New Puppy

[Noobie]

Post closed. Thanks all for your opinions

Edited February 24, 2016 by Noobie

[Roova]

Limited experience talking here, hopefully others with more experience will over-ride where Im wrong.

1.How often and how much should I feed her?

There are ways of working how much should be fed and you can then break it in to smaller portions to feed through the day, eg breakfast lunch and dinner.

Im not 100% sure how to work this out though. You can feed this in Kongs or different ways so pup has to work to get the food and its a bit of brain work for them (as long as a 6 week old isn't struggling to feed itself of course).

2.What should I be feeding her?

Whatever the breeder was to begin with and then you can introduce your preferred food slowly enough to not cause an upset tummy.

3.Do I get her puppy milk?

I would think its not necessary

1.Is it a good idea to have her in a crate next to my bed upstairs?

I did this and loved it. Sleep time only when going in the crate at night but if they're initially unhappy you can drop a hand on top of the crate for comfort.

It was much easier to be woken by movement in the crate and do a quick toilet stop and I had zero whining from my pup doing this. It didn't take long for her to sleep through the night (might be longer for a 6 week old puppy though) and no grumbles when I moved her out of my room when she could hold on through the night. Pick a spot you'll take her through the night (or day), keep pup on lead so they can't wander and start playing and say your toilet word when they go. Lots of praise and happiness when they do. (Don't forget to give time for poo as well).

2.If so, where should she be spending her time throughout the day? In the backyard or upstairs in my bedroom?

If you don't want her to toilet inside you'd be best off creating a safe area for her outside (as long as she has protection from the weather of course). If you're home you could have a mixture of both, making sure she has alone time to learn how to be by herself. (Make sure you have plenty of things for her to do when you aren't there to keep her amused).

3.Should I instead build her a pen in my upstairs bathroom and take her down whenever she needs to do her business?

I think stick with crate beside bed. Its easier to wake when you hear them start to move around.

1.Should I be taking her out for walks? or is playing with her in the backyard enough exercise?

I think the rule if five minutes for month of age.

2.Also, when will I be able to take her out to the park for exercise? Is it after the second or third vaccination?

Id be waiting for final vaccination and however long Vet says for immunity to kick in before going to public areas (if she's going to be put on the ground). You can take her wherever you like in your arms for POSITIVE experiences. So be prepared to back away if she shows signs of being overwhelmed. Treats and praise for calm behaviour will help encourage that. Be careful of her meeting other dogs. Two things can go wrong - she has a bad experience which can be hard for a pup to recover from, or the opposite, other dogs become a huge focus for her and you're somewhere there in the background.

There's a lot more detail which could be added but you've asked a lot of big questions. Do you have any books? The Focussed Puppy is a great one to give idea on raising a well rounded puppy. Also 'Before you get your puppy' and 'After you get your puppy' are free downloads which are also full of good advice.

Good luck. :)

Edited February 23, 2016 by Roova

[Salukifan]

Wow, I struggle to think of a potentially more challenging cross of breeds than this one. There are few points I'd like to make before getting into answering questions.

Your pup should have been weaned. The health status of its mother really shouldn't be an issue. That makes me rather suspicious you're being told a story to explain why your pup will now miss out on very important lessons from its littermates. I smell a breeder offloading pups early. If this pup has not been vaccinated and microchipped, you should not buy it. It's an illegal sale.

You are proposing to put a cross of dogs bred to work and run all day into a small back yard. Sign up for obedience training and dog sports ASAP and commit to doing them for years or prepare for a moonscape back yard.

1.How often and how much should I feed her?

A six week old pup requires a minimum of three meals a day. If you can't get home to feed it, I strongly recommmend you find someone who can drop in and do a lunchtime feed. You can go to 2 meals a day at 12 weeks.

2.What should I be feeding her?

Initially what the breeder is feeding. YOu should be told what that is. I recommend a combination of premium kibble and raw meaty bones like chicken necks

3.Do I get her puppy milk?

No. It's not necessary to feed pups milk once they are weaned. Puppy milk is basically lactose free milk at 4 times the price of the human equivalent. I do feed my pups goats milk and they love it.

1.Is it a good idea to have her in a crate next to my bed upstairs?

Yes but you'll have to get up and take her outside during the night if she needs to toilet.

2.If so, where should she be spending her time throughout the day? In the backyard or upstairs in my bedroom?

Unless you want your bedroom a disaster area with pee and poo, outside.

3.Should I instead build her a pen in my upstairs bathroom and take her down whenever she needs to do her business?

Not recommended. If you want your dog to toilet outside, that needs to be happening from day 1.

