New puppy arriving.....help appreciated

Bryndu

Bryndu

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 July 2008
Messages
1,192
Visit site
Hi all,
I am hoping for some advice with a new puppy:)

I have been a dog owner....but not small puppy owner:)

I have a 9 week old border collie puppy coming home on Monday afternoon and would very much appreciate some advice. ( We have sheep so that is why this breed)...
Although I have had dogs before.....I have had nothing under 4 months....so 9 weeks is very new to me.

Puppy is SO small......not that he is in an way shape or form a runt.....but for me he is small.....because as having previously had from 4 months onwards.....he is small compared to them:)

So .....I have a check list....

1. I have a very big cage which I am going to put him in.....in the kitchen with some newspaper, fleeces and a cuddly toy.....he will be coming home in the cage so hopefully it will register with him as somewhere safe. Am I doing the right thing?
2. Off to buy him a collar today...
3. He is on crunchies and tinned tripe (Ewch!) ....and the owner is providing me with some to take home so he is eating the same stuff.....what do small puppies eat? Not too keen to go down the ‘wet’ food route......but appreciate I might have to start off this way?
4. Going to restrict him to just 3 rooms to start off....as well as going outside...(20 acres to roam in when he gets bigger)....what are the hazards I need to look out for other than the obvious electrical wires?
5. Will introduce him slowly to the two cats...who are very dog friendly
6. He has had a small dose of wormer.....when do I do him again?
7. When does he need his jabs?

Can’t think of anything else......and I do so appreciate any help given to a new numpty puppy owner

Thank you SO much in advance.
Best wishes
Bryndu
 
How exciting!!

Has he had first jabs?

We cleared everything from the floor that we thought would be a hazard, most of it is common sense really - which you have in bucket loads. Try and keep him off carpeted areas, accidents are easier to clean up....

Our puppy was changed slowly on to Burgess, and once a little older I started introducing raw meat which I get from the butchers (we've not gone down the whole raw route though).

We were given a very comprehensive worming guide from the breeders, endorsed by our vet, and she was wormed for a second time when she was about 12 weeks old I think.
 
amymay said:
How exciting!!

Has he had first jabs?

We cleared everything from the floor that we thought would be a hazard, most of it is common sense really - which you have in bucket loads. Try and keep him off carpeted areas, accidents are easier to clean up....

Our puppy was changed slowly on to Burgess, and once a little older I started introducing raw meat which I get from the butchers (we've not gone down the whole raw route though).

We were given a very comprehensive worming guide from the breeders, endorsed by our vet, and she was wormed for a second time when she was about 12 weeks old I think.
Click to expand...

OOoo Thanks for this amymay....
Just been to the car boot and bought second cage.....Teddy without eyes (I mean button eyes...not blind Teddy..lol:)).....which is about the same size as him...and will hopefully feel like his siblings.... and Piglet without button eyes which is quite small to carry around with him....a cuddly bed for in the living room.....and two collars...which are adjustable:)

He hasn't had any jabs....should he have the now...no idea with small puppy?
There are no other dogs at home......and he is nowhere near other dogs...if that helps....

Best wishes
Bryndu
 
Bonkers2 said:
Don't over feed, and try to minimise meat intake.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bonkers.....
The previous dog we had couldn't take meat (tinned or raw) as he had a dodgy tummy...so I probably will stick to the crunchies diet...last boy had hyper alergenic non wheat...etc but I appreciate puppy will not be wanting this as it is for working adults:)
Best wishes
Bryndu
 
Give your vet a call re jabs and worming. If no history of worming start again.

Glad you have a crate, mine love theirs and use it for time out. Can prevent dogs wrecking your house and eating/chewing inappropriate things when you are not about potentially saving on vets bills.

