Puppy planning!

Brownmare

Brownmare

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I am currently looking for a new whippet puppy and will be going to look at a litter soon (they are due to be born any day now) but I have suddenly realised I am very rusty about all things puppy having had mainly rescue dogs. In fact the last time I lived with a puppy was 25 years ago!

I realise that a whippet puppy will be like a toddler on speed mounted on a pogo stick but I'm up for that!! What I need help with is things like feeding, sleeping arrangements, vaccination, worming, socialising and how much exercise is sensible. ..

I plan on using a crate because this has worked well with the rescues and the older dogs will need a break from pup but is it best to put the crate in our bedroom so I will wake up if pup needs to go out or in the dog room with the others and I just clean up any mess?

Also I know this breeder feeds raw - any tips to make this easy / inexpensive? My OH is NOT keen on the idea so I need to be able to sell it to him as doable.

Thanks in advance :)
 
Personally, I would simply follow the breeders feeding instructions, and slowly introduce the food my dogs eat, so I would only see it as a temporary thing.

I would choose to have the crate in my bedroom, and other than that, I would mainly focus at enjoying the puppy time, they grow up so fast.
 
Whippet puppies..how lovely...are you looking at working lines or show lines? it will make a huge difference to the pup that you take on...are you looking to course/ work the pup or wanting a companionable pet? be sure to look at the pedigree and quiz the breeder re the lines.
 
As I currently have 2 pups on the go I consider myself an expert in these matters!! With the first pup I had the crate in the bedroom at night as older, dog sleeps up there. During the day I moved it downstairs and when I was out on the yard she was crated. As she got older we left the crate in the bedroom and she came out on the yard with me. Pup no. 2 hates to be crated alone so she is happy to sleep while we are all out. I do get up at 5 so she can play and is ready to sleep at 7 when I do the horses! They both had their 1st vaccinations by the breeder at 8 weeks and they get the 2nd 2 weeks after that. They are able to go out and about 2 weeks after the 2nd vaccination. Feeding wise they got 4 meals to begin with but I do tend to play it by ear with them. Bella is 13 weeks and is down to 2 meals a day with snacks if she wants them. Georgie is 9 weeks and has 3 or 4 meals depending on her!
You shouldn't socialise until 2 weeks after 2nd vaccination and then as much as possible!
Enjoy your pup. I am having a blast with my 2 but they are exhausting! Dexter, my older dog, and I slope off to the bedroom for some alone time now and again!
 
No helpful comments I'm afraid as I've had rescues since 1990 but I had to say I am SOOOOOO envious, please please please post pics as whippet puppies are the most gorgeous ever :D
 
Thanks for the advice mattydog - my problem with the bedroom dilemma is that the other dogs sleep downstairs so would I be making problems for myself bringing the pup upstairs? I'm inclined to keep him/her downstairs but will I have to get up in the night? I do have a greyhound size crate which would be big enough to put a pee pad in. Would that work?

Bellasophia - I am going for working lines as pup will be the official farm pest control in her spare time between cuddles and general zooming about!

And lol levrier you will have puppy pics overload as soon as we have one :)
 
How lovely, a whippet puppy. I had whippets whenI was first married and later bred a litter.
I never had much trouble house training, it also helps if the breeder has given them a start in the idea by taking them all outside from time to time.
None of my dogs ever come upstairs, I am lucky enough to have a dog room now for night time but in the past it has been the kitchen.they quickly get the idea as long as you don't relent if they cry the first night.
In my early days there were no crates and I just put some newspaper by the door for nighttime accidents but I have also crate trained. When very little I did have a bed to one side and paper the other but the paper was hardly ever used. If you take them outside as late as possible and as early as possible you can gradually extend the time.
Maybe I have been lucky but my pups have all learnt to sleep through the night very quickly. Good luck and have fun.
 
Chiffy said:
None of my dogs ever come upstairs, I am lucky enough to have a dog room now for night time but in the past it has been the kitchen.they quickly get the idea as long as you don't relent if they cry the first night.
In my early days there were no crates and I just put some newspaper by the door for nighttime accidents but I have also crate trained. When very little I did have a bed to one side and paper the other but the paper was hardly ever used. If you take them outside as late as possible and as early as possible you can gradually extend the time.
Maybe I have been lucky but my pups have all learnt to sleep through the night very quickly. Good luck and have fun.
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Exactly what I do too, have always had a pup and older dogs at the same time.
 
Brownmare said:
Thanks for the advice mattydog - my problem with the bedroom dilemma is that the other dogs sleep downstairs so would I be making problems for myself bringing the pup upstairs? I'm inclined to keep him/her downstairs but will I have to get up in the night? I do have a greyhound size crate which would be big enough to put a pee pad in. Would that work?
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I definitely wouldn't mess around with pee pads and paper. You're trying to teach the pup to toilet outside and by putting down pads/paper you're teaching them that it's okay to pee inside sometimes which is confusing for them. I would take them out last thing at night and then get up once/twice in the night to take the pup out to toilet. You can gradually start extending the time left overnight until they're dry all night. The whole point of a crate is that it's slightly larger than the pup is so the pup can lay down/turn around but they won't toilet in that space because it's where they're sleeping.
 
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