New Pup Questions

mcdoogle

Hi folks, getting our new pup next week. We've decided to crate train and have a quick question - should we get a bed as well as the crate or just the crate? The other half thinks we should but I think it'd be confusing for the pup.

Also she'll be ten weeks when we get her, how long after can we start walking her? I know you have to start slowly, just wondering.

Whispered

Congratulations!

I wouldn't bother with another bed unless it's to be in another room (eg, crate in the kitchen, bed for pup to lie on in the sitting room while watching TV with you).

With a pup that young you can move a bit faster with the crate training and IMO the pup should be crated on the first night for its own safety. Although others may disagree. Don't forget to get up very regularly to bring the pup out for the toilet, at that age they can't hold on very long at all.

You can walk the pup outside 2 weeks after his final shots. Before that can leave him open to all manner of disease. Similar with socialising with other dogs. Ideally it should be 2 weeks after shots, although I didn't stick to this. (different circumstances though)

What type are you getting, do you have any pictures?

mcdoogle

Thanks for the quick reply, getting a chocolate lab. No pics yet. Am getting ready to sleep downstairs with it for the first while. How long do you think that'll need to happen for?

Cherry Blossom

I got a plastic bed with a bit of vet bed for the back hall as well as the crate. This was in the summer though as I was leaving the back door open so she could play in the garden and come in to the hall as she pleased and for cleanliness (bed easily cleaned and mud/coal etc didn't get dragged through the house or into her crate. I would advise getting your pup as early in the day as possible and spend the day getting it used to the crate so you have no problems the first night.

Cherry Blossom

mcdoogle wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply, getting a chocolate lab. No pics yet. Am getting ready to sleep downstairs with it for the first while. How long do you think that'll need to happen for?

Not necessary, as the dog is confined to the crate you can sleep with it by your bed with no problems for the first while untill the pup can last through the night without needing to go out. I bought a packet of training pads and arranged them on the floor under the crate in case of accident to protect the carpet, no accident ever happened though.

mcdoogle

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

Not necessary, as the dog is confined to the crate you can sleep with it by your bed with no problems for the first while untill the pup can last through the night without needing to go out. I bought a packet of training pads and arranged them on the floor under the crate in case of accident to protect the carpet, no accident ever happened though.

Happy days so, sounds like it might be a little easier than I thought it would be.

We're intending to collect her first thing in the morning so she can have a few hours to explore her new home before bed time.

Planning on taking some time off work as well for the first while, how long do you think would be enough? Have plenty of days left so time isn't really a problem.

Whispered

Sleeping downstairs isn't really needed, might actually give your pup bad habits! All you need to do is tire him or her out, make absolutely sure he has gone to the toilet just before bed and put him into the crate. Then head to bed and set your alarm for first midnight toilet outing!

I would not recommend the crate beside your bed unless you really have to due to crying. It's giving him a habit which you will then have to try break. Of course this is a personal choice so do whatever you feel more comfortable with. But I always find it easiest to start as you mean to go on. He may cry, most pups do but if he is tired enough he should soon drop off. You can do things like put in a clock, get a snugglesafe heat mat etc but I never found any of that necessary.

It's a whole scary new world for the pup away from his littermates and mother. I'd recommend covering the crate with a light sheet so the pup isn't in the crate looking out on a big unfamiliar kitchen . This also gives habits though, even now, at 2 years old, if my boy feels insecure or sick and the crate doesn't have its cover on he'll snooze behind the couch.

With regards to taking time off work, how long depends on your schedule. Can you come home during the day? Or will you instead have someone call in? Young pups can't hold themselves for long at all so really you'd do well to have someone pop in hourly for the first few weeks! But obviously this may not be possible.

How long will the pup be alone for during the day? If leaving him or her in the kitchen for too long, he will go to the toilet in the house which will push his toilet training way back. If that can't be helped, the puppy training pads might be the way to go, although again, it's giving the pup a habit you will then have to try break as he gets older.

There are so many different ways of doing things, what works for you will really depend on your circumstances and the pup.

mcdoogle

Personally I wouldn't be too fond of the dog in the bedroom (my first dog, herself has had them before) but herself says she'd like it so I suppose we'll decide when she arrives what we'll do.

