Tips for New Puppy

Blogger50

Hi Guys,

Our lovely new puppy is due to arrive to her new home on Sunday.

She is a white GSD and is registered, wormed, has first vaccines and chipped etc. I have prepared the essentials i.e bed, food, toys.....

Although I have had dogs growing up in my family home this is the first time I've ever had my own dog let alone a puppy! :eek:

Just wondering if any of you experienced lot had any tips/suggestions to help me along particularly with the first night/few days in her new home!

Thanks for reading.

B

Paul91

you'll also be needing a muzzle - thought i'd get that one in before the "others"

plenty of patience and newspapers - are you crate training?

are you home full time or will she be left during the day?

sickle

brushes and a good animal hair hoover,
our house is constantly covered in a layer of white hair!

Blogger50

Paul91 wrote: »

you'll also be needing a muzzle - thought i'd get that one in before the "others"

plenty of patience and newspapers - are you crate training?

are you home full time or will she be left during the day?

Thanks for the reply Paul91. I know about the muzzle, this might be a silly question but will she need the muzzle as a puppy also?

Re crate training, still unsure about this, would you recommend it?

I am home full time which is why we have finally decided to get a dog. It wasnt an option up to now because of this. This is why I am unsure about crate training as I have the time to consider other options.

Sickle - Thanks for the tip! I'm a clean freak so looking forward to the challenge!

Would love any more information you would like to share!

spurscormac

Blogger50 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Paul91. I know about the muzzle, this might be a silly question but will she need the muzzle as a puppy also?

Re crate training, still unsure about this, would you recommend it?

I am home full time which is why we have finally decided to get a dog. It wasnt an option up to now because of this. This is why I am unsure about crate training as I have the time to consider other options.

Sickle - Thanks for the tip! I'm a clean freak so looking forward to the challenge!

Would love any more information you would like to share!

Crate training is great, even if you're around a lot - really helps during the night to train them to hold it, as they dont want to soil their sleeping area.

Toilet training is fine while you're around during the day, its harder for them to learn at night.

The crate also doubles up as their bed/den and they grow to love it as their little place to go to escape from it all.

Blogger50

Thanks Spurscormac!

So another silly question! Can you toilet train during the day and crate train at night? Or does it have to be one or the other?

thanks,
B

spurscormac

Blogger50 wrote: »

Thanks Spurscormac!

So another silly question! Can you toilet train during the day and crate train at night? Or does it have to be one or the other?

thanks,
B

Its the same thing really. Toilet training is teaching him to go outside. Crate training is teaching him to hold it during the night.

Crate training works because it restricts them to their sleeping area, and dogs have a natural instinct not to soil their bed.

Young puppies have difficulty holding it, so need to be brought out after sleep, play, every hour or so to start.
This includes being brought out a couple of times during the night until they can hold it longer.

Lots of praise when they do go outside and if they have mistakes, then just say no, pick them up, bring them out & let them finish out in the garden.

I'll add that I was extremely lucky with my guy - got him at 8 weeks, and he was pretty much toilet trained already. Only had about 3 accidents in total. I think he was used to following his mom outside to the grass at the breeders to do his business, so we were very lucky on that front.

Its probably going to be worse for you, so just be prepared for it. Some people say not to use a bleach to clean, as this leaves a scent that your puppy may try to mask by peeing over it again in the same spot.

Paul91

i'd get a furminator as well - from ebay for £15 as opposed €70 in shops.

to be honest i've never crate trained, my mum did with her Westie and it seemed to work, the last three dogs i've had where all rescued and all house trained, but i will be trying it with the puppy i am keeping from my latest rescue dog's litter. Heard a lot about it though and makes a lot of sense, i'll try and find more info about it on t'internet

Paul91

spurscormac wrote: »

Crate training works because it restricts them to their sleeping area, and dogs have a natural instinct not to soil their bed.

can agree with this, the six pups are in the shed (heated) overnight while their mom sleeps in the kitchen with the other dog (she started destroying the shed about a week ago in the evenings when she was left in there, couldn't leave the bottom door open so only option was to leave pups in shed overnight) the pups have only once pooped in the shed over the 6 hours in the night they stay in there, couple of wee's but nothing major, you should see them when i open up the shed in the morning, like the charge of the light brigade to go wee's and poo's

spurscormac wrote: »

Some people say not to use a bleach to clean, as this leaves a scent that your puppy may try to mask by peeing over it again in the same spot.

it's the ammonia in the cleaner i think, check the ingredients, don't use anything with ammonia in it

Blogger50

This is great guys! Keep the info coming, I'd be lost without it. No doubt I will be visiting here a lot over the coming weeks/months but looking forward to it.

