Puppy Advice

ronan9

Got a 12 week old cocker pup 3 days ago. Think he is settling in well, I only want to let him be in the house when I am, when I'm not here he will be out the garden.

I have a shed for him to sleep in, he's not doing too bad, only whimpered for about 30 minutes last night. He did wake me at six though. Would I be able to leave the shed door open during the night, so he could go in and out? Or would he just not go to sleep?

Also, gone for about 4 hours during the day and leave him in the shed with the door open, so he has the garden to wander around. He whimpers for a bit when I put him out but not too badly. He made a mess of the cushion in his bed today, dragging it around and I think pooed on it. He has only gone to the toilet on newspaper I left around and the grass before this. Any advice on what I could do?

He is also following me around everywhere I go, I presume this is normal?

All advice, tips, help welcome!! Thanks

jenjo23

help and tips guys....don't attack him for keeping the dog outside!

Whispered

ronan9 wrote: »

Got a 12 week old cocker pup 3 days ago. Think he is settling in well, I only want to let him be in the house when I am, when I'm not here he will be out the garden.

I have a shed for him to sleep in, he's not doing too bad, only whimpered for about 30 minutes last night. He did wake me at six though. Would I be able to leave the shed door open during the night, so he could go in and out? Or would he just not go to sleep?

Also, gone for about 4 hours during the day and leave him in the shed with the door open, so he has the garden to wander around. He whimpers for a bit when I put him out but not too badly. He made a mess of the cushion in his bed today, dragging it around and I think pooed on it. He has only gone to the toilet on newspaper I left around and the grass before this. Any advice on what I could do?

He is also following me around everywhere I go, I presume this is normal?

All advice, tips, help welcome!! Thanks

IMO he's too young to be outside unless you have the shed heated in some way. Make sure he has plenty of toys and try limit the amount of time he's in the shed, maybe put him in when you are going to bed yourself and set your alarm to let him out at 6 or 6.30. a pain, but one of the joys of having a pup. Dont leave him access to the garden overnight. He's too young and could hurt himself, he should not be left unsupervised except for in his bed. Not to mention the fact if he's barking at night he will wake the neighbours. The nighttime is a big dark place to a small 12 week old pup, access to the garden would probably distress him even more. As for the whimpering, thats normal, but try to understand why he's distressed. And try to limit the time he's out alone as much as you can. As I said, he could hurt himself in the garden. Make sure he has somewhere warm to go if he's being left outside.

jenjo23 wrote: »

help and tips guys....don't attack him for keeping the dog outside!

Mods are here to keep a check on things. You don't need to.

ronan9

Thanks jenjo! he is in most of the time, asleep at my feet as I type this.

peasant

rather than typing it all again, here's a link;

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=56299675&postcount=11

kerrysgold

Personally I don't see a reason to put a dog outside at night to sleep (probably gonna get attacked for this again but don't care tbh!)
The most important things now are company, he will have been used to him mum & brothers & sisters and going from that to being alone must be a big shock, so keep him company as much as possible. The next important thing is socializing, get him to mix with as many people, dogs and cats as well as you can, this is essential to prevent fearfulness/aggression in the future, of course you also need to focus on house-training him, getting some basic obedience and exercising him every day (when he is older)

spurscormac

I picked up my Cocker last week, and was asking similar questions.

Main thing is to make sure he has toys to keep him busy outside - he loves to chew on anything and everything due to teething. Kong is good, though he loves an old slipper.
I can't stop him chewing grass or leaves even if I do have treats in the Kong.

We also bought a baby play pen in Smyths, which is very sturdy & keeps him safe in the kitchen when we're busy cooking dinner etc.
He also sleeps there for the moment, but like you, I will be keeping him outside once he gets older.
I don't want to get into that debate again though, so here's the link.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=56299675

Have a kennel for him outside - what I did read was not to get one too big, as it needs to be able to retain some heat to keep him warm. We have it lined with the cushioned base from the play pen. He has that for shelter from the sun/rain while he's out.

He's doing great so far, only does his business in the garden, not in the house. He's also very curious, and explores the entire garden, including under the shed.

So far my advice would be to make sure you're consistent and fair with him. He knows he's done wrong if I tell him "No" in a stern voice and walk away. It can be tough, cos he'll throw you those eyes, but you just have to keep at it so he learns the boundaries.

Other than that, good luck with him, they're great fun.
I can't wait til he has all his vaccinations and can bring him to the local park to explore.

shinners007

It is also important to note that with a pup of 12weeks of age, he hasnt learnt to control his bladder or stool motions, in some breeds this could take up to the age of six months. If you have him in a shed at night is it warm enough and is their a light you can leave on for the pup? Is it big enough that you can lay down training pads/newspaper in a particular corner so thet the pup uses that and not his bed. If your locking him in it then you will have to get up at night to let the puppy out to relieve himself as he is too youg to hold it all night long and will have accidents untill he is fully toilet trained.

At the moment the most important thing he needs is his owners to settle him in and spend time with him and play with him. He has just been seperated from his siblings and mum so he will be lonely and afraid. Socialisation skills and basic training and time and attention is what the little guy needs.

jenjo23

I mash up some strawberries and banana's and put them in my pups Kong and then freeze it overnight.....puppy has a lovely icepop to keep him cool and occupied during the day (i've started leaving him outside when it's sunny now that he has had all his vaccs)

spurscormac

shinners007 wrote: »

It is also important to note that with a pup of 12weeks of age, he hasnt learnt to control his bladder or stool motions, in some breeds this could take up to the age of six months.

Thats interesting, my fella @ 9 weeks is able to hold his bladder for up to 8 or 9 hours.
He must be super-canine or something.

I was prepared for a few months of trouble and sleepless nights, but apart from the first 3 nights or so, he's slept like a log and not fouled his bed or pen at all.
Maybe its cos he's so full of beans all day that he's tired out when it comes to bed time.

shinners007

Thats interesting, my fella @ 9 weeks is able to hold his bladder for up to 8 or 9 hours.
He must be super-canine or something.

Well the Op did state that his puppy had soiled his bed, merely pointing out some pups cant master control of their bladder/stool staright away - that is why their is a term known as puppy toilet training after all :P:P

And congrads that your puppy is so good but not all puppies are the same. Your well lucky!

Sigma Force

He's a dog of course he will follow you around. That's what dogs do, they are a pack animal and you are the leader. At 3 months he's very much a baby still so needs lots of human interaction well adults do too but esp. at this age lots of socialising is needed with people and other dogs.

Kongs are great but if giving him a filled kong include that food as part of his diet. Frozen kongs are a good idea when the weathers warm. Or you can fill it with a little cottage cheese, dry puppy food and then top it off with a tiny bit of peanut butter.