Eyolf Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I'm from the ACT and will hopefully have my pup next week :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melina Bea Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I'm from the ACT and will hopefully have my pup next week :) Woohoo! I'm sorry KyKy, I hadn't noticed! Have you picked out a puppy school (if you are taking him, that is)? I just got mine confirmed, a few DOLers told me the lady who does them is one of the best, so places go quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melina Bea Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 So I went to see Louis this evening. He was very lively so it was extra nice to see him. He's apparently fine now, having his shots Saturday morning and, if he takes well to it, I might be bringing him home on Sunday evening!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melina Bea Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I also just had a long chat with a vet who is a new friend of mine the other day and found out heaps about how vaccines work with timing and she was very interested in the socialisation side of things too. Can you share some of what she said Re: vaccines and timing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyolf Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I will be taking him to one, I don't know of many puppy schools, only the one I took my lab too which was at a vet! If there is a better one I'd be interested :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seld Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 We're currently waiting for a very beautiful english mastiff puppy! I keep looking at photos of her! She doesnt get here until late next month, so we're in prep mode at the moment. We've got puppy school all booked in and lots of playdates with the nice vaccinated dogs we know (however, if there is anyone with a puppy in Ellenbrook who'd be up for a playdate too...?) A pile library books on raising puppies as its been a while and a mountain of extra strong puppy toys, bowls and bedding...although our son is pretty adamant that she'll be sleeping on his bottom bunk. All we need is the puppy!!! Ohhh I have such a soft spot for purebred Mastiffs! They are a breed that is historically behind all of my favourite breeds :) I laugh how many dogs get mid-labelled as a "Mastiff cross" when they look nothing like the true giants :) All the best with your pup and I look forward to the photos! When do you get her? She's only about 2 weeks old so not until late June! The wait is going to be so hard as I was to cuddle her right now, while she's still smaller than me :) I love mastiffs, they are such big gentle giants when raised properly. We're going a little overboard in preparations, but its not everyday you get a puppy! I just wanted to share this that I have found online, and Im thinking of ordering one. They are really beautiful handmade collars http://www.olicollars.com/ (I promise it is not a plug!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee-Ann Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 This thread is so great. It's great to hear what other people are doing for their pups, how you are all preparing. I read that socialisation article it was excellent and it was what I wanted to do with my dog, sociliase as much as possible I have family members with dogs so I really want my dog to be able to interact with them as well as being friendly to any other dogs it meets along the way. I hope all you guys that are getting a new pup soon share some pics as well! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seld Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 This will be the first time I've done crate training, does anyone have any tips? I've always toilet trained my past dogs similar to my son, just took them to the toilet at regular intervals and praised them when they went till it clicked in their heads. Is crate training really any better? Does anyone have any pros and cons about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassie Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Crate training is the greatest, I highly recommend it! It's based on the fact that dogs do not like to go to the toilet where they eat and sleep, so your pup will cry to be let out to the toilet. When I first bring a pup home I leave the door of the crate wide open and encourage them into it by putting their food bowl in there, some toys and some nice soft bedding. Any attempt the pup makes to investigate the crate, I praise it. Don't shut pup in at this stage. When it comes time to go to bed, make sure pup has just gone to the toilet, then encourage them into the crate (I have it in my bedroom at this point) and gently shut the door behind them. Pup will most likely cry and carry on a bit, but you know this isn't a "I need the toilet" cry because they've just been. They WILL settle eventually :) You can give a few soothing words to try to get them to settle but don't go overboard, as it could be mistaken for praise (ie. rewarding the pup for sooking). Once they're finally asleep, I find they usually wake up in the night at some ungodly hour, and this is when I take pup straight outside and give the command to go to the toilet. DO NOT play with pup, this is not the time, then they will learn that they can cry and then they get to play. Once they've toileted I say "Good pup" with a quick pat, and straight back to bed. In my past experience it only takes about 3-4 nights for pup to learn the routine, and very soon they love their crate. It's also handy in case they ever need to be contained in a crate for any other reason - eg. vet, travel, etc. They already know what a crate is and they will feel secure rather than stressed :) My two cents anyway! This is what happens when I can't sleep as I'm too excited for tomorrow!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory the Doted One Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Crate training is the greatest, I highly recommend it! It's based on the fact that dogs do not like to go to the toilet where they eat and sleep, so your pup will cry to be let out to the toilet. When I first bring a pup home I leave the door of the crate wide open and encourage them into it by putting their food bowl in there, some toys and some nice soft bedding. Any attempt the pup makes to investigate the crate, I praise it. Don't shut pup in at this stage. When it comes time to go to bed, make sure pup has just gone to the toilet, then encourage them into the crate (I have it in my bedroom at this point) and gently shut the door behind them. Pup will most likely cry and carry on a bit, but you know this isn't a "I need the toilet" cry because they've just been. They WILL settle eventually :) You can give a few soothing words to try to get them to settle but don't go overboard, as it could be mistaken for praise (ie. rewarding the pup for sooking). Once they're finally asleep, I find they usually wake up in the night at some ungodly hour, and this is when I take pup straight outside and give the command to go to the toilet. DO NOT play with pup, this is not the time, then they will learn that they can cry and then they get to play. Once they've toileted I say "Good pup" with a quick pat, and straight back to bed. In my past experience it only takes about 3-4 nights for pup to learn the routine, and very soon they love their crate. It's also handy in case they ever need to be contained in a crate for any other reason - eg. vet, travel, etc. They already know what a crate is and they will feel secure rather than stressed :) My two cents anyway! This is what happens when I can't sleep as I'm too excited for tomorrow!!! :laugh: Good Luck Tomorrow, Cassie!! I can't wait to hear what you guys finally decide to name him....and ofcourse PICS!!! I've been shamelessly working on putting together a page/blog...gotta do something, to make the time fly by. PS...What Cassie said about crate training. Right now I'm looking at Dory's crate (only used for when we have to leave her at home...or by cats because they can), and wondering how in heck I'm going to fit that sucker into my bedroom and still have room to get in and out of the room. Prrreeeettty sure I'll be buying a smaller one on the way home from the airport. :laugh: (If only Dory hadn't shedded the soft crate she had for less than 2 minutes years ago...and is still in the boot of my car waiting to be repaired ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smashtank Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 OMFG ONE MORE SLEEP Delirious with excitement here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melina Bea Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Today's the day Cassie! I'm sure we won't hear from you, you'll be too busy playing with (and finding a name for) your new pup! :laugh: Seld, just one thing to add: never use the crate as punishment or time-outs as you want your pup to associate it with comfort, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melina Bea Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Louis last night, enjoying a daddy cuddle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Naww how adorable Melina. Well I had a chuckle this morning at around 4am while I was outside freezing and waiting for Raiden to decided if he wanted to go to the toilet. Raiden noticed my shadow and started to growl and bark at it (and man he has a big bark for such a little guy). I was half asleep at the time and couldn't work out what it was so I started to walk towards it and he barged in between me and the shadow all the while growling. Once I worked out what it was I walked right up to it and of course he came with me and he soon worked out that it wasn't a threat and went to the toilet so then I praised him for both toileting and walking up to the scary shadow. --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smashtank Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 So... Tank is going to be an apartment dog. He will have puppy pads in his room for when we're not there during the day. For toilet training while we are home and while we're crate training, should we take him to the pads or should we take him downstairs and outside to the footpath ( ). We are on the second floor, so not a big deal. I assume if I grab him while he's peeing he will stop and I can run down outside. Or should we just stick with inside training so as not to confuse or overwhelm him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Smashtank have you had a look at one of those petloos? --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smashtank Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Smashtank have you had a look at one of those petloos? --Lhok I've already spent waaaaay too much money! We might look at The Pet Loo in a few months - our breeder said they're kind of a waste of money initially cos Frenchie pups have small legs and don't like getting up on The Pet Loo. They're pretty pricey... Might sign up my partner to Pet Barn's loyalty program to get the 20% voucher. The normal size is $299 and the mini is $279. Not sure what size would be best for a Frenchie! 20% off makes a good difference I guess ($239/$223) but still pricey... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smashtank Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Scrap that - on the Pet Loo website they're $220 (63cm model) and $250 (83cm model). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Sounds like the pads might be the way to go then. --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smashtank Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Sounds like the pads might be the way to go then. --Lhok So only train inside for now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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