Have wanted dog for so long now! This little girl is outside and sleeps in a heated kennel/run at night so theres no way shes house trained unfortunately!

B

Howitzer

http://www.puppiesanddogsinfo.com/ for some great puppy advice vids

Paul91

nicked this from Toulouse http://www.dogstardaily.com/training

Blogger50

Thanks guys! You're great to be such a help! Some light reading there for tonight I think!

Please feel free to let me know anything else you think will help us along!

Again, thanks so much.

spurscormac

you can search this forum for tons more advice on puppies, it comes up all the time.

One thing I will say, is something I wish I knew when we first got our guy to help with lead training.

Puppies will naturally follow you around, so when they are young, every day a couple of times, attach the lead and leave it hang free. They may bite at it at first, as they do this to everything, but if you leave it free and let them follow you around inside the house, they get used from very young to staying close to you while on the lead.
Then after a while, you can start picking up the lead and let them follow you around.

This will hopefully lead to less pulling on the lead at a later stage, or at least thats the theory.

Oh, and don't walk them until they have had all their vaccinations (two sets), and after that the general recommendation is just 5 mins per month old. This is because their bones are still growing and they could damage them from over walking on hard surfaces like footpaths etc.
Playing around in the garden or house is fine, just don't go over the top on rigourous exercise when they are still growing.

Blogger50

Hi Guys,

Just a quick update. Our lovely girl arrived yesterday and so far has been a little dote! She is doing really well doing her business outside for me. I have been bringing her out every hour and using the "Go Toilet" command which I heard mentioned here a few times. So far its been working really well with only a couple of accidents indoors so far. She had a little diarrhea yesterday which I put down to nerves. All seems normal today. She really is a sweetheart and loves to follow me everywhere which is obviously a comfort thing and is great for both of us!

Just two small questions if you could help me out?

Three or four times since yesterday she has had what I can only describe as hiccups. Just wondering if this is normal?

Also even though she had the mixture of soft/squeeky toys she seems to love chewing her bed most (which is a wicker one - not the best idea in hindsight!). Anyway, I know pups chew and I'm not bothered about her damaging the bed. Just wondering is this hurting her poor little teeth! Also, obviously if she is technically teething is there anything else you would recommend to help her with this?

Thanks for reading.
B

ghost_ie

I wouldn't worry about the hiccups - all three of mine have had them on various occasions for no apparent reason.

Puppies seem to have a natural urge to chew on things they shouldn't chew on. My eldest destroyed the settee and the youngest has chewed the handle of a drawer in a bedside locker to ribbons, not to mention the time she chewed a shoe to pieces .

The only advice I can give is to put anything you don't want chewed well out of her way. Then go and have a game with her and enjoy her

Blogger50

Thanks Ghost ie. Shes such a sweetheart that I would hate to think that shes hurting herself by chewing on her bed! So far today shes chewed my shoelaces and a tea towel. Have moved all of these things out of her way. Need to puppy proof! Shes just been outside and done her business for me again and is now happily snoozing away!
B

happypuppy

my first piece of advise would be not to worry and enjoy it. I got my first dog ever, my gorgeous westie puppy last march and was so worried about it but it has turned out to be the best decision i've ever made!

They chew ALOT! from day one get rawhide bones, chew toys or teddies everytime he starts to chew something say no and replace what he is chewing with one of his toy/bones he will soon learn he is allowed to chew those and won't get in trouble! I got this advise and my dog has never chewed any of our furniture, shoes etc

Enjoy it having a puppy is work but its worth it

mymo

Re: the chewing,
I got nylabone's for both my dogs and they loved them! They do puppy ones for various sized dogs and puppy fish(yes it's a little fishy they chew) They are edible but if the size is right it does take some time for them to eat them.
I was warned against pigs ears and rawhide by the breeder of of the older dog, she said they aren't good for coat(very long hair, not sure if just his breed they're not good for) and they can swallow lumps that could cause a blockage. The nylabone seems to take a lot of chewing and only tiny bits come off.
I also got a teething Kong, its a cylinder with groves in that you can squash food into and freeze for extra relief. Just when you see pup chewing offer one of the chew toys, after a while mine went looking for the chew toys and never chewed anything else.
Re: the hiccups
both mine got them (young one still does) its normal.
Best of luck and hope she brings as much joy as mine do.:)

lrushe

Blogger50 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Just a quick update. Our lovely girl arrived yesterday and so far has been a little dote! She is doing really well doing her business outside for me. I have been bringing her out every hour and using the "Go Toilet" command which I heard mentioned here a few times. So far its been working really well with only a couple of accidents indoors so far. She had a little diarrhea yesterday which I put down to nerves. All seems normal today. She really is a sweetheart and loves to follow me everywhere which is obviously a comfort thing and is great for both of us!

Just two small questions if you could help me out?

Three or four times since yesterday she has had what I can only describe as hiccups. Just wondering if this is normal?

Also even though she had the mixture of soft/squeeky toys she seems to love chewing her bed most (which is a wicker one - not the best idea in hindsight!). Anyway, I know pups chew and I'm not bothered about her damaging the bed. Just wondering is this hurting her poor little teeth! Also, obviously if she is technically teething is there anything else you would recommend to help her with this?

Thanks for reading.
B

Just be careful of her chewing wicker, if she swallows any of it it can splinter in her stomach or intestines. I got a good toy for my Rottie pup, its like a durable fabic bone which you soak with water and then freeze, worked a treat for me. Don't forget to enroll her in a good pup school when she is fully vacinated, early socialisation is vital for a young pup and she will be able to meet a variety of new dogs and people at puppy classes.

fishfoodie

(Taps Foot.....)

I'm waiting for some pictures

Congrats on your new puppy !

SarahSassy

fishfoodie wrote: »

(Taps Foot.....)

I'm waiting for some pictures

Congrats on your new puppy !

Yeah where is the pic???

Pups are a pure joy.. We have our new lad almost 6 weeks now and he is such a dote and completely part of the family.

Out guy gets hiccups when he gulps his food and if he gets a bit of a scare. I think its pretty normal and something to do with the lungs forming in the womb....

Blogger50

Hi Again Everyone,

Thanks for all the replies. Its good to know the hiccups arent doing any harm. I have a variety of toys for her to chew but the wicker basket seems to be her favourite! I have been telling her no and replacing it with one of her chew toys. I think the bone I have is a little too big for her so I will take your advise and go shopping for what you have suggested. Will definitely invest in the Nylabones and the teething Kong!

I will also definitely be enrolling her in puppy school because we see her as part of the family and I want her to be a polite if one day large girl!

Today she realised she could bark and has been happily barking at her reflection in the patio door!

Re the pic, sorry guys I am clueless. I have some cute photos but when I try to attach an image it asks for a URL. Can anyone help me with this?

We have christened her Rogue.

Thanks,
B

SarahSassy

Can you save the pics to your desktop and then add as an attachment?

Blogger50

Hi Sarah

Thanks for that! Hope this works! Sorry for the delay. Internet use is a bit sporadic at the moment as you can imagine!
B

ghost_ie

She's a beautiful little girl. May you have many happy years with her

Blogger50

ghost_ie wrote: »

She's a beautiful little girl. May you have many happy years with her

Ahh thanks. I'm in love Dont think she'll be a little girl for long if she looks like her Mum :eek:

roxiesmammy

Ahh im im love. she is a real sweetie. Have u picked a name for her yet

Blogger50

Thanks Roxiesmammy. We have christened her Rogue. So far its proving quite apt!

Paul91

gorgeous!

joyce2009

shes a beaut but it kind of scares me cos my new border collie x looks abit like your one and shes only 11 weeks old,,,ahhhh i hope mine wont grow to be that big