Q&A: need NEW PUPPY advice.?
Question by Christina D: need NEW PUPPY advice.?
I am getting a 10 week old girl lab puppy next week. She is my first puppy and I am hoping someone can give me some tips and suggestions about what I need to get before she gets here. Also, any tips on puppies in general?
thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by rescue member
Best book on puppies, their needs and training is “Puppies for Dummies” – silly name but great book – very informative and fun to read.
Get it from your library or order it online at a book store – you’ll learn a lot, it’s extremely helpful and informative = covers everything you need to know.
Good luck, have fun with your pup.
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PUPPY PROOF YOUR HOUSE. Get on your hands and knees and anything eye level at that point, she will consider fair game. Keep up w/ all vaccinations. Talk in detail w/ your vet, no dog parks until she is fully vaccinated. READ READ READ ANYTHING ON PUPPIES
the first night shy might whine because she misses her home.
The two most important things I believe a puppy can learn:
Socialization (puppy kindergarden is a great start!)
Not to nip.
All obedience can come- but these two things can and will save your dog’s life someday- especially if (for whatever reason) the dog ends up in a shelter. The “low-kill” shelter I volunteer at euthanizes A LOT of dogs for nipping, labeling it as “aggression”. The truth: there are too many homeless dogs for them to handle, so those with issues are booted quickly.
make sure they get there milk
first, “puppy-proof” your home. They are hyper and love to chew. Get a baby gate to keep her in or out of where you want her. Get a kennel to keep her in during the day. the normal basics. I’d buy a book or something! I have an 8 week old lab/husky/wolf. He’s so smart. He loves his kennel already! Make sure you have plenty of time and attention to devote to the new baby!!
the biggest tip i could give is to crate train her from day one. i have a one year old puppy and i just started crate training him (haha i was a little late getting started) and it’s such a big help. i’ve lost many pairs of shoes and lots of clothes haha and now it’s nice to know that when i head out for a few hours i won’t come home to a disaster zone.
also, buy a kong. they are life savers.
have fun with your new puppy!! they grow up so fast. hee hee.
There was a book that I used to recommend called – “How to Raise a puppy you can live with”. Easy read and good information if it’s still arround.
Your breeder should provide you with reading material and a list of what you should do to prepare for your new baby- I know that I and every reputable responsible breeder that I know provde a ton of information to help you get started. Sometimes they include it in the ‘Going home packet” that would have the pedigree, copy of vet and health records, maybe some baby pics and a list of instructions for feeding as well as an email and phone number to call with questions.
IF you are not getting that – you are being cheated of some valuable information.
Hey
you should get wee wee pads to help house train her also a cage, because its really good training for her and will give her a closed place for her self (also great for when you go out so she doesn’t rip your house apart = D) I would also recommend getting tons of chew toys, and puppy bones. Just make sure the toys wont rip off so she wont swallow them. A great thing for dogs AND puppies is a KONG they have a puppy kind that is special for there teeth and you can stuff things like peanut butter in there and she’ll play for hours trying to get it out plus its really strong and wont fallaprt
HOPE THIS HELPS! = )
PS. Good luck with everything
Puppies are awesome…but as awesome as they are you still have to train her from day one!! I would start by getting her a good leash, NOT a retractable one, so you can leash train her (walk by your side & not drag you). I love the Premier dog collars, they are great for labs. A crate if you plan to crate train your pup, make sure it’s just big enough for the pup to lay out. A doggie bed. GOOD puppy food, not the cheap stuff. Water and food bowl. I would defiantely research puppy training because there is A LOT to it. Your puppy will need to go outside every two hours, it’s like having an infant.
MAKE SURE YOU TRAIN HER QUICK AS POSSIBLE! AND NO TABLE FOOD! i didn’t do that and my dog begs and begs and sometimes pees on the carpet.
you should get a book on your dogs specific breed, also make sure you have water and food bowls, a leash is a must, food, treats, training pads if you want to teach them to go inside, a bed, a crate and a few toys. a new puppy should never have full reign of the house soon as she’s inside show her where her food and water bowl is and her bed, then confine her to one room where you can keep a close eye. Feed her on a regular schedule so you’ll know when to take her outside to use the bathroom (15-20 minuites after you feed her) this and using the crate is the quickest way to train your puppy not to use the bathroom inside.
make sure about 15 minutes after she eats or drinks.. ask her.. do you have to go … just keep saying it and after you say it put her outside until she pees, poops and then praise her, keep doing this everytime, watch her, they usually go potty about 15 minutes after they eat,
that is how we trained out dog in about a week, and he still goes by it, all we have to say is.. you gotta go and he goes to the back door, no accidents in this house..
also watch her after she eats if she starts sniffing around then ask her if she has to go and take her to the back door put her out and wait til she piddles then praise her again.
i dont know if your going to have a kennel for her, but they come in handy for if you need to go somewhere and dont want the new pup left loose to go all over and guarenteed poop and pee in the house.
get two dishes, water, food, collar, leash, like others have said, books you can find great stuff on the internet on how to train your puppy too,
dont use the pee pads! dogs get to used to them and then wont go outside and pee..i have heard lots of stories about that,, and one more thing if you live near a petsmart they offer dog training classes too.
good luck, it will be trying at times, just like a kid but worth it she will love you unconditionally!
just treat him like hes your baby… show him lots of love and attention. and hell become your best friend.
Here is my advise:
Bring a soft blanket with you when you go to pick up your puppy (I recommend a little fleece blanket) and rub it all over the mommy dog and it’s brothers & sisters before you leave. This way the puppy can sleep with the blanket at night and your puppy will feel more comfortable since it has it’s familiar scents. Our puppy whines for her first 5 nights, it about put me over the edge
But soon it passed.
Like everyone else said, make sure you always put everything away ALWAYS (shoes, eye glasses, cell phones, slippers, etc.) Your puppy will probably end up costing you quite a bit in destroyed items! It just happens.
Go see a recommended vet right away. Our puppy had a double ear infection and we wouldn’t have known it otherwise.
We feed our dog Iams, and are very happy with it. Good sales and coupons often on this brand also!
Last, never feed your dog people food. They will never beg if you don’t. This is the best thing we ever did.
Happy puppy-hood!
DO NOT use puppy pads! All they do is teach your dog that it’s ok to go in the house. I highly recommend crate training. There’s plenty of research on Answers and the internet. Also, be consistent with your discipline, and love the bunches out of your new little one:)
I think for any puppy you should begin teaching them at a young age so they will learn.
For instance, when you feed them, don’t just leave the food out for an etended amount of time until your dog feels like eating it. You should put his food at a specific time everyday and for a specific time so that the puppy will become accustomed to this.
=]
By the way, I have a Labrador too and they are wonderful pets…But just be prepared there’s a lot of energy in store for you so you won’t ever be bored!