8 week old puppy

[Mollington]

We brought our puppy home today - should
I let her toilet in the garden, or is it too risky infection-wise?

Our breeder said to disinfect our garden yesterday with special anti-parvo disinfectant (which we’ve done). She had started some toilet training with the puppies already, and said to take puppy straight to the garden to pee when we got home. This went well, and puppy has been to the loo there multiple times this pm. The puppy obviously also had a good sniff around in the bushes and undergrowth etc.

But I just messaged our trainer as requested, to let him know how today had gone, and he has just replied that unless our vet has agreed in advance (we don’t see vet until after the weekend) that she should only be toileting inside on pads.

Our breeder said not to use pads, as puppy will eat the plastic. And indeed every time I’ve put a pad down, puppy has started eating it! Trainer says not to worry about this.

Whose guidance should I follow?

[Wolfiefan]

Is your garden public? Why would you expect it to be contaminated with parvo?
I wouldn’t use pads either.

[ulanbatorismynextstop]

I let my puppy toilet outside straight away. My puppy always chewed puppy pads too. I'm not a vet but wasn't aware there was a huge risk in your own garden.

[heatseeker14]

As long as your garden is private and secure it will be fine to let her out there.

[Mollington]

Oh phew, what a relief, I thought I’d put our brand new pup in terrible danger! There’s nothing unusual about our garden at all (def not public!) but it probably has foxes moving through some nights. We’ll maybe fence off a little area until her last lot of vaccinations, so she can’t go foraging under bushes in case there’s hidden fox poo! But it will be great to keep her going to the loo outside - thank you so much for your replies.

[Floralnomad]

I’d be finding a different trainer as I wouldn’t want to be involved with anyone who suggests using puppy pads when you are house training . It’s very unlikely your dog will catch anything in a private garden .

[Wolfiefan]

If you’re on FB Dog Training Advice and Support has great files on bringing a pup home, toilet training and a whole host of other things.
I agree. Ditch the pads. Pup can go out.

[vanillandhoney]

Honestly, they'll be fine in the garden :)

Don't bother with pads, they're just confusing for everyone concerned!

[Kitcat47]

I wish I started training our puppy in the garden. We would be further along now x

[Sitdowncupoftea]

Unless other dogs have been in your garden then start toilet training straight away in the garden.

[StillMedusa]

Garden..and no puppy pads..they just teach the puppy to toilet in the house!
Take her in the garden as soon as she wakes, before and after every meal, before and after playing.. basically every 30 minutes for the next few weeks ! Honestly it is worth the effort..mine was absolutely clean and dry within 3 weeks (I was sleep deprived and exhausted but it was worth it!)
Sleep next to her so as soon as she stirs you whip her outside for a pee. I slept on the sofa for two weeks and by week two she was sleeping til 5am.

[StillMedusa]

PS where is the photo?!!!

[Inanutshelldaze]

Why are there puppy pads now & not newspaper?

[Floralnomad]

@Inanutshelldaze because puppy pads are more absorbent , look neater and lots of people never have a newspaper anyway . Puppy pads are fine for if you have old , incontinent dogs who know where to do their business but just can’t manage to hold on everytime .

[BiteyShark]

@Inanutshelldaze

Why are there puppy pads now & not newspaper?

Never buy a newspaper and I suspect most people don't anymore therefore puppy pads make more sense.

[Sitdowncupoftea]

I trained in the garden with all my dogs but I put puppy pads down through the night near the door to the garden. I lifted pads during day and there was no accidents. I've had no issues toilet training any of my dogs. I dont sleep downstairs with them nor do I crate or have them in my bedroom. Everyone has their own way of toilet training but I personally would not knock puppy pads but I would use them only at night. Some peopld get up through the night and wake a puppy up i wont do that. I've toilet trained all my dogs within a fortnight.

[Infullbloom]

Well if you have foxes in your garden then yes your pup is at risk as they carry all the same infectious diseases we vaccinate dogs against, many of which can survive in the environment for several months, so unless you fox proof your garden then you can't be sure it's safe for your pup.

[Derbee]

I’d look for a new trainer. Seems spectacularly strange and bad advice

[GolightlyMrsGolightly]

Second the FB Dog Training Advice and Support , it’s worth join8ng Facebook for if you aren’t on it. Also the happy puppy book or easy peasy puppy squeasy.

The disinfectant advice sounds odd. Ours fossicked about in the garden from day one. Removed anything obviously poisonous if chewed.

Get the puppy used to following you around the garden and coming when called. And never chase them as it just becomes a game!

[bengalcat]

I used to put a puppy pad by the back door - rarely used if ever and simply let the hound out straight away - 11 weeks when I got her

[bengalcat]

By let out straightaway I meant in the garden

[Foobydoo]

@Sitdowncupoftea

I trained in the garden with all my dogs but I put puppy pads down through the night near the door to the garden. I lifted pads during day and there was no accidents. I've had no issues toilet training any of my dogs. I dont sleep downstairs with them nor do I crate or have them in my bedroom. Everyone has their own way of toilet training but I personally would not knock puppy pads but I would use them only at night. Some peopld get up through the night and wake a puppy up i wont do that. I've toilet trained all my dogs within a fortnight.

@Sitdowncupoftea would you mind asking a few questions please?
At night did you just leave the pup downstairs? Did you use a bed? Did you shut the pup in a particular room?

We are getting a puppy next week and I am in two minds about crating. We want the dog to stay downstairs at all times but have the run of the downstairs.

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

As someone says upthread, YES, FOXES CAN PASS ON DISEASES TO DOGS.
You might like to read this:
foxolutions.co.uk/foxproblems.htm

[Sitdowncupoftea]

@foobydoo I puppy proofed my house by moving all hazards. I put my dogs when they were puppies in the kitchen at night to sleep with a safety gate across the door so I could hear. I got a small basket well padded up with blankets plus an old jumper of mine to sleep on. At night I put puppy pads near the back door. The same door you use to take them out during day to toilet train. The puppy pads are picked up during day. I took puppy out every hour and rewarded when they had done anything. The first couple of nights they do cry at night but after a few nights they do settle. Its a case of getting into a routine. I started training straight away sits etc they learn fast. My huskies were easiest to house train as they didn't mind going out in the garden in the cold. Make sure your puppy is warm at night. I put my bed next to the radiator. As they get older let them sleep in the room. Mine now don't like dog beds they all have their own spots.

[Mostlylurkingiam]

Why have you got a trainer before you got the puppy? Don't you start doing some training on your own then take them to puppy classes later? Sounds like you are over complicating it, take the breeder's advice initially

[PollyRoulson]

@Mostlylurkingiam

Why have you got a trainer before you got the puppy? Don't you start doing some training on your own then take them to puppy classes later? Sounds like you are over complicating it, take the breeder's advice initially

Way better to speak to a trainer BEFORE you get your puppy. Sets up a good system and usually answers questions like the one asked on the thread. eg where to sleep, what to do when......

Just make sure you get a good trainer