New Puppy

[danielle09]

Heyy everyone i just joined the fourm to get some help.I just bought a lab puppy which i can pick up in 3 weeks time. I just wanted some help on what i need and how to toilet train her. I also have 2 cats..

Thanks Danielle

Ps any tips would be great :rolleyes:

[poodlefan]

Heyy everyone i just joined the fourm to get some help.I just bought a lab puppy which i can pick up in 3 weeks time. I just wanted some help on what i need and how to toilet train her. I also have 2 cats..

Thanks Danielle

Ps any tips would be great :rolleyes:

ANKC registered puppy Danielle (ie does it have pedigree papers)?

Health tested parents?

[danielle09]

I get everything when i pick her up :rolleyes:

[Paganman]

Hey Danielle if you do a search theres heaps of threads on toilet training puppys :rolleyes:

Id write something but Im just about to leave work

Edited May 11, 2009 by Paganman

[Faolmor]

I would speak to the breeder and get a list of things you will need for your pup (ie what toys, bedding, food to buy - never change a puppy's diet "overnight...always break them into new food over a week, because their digestive systems can't cope with a sudden change).

Re toilet training - the key is gentle persistence. Never scold for inside accidents - these are always your fault for not being vigilant enough. Puppies toilet mostly upon waking, after meals, and until they get a little older, maybe once every hour or so. An 8 week old lab pup has a bladder the size of, say, a small apricot or large grape. That should give you an idea of just how much they can hold onto - ie not much.

Make sure you take your pup outside immediately upon waiting and give a command (eg "toilet + puppy's name" always link a command to the dog's name so they realise you are addressing them) and then praise the instant they go. You can give a little food reward, but generally, genuine verbal praise and a pat are sufficient. Puppies have very short attention spans, so be prepared to wait a while, while they explore, dig, sniff, wander aimlessly, play with grass...etc...always fun at 2am, I assure you :rolleyes:

If the puppy does have an inside accident, make sure you clean it up with something that will neutralise the urine smell, as puppies are drawn to toilet where they have been in the past. Don't make a fuss or scare the pup. Just take them outside again in an hour and let them get it right. Puppies want to get it right, and most hate to have accidents once they learn what you expect.

ETA: Learn to watch for the signs that a pup might need to go. They tend to circle the floor, looking for the right spot. They might be a bit restless, or seem uncomfortable. When you see them behaving like this, take them outside with a bright, happy, "toilet, [puppy's name]." Then heaps of happy praise when they go. It always pays to let them spend a bit more time outside after they go, in case there's more inside

Edited May 11, 2009 by Faolmor

[W Sibs]

Make sure you take your pup outside immediately upon waiting and give a command (eg "toilet + puppy's name" always link a command to the dog's name so they realise you are addressing them) and then praise the instant they go. You can give a little food reward, but generally, genuine verbal praise and a pat are sufficient. Puppies have very short attention spans, so be prepared to wait a while, while they explore, dig, sniff, wander aimlessly, play with grass...etc...always fun at 2am, I assure you

sooo true... lol.

sometimes puppies forget the reason why they are taken outside. if you have been outside for 15 minutes, let them go inside again.. and take them out about 30 seconds later.

don't ever yell at the puppy for peeing in the house... it's not there fault. they have no control of their bladder. training puppy pads may help too... or so I've been told.

toilet training puppy in winter is gonna be hard.

good luck :rolleyes:

[gareth]

I get everything when i pick her up :rolleyes:

Ask the breeder to post out diet sheets and puppy info they provide. You should at least have diet info so you don't have to go running to the shops after you get the pup

Make sure you are buying from a registered breeder. If you not sure what that means, ask them their prefix and if they are registered with the official state controlling body. also please make sure they health test the parents.

(Sorry, but I am getting a bit fed up with all the posts in general from people who thought they were getting a purebred but have bought from some dodgy BYB or puppy farm)

[Allerzeit]

Make sure you are buying from a registered breeder. If you not sure what that means, ask them their prefix and if they are registered with the official state controlling body. also please make sure they health test the parents.

(Sorry, but I am getting a bit fed up with all the posts in general from people who thought they were getting a purebred but have bought from some dodgy BYB or puppy farm)

Agree totally - just look at what a member is currently going through with trying to get papers for their Malamute - only to find that the breeder is abusive.

Make sure your breeder is not only registered, but ETHICAL. Ask them what information you will receive, ask them what ongoing support they will give you, ask them what will happen if your pup develops a genetic condition requiring expensive treatment - make sure you are comfortable with what they tell you.

You can never ask too many questions of an ethical, registered breeder - they will always be only too happy to answer your questions and make sure you are comfortable about everything :rolleyes: