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Original poster

Best tips or advice for new Puppy...Please

28 replies

granarybeck · 05/10/2007 20:26

We are getting our new puppy (Cavalier KC spaniel) in morning and starting to feel a bit paniced that we are ready and know what to do!!

Has anyone got any advice that was the one thing you were glad you were told or that you've learned and would pass on to someone else??

All tips gratefully received!!

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ThreadyKrueger · 05/10/2007 20:29

Use a dog crate for those short periods when he can't be allowed to roam free. Dog feels happy and reaxed because he knows he is restrained (like swaddling!). if he isn't happy, and howls, then you can relax because you know he won't do any harm to himself or the house while he is there

Original poster
granarybeck · 05/10/2007 20:33

Thank you. Have got a crate, am hoping isn't too big. Its confusing as people recommend crates and also playpens, which i guess have different purposes. Is good to know you did find the crate a good way to go.

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Original poster
granarybeck · 05/10/2007 20:56

Any other tips??? I know not the most exciting friday night chat!

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pneumalifenewname · 05/10/2007 20:56

clicker training

MeMySonAndI · 05/10/2007 21:00

The smaller the crate the better, otherwise he would wee on a side of it.(obviously, big enough to accommodate puppy when he grows up)

I can't recommend this book strongly enough. Although my first dog was very easy to train, the second one was a nightmare, this book made all the difference!

Alambil · 05/10/2007 21:26

my only advice is

Find a dog training (obedience - not just socialisation) school and attend

Alambil · 05/10/2007 21:30

oh ok I relent... more tips

NO toys - no soft toys... if he gets used to soft toys your best pair of slippers or your kids favourite toy will be the next to find his jaws!

Use cardboard boxes - he can shred and eat that all he likes (won't hurt him at all) and will keep him entertained for ages

If you need to leave him (for work etc) - get a puppy Kong (get 2 actually)

Fill it with meaty type treats, freeze it - give it to him when you leave and it will keep him entertained for hours trying to get to the food - refill when empty and use the spare in the freezer for the next time

NEVER EVER EVER go out the house without a collar on your dog - when he is too young to go on the ground, hold him with 2 fingers through the collar - we know dogs that have jumped out of arms and been ran over / tails caught under vehicles - NOT nice at all.

Original poster
granarybeck · 05/10/2007 22:04

MemysonandI, have just ordered the book off amazon, thanks for the link.

LewisFanBAHons, thanks for extra tips!! good advice re cardboard boxes. We've got a kong toy but hadn't thought about freezing it. Will def use a collar, I'd worried about holding onto him til had had vaccinations but that brings it home, thanks.

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BroccoliSpears · 05/10/2007 22:17

In my experience giving a puppy their own toys stops them from chewing things that are not theirs. Our dog knows exactly what is hers and what is not and loves to play with and chew her own stuff. Just anecdotal based on our dogs though, as am no sort of an expert.

Top tip for a new puppy - wrap a ticking clock (one of the old fashioned wind-up ones) in a couple of socks (smelly socks if you like) and let the puppy sleep with it. Our puppies have always loved this. It is supposed to simulate a heartbeat and gets them used to the idea of not sleeping bundled up with their mum and siblings. Don't know how true the theory is, but we always do it and believe it is helpful.

gooseegg · 05/10/2007 22:29

Use a biological washing powder solution to clean up any wee or poo mess.

Go out yourself with the puppy whenever you send it out for a wee etc. Even if the weather is bad do not stand on the doorstep - get out there!

Totally ignore any whining throughout the night. It will stop after a few nights but if you give in and go to comfort the puppy it will just whine more.

Think Gina Ford.

MaryBleedinShelley · 05/10/2007 22:31

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Original poster
granarybeck · 05/10/2007 22:37

Brocollispears, no anecdotal evidence is exactly what we need! Thank you

Goosegg, thanks for advice and encouragement, is quite a while since i had to do the whole baby routine bit!

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MaryBleedinShelley · 05/10/2007 22:41

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Original poster
granarybeck · 05/10/2007 22:46

Mary, thank you that's fantastic advice. Am so excited, and want to have fun, but also know have got to take it seriously and do all right things. Equally, know i'm getting a bit neurotic about it, which is completely opposite of how i was with my children!

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Original poster
granarybeck · 05/10/2007 22:48

OOh Mary, post crossed, was then busy reading your post. Really really appreciate your time and advice

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MaryBleedinShelley · 05/10/2007 22:50

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MaryBleedinShelley · 05/10/2007 22:52

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Original poster
granarybeck · 05/10/2007 22:55

He's called Oscar (after much arguing of dcs and dh!). I think that's the thind, it's our first dog, and I've never had a dog as a child, dh has so he's completely laid back - which automatically makes me feel i have to fond evrything out!

Think am also just so excited! Could burst! I know i'll soon change my mind when stood in garden in rain in a couple of weeks!

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MaryBleedinShelley · 05/10/2007 22:56

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Original poster
granarybeck · 05/10/2007 22:57

Good plan [grin}

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Original poster
granarybeck · 05/10/2007 22:58

ok, good plan

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MaryBleedinShelley · 05/10/2007 23:05

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mummydoc · 05/10/2007 23:13

hi , we have a cav puppy ( or chav puppy as he gets called by the 3 year old with a lisp ) he is just about to turn 1 ( and yes full birhtday party being thrown for him !!! GET A CRATE , ours still goes in it all night and whenever we are out . they are really lovely dogs and so good with children, hope you have lots of fun. BTW i remember panicking the night before picking him up , thinking OMG what have i done ..but he is hte best thing we have ever bought the children

mummydoc · 05/10/2007 23:16

just read Marys post, we did buy a fairly big crate and put a blankie at one end and newspaper at the other, but we knew he would have to stay in it for 4-5 hrs some days, it worked out fine, he soon learnt to go outside. Ours is called Timmy ( after the dog in the famous five)

BroccoliSpears · 06/10/2007 10:57

And a really important tip for the next few months: make sure you socialise and train your dog! It's not hard, it just takes time and consistency. We took ours to puppy classes, and then to the park every day.

When I see people who have to keep their dog on the lead all the time in case they run off, or because they fight, or people calling and calling while their dog ignores them, it makes me feel that the time we put in was SO worth it.

Obviously some on-lead dogs are rescue or have some other reason for not being allowed off, but your puppy is a blank slate and you can make things really easy for yourself.

My goal was to make our dog a pleasure to take out. Bit cheesy, but I'm glad I did.