oneteaspoon Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 I am planning on getting a cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy. I've had previous experience with this breed as my childhood dog was a cavi. I am a first time adult mummy as I was 18 when my cavi was put to sleep. I've got everything planned and just after some feedback on what you have learn as puppy owners. I have found a vet, plan to entire in puppy school, desex as soon as possible, have a doggy day care place near me in case I have to go out all day (I'm currently unemployed so I have heaps of time). I plan to have a play pen and to crate train. I also plan to help my puppy explore the world by taking to different leash free dog parks, walks on the beach, go socialise with other dogs, go have coffee and just show her off. Only thing that is worrying me is toilet training and going to the toilet. I live in a villa that has a courtyard with tiles and tan bark. I have looked at those doggy toilet trays and they are quite expensive, $250, and I'm interested to know if they are as good as they sound? As I'm more than happy to spend the money for a long term investment but I worry that the grass pads needs to changed every few weeks and in thinking maybe I could just buy some live or fake grass in the area where I want my puppy to go to the toilet. Any other information is appreciated :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 (edited) You can get pee trays that are much cheaper, or even make your own. When I raised my pup in an apartment I used disposable pee pads, because for me it was easier than fussing around with washing the fake grass. My pup is now almost two, and we live in a house with a yard and she's trained on pee pads and outside, which is handy for travelling etc Edited August 26, 2013 by minimax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Have a look on eBay, they have pet loos that are identical to the real deal but about $60. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 This thread also has some good DIY ideas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Puppy & leash free pups be very careful same would apply to the beach . Puppy preschool research wisely & make sure its a class not about free for alls but about learning skills . I am not a fan of puppy preschools as many teach very bad behaviours that owners struggle to retrain but a good one is a great assest Your pup is more than capable of being left home alone pups need to learn what there life routine is early on not get given a routine that will then change again in adulthood & they find much harder to accept. As much as where all mummies to our dogs they are an animal & they should be treated as such so they can become a well adjusted dog & a pleasure to live with & a the dog being given the life skills to cope ,that is the best gift any owner can give there dog. Cavies are hardy dogs & can be left alone .They are true sporting spaniels . If your breeder is good listen to there advice.People often selcet there breeder because they like the nature of there dogs so ask why & what they do to get such lovely easy going dogs & generally its because they aren't smoothered that they are so great . As for toilet i would go fake grass,again ask the breeder what it is use to. You can place the fake grass in a tray low to the ground Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Hi... two important things. make sure the breeder has done all relevant health (available) testing for disease that may be passed down the generations. AND .. make SURE your puppy , from day one is not constantly attached to a person ... start as you mean to go on. If you want to go out, or to shops, or somewhere.. it is fantastic if pup can be left outside (or in ) where it KNOWS how to be happy and confident and has things to keep it occupied :) So many people make a mistake in 'making sure pup doesn't get lonely' , so puppy is not resilient enough to cope when humans are not within sight *end of rant* ;) My advice, from day one ... is to start pup on the everyday routine of 'there is no such thing as a free lunch, or breakfast, or snack!' it is called "Nothing in Life is Free" and it just means that your dog can expect a hundred cuddles a day ..provided something is done to earn each one :D CLICK HERE to read about it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneteaspoon Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Thank you everyone. I am soo excited, I'm trying to take in as much information as I can. Puppy pre school I have chosen to go with my vets puppy classes as a vet & nurse run it so at least I know their credentials. That is a fantastic idea. I believe that will be my downfall, smothering the pup too much. I believe this will be a learning experience for me. As especially early on, the pup will need time on her own to explore the world without me watching her every move, I don't want her to think I'm always going to be there because I won't and puppies need down time, sleep, and rest. I am excited to learn and train my pup :). I will give my puppy structure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Get into a puppy preschool run by a dog trainer with experience in behavior. It's the most important time of a puppy's life and should be run by someone with experience in training dogs of all types and ages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Get into a puppy preschool run by a dog trainer with experience in behavior. It's the most important time of a puppy's life and should be run by someone with experience in training dogs of all types and ages. Preferably, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneteaspoon Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Any suggestions, I'm located on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneteaspoon Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Or here is a place im also looking at, comments? http://www.sithappens.com.au/locations.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneteaspoon Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Also what are the bare minimum i need for a puppy (I plan to over spend & buy silly things but i don't want to skip out on what is really needed) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simply Grand Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 IMO the only real essentials are: A comfy bed - I'd suggest cheap ones from kMart or the Reject Shop at least at first as they tend to get destroyed! A couple of blankets to snuggle into, Kmart again has good cheap ones. A secure and suitable sized collar and lead, I'd go for better quality on these rather than the Reject Shop type cheap ones as you don't want the breaking or rubbing. A water bowl heavy enough that puppy can't knock it over. (obviously food bowls as well but you can make do with whatever you have for those). A brush, scissors and nail trimmers. Toys to keep puppy entertained and to redirect mouthing - these can be cheap and improvised, although a rubber Kong is a useful thing to put food in to keep puppy entertained, and most puppies love a Kong Wubber as well. Other useful things are a baby gate, crate, playpen or all of the above. Other tips - definitely find out about NILIF, it really pays off. I'd also suggest something like the Really Reliable Recall DVD if you can get it, it really helps you teach a great recall. Practice both from day 1 of bringing puppy home. Also practice grooming, including brushing, trimming with scissors around face, feet and bottom, and clipping nails, regularly from week 1. A Cavie will need regular grooming as an adult and it's sooooo much easier to get them used to it when they are a baby and it doesn't occur to them to make a fuss, even if they don't really need anything done yet. Last thing, don't stress too much! No one does everything perfectly and puppies really are quite robust, you won't ruin it with a mistake here and there :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 (edited) Congratulations on getting a new puppy. You can download for free Before & After you get your Puppy at dogstardaily.com They were written by veterinary behaviourist Dr Ian Dunbar. You don't have to follow it to the letter but gives you some good ideas on socialisation & what to expect & when. Edited August 26, 2013 by luvsdogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 The Reject Shop has the grass toilet trays for sale at the moment for $25 :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 (edited) We were lucky that Miah's breeder had started toilet training her already before we got her at 10 weeks. We just kept putting her outside when we noticed her doing certain actions that meant she needed to go, and praising her heaps during and after. She also had our other 2 older cavs to learn by. She still has the odd accident with no 2's early hours of the morning if we don't wake up in time.. luckily we have tiles, so can be cleaned up easily. It really does come down to routine and positive rewarding when they are toilet training. I was going get one of those doggy pee trays, but didn't in the end. BTW im not a first time doggy Mummy owner, but am a first time puppy Mummy.. altho Miah is not a puppy puppy anymore, that went way too quick! Edited August 27, 2013 by Jules❤3Cavs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneteaspoon Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 Thank you for all the advise. All I need to do now is get my mum on board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 i do recall you posting in the past about wanting a puppy oneteaspoon, hope your mum comes on board soon ! puppies are a lot of work i have discovered tho but lots of fun ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneteaspoon Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 I even more ready now. I have photos of the puppies that I can choose from. I'm in love. Just hope I can get the idea into my mums head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I have photos of the puppies that I can choose from. I'm in love. :) It's a nice feeling - just remember to choose from registered breeders who have healthy, tested, and good temperament dogs ! It would be dreadful to fall in love via a photo - like some do , but they forget to check out the past generations, temperament of parents/other litters ..any health troubles in the family ... and then they may suffer heartbreak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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