very very small new puppy coming in three weeks

[Themasterandmargaritas]

We are getting our new half cocker puppy in three weeks when he will be about 6 weeks. It's ages since we have had one this small. What do I need to do re: routines/sleeping places and what should he eat?

Bear in mind that I am in Africa and he will mostly be an outside dog....

6 weeks seems a little young. Isn't between 8 and 12 weeks recommended age?

Has it been reared outside or in?

Reared outside, that's how we do it here Eco - it's the tough way or no way

Seriously I was thinking 6 weeks is a bit young, I'll double check with her and the vet.

I thought pups had to be at least 7 weeks to leave their mother. Will the dog not come into the house at all then?

No he won't come into the house much. Unless he is very very cute

I think I'll keep him in the kitchen for the first month in a crate and see how we get on. We have a lovely kennel too, I might move it close to the house and put him in there.

Kitchen then kennel close to house sound good .

While he's still young I'd suggest ensuring he's got a safe enclosure outside, he wont be able to protect himself if need be - i.e. my pup (and she is a much bigger breed) was attacked by an older dog at 13 weeks and is now at risk of losing her leg ...although she was in the house in her basket at the time!

Did you have a chance to speak with the vet? We had a spaniel cross as children and he was fantastic fun.

6 weeks is too young. 8 weeks is the earliest when he should be leaving his mother.

No I haven't spoken to the vet, I'll try and reach him on Monday. I was thinking the same eco, I may get someone to build a small fence around the kennel so he has his own area and our other dog doesn't get all jealous.

Talk to me about how we best use the crate. Our kitchen is not so big....

I took my pup at 7 weeks, 4 days. After consulting with the breeder, it worked out best for all concerned. I took a week off work (I work part time) to spend with our new dog and focus solely on her.

There is always someone at home so he will get a lot of attention!

Our friends in South Africa always shut their dogs in the garage at night to reduce the risk of them meeting dangerous predators at night. You also need to keep your tick control really good to prevent biliary, but I'm sure your vet will tell you all of this. Plus I wouldn't let the put loose unsupervised until it can get it's rabies shot.

Master I'm going to look at a cocker /lab mix later tonight [v excited]

Are you Coke? That is so exciting, we can do cocker puppies together. Crossed with a lab will be great, sort of calm down the bounciness. We are not sure what ours is crossed with

We need to discuss names....

Lizcat, we shall need to watch out for snakes but nothing greater than that (sadly) around here, oh perhaps a large mongoose. I shall keep him in the house until he is bigger.

Ours are frontlined every 3 months.

Now what do I need to feed him?

I must need my head looked at, it will be demented

We're going with Merlin so far.

Merlin, good choice will put that to my dc. So far we are stuck on Spike I'm pushing for Lionel but they are not having it.

DD1 wants Derek

Del . Have fun and only choose ONE.