Puppy!

[Ellain]

DH and I drove up to Chicago yesterday and picked up our puppy! At 9 weeks old, she weighs about 20 pounds, and is incredibly fuzzy. She got to go to lots of places yesterday. We went from the breeder's to Petsmart and picked up a car harness for the trip home. Then we made the 3 hour drive, stopping once for a potty/food break. When we reached Peoria, we stopped at this cool shop called "My Dog's Bakery" to buy antlers for chewing and some treats. After that, we stopped by my friend's house, where Ceileighe (pronounced Kaylee) met a puppy twice her age and half her size, and made tentative friends. From there we went to an SCA fighting practice, meeting lots of new people, hearing new sounds, and getting her nails trimmed. When she started to wear out again, we took off to visit DH's parents, eat dinner, and head home. Ceileighe really likes her grandpa!

She was such a good girl all day long, but our house scared her. I don't think she had ever seen a cat before, lol. We have a vet appoinment this afternoon, and several other "meet people" times today. Tomorrow, I believe, we will start officially training her. I have never done this before, and really hope I do a good job for her!

[Lyse]

We want puppy pics!

[Treasure]

OMG! She is SOOOO Cute! What is she?

[Frantic Freddie]

Awww,give her a pettin' from me & Mrs. Frantic *slips the puppy a treat*

[BookstoreEscapee]

Oh, puppy! I like her friend, too

20 pounds - at 9 weeks, she's 4 times the size Pablo when he was 9 years!

[Elspeth]

ahem. SQUEEEE! So fluffy! and we need more pictures.

[Mishi]

What a gorgeous girl! *pats puppy* Lovely name too

[draggar]

What breed is that.

A few tips - a puppy can "hold" itself roughly 1 hour for every month it is old - so expect to walk it every couple of hours or let it have access to puppy pads.

Crate training and feeding them in the crate can really help with housebreaking, too.

learn their "peepee" body language and walk them often.

Keep up with the shots - especially Parvo (hopefully the breeder told you when the last shot was).

Socialize, Socialize, Socialize, and then you're done socializing them, socialize them even more!!

[BookstoreEscapee]

What breed is that.

It's a Leonberger.


Prior thread.

and baby pictures


Goin' be a beeeeg puppy!

[Ellain]

Right now we're going potty roughly every 2-4 hours, and we've only had 3 accidents. Not too bad. She slept through most of her post adoption check up. She got her first batch of puppy shots on Monday.

We have a crate, but it is not currently set up. It will be by tomorrow, 'cause I can't be home all day. Stupid work. *grin* I can come home on my breaks to walk her though, I live 3 blocks from work.

We're trying to have her meet new people every day, and new animals as often as I can find friendly healthy ones. Unfortunately, that rules quite a few out, in my area. But I'm friends with a breeder, and she's offered her help if needed.

Ceileighe's friend is my boss's puppy, she's a teacup poodle named Wookie. I swear, she's nothing but a spring with fuzz and a tongue!

More pictures will come as I get them loaded

[BookstoreEscapee]

Ceileighe's friend is my boss's puppy, she's a teacup poodle named Wookie. I swear, she's nothing but a spring with fuzz and a tongue!

Hehe, sounds about right. I met a little poodle last week at PetSmart. Quite bouncy.

[XCashier]

She's a lovely puppy. May you have many happy years together.

[draggar]

Right now we're going potty roughly every 2-4 hours, and we've only had 3 accidents. Not too bad. She slept through most of her post adoption check up. She got her first batch of puppy shots on Monday.

You will have accidents - it's all part of raising a puppy.

We have a crate, but it is not currently set up. It will be by tomorrow, 'cause I can't be home all day. Stupid work. *grin* I can come home on my breaks to walk her though, I live 3 blocks from work.

We had an exercise pen set up for Luna with some newspapers and training pads (the ones that smell like grass to them).

Reward the dog for going to the bathroom outside, either a treat, a toy, or just a lot of positive attention (and give them a command before they go to the bathroom (peepee, poopee), etcc).

We're trying to have her meet new people every day, and new animals as often as I can find friendly healthy ones. Unfortunately, that rules quite a few out, in my area. But I'm friends with a breeder, and she's offered her help if needed.

Ceileighe's friend is my boss's puppy, she's a teacup poodle named Wookie. I swear, she's nothing but a spring with fuzz and a tongue!

More pictures will come as I get them loaded

Exposure and socialization is extremely important now, 6-12 weeks is a major "fear period" where if the dog isn't exposed to something it can hold the dog back. Many vets say that you shouldn't have the dog out and about until 16-20 weeks but by then you've missed a huge window.

You seem to be doing a god job so far!

[Squeaksmyalias]

Exposure and socialization is extremely important now, 6-12 weeks is a major "fear period" where if the dog isn't exposed to something it can hold the dog back. Many vets say that you shouldn't have the dog out and about until 16-20 weeks but by then you've missed a huge window.

You seem to be doing a god job so far!

I agree you are going a great job! Socialization ASAP is great, I'd say just for the puppy's safety just stick with animals you know and no dog parks for now. Easier to handle whats going on and until the baby is set on shots you don't have to worry about other dogs possibly passing anything along. I hate to say it but there is always that one or two dumb owners at parks who don't keep their dog up to date on important shots or let their dog run free with no manners (remember! before you let Ceileighe off the leash the first time in a park make sure she knows COME! and listens to it no matter the distraction). I have a feeling you will be the good owner.

[draggar]

I agree you are going a great job! Socialization ASAP is great, I'd say just for the puppy's safety just stick with animals you know and no dog parks for now. Easier to handle whats going on and until the baby is set on shots you don't have to worry about other dogs possibly passing anything along. I hate to say it but there is always that one or two dumb owners at parks who don't keep their dog up to date on important shots or let their dog run free with no manners (remember! before you let Ceileighe off the leash the first time in a park make sure she knows COME! and listens to it no matter the distraction). I have a feeling you will be the good owner.

Only one or two at your dog parks? It must be a paradise!!

Yes, the recall (come, here) should be your strongest command. A good way to train that is to call the dog's name and as soon as they look at you and start moving towards you give lots of vocal praise (don't wait for the dog to get to you). If the dog gets distracted (like all puppies) call him again. When the dog gets to you give a big reward, a treat or a high value toy.

If the dog comes up to you on his own, give the command and then quickly praise. Always have a good toy or treat on you (for puppies maybe some cheese as a food reward, dehydrated chick for later on). YOU want to be the source of all good things.

Vocal rewards should always be high pitched and happy.