the temerity to act like canines. So let Thursday express her doghood.

As for discipline, try to avoid only telling the dog what it's doing wrong. Instead, take the time to demonstrate how to do things correctly. Whenever it does something "bad" show her what's "right", and be effusive with love and praise.

Also explain why you're doing what you're doing. Thursday won't understand a word you're saying, but she will feel that you're trying to help, trying to connect. Dogs are feeling sponges. They soak up emotion. If they feel you're invested and sincere in your actions they'll pay more attention. So actually explaining things to the dog when it's done something wrong isn't really for the pooches benefit as much as your own. One method to focus your attention on the relationship and avoid incidents becoming a string of disconnected means to some end.

Keeping dominance is great advice. Being a female it's not such an issue as a male dog but it's good to when playing with them roll them gently onto their side so they submit - at least for the first few weeks to make sure they work out their place in their pack. Doing in play is not threatening but what happens in a pack - the lower ones submit to the alphas. The greatest advice I got when we took Dillon home last year as a pup was to be a benevolant leader. When they are doing wrong tell them but not so harshly as to scare and when they are doing right tell them and praise them. Dogs work on the reward / punishment mechanism but punishment to a dog is not violence, it's having things taken away or not being praised.

Barley our older labrador is now 5 and she only goes to the loo on grass - but she also only ever goes a few times a day as she's apparently got the oddest bladder I've known in a dog. Dillon would go to the loo 100 times a day I swear if allowed - we just leave the back door open as he's happy about the yard. To give you some indication of exercise, our two are labradors so considered medium dogs and at 5 Barley needs about 2-3 good walks a day (hour ones) and Dillon needs about the same but with more work and interaction. He's just turned one now.

Play is a great bonding thing and make sure you have time in the day for play with them. Also, you can use something like a simple stroking / quiet time of fuss for gentle trust building. This also ensures you can touch your dogs paws, legs and body along with building the bond. The key to getting a dog is the first few weeks of bond building.

I also think the 'not on my couch' club are a bit odd, in our house the dogs can go where the human's do with 2 exceptions: the kitchen work tops and dining room table - we once found Dillon trying to get on both.

On the subject of 'feeling sponges' as raised before. I totally agree, think of your lead like a transmitter to your dog and be careful about making sure you are the leader on the walk. It's all common sense really just enjoy it and have a friend for the rest of their life.

All of this talk makes me want a dog again!

I lost my Shar-Pei last summer. I have some advice, I am no expert but I thought I would share my advice about this breed.

Skin - as I am sure you have read, they have sensitive skin that will require bathing every two weeks with baby shampoo. Think of what you would use on a newborn, that is what you should use. Rinse, Rinse, Rinse. Lots of folds, you do not want any soap to get stuck in there.

Smell - Shar-Pei's have a unique smell. I personally thought it smelled like baked cookies, my wife thought I was insane.

Nails - Keep them trimmed, every two weeks. Nails are frequently overlooked. Not comfortable clipping, I understand. Most dog places will do it on a walk in basis for $5 or $10 dollars.

Food - I recommend lamb and rice for sensitive stomach/skin (think its Eukanuba). Again, more for the skin.

Personality - Truly are the dog most like a cat. Quiet, not prone to barking and absolutely loyal to the family when they bond. Very gentle with children. Love to be near you at all times (not in a needy way). If I was alone in the house he would lay near me. If I moved to another room, he would move to that room. Always.

Eating - Their mushy face will shake after eating or drinking making for fun wall and flood cleanup. Maybe this was just mine, but if yours does, just be prepared for it.

My Shar-Pei was the best dog I have ever had. Mine had some health problems (had to have crucia ligament surgery on each read leg), but I have never had such a loving and loyal dog. Many a time the door would get left open and he would just sit there. He never ran away, and I never had to have him on a leash in my yard.

Good luck :=)

Thanks you guys! So great to get this feedback. We're excited to step into our roles as "calm, assertive pack leaders".

@ Cappucino - So sorry about your dog! And thanks for the breed-specific tips. I've done a lot of general dog and shar pei reading, but hearing directly from dog owners is really helpful.

Dog ownership is a huge responsibility, as it is like having a baby in the house. You have to be patient, be prepared for several middle of the night bathroom trips, and show lots of love and affection to your pet.

Pets are like kids and family members. All the rules about 'good manners' that go for kids (like saying thank you and not hitting) are translated to DogSpeak (like no biting). My dog is now old. He mostly sleeps. I mostly tell him I love him.

Chapstick and Tam, the dominance thing is extremely important. One look at Dora the right way and she knows if I'm upset with her or not.

Thanks again for the tips, folks. We got her on Saturday and all three of us were pretty stressed out for the first day or so, but she seems to be settling in and we've done our best to tire her out with walks. She's curled up snoring next to me right now, no doubt dreaming of all the cars she'll attempt to chase on our next outing. We need to work on her leash manners!