Seven week old puppy - Question about routine

[IWouldPreferNotTo]

Last night we got a seven week old Border Collie from a farm where the mother is a working dog.

We've read the dog training guides and they all seem very focused on the dog spending a lot of time in a crate during the day.

At least one person is with the dog all day and at the moment we tend to spend from around 07:00 to 19:00 in the garden. This means today has looked like taking her for a little walk, doing a bit of training on coming to us when we call and walking with us and a lot of sleeping or lying in the shade next to where we are in the garden.

It feels like this should be a reasonable thing to do, but I'm curious what you think.

[weeblueberry]

I think expecting them to be in the crate most of the day is only if you're really going to push the crate thing through the dogs whole life? If you're not planning to do that then start as you mean to go on. If this is how you'd like a typical day to be for your dog with its family then I think it's absolutely fine.

At seven weeks I wouldn't be expecting too much tbh.

[FirstTimeDogParent]

7 weeks?

Are they weaned at 7 weeks?

[IWouldPreferNotTo]

We're really not planning the crate thing at all.

The dog is on a farm, we want it outdoors looking after the hens and ducks.

We'd expect the usual day to start at around 06:00-07:00 with getting the ducks & hens out then doing stuff around the farm. Sometimes coming out onto the fields with people as company but mainly roaming the main farm area which is 200mx300m before helping bring in the hens/chickens at night.

This is not a dog which is going to be left on her own during the day.

[IWouldPreferNotTo]

@FirstTimeDogParent

Yes, I thought it seemed young. A few guides said it was best to wait until 8 weeks but it was 7 weeks or 11 weeks due to where she was located. Plenty said 7 weeks was a suitable time for a puppy to join a household.

[Witchonastick]

I second the above about use of the crate.
Our pup is only in the crate overnight, but we have a safe enclosed space if we need to leave him alone. Other than that he’s with us all day.

She shouldn’t be going for walks until she’s done with vaccinations, usually around 11wks. And even then shouldn’t be walking far, 5mins per month if age, twice a day is the recommendation.

[Witchonastick]

Sounds like she’ll have a lovely life

[moobar]

I live on a farm, farmers wife.

We have 15 collies, two spaniels, four labs and three terriers.

None of them could bring in the chickens at night! Not if I wanted them alive at the end of it.

They could all chase them, stalk them, gum them, and scatter them in a hundred different directions.


I'm sure the occasional one may be able to do it but chickens don't work like sheep.

Your routine sounds just fine op, and dogs presence may deter predators when about certainly.

People often home working collies 7 weeks, is young but also common.

[FirstTimeDogParent]

witch what I’ve read, the puppy walking guideline (which doesn’t appear to have any scientific evidence backing it, btw) seems to be limited to ‘formal’ on lead walking where the puppy is being forced to walk at human pace. Apparently this puts strain on the developing joints and is thought to link to growth issues later. Play and running about at their own pace can be ‘unlimited’ and isn’t counted in the 5min rule. So running about on the farm would be fine.

[IWouldPreferNotTo]

@Witchonastick

When I say walk I literally mean walking around the farm with her on a lead just to get her used to it.

At the moment we're letting her get settled and used to her name (Luna).

[IWouldPreferNotTo]

@moobar

I did wonder if we had unrealistically high hopes. Our thinking was that as she'd see them roaming around all day from a young age we could train her not to pester them.

The chickens are very easy to put away. As soon as it start's getting a bit dim and movement has them getting into the shed for the night. The ducks are another matter as there is no animal stupider than a duck, they do need herding.

[TheHodgeoftheHedge]

Personally I wouldn't agree with taking a puppy home at 7 weeks but hey ho...
and exactly what witch said - she shouldn't be going for walks until all her vaccinations are done and even then, it's important that pups are not over - walked due to their developing bones and joints.

If you're not planning on having them use the crate regularly, I would also probably not worry about crate training extensively during the day. It can be a good idea to get the pup used to the crate as a safe space that they are happy with so that should you need it in the future it's not such a big deal, but I certainly wouldn't be spending ages putting the pup in it every day if not.

[TheHodgeoftheHedge]

Sorry cross posted with you OP.

[FirstTimeDogParent]

I would be concerned about communicable diseases with an unvaccinated puppy though.

[Witchonastick]

Ah I see. I thought you were actually taking her for walks! I thought the the poor little thing must be knackered!

[moobar]

The walking thing is forced walks.

If the dog is closing to potter about the farm, or indeed to lie in the garden, that's not a walk. No different to charging round the kitchen in a city flat. All our puppies are out straight away on farm, all dogs here are vaccinated and no unknown dogs enter. We wouldn't walk them in populated dog areas pre vaccine though.

Ha op, yes ducks are a pest. I suppose if it's part of the routine every night it might be fine. I just spend all my time trying to stop them herding them!!

[Witchonastick]

Our pup is ok with our ducks. He’s been around them from 8wks and doesn’t chase them. But then he’s not a herding breed.

[weeblueberry]

Yeah when you said walks I assumed you just meant wee tiny walks around to get used to the lead lol.

[IWouldPreferNotTo]

She's had the first set of vaccinations (Distemper, parainfluenza) and is booked in for the next set.

Then she'll be ready to meet a very well trained dog which lives half a kilometre away,

[IWouldPreferNotTo]

Not the greatest pic but this is her

[FirstTimeDogParent]

What a cutie

[inwood]

She's too young. I certainly wouldn't crate her.

[Witchonastick]

Awww!

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

7 weeks is now thought a bit young but 6 weeks was pretty standard even 20 years ago.

If anyone has any science to back up the 5 mins a day rule I'd love to read it. If gambolling about in the garden is AOK, I don't see how 20 mins off lead at an amble round the woods can logically be much of a problem.

[IWouldPreferNotTo]

The thing is she's seven weeks old and she's here. So regardless of whether or not it's best practice, it's what we're dealing with.

That said I'm very keen on taking advice as i want not just a decent dog but one where people remark on how well trained she is.

[Jouska]

7 weeks is not too young - (although the law has changed to be 8 weeks) most/many working dogs are rehomed at 7 weeks before the fear stage at 8 weeks. Guide for the blind also rehome at 7 weeks so no worries there.

I have a farm with collies and this is just what we would be doing with new pups - let them potter around see what is going on - I do crate only so they can chill out and there are times when it is dangerous to have a puppy out on the farm.

Mine does herd the ducks but not so great with the chickens - but it would be good to hope yours will .


As you know collies are very intelligent and great dogs, calm consistent handling and reward based training and you will have a well trained collie.

One thing we have to make a major effort to do is to get them off the farm and seeing things out and about. Some collies can be quite timid and getting them seeing things when young really helps with this a lot.

She is adorable