As for diet, leave on same for a few weeks then gradually change to what you want to feed. Loads of info on computer sites.
 
one thing I thought of...take the cuddly toy and maybe a small blanket to the breeders and leave with the other puppies if you have the time so they smell of them...if you cant do this beforehand rub it on the other puppies when you go to collect him ....will give him a little bit of comfort for his first time away from the others.....good luck and don't forget piccies are compulsory!!!!!!!

also may be worth covering the cage with a blanket to make it more like a den..
 
Janah said:
Give your vet a call re jabs and worming. If no history of worming start again.

Glad you have a crate, mine love theirs and use it for time out. Can prevent dogs wrecking your house and eating/chewing inappropriate things when you are not about potentially saving on vets bills.

As for diet, leave on same for a few weeks then gradually change to what you want to feed. Loads of info on computer sites.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this.....
Had been thinking that we might 'pop' to the vets on the way home for some advice and check up...

Best wishes
Bryndu
 
splashgirl45 said:
one thing I thought of...take the cuddly toy and maybe a small blanket to the breeders and leave with the other puppies if you have the time so they smell of them...if you cant do this beforehand rub it on the other puppies when you go to collect him ....will give him a little bit of comfort for his first time away from the others.....good luck and don't forget piccies are compulsory!!!!!!!

also may be worth covering the cage with a blanket to make it more like a den..
Click to expand...


Oooo thanks for this.....that's a good idea about the blanket and cuddly toy...will defo do that....
The whole piccys thing will take some working out though...not techo at all! :)

Best wishes
Bryndu
 
Exciting times!

Absolutely right about the cage, I would also suggest feeding pup in the cage for the first couple of days to aid positivity and teach the pup it's a nice place to be :)

With toilet training, pop the pup out regularly and give him no more than five minutes outside. Any longer he will forget why he's out there. Lots of praise, fuss and cuddles when he does perform, otherwise ignore him until he goes, or else he may think he's outside to play!

Make sure you pop him outside through the same door, rather than through the kitchen door then the lounge door. Consistency is key during the early days and you will probably find he will take himself to the back door and ask to be let out.

Remember to keep exercise short and sweet at this age, otherwise you could cause early arthritis.

Check with vets about worming and jabs but most of all enjoy him! :)
 
Puppies have a vaccine course. 1 at 8 weeks, and 1 at 10 weeks. If he has not had any then he will need to have the 1st lot asap. I normally recommend that new puppies go to the new home for a few days and settle in first, then come to the vets for their vaccines. Or you can have a check up on your way home with him, but starting the vaccines may be a little too much for him, although I know some people that vaccinate as soon as they have the puppy. But it helps the vet if they can have a bit of chat with you about how he is at home, eating well, toileting ok etc.

Worming depends on when he was done and with what product. But you can chat to your vet about this.

Feeding, keep him on what he is on now whilst he settles, then gradually change over to your new dog food. Dry food is fine, but go for a puppy food with smaller kibble. There are lots of good threads and info on the internet about good dog foods to try, and what to avoid!

If your vet/dog trainer does puppy parties then do go! Good idea to get your puppy used to as many different things as possible too, sit on a park bench and take the world in, get the dressing up stuff out and get them used to people wearing glasses, hats etc. People with brolleys or pushchairs etc. whilst he is so young he will soak up new experiences like a sponge :)

Kongs are brilliant for little puppy teeth. They do a soft puppy one. Stuff it with their food, wet biscuits, put in freezer for hot days etc. Good for when they start to teethe too.

Photos required! :)
 
Echo24 said:
Exciting times!

Absolutely right about the cage, I would also suggest feeding pup in the cage for the first couple of days to aid positivity and teach the pup it's a nice place to be :)

With toilet training, pop the pup out regularly and give him no more than five minutes outside. Any longer he will forget why he's out there. Lots of praise, fuss and cuddles when he does perform, otherwise ignore him until he goes, or else he may think he's outside to play!

Make sure you pop him outside through the same door, rather than through the kitchen door then the lounge door. Consistency is key during the early days and you will probably find he will take himself to the back door and ask to be let out.

