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New puppy to arrive soon, few questions.

5 replies

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 08/06/2010 22:40

I know what type of food he is on, and buying online along with other bits but wondering how long a 2kg bag will last.

Also I have spot on for my cats and worming tablets reguarly. While i know i should spot on new puppy, do i need to do worming tablets too?

Im planning to crate train him and have space ready and crate being collected tomorrow, but do i need bed too? I ammussing he will sleep in his crate?

Last question is when he comes to us, im planning to be at home more than normal, is that ok, or should i not as he migth get used to it? Im not owrking and will be doing school runs, but i guess what i mean is we wont be stoppping for coffee on way home from school ect.

Thanks

OP posts:
Vallhala · 08/06/2010 22:52

Dog food - depends on size and age of pup and his appetite! Sorry, not very helpful, am I?

SPot on - make sure it's age appropriate (otherwise it can be dangerous) and check with the breeder as to if/when he was last treated first. Likewise worming. Remember to keep the cats and DC, if you have any, away from pup until the spot on has dried.

He'll need a bed in his crate but old blankets might be better at first as they're easier to wash/cheaper to throw away if he soils them - charity shops often sell cheap blankets if you have none. Ensure they can't cause him harm if chewed. When he's older and not chewing an old duvet folded works as well (I put covers on mine, old ones which DDs have worn out/abandoned, easier to wash them regularly and duvet more occasionally). Don't use a duvet at first though as there's a risk to him if he chews it.

Re crates - if thats the way forward for you, it's good to start as you mean to go on. A radio playing softly in the background may settle him at night if you intend to leave him in a crate when you go to bed. (No expert on this at all, my huge lumps of dogs sleep on my bed!).

And you being at home at first is good and recommended. It's far easier to toilet train a dog you're with best part of the day when you can see and act upon his first signs of needing to go. Also it helps build a bond and gives him security. I'm a soft touch for dogs and would be upset if a new pup was at home, just taken from mum and siblings, alone and possibly unhappy, whilst I was at work. If you ensure that he's been moderately exercised, toileted and has something safe to amuse him like a couple of Kongs when you're on the school run he'll soon get used to the idea that although you love him and are there for him, he is not abandoned just because you go out for a short while, which will lead to a confident understanding of being left as he grows older.

Now come on, tell us, what make is he? What will you call him?

(Me? Jealous? As if!).

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 09/06/2010 01:04

thanks for the advice. I will weigh him before doing spot on as they are done via s,m, or large. I know first jabs and worming will be done via home before he comes here, are dogs wormed same time length as cats?

He is a beutiful chocolate brown labardoddle called thornton we have been to visit 4 times and again on thursday this week. He is very sweet, calm conpared to his 8 brothers and one of the larger of the litter

We have plenty of blankets to use so no troubles there and our DD1 has given us strict instructions to ensure we leave tv or radio on the keep him company (LOL shes been reading)

He will be coming on school run with me in Sept but I have been advised to limit his walks to 5 mins when his very young due to the fact labs have hip problems in future if walked too much when puppies. We only have 4 weeks left at school when he arrives here and then we have all summer to build up his walks.

I would love to have him on my bed but we camp away a lot and he will be coming too so think its best to crate train him for the car trips.

We are very excited and have wanted a dog for a long time but now i have quit my job (long story) and going to be home all day we can finally add him to our family

OP posts:
minimu1 · 09/06/2010 12:54

Puppies are usually wormed when young and then at 7 weeks 9 weeks and again at 12.But do check with the breeder. I would take any pup I collect to the vet in the first 24 hours of having it just to check it over and you can discuss worming and spot on then. I would only used wormer from the vet not from pets shops etc (unless a brand the vet sells)

No you should not need a bed and a crate - just drop tasty treats in the crate when the puppy first arrives and he will love it. Look on you tube for video clips of Susan garrets crate games - great exercises to get tthe dog loving the crate.

Foood will probably last about 10 days(ish!)

I would not leave him along much to start with - yes do leave the room and pop out but not for a long period of time. let him settle in and then you can build up the time he is left.

Have fun!

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 09/06/2010 14:55

we have him booked in for puppy check when he gets here and his coming from a friend, so i know his well cared for

OP posts:
bev2102 · 13/06/2010 01:13

Just a bit of advice if you're puppies coming from his mum & siblings. It'll be a huge shock to start with and he'll be very lonely and upset if you leave him alone (ie in kitchen) for the first night. Best idea is to wean him from company. We did this for our puppy and had no problems.
How you do it is;
First 2 nights put him in the crate next to your bed so he can see, hear and smell you.
3rd night move the crate to the end of your bed.
4th/5th night move onto landing (4th night door open 5th night door closed).
6th/7th night move crate to bottom of stairs.
After that move crate to the room Thornton will be sleeping in.

If you don't want to do this you could always put the radio on and gradually lower the volume over a week or two until it's off.

Also give your friend a couple of your blankets that will be going in the crate for a couple of days before you take him home so that it has familiar smells on it.

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