I cannot stress enough that this is a potentially very challenging combination of breeds. Not for the faint hearted IMO. This will be a big commitment. Hope you are up for it.

Edited February 23, 2016 by Haredown Whippets

[Salukifan]

Oops missed the last couple of questions.

A baby puppy is too young to take for walks. They need free play with you and with suitable dogs and you are unlikely to find those at the dog park.

Join a dog training club ASAP. I think you'll both benefit from that AND you may find suitable play friends for her.

[Noobie]

Thanks for the advice guys! Just one more question. I have read that puppies need a lot of sleep, so I was wondering if I should bring the crate outside from my bedroom during the day so she can sleep there? Or is it better for me to buy a bed that is used purely for naps outside.

I am 100% committed to training and spending all the time I can with my puppy, as I know she is a difficult mixed breed

Edited February 23, 2016 by Noobie

[Salukifan]

If you plan to keep her outside during the day, I suggest an insulated kennel.

Crates offer no protection from the elements.

[Noobie]

If you plan to keep her outside during the day, I suggest an insulated kennel.

Crates offer no protection from the elements.

Half of my backyard is undercover if that helps? Or will it still be better to get a kennel?

[Dogsfevr]

My advice run fast ,like already mentioned the mother being ill is no reason at all for the pups to leave early & i agree with Haredown sounds like someone wanting to offload puppies early because its all to hard & i truly hope your not paying alot of money for these puppies

Not sure what the law is in your state as to what age pups can even be sold but i would not buy a pup from such a person no matter what .

Will the pup be vaccinated & microchipped before you get it ,if they aren't chances are they haven't been vet checked either

The person with the litter should be supplying you with a diet sheet of what the pups are currently being feed .keep in mind not all pups are on a good eating regime at 6 weeks & i would certainly be asking alot of questions .

As to the needs of the pup alot will come down to how this litter has been raised & that is something you should already now & i gather have seen the pups & now what stage they are at social wise & life experience wise & temp wise.If you haven't seen the pups then you wont now until it arrives just how much work & catch up you will be required to do .

The issue you have is raising this under age puppy to be very confident & able to cope without humans all the time so its important not to spoil it in the next few weeks & set the pup up for success not failure

[RiverStar-Aura]

Showdog if noobie is in NSW like the profile suggests, the sale of a puppy less than 8 weeks old and non-microchipped/vaccinated is illegal. The seller of the pups should actually be reported.

[Salukifan]

If you plan to keep her outside during the day, I suggest an insulated kennel.

Crates offer no protection from the elements.

Half of my backyard is undercover if that helps? Or will it still be better to get a kennel?

Yes. I see you are in NSW - what area? How hot/cold does it get. Undercover may still get wet in heavy rain

Edited February 23, 2016 by Haredown Whippets

[Teebs]

What breed? I can't seem to see it written ?

[Dogsfevr]

What breed? I can't seem to see it written ?

The breed was written & i see the post has been edited today ,it was Husky/Border Collie

[Simply Grand]

Oh gosh, definitely a mix I would want to get as much manners training and bite inhibition from littermates as possible.

No reflection on you Noobie, and well done on researching and planning for how best to care for your pup, but people who breed and then shirk the responsibility they have to the puppies and their future owners in setting them up for as good a life as possible make me angry.

[Teebs]

The breed was written & i see the post has been edited today ,it was Husky/Border Collie

Thanks !

[Animal House]

I'd not be getting a 6 week old puppy, let alone a cross of those two breeds, sorry. I don't know of any good breeder who would let pups go that early, I just don't buy the story the "breeder"....well, let's face it, a back yard breeder at that is telling you.

You don't know the history of the parents, their health, temperament, anything. Recipe for disaster.

Why do you want a cross bred puppy of those breeds? Border Collies are working dogs, designed to go all day herding, Huskies were bred to pull heavy sleighs long distances....and getting a 6 week old puppy that hasn't learnt bite inhibition....argh, I won't go on.

Just reconsider why you even want to get one of these puppies?

Plenty of healthy puppies in rescue in case you change your mind.

(sorry if I sound harsh, but it's a recipe for disaster)

[sheena]

If you plan to keep her outside during the day, I suggest an insulated kennel.

Crates offer no protection from the elements.

Half of my backyard is undercover if that helps? Or will it still be better to get a kennel?

Yes. I see you are in NSW - what area? How hot/cold does it get. Undercover may still get wet in heavy rain

My eyes must be playing tricks with me, because mine says that Noobie is in Qld & I can't see what the cross of the pup is

[Salukifan]

My eyes must be playing tricks with me, because mine says that Noobie is in Qld & I can't see what the cross of the pup is

Pup is a Border Collie/Siberian Husky cross. A combination I can only describe as "diabolical" in less committed or experienced hands.