Remember to keep exercise short and sweet at this age, otherwise you could cause early arthritis.

Check with vets about worming and jabs but most of all enjoy him! :)
Click to expand...

Ooo thank you SO much fro this:)
Best wishes
Bryndu
 
Umbongo said:
Puppies have a vaccine course. 1 at 8 weeks, and 1 at 10 weeks. If he has not had any then he will need to have the 1st lot asap. I normally recommend that new puppies go to the new home for a few days and settle in first, then come to the vets for their vaccines. Or you can have a check up on your way home with him, but starting the vaccines may be a little too much for him, although I know some people that vaccinate as soon as they have the puppy. But it helps the vet if they can have a bit of chat with you about how he is at home, eating well, toileting ok etc.

Worming depends on when he was done and with what product. But you can chat to your vet about this.

Feeding, keep him on what he is on now whilst he settles, then gradually change over to your new dog food. Dry food is fine, but go for a puppy food with smaller kibble. There are lots of good threads and info on the internet about good dog foods to try, and what to avoid!

If your vet/dog trainer does puppy parties then do go! Good idea to get your puppy used to as many different things as possible too, sit on a park bench and take the world in, get the dressing up stuff out and get them used to people wearing glasses, hats etc. People with brolleys or pushchairs etc. whilst he is so young he will soak up new experiences like a sponge :)

Kongs are brilliant for little puppy teeth. They do a soft puppy one. Stuff it with their food, wet biscuits, put in freezer for hot days etc. Good for when they start to teethe too.

Photos required! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for this....SUCH good advice:)
Thought we might take him to Mrs Vet on the way home just for a check up....to make sure he is ok...but may make that decision tomorrow.....maybe just bring him home first to settle in....

All stuff from car boot washed and dried and waiting for their new owner:)
Best wishes
Bryndu
 
Ok....puppy home....
First night...slept all the night through:)
Second day....wormed him as per vet instructions.....slept half the night.:/
Third day....he chucked up an 8 inch tape worm!....poor boy:( Slept all through the night:)
Bryndu
 
cant tell you exactly as I muddle through when I post pics. but register with photobucket ,upload photos then click on the img code and copy and paste to here. I think that's how I do it but im not very good with this sort of thing. good luck we NEED piccies.. and what is puppies name or have I missed that..
 
splashgirl45 said:
cant tell you exactly as I muddle through when I post pics. but register with photobucket ,upload photos then click on the img code and copy and paste to here. I think that's how I do it but im not very good with this sort of thing. good luck we NEED piccies.. and what is puppies name or have I missed that..
Click to expand...

Ooo...thanks for this:)
Puppy is called Pedwar...Welsh for fourth...as he is my fourth sheepdog....Ped for short:)
Many thanks
Best wishes
Bryndu
 
Welcome Pedwar cŵn bach :-)

Are you going to train him yourself? Pics are a must. I do miss my Border Collie - she was a real character.
 
The very best thing you can do for him in the first few days is to resist the urge to cuddle him every time he comes to you/every time he cries/every time he looks cute. He'll grow into a very secure and happy dog if you allow him a few days to kind of do his own thing without too much attention, let him look around and explore and build his own confidence in his new surroundings. Don't be always there or always responding to him straight away. He needs to learn a little independence.

That said, follow Amymay's and the other great advice and just enjoy your new puppy. :)

Oh....and don't forget, we need lots of pics :) xx
 
_GG_ said:
The very best thing you can do for him in the first few days is to resist the urge to cuddle him every time he comes to you/every time he cries/every time he looks cute. He'll grow into a very secure and happy dog if you allow him a few days to kind of do his own thing without too much attention, let him look around and explore and build his own confidence in his new surroundings. Don't be always there or always responding to him straight away. He needs to learn a little independence.

That said, follow Amymay's and the other great advice and just enjoy your new puppy. :)

Oh....and don't forget, we need lots of pics :) xx
Click to expand...

Thanks for this:)
Bryndu
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top