Getting a new puppy - what do I need?

[Iamaslummymummy]

We are adoring a puppy from Romania. He'll be 5 months when he arrivesin the next month. He is a lab cross.

This is my list of what I think I need.....

Crate
Bed
Bowls
Lead
Collar
Car harness
Toys
Food
Found local training club
Insurance

Anything else I'm missing?

Very excited!

[Iamaslummymummy]

Puppy is coming on Friday! He came across on Sunday but we weren't home checked in time so he's in foster.

The action aid for animals process has been so easy. Really helpful friendly people, available via email/facebook at all times. Compared to the two English rescues who didn't even tell us we werent successful. The home checkers spent almost two hours with us, both making sure we were an appropriate home and sharing really helpful information for us as new dog owners.

Would definitely recommend them

[onlyoneboot]

He is super cute. I adopted a dog from Romania via a UK rescue last year. She is a bit older so more 'issues' but it's been a very positive experience. Look forward to updates.

[Iamaslummymummy]

Thanks will report back. They have been great so far!

[LadyTurmoil]

Wow - just seen the link with his photo - he's gorgeous! Will be really interested to hear how the whole process goes and how it was with AAA...

[Marne]

Yes, tag needs to have your name, your address (we just did the first line of address and postcode) and phone number, we got ours on e-bay for a couple £ each. We have a harness but pup got out of it today on the way to the vets so i think i need to find a better one . Our pup had his last jab today so i can take him out next week, cant wait to start socialising.

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

Yes all dogs need a tag, do not put your dogs name on it though, put your name and contact details.
Yy to kong. My dogs love frozen peanut butter.

[Iamaslummymummy]

Can I check that he will need a collar and tag as well as a harness? I read that was a requirement I think?

[sookiesucksvamps]

Marne my first dog was a labx collie she was the cleverest sweetest dog EVER I had her16 yrs I miss her so much you have just reminded me xx

[Marne]

And he looks very similar to my pup who we have also named Apollo (pictures on my profile). I think ours has Collie in him, lab x collie is ment to be a good combo, both breeds that are highly intelligent and love to learn (also both love food which makes training easier).

[Marne]

We have a paws workshop in April, were doing a lot of clicker training and so far he seems to be the easiest dog to train (so much easier than my other dog), they are deffently a good breed. He picked up on toilet traing very quickly but its now gonw to pot due to the snow (which has confused him). We are using puppy pads and paper but put them next to the back door so when he goes to them i can put him outside if i get to him fast enough. Our pups only 9 weeks old (so still very young) so we cant take him out yet, cant wait to get out with him and to puppy training. So far the only real problems have been seperation anxiety (he cries as soon as someone leaves the room and cries in the night) but it is getting better each day, having a kong to play with seems to help when we have to go out.

[kitsmummy]

Good luck, he looks adorable! I would also suggest not using puppy pads - you want to teach him to wee outside (not inside, and then outside), so like someone else said, just take him outside every half hour or so for a wee, and also use a word that he will begin to associate with going to the toilet. Eg, when I take mine outside I say "go toilet". They soon know what they're expected to do.

[worsestershiresauce]

Biological washing powder is cheaper than the spray for cleaning up and eliminating the puppy's scent. It has to be biological. I make up a solution with hot water and use this to mop up - it really works, and smells nicer than disinfectant (which doesn't mask the dog's scent so he will continue to mark that spot).

Make sure you start as you mean to go on, so have periods every day when the puppy is by himself. This helps prevent separation anxiety later on.

[Iamaslummymummy]

Excellent thanks marne. Have you registered on a paws workshop? Ours isn't until may

[Marne]

I would get a kong (toy tht you stuff with food) for when you are out or he is in the crate. W3e got our puppy (labx) last week and he gets very upset when i'm not in the room or have to go on the school run so a toy that keeps him busy using food is ideal (labs love food).

Also stock up on cleaning products, you need a spray that removed the smell completely, we have also been getting through a lot of kitchen roll (good for mopping up puddles in the night) and poop bags.

We are hoping to train our pup to be help with dd2 (ASD) and so far he has been very easy to train using a clicker and some chicken.

[Iamaslummymummy]

We are going to also go to workshops run by dogs for the disabled to help to train him to help my son who has aspergers syndrome. Ds will love training him for agility if the dog enjoys it!

[Iamaslummymummy]

This is him www.dogsblog.com/apollo-16/

[Iamaslummymummy]

Great info thank you. I have the perfect puppy book so will get the other two.

His mother went to the charity pregnant so he hadn't lived on the streets which is good. Will definitely check the medical stuff. When you say long lead is the extendable one what you mean<

[LadyTurmoil]

Again, have read that Rommies can be quite independent because they've spent time on the streets (may not be the case with yours). Again, from reading other people's experience, wise to keep on a long line for longer than you might think and to make sure recall is really good (training in secure area) so they won't be inclined to wander off... Which rescue are you getting him from? I know that Action Aid for Animals (operate in Romania/UK to rescue dogs) have an Owners Group page on FB that you could join if it's relevant. Good luck, bet you're excited! Has he got a name?

[Scuttlebutter]

As your dog is coming from overseas, I'd check with your adoption agency where on his body his chip is. Many Continental countries chip into the neck area rather than between the shoulders as we do here, also ask your vet at the first appointment to check the chip and make sure it is for a database recognised in the UK - situation is improving but not completely resolved for overseas chips.

I'd also find out what illnesses your dog may have been exposed to or are endemic in country of origin that aren't typical in UK - again, this is about helping your vet. Check carefully on vaccinations and what wormers have been administered too.

Dog training classes essential - use a positive trainer - a well trained dog is simply so much nicer to have around. You will also find that going to classes and practising together will really strengthen the bond you have with the dog.

Behaviourally, try to find out as much as possible about what socialisation the dog has had so far, and also what back up is available to you from the rescue in the UK.

I'd also recommend several books - The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey, In Defence of Dogs and the Idiots Guide to Positive Dog Training along with a clicker - if you read these three you'll have a good basic understanding of what to expect and about how dogs learn/behave.

Good luck!

[daisydotandgertie]

At five months he should be able to go all night without a wee or a poo. The crate is used to encourage that - dogs are reluctant to soil their bed so the crate encourages overnight dryness.

Make sure his bed area fills the crate - make it the right size by dividing it with something if you have bought a big one. If there is non bed space, he will toilet there which is the last thing you want to teach him is OK.

[Iamaslummymummy]

Keep on with the advice please. Its all great but there are different things suggested everywhere. If he is crated over night then doesn't he need something to wee/poo on?

[daisydotandgertie]

I'd not bother with either newspaper or puppy pads. They'll confuse the dog and make house training take twice as long because you're teaching it that it's OK to pee on paper AND outside.

Just make sure you ignore accidents, and take the pup outside every half hour, after every meal, after every game and every sleep and you'll have it cracked in no time. Praise like a loon when the business happens in the right place too.

[Bowlersarm]

Yes bowl for water. Plus for food. I don't see why you wouldn't put his food in a bowl.

[Iamaslummymummy]

Thank you. I did see that the rac make one that isa car harness as well as walking harness. Don't know if it is any good though.

[LadyTurmoil]

I would get a harness rather than just a collar and lead. He probably won't be used to collar/lead and may try and get out of them. Have read that people have more success using a harness and it makes them feel secure - but I'm not an expert - so maybe others can comment on this!