just chose a puppy. advice needed please.

[girrafey]

ok. we went today and my dd chose a lovely cocker spainiel puppy. we get it in 10 days. from a lovely breeder. checked and seen all certificates etc so very happy.

i am actually more worried about bringing it home then i was my dc!!

some very silly questions.

been researching and it recomends not putting a collar on them straight away or using leads. when do you start?

i was planning on walking it from the day we got it but apparently you shouldnt let out of your garden till it has had jabs. when are they?

planning on getting a grate cage thing so that it can be shut away when needed. though not often as it will have free reign of the house. however dont want it upstairs sleeping with us so should i put it in there when my partner goes to bed at midnight ish?

im a stay at home mum so not leaving it alone while it settles isnt a problem. however i want it to be a family pet and when i vist my mum and in laws etc to take it with us, how is the best way to do this. do it from the start, and take the crate maybe?

ok just had a thought how do you toilet train them? ( can do children and kittens no problem just never done dogs!!)

ok anything else you can thing off. any tips or anything will be great. cant believe how nervous i am!!!!

off out for a few hours will check back later.

The most important thing really is socialising it, it needs to meet all sorts of people and dogs i.e. different coloured people, people wearing glasses/hats etc!
large dogs, small dogs, hairy dogs, smooth dogs etc. Getting it used to cats is also a bonus. getting it used to the car is quite essential to prevent carsickness later on and for ease of taking him places for walkies and going to the vet etc.

as for the toilet training, take him outside every time he has had a drink, eaten or woken up from a nap. leave newspaper around and if he eliminates on it, gradually move it closer to the door and then outside so he will associate going to the toilet with the newspaper which is now outside, so will associate going to the toilet with going outside hopefully!

As for the lead training, you should really start as soon as possible but let him just ''be'' a baby for a while too before you start any serious training.

Also, don't lock him in his crate, a crate should be a safe-haven for him, a place where he will be left alone if you wants to get away from you're children etc and be alone, he should associate his crate with punishment so don't put him in there as punishment if he does something naughty, you are his teacher so you need to teach him the right way to do things rather than punish him when he does the wrong thing.

Hi
Usually they have 1st set of jabs around 10 weeks (some vets may do them from 8 WEEKS) Then 2 weeks later they have another jab. She will also need worming the vet will advice the best to use according to body weight.
Then they can go out about a week or some say 2 weeks after that.If your garden is fenced off and no other dogs have access that is usually ok. ( cant really control cats comeing in and out)
As for the crate I used to think they were cruel but after becoming a vet nurse and seeing them used correctly they are a godsend in my opinion.
I would suggest getting your puppy used to this as soon as you can.Maybe leaving the door open a bit at first.
If you have perhaps on old t shirt with your smell on for him to cuddle up to at night or a favourite toy.
Seperation anxiety is big for puppies as they leave there mum, so dont be surprised if he cries a lot when you shut him in.
I always found my dog loved it to go in for a bit of piece and quiet. She only had for the 8 months.
I waited for teething around 6 months to be done with!!
However was lucky as she wasnt a chewer.

By the way I also clicker trained her and she now goes on her own designated toilet area in the garden.( which I am glad I did as I have started my family and soon DD will be playing on the grass.)
Lots of praise also works.
Sorry for waffling hope this helps and good luck

Good advice from country girl.It is important not to use crate as a punishment.

The training mats with the smell on them are great for toilet training. Put one by the back door and one in his crate, he will learn that this is where he does the toilet if he cannot make it outside. Look for him circling or squating and rush him outside when you see him doing it. My dog still has her cage and she is 1.5. We got rid of it once and she chewed the walls and carpets as soon as we gave her the crate back she was very content. Puppies are fun but hard work, good luck and post a picture when you get it.

thanks so much for all your advice. will post pic and no doubt ask more when we get him.