We had a litter of GSD/Husky crosses in our region a few years back. Over the months that followed quite a few were rehomed or ended up at DAS.

Right up there with the WTF combination of Maremma and Golden Retriever pups that some brightspark produced. I think most of those ended up with professional behavioural trainers.

[Rebanne]

If you plan to keep her outside during the day, I suggest an insulated kennel.

Crates offer no protection from the elements.

Half of my backyard is undercover if that helps? Or will it still be better to get a kennel?

I would still get a kennel. Wind.

[persephone]

If you plan to keep her outside during the day, I suggest an insulated kennel.

Crates offer no protection from the elements.

Half of my backyard is undercover if that helps? Or will it still be better to get a kennel?

I would still get a kennel. Wind.

A nice snug kennel for cold windy times is a must :)

[espinay2]

As some have mentioned, you will really be starting off behind the 8 ball with this pup and setting yourself up for a LOT of work and potential issues. I know the pup is cute. I can guarantee the pup is cute. All pups are suckerbait designed to pull at the heartstrings. What you need to do is sit down and think if that cuteness, which will quickly wear off (and wont be as cute at 3 am when you are taking it down the stairs to toilet outside for the tenth day in a row) will be worth all the difficulties you are likely placing in front of yourself.

Pups should stay with their litter until at east 8 weeks. Studies have shown that pups separated earlier have increased issues socialising with other dogs and increased aggression and behavioural issues in general. The mother falling ill is not an excuse as most pups are generally weaned from their mothers by around 6 weeks of age anyway. It is being with the littermates that is important. It is up to the breeder to feed and raise the pups during this time (and not give excuses for palming them off early so they don't have to make an effort or spend the money on foods to raise them properly).

At 6 weeks of age the pup should be getting 3 and preferably 4 feeds a day. So you will need someone there during the day to provide a mid day feed at least. Your breeder should be giving you a diet sheet and explaining what the pups should be eating. Many breeders also provide a started pack of food to help with the transition. Failing that a good quality puppy dry food and meaty bones are the basics. You don't need puppy milk, though I do give some goats milk mixed with egg and yoghurt as a snack (4th) meal to young pups. Usually this is stopped by 8 weeks of age.

The mix of dog you are getting is a rather explosive one. Two very driven breeds that will need a LOT of mental stimulation and attention. There will be no more resting after work or getting up late or going out all weekend and leaving the dog at home. your dog will NEED constant activities to keep its brain and body active. That will mean early rising to go for walks and play, coming home and taking your dog out regardless of the weather, and doing activities with your dog on week nights and weekends. Without the effort you may find you end up with a dog that is destructive and disruptive to your neighbours and slowly going mad for lack of simulation so it 'acts out' a lot. This will be something you need to address for the life of the dog (the next 15 years) but will be particularly so for at least the first 3 years.

Crating next to your bed is a good idea as you can hear when the dog gets restless and can take it down stairs and outside to toilet. The pup will have no bladder control for the first few weeks so will need out frequently (10pm, midnight, 3 am, 5am etc). By 8 weeks you may reduce the times you go out a bit. By about 12 weeks you may be ok with 10-11 pm and 5-6am. I would not recommend a pen or roaming at will. you will find toilet training much more difficult. During the day I would recommend her being in the back yard. You will need adequate shelter from wind etc such as a dog house. Are you taking the first few weeks off? A 6 week old pup is a bit young to be leaving on its own that long. By 8 weeks they can cope better with being left for increasingly longer periods.

The pup should not be taken out for walks in the beginning - particularly until it has been vaccinated (the breeder should be vaccinating and microchipping before the pup leaves). A pu that young is also way to young for walks and needs more free play. You can get the pup put and about, but mostly carry it. As the pup matures and after its 12 week vaccination it can start to go more places and go on short walks. I would not take the pup to public areas like parks until at least after the vaccination at 12 weeks, but talk to your vet as it depends how prevalent things are in your area.

Bottom line though - I would not recommend this puppy. You are setting yourself up for lot of hardship based on a pup being cute. Well chosen pups based on well thought through decisions are also cute and will bring you much much less stress and hassle throughout it lifetime. I highly recommend setting yourself up for a win by passing on this pup and seeking a better option. I am sure the folks here can help you identify a type of dog and where to get it that suits your needs if you ask the question.

Edited February 23, 2016 by espinay2