Can't believe I let DH convince me to buy a puupy at the pet store tonite. I have never owned any type of animal before! This should be interesting! Any tips on how to house train? I think he is 5wks old. Will send a pic hwen I get some batteries for my cam. Forget what he is - part something or another. As you can tell I know nothing about animals. Please help?
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Lucky you, welcome to the world of dog lovers. have had several pups and loved them all. At the present time, I have a beautiful Collie girl. I found the best way to train them is to take them outside every 1/2 hour and always take them to the same place. Put papers down where they are and if they go on them,take the paper outside, soiled, and put it on the ground so they know they go outside.Never punish them for going inside when they are puppies. they will learn if you keep up your part of the training.Good luck.
Lillian
Good luck newfie!
I had dogs when I was growing up, but I've never really been a dog person. Now though, I have my bundle of fluff, Miss Murphy. I can't imagine life without her! I even snuck her into work last Saturday! She stayed right beside my desk and never made a peep. I had to take her with me to the washroom though, she won't let me out of her sight. I'm looking to put her in puppy school soon though, she's 4 months old now.
Sandy is a good name -- he's just about the same colour as sand, isn't he?? And hey, you can tell people that it's short for the BM's Crown Point Sand ;) Or any other "Sand" paint colour that you like :)
Hope you and Sandy (and your hubby) have lots of fun togther :)
smoodgie! That is good - but I think we are going to stick with Sandy. DH will be out of town for the next 2 wks, when he was supposed to be off for 2wks & train the dog! We shall see how Sandy & I make out.
How about Ben or Benji -- as in Benjamin Moore?? ;)
how about the name Foster, as you are his foster Mom.
I want a puppy!
like that name suzieG -my parents run the local liquor store here & I think of the drink whenever I hear that name.
They just got a puppy also. She said she's so tired. She has to get up several times at night, she's been cleaning messes... etc etc. It's her 2nd week and she said it's going better. Their's is a golden lab female.
One of the names they had in mind was Bailey. I find that kind of nice, but to masculine for a female.
was going to call him Sandy, but it doesn't roll off my tongue very easy. So I am not really sure. I have have a tendency to call him buddy & buster but don't really want to call him that for good. Smoodgie - that would pee me off too - tks though. I was scared that nobody was going to reply for awhile! Going to the library tom - apparently they have a good book there. He did do #2 on DH today - but it was DH's own fault! I had a laugh anyway!
He's so cute... what did you name it?
Your new puppy is adorable!!!!!!
If he shivers it could be he is nervous but also cold as he is very young. I never got my pups until 8 weeks. Hold him alot after he comes in, even in an old soft blanket to get warm and for him to get to know you. Pups love the warmth of humans when no Mom is there. I have treid the clock thing but found a warm water bottle worked better. Cover his cage during the day + night to keep his body heat in so he is warm. Just leave small place where he can see out, to see you. What is her/him name??
I suggested a book as all the advise is in there for reference. The first Vet visit you need to bring a stool sample as some pups have worms or mites. (Especially from pet stores) He/she is ADORABLE.
He's so cute!! What's his name??
I wrote a huge long reply to your request for info yesterday, but when I went to post it, the whole thing got lost because I logged out of the web site without realizing it. I was so mad (it took me over half an hour to type it all out!!), I had to stay away from my computer for a while!! Then I got busy and didn't have time.
Foxxy gave you good advice. I heard that putting a clock close to a puppy will help it settle easier in its bed, because the ticking reminds it of its mother's heartbeat.
Take him to obedience lessons when he's at the appropriate age. Most importantly, you'll be able to teach your puppy to obey commands, and it will also help you and your husband learn how to train a puppy properly. It also provides social interaction with other dogs (and people) for your puppy. PetSmart offers classes in their stores.
A puppy's social skills are established early in life (at about 7 weeks old). Make sure that you handle him a lot and pat him and keep him active and stimulated. You want him to be happy and comfortable with you, as well as with other people and animals.
Depending on your lifestyle, you may want to crate train him, in case he'll need to spend time in a crate when there's nobody at home. Make sure that his crate is a place that he feels safe and comfortable and heppy, so he won't mind going into it and spending a few hours in it.
Give him lots of praise when he does something good, and reprimand him when he misbehaves. Quite often, making a loud noise (like hitting your hand with a rolled up newspaper or dropping a phone book on the floor) will be enough to send the message that he's in trouble when he's done something bad.
I better stop now, in case I get logged out again!!
He's adorable!! No advice though, sorry, don't know much about dogs :(
seems to be able to get comfortable anywhere - does not like to go outsideas he shivers for longs periods of time afterwards.
pic
foxxy - again tks for responding & for your time - you always seem to come through with advice!
If you have never owned a puppy I would suggest you buy a book on "puppies". Buy a good book though and it will have all you need to know. Also speak to your vet. and he/she can recommend one.
5 wks is young to be taken away from the mother so be prepared for crying as he will get very lonely. I would suggest you keep him in a crate/kennel with a fluffy blanket and couple of soft toys so he has a home of his own and he feels safe.
Use the kennel during the day and at night as pups sleep a lot. Pups will seldom mess in their kennel. They need to be outside to pee etc. every 3 hours until their bladders develop. They also need to be fed every 3 hours or so a little food. Do not give him a lot as pups gorge and then throw it up. Pablum mixed with kibble softened in warm water. Give him a Tbsp. yogurt 3-4x week. Make sure there is fresh water all the time for him. The Net will have excellent advise. I have had many pups and love dogs. Good luck and keep us posted.