New puppy advice for a first time dog owner?

N

NinjaPony

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 March 2011
Messages
3,122
Visit site
As in thread title! We may be getting a 15 week old phalene puppy who has a mismark hence cannot be kept to show or bred from so must find a new home. I have 1 beloved, spoilt cat who is 7 and runs the house! I've never had a dog, so any advice would be appreciated. She would be crate trained, and not allowed near my cat unsupervised, and taken everywhere to socialise her. I was also thinking of attending a puppy class once a week? She is currently 1.3kg at 10 weeks so only a tiny little thing. I'm feeling a little apprehensive! Thanks :D
 
Thanks so much that would be great! There is so much to think about when taking on a puppy and I want to make sure I give the best care possible and I'm fully aware what I'm getting into :p
 
Cayla's guide should cover most things.
To add; as you are getting her already vaccinated get her out & about but keep her on the ground whenever she is not in danger of being trodden on. Too often tiny dogs get carried everywhere and it can make the world scary when viewed from a lower angle.
Puppy classes vary a lot. Visit a class before you get her and watch the interaction. Some are good, some are just processions.
Paps & droppys are great little big dogs with brains that need something to do. They are very trainable but if you don't train them they will soon train you.
 
Do utilise crates and stair gates, always let both have an escape route

Also re training classes - don't go for a certain period and then stop and assume that your dog is 'fully trained' - there are dogs competing at world level who still need training every day!!

Also I am a bit itchy about puppy classes where the whole class is allowed to run riot. This is a very sensitive period in terms of fear and socialisation and a big free-for-all can allow bullies to be bullies and victims to become victims. It's sometimes OK for older dogs in terms of sorting out a pecking order with the noise and handbags that can entail, but there is a vital imprinting period in a pup's life and if a pup gets thrown on the floor or pinned etc by a bolshier pup it can stay with them for a long time.

I prefer 'you may interact with other dogs, but under these circumstances' rather than a big melee.
 
Although she will be tiny and cute she will prefer you to be in charge, it is less worrisome for them all round, so don't let her walk all over you.
 
Don't worry I will not be picking her up everywhere, she needs to learn to walk on her own feet, I don't want her to be a little dog that thinks everything is scary!
Good point re puppy classes, I don't want her to get overwhelmed by older, rougher, bigger puppies, I will go and check out a couple. Its a difficult balance of wanting to protect her and at the same time letting her socialise with bigger dogs.
Yes, I've head that paps are very smart, you can see from her expression she is a smart cookie, so I want to use that to my advantage rather than let her plot :p Maybe instead of puppy classes I could enrol her in very basic obedience classes for younger dogs?
 
I think one of the things to remember is what a puppy does that appears cute may not be when they are adult, so think ahead.

Many small breeds don't realize they are small and have the attitude and all that goes with it of a big dog.

I have seen a Peke hanging off of a German Shepherds throat.
 
You'll probably have the roughest/dirtiest playing puppy at training class - paps/phalenes aren't delicate wee creatures that can't take rough and tumble. It's not unusual to see my big dogs wearing the wee dogs as earrings or necklaces....they see a bit of skin and hang on! They generally think the world revolves around them and don't get overwhelmed by much.

You can also check out your area for toy specific training classes, they will likely be more show orientated but will also have puppy socialisation.

By 15 wks the breeder will probably have the pup crate trained, it's something most show breeders will do very early because the dogs get taken up and down the country most weekends.

Be prepared for quite a lot of grooming - and get the dog prepared for it too - because the length the fringes on the ears, the tail and feet grow too (if being kept to breed standard anyway) you will be brushing/combing a lot.

I'm sure you'll have been warned but you know know that for wee dogs they've got a decent jump on them? One of our veteran bitches can still jump the 4ft wall between the stables from a stand still. Stair gates are not a problem for paps/phalenes...agility training classes when a little older might be an idea?

Give me a pm if you ever need any breed specific advice, we've bred/kept paps for over 25 years now.

Oh yeah - and congratulations on your new addition :)
 
Thanks, that's a very helpful post. Yes I am aware they have quite a jump...I would love to do some low key agility when she is older. Toy specific classes sound good, she can never be shown but from a socialisation point that could be good. Grooming is something I would start pretty much straight away, I love grooming and I also want to start brushing teeth early on to prevent problems later. I may well give you a pm, thankS for the help
 
No bother, if I think of anything else puppy related I'll stick it in here for you.

They are masses of fun and I'm sure you'll have a ball with your new wee girl - when you get her please stick up some photos, I love a pappy puppy!
 
Noting the size and that fact that you have a cat. I see you have said that you will not leave them unsupervised. Very sensible. Someone I knew years ago offered to look after next door's Chiuaua while the family went on a fortnight's holiday. The person doing the looking after had a siamese cat. The first night she left the chi and the cat together in the kitchen and came down in the morning to find the cat and a little pile of bones! I never did find out how she broke the news to the dogs owner. So be careful with your cat. It's the only time I ever heard of this sort of thing so not common thankfully.
 
With regards to teeth cleaning, start with just your finger and get them used to you playing about with their mouth, then add in a bit of dog toothpaste. You can eventually progress on to a finger brush and then a big brush if you wanted....also always go in to the side of their mouth first! Especially while they are getting used to it.

Another good thing to do is for a few minutes every day, run your hands all over them (when they are in a chilled out mood!) This will get them used to having every part if them touched so hopefully you won't have many problems if your dog has to go to the vets or groomers (ie, inside of ears, pads and claws, mouth etc). Check all over after a walk for any grass seeds (they can work their way into the skin and cause abscesses) and also you can look out for any cut pads or torn claws.

Definitely go to puppy classes, but do go and watch some first so that you can pick the right one for you and pup, and avoid the ones where they just let the puppies all run riot!
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies, very useful. Eek Suelin :eek: No, puppy will never be left alone with my large, grumpy cat, he wouldn't eat her but might take a few nasty swipes!
We are going to see her on Tuesday, what should I be watching out for? Other than that she looks healthy and happy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top