With regards to work, I'll be gone from 8 till half 5 every day, herself will be home before me but only just. It's a long time for the pup to be on her own so I'm going to try (Boss permitting) to bring her to work, however this wont be possible every day. We don't really know anyone in the area so getting someone to look in on the pup isn't really an option. We'd like to try a doggy day care type place but doesn't seem to be any close to us (Firhouse) so we'll prob have to look for a walker or something.

Whispered

You'll definately need to have someone call in to visit the pup during the day. That's way too long for a pup. Her socialisation and toilet training will suffer as well as normal training, you'll also leave your home open to destruction by a bored and lonely puppy! If you ask in your local vets they should know of walkers and pet sitters in your area, or even ask on here for recommendations.

So once you sort this out, then take as much time off as you would like. Try to get the pup into a routine of being alone for a while so she doesn't suffer from seperation anxiety when you go back to work.

And stock up on toys, kongs, treat balls etc to keep her happy while you're away.

mcdoogle

Thanks for the info. Will check in with the vet to check for walkers / sitters in the area and try take care of that angle.

Would it be ok to leave the pup out in the garden during the day or would it be too cold? Wouldn't be too sure of a randomer coming into the house.

portgirl123

op u said in earlier post u could take as much time of , then in later post u said u will b at work all day??????????????

portgirl123

mcdoogle wrote: »

Thanks for the info. Will check in with the vet to check for walkers / sitters in the area and try take care of that angle.

Would it be ok to leave the pup out in the garden during the day or would it be too cold? Wouldn't be too sure of a randomer coming into the house.

way to cold to leave a pup out all day. have u really thought this through

mcdoogle

portgirl123 wrote: »

op u said in earlier post u could take as much time of , then in later post u said u will b at work all day??????????????

Eh.... I said I can take holidays from work - have to go back some time.

I also said I will take her in with me when I get a chance but am investigating dog walkers / day care etc. Like I said I'm sussing out all angles at the moment - she wont be neglected.

cmbutterfly45

i wouldnt sleep with puppy!
i have a golden lab we got her at 8 weeks and left her in her crate alone in kitchen first night with no crying/ any other problems and she has been there every night since she is almost 2 yrs now and has never made a sound during night, also in my opinion i wouldnt leave pup alone for more than an hour at all for first few weeks cos if its anything like our lab it will get up to mischief while your away and also labs get very nervous if left alone, wish you the best of luck labs are such good dogs ours is like family

mcdoogle

cmbutterfly45 wrote: »

i wouldnt sleep with puppy!
i have a golden lab we got her at 8 weeks and left her in her crate alone in kitchen first night with no crying/ any other problems and she has been there every night since she is almost 2 yrs now and has never made a sound during night, also in my opinion i wouldnt leave pup alone for more than an hour at all for first few weeks cos if its anything like our lab it will get up to mischief while your away and also labs get very nervous if left alone, wish you the best of luck labs are such good dogs ours is like family

Thanks for the info, like I said above I wouldn't be too keen on her sleeping in the bedroom.

I have lots of holidays to take so I'm going to try take 2 weeks off when she arrives and gradually build her up on time alone. My girlfriend might be able to take a week off as well then so all in all we will have 2 weeks with the pup hopefully 3 weeks though. We intend on getting lots of toys etc to keep her occupied as well.

Whispered

That sounds great OP, 3 weeks and she should be in a good routine.

But under no circumstances should she be left outside alone for any length of time. Too cold and way to many things to eat/ get trapped in etc. A pup should always be supervised or in an puppy proofed area, puppy spray on all edible surfaces, all non edible surfaces and all maybe edible surfaces :eek: There should be nothing left plugged in at a level the puppy could even maybe get at and don't leave anything near the floor that you want to be in the same condition when you return. Little fecks can get at anything. I had a tiny collar on my fella when we got him and he managed to get it caught on the handle of a drawer in the kitchen. Luckily we were there but it goes to show how easily things can go wrong.

cmbutterfly45

for labs all surfaces are edible our one even ate the sky cable outside that goes to the dish , if you want to keep something put it way out of reach:)