New Puppy tips and advice

[MrsRolandRat]

New Puppy

We lost our beloved dog last March, she was 13 and a bichon frise. We were all devastated over having to have her PTS. However a year later we’ve decided we are ready for another dog.

We have put down a deposit on another Bichon, and decided to call her Pippa. However it’s been over 14 years since I last had a puppy and I really cannot remember the puppy days at all, so her I am looking for advice an maybe a book recommendation?

She will be coming home with us on 15th May when she will be 9 weeks old. I have booked two weeks off work to help her settle in those first few weeks.

My DH works from home so as a when I go back to work he’s at home all day.

We plan on crate training at first, at nighttime the crate will be in our bedroom. Our last dog slept on the bed. I’d prefer this time a dog who will eventually sleep on a dog bed (on the floor in our bedroom).

Shes currently on Royal Canin food so we intend to keep her on this and maybe down the line transition to something else. Our last dog was fed on butternut box.

So basically looking for advice on those first few weeks, what did you do that worked and what didn’t? Toys to buy, treats suitable for rewarding toileting outside etc etc.

The sleepless nights I can deal with as I’m long haul cabin crew so used to being awake at nighttime.

We also have a 12.5 year old DD who adored our last dog and I know will be fully hands on with a new one.

Thanks ☺️

I'm really sorry for the loss of your girl - it's so horrible to have to say goodbye.

People really recommend 'Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy' as the 'go-to' book for puppy ownership. So worth looking at that as I think it covers things like house-training etc in detail😊

A few things I recommend;

• Use a houseline (they're usually 5 meters or so, and thin). It'll give the puppy a chance to explore, but the line will stop them being able to abscond. Same with taking them into the garden - the houseline will keep them focussed and stop them getting into mischief. It also gets them used to being on a 'lead' before walks.
• Do lots of acclimation (often referred to as socialisation). Get your girl used to everything (pubs, cafes, cars, shops) in your arms. That doesn't mean taking her out every day, but just often enough that she's fine with everything. And don't be afraid to tell people not to pat her - remember, they don't have your dogs best interests at heart and you do. That extends to first walks - don't be afraid to tell people you're training her to walk to heel or ignore people. Strangers love encouraging dogs to jump up. But they don't have to live with it. You do. It's easier to install good habits in your puppy than it is to fix bad ones in an adult.
• For the mouthing, don't be afraid to say 'no' and move the dog gently away. Some dogs really don't respond well to yelping or ignoring them (my breed, Goldens, are particularly bad - if you yelp, they often see it as a game, which is not great as it just encourages them more!). You'll have to figure out what works best for your girl and go from there.
• For treats, I use roast beef. It sounds expensive, but if you buy a cheapish joint and cook it up it lasts really well and if you freeze it doesn't lose it's taste. I always use a high-value treat, even in the house, because the dogs it means my dogs always know they'll get something worthwhile for coming to me.

Best of luck😊

Lots of good advice from first poster..I have a 2 year old border collie (and a 10 year old BC) she slept in a crate in our room first off. Take a blanket or similarly,rub it on the mum. I've had the same veterinary practice for 27 years, original vet said socialising was the most important thing. So we shoved this 2 in a backpack,worn on our front and carried them everywhere. The theory is ask people to stroke the puppy..... you don't need to ask!! When she outgrown the small crate,we had a bigger one just outside the bedroom (it's a bungalow) then yup,our bed! Other one had a bed in our room, sometimes gets on the bed. The mouthing, I yelped like a litter mate would,it worked very quickly. Yes, I used puppy pads, not popular on here anymore than crates, but 3 weeks after getting here,we both got COVID first time ever, and could hardly move. We had to make life easier. We have always had 2 dogs,used to be 3, for almost 30 years, they've been flap trained,there is 50 feet of garden safely fenced for them,so we can go out for a few hours.

Pippa Mattinson's Happy Puppy Handbook is better than the Squeezy book jn my opinion. It's on a time line so you can easily refer to the right stage.