Mick Smith Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Hi Everyone, This is my first time posting, so first things first.. Hello, my name is Mick I'm picking up a Labrador Puppy in about 8 weeks time from the breeder and am in the process of getting my house and yard ready. This will be my first dog that I've had to look after by myself (have had dogs when I was living with Mum and Dad but never all the responsibility) and I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right. I just want to run a list of things that came to mind past you all and see if I'm missing anything, sorry in advance if I'm asking things that someone else has asked. - Get a water bowl - Get a feed bowl - Leash and collar - Organise visit to vet with 72 hours of picking up the puppy - Look at 'Pet insurance' options (like health insurance stuff) - Get lots of toys - Get a name tag - Get a bed / kennel - Grooming supplies - Baby gate things for blocking doorways - Organise a schedule for feeding / exercise / training / play times - Purchase a dog crate and set up somewhere in my house - Ensure my yard is puppy safe with no holes under fences, not able to get under house etc. - and obviously.. Food Couple of other questions: - At what age do I move the puppy from the crate to outside kennel / bedding ? - Is there any problems with training the dog to be a semi indoor / outdoor dog, so when it gets older it is allowed inside, but sleeps outside ? - I'll be picking the dog up around 8 weeks from now from the breeder, from what I've read / asked the breeder I'll need to wait until all it's vaccinations are finished before I let it in my yard ? Is that right ? So until all it's vaccinations are finished I should keep him only inside and then introduce him to the yards ? - Is there a general rule on age at which I should start taking dog for walks around the block.. I presume whilst it's little my backyard should be big enough for him to get exercise (I'm on just under a quarter acre block). ? - I've planned to have just over 3 weeks off work when I get him to let him settle in and show him around, and start some training etc. , after this time, when I'm at work, what should I do to make sure he doesn't get too bored. I presume give him enough things to play with so he doesn't get bored too quickly (although I see my mates dogs got bored regardless of what they had) ? I think I've run out of questions I'm sure I'll have some more later on. Thanks in advance for your help. Cheers, Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 A lot of your questions (better!) be answered in the information pack the breeder should give you - things like vaccination schedule, feeding, tips on exercise (which does depend a bit on the breed) training etc. Provided you have not had a sick dog in your yard before then there's no reason the puppy can't go outside in your yard the day he comes home, no reason to keep him locked inside and in fact keeping him locked inside until his vaccinations are complete will make toilet training him very tedious! If you have friends or relations with healthy older dogs there is also no reason pup can't go and visit them in their homes after he's been with you for about a week or so (give him a little time to adjust to one new place before bombarding him with more changes) Coming in to summer I would say by the time the pup is 5 or 6 months old you should be able to have moved it to sleeping outside if this is what you want - personally I don't see the point but this is what you want to do and it's your dog IMO you'd be better off getting the pup on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning (assuming you work Mon-Fri) and having say the Monday - Wednesday the next week off, then saving some of your three weeks holidays for when the pup is older. An 8 week old pup in a play pen with toys, food and shelter will be lonely, but a 3 month old pup will be lonely, rowdy, boisterous, destructive and in need of training and attention. Just my opinion of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 (edited) Walking around the block on a leash is usually 2 weeks after the final vaccination - as this is when they are fully vaccinated. I had my pup inside in his crate at night. He was outside in a 2mx2m pen (when I was at work) until I found he was getting bored so I fenced the garden off and let him have the run of the backyard when I went to work. My boy is 20 weeks (21kg) and has only just spent his first night outside. I was mainly bringing him inside at night because it was cold but he loves being outside. I would probably have a number of water bowls or a bowl for inside and a couple of heavier bowls/tubs outside. I was using a bucket but my boy loves to play in his water and was tipping it over and ending up with no water for the day. He now has a large laundry style tub - which he can play in and not easierly tip over. Some dogs will play with toys while others can have all the toys in the world but not play with them unless you are there to play with them. If you get heaps of toys - don't give them all out at once ... maybe rotate them so put a few out and then in a day or two swap them over for other toys. Exercise should mainly be in the form of play - anything more then that can affect growing joints and bones. I have only walked my pup once so far for exercise. He does get taken to the park etc but it is mainly for obedience etc under distraction. Also - is you are taking 3 weeks off work. The first week should be used to settle him in and then the second and third week should be used to slowly increase the time he is left by himself. By the end of the third week you should be confident you can go to work and know he is not going to sit in the backyard crying. Edited August 23, 2009 by Tilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 (edited) Welcome to DOL Edited August 23, 2009 by Teebs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Although you may not want to walk your pup before fully vaccinated- socialisation in a safe controlled environment during your pups critical period (6-16 weeks) is vital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busters crew Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Hi Everyone, This is my first time posting, so first things first.. Hello, my name is Mick Welcome Mick. I too have a lab who is now 13 weeks. I was i the same position as you, had dogs as a kid, but others had all the responsibility, I just fed them now and then and played with him, so yes its different but lots of fun! There are plenty of ppl here who can give you some great advise. As I'm a newbie too, i'll try and add my two cents worth in for what I can.... Couple of other questions:- At what age do I move the puppy from the crate to outside kennel / bedding ? We did outside from day one. first couple of days were harder, then we got him into a routine and after 2 weeks, we didnt have to get up to him at all and wake anywhere between 6 - 8am and that is not to his protest, just the time we wake. There are plenty of ppl here who crate train so im sure they can give advise on this. - Is there any problems with training the dog to be a semi indoor / outdoor dog, so when it gets older it is allowed inside, but sleeps outside ? I asked this almost exact question today to our trainer who came in for our first lesson. We have Buster as an outside dog but will let him when he is older and in once we have trained him more and mastered toileting etc. The Trainer said this can all be done, but they must get some basics down pat before you can like sit, stay come drop etc. That way they can come in go straight to there spot/mat/cushion and stay till you want them to go out or they need to go out. - I'll be picking the dog up around 8 weeks from now from the breeder, from what I've read / asked the breeder I'll need to wait until all it's vaccinations are finished before I let it in my yard ? Is that right ? So until all it's vaccinations are finished I should keep him only inside and then introduce him to the yards ? As long as there are no unknown dogs who roam your yard, then there is no reason for why your puppy shouldn't be allowed in your yard assuming its puppy proof or as close to as you can humanly make it !! The not taking them out till after all there vaccinations is out to where other unknown dogs have roamed and therefore could have contaminated the area. You want your puppy to have the immunity for those nasty virus's like Parvo before he gets into area like that. there are also differing views on the risk of doing so vs the lack/later socialisation but that's probably another topic. We did what was comfortable for us, which was wait till he had his shots. - Is there a general rule on age at which I should start taking dog for walks around the block.. I presume whilst it's little my backyard should be big enough for him to get exercise (I'm on just under a quarter acre block). ? Our breeder told us that for 12 months they dont need any more exercise than yard play. We didnt stick to that and take him for short walks ( 15 mins max atm) - I've planned to have just over 3 weeks off work when I get him to let him settle in and show him around, and start some training etc. , after this time, when I'm at work, what should I do to make sure he doesn't get too bored. I presume give him enough things to play with so he doesn't get bored too quickly (although I see my mates dogs got bored regardless of what they had) ? Wow 3 weeks off, that would be great!! I was only thinking the other day that Buster has so many toys, yet he too gets bored. We have now taken to rotating his toys. eg he might have 20 different toys, we might put half of them away and then swap them out every couple of days or change a few over, this seems to keep him more interested, but still doesn't prevent some chewing of the outdoor furniture!! go visit the Labrador thread in the Breed Sub forums Here . You'll learn alot of what these mischievous dogs can and will get up too and also how much joy they bring there owners!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan of Arc Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Hi MIck Yes come and visit all the labrador people in the Lab thread. We will answer all your questions, help you anyway we can and help you count down until the day you collect your baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Smith Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Thanks everyone for your quick and informative replies I have to admit I'm getting very excited, can't wait until I'm on my way out to the breeder to pick him up. Have already got his name picked out.... 'Barney'. One of my favorite characters from TV is Barney Stinson from 'How I met your mother' so I thought it would be fitting my little new friend. Still have a few other names picked just in case he doesn't look like a Barney !! Anyways, thanks again.. I'm lookin' forward to getting involved on these forums and having all you kids help me out when I get stuck on something hahah. Take care, Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs tornsocks Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Our breeder told us that for 12 months they dont need any more exercise than yard play. We didnt stick to that and take him for short walks ( 15 mins max atm) I'm not so sure about this ? I think you will find yard play for a dog from say 4 or 5 months (or even earlier) is not really sufficient. Your pup will be big by then and he'll need exercise outside. Plus, it's really important he's out and about from a social perspective, get him used to traffic, people, dogs, etc. etc. Equally important not to overdo it when they're young (keep walks short, on grass ideally, no big hills etc) - and of course not until fully vaccinated. Labs have heaps of energy and if it's not channelled into walk/exercise they can be awfully destructive if bored. Just my two bob's worth. best of luck Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Being a large breed it's also important to grow the pup slowly to avoid joint problems. I have always had puppies inside to sleep until older & outside during the day if weather permits. Enrolling in a good positive puppy pre school will help with a lot of the questions & show you how to look after pup & train. Socialisation is also very important in the 1st 16 weeks of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tis_me Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Congrats on yr new puppy Mick! I know exactly how you feel! I should be getting my little one in just over two weeks!!! So can't wait! Hope you enjoy every moment with him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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