Dog Community

Bringing home a new pup...

Posted : 1/29/2007 1:51:40 PM

At the bording facility where I work 2 small dogs (a 1 year old pom and 11 year old shih tzu) are to be given up by their owner. She has had them there since April. She comes in monthly to pay for their stay, but never visits with them. Now some personal things have come up and she would like to give them up. My supervisor is taking the shih tzu and I am taking the pom, his name is Benny. I have known Benny since I started there in late August and he is wonderful but will need A LOT of work.

Benny was brought there at about 6 months old and has been there ever since. He is not potty trained, probably doen't even know what a house is or how to act in one, and has not been outside since April (as our facility is only indoors).

When I bring him home I plan to crate train him. I will have him tethered to me at all times when I am home or at least in the same room as me and I will take him outside often to potty. The owner is also offering to pay for training for him because he is totally untrained (he doesn't even know sit). My three dogs have already met Benny and get along just fine with him, so hopefully no problems there.[

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One of my many concerns is that he is older now and has had a life of ease just going from his room to the play room and then back to his room, will he be harder to train than a young puppy that hasn't lived like this? He knows nothing of real life...I don't think hes ever seen snow or a hot summer day. How will he react to being outside (I hope he doesn't get some sort of weird condition with daylight or something). All the sounds in my house will be totally different to him...there will be no dogs barking all the time, but he will hear birds, the dishwasher, the vacuum, etc...

I will probably be bringing him home on Wednesday after work which is around 9pm. Is there any way to make this transition easier on him? Does anyone have any advice for me on how to get this poor pup acclimated to living a normal life? Is what I'm planning on doing going to work, should I add something else?

Plus there is always someone home, either myself or SO so he will rarely be alone.

Thanks so much!

MissMandy

Posted : 1/29/2007 4:57:26 PM

   Bless you for taking this poor abandoned guy in! Crate training is definitely a must (especially with his lack of being potty trained). And you are right on target with the keeping him right with you when he is out of the crate. If you can't be physically watching him, put him back in the crate until he has gotten the hang of potty trainign, as well as being in a house.

   As for anything else, I noticed in your picture that it looks like you have other dogs as well. One additional suggestion that I can offer is to have the dogs meet at a neutral place. Even if they have interacted before bringing the pom home, this will help everyone ease into the new addition a lot smoother. Have someone meet you up the road from your house when you first bring the new dog home. Let them interact for a few minutes down the street from your house, at a nearby dog park, anywhere that is not your home or yard before bringing the dog into your house or yard. This will make the transition for all the furry kids a lot easier and a more positive experience.

   It sounds as though you've thought this out a lot and know what you're doing. I'm sure it won't seem so overwhelming for both you and the new little guy once you've had him for a week or so. Dogs are more adaptable than we give them credit for! [

] Good luck, and make sure you share some pictures of the new one!

georgie4682

Posted : 1/30/2007 6:35:26 AM

Thanks so much for your reply! I will definitely have SO meet me up the street with our dogs. That will make it much easier to get him into the house so he's not bombarded with dogs at the door. [

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Now I just cannot wait for him to come home. We still aren't sure when. It's whenever the owner comes in and signs them away...hopefully Wednesday, but maybe not until Friday. I can't wait to bring Benny home!

lisa baker

Posted : 1/30/2007 7:49:23 AM

I can't wait to hear about how happy this little guy is to finally go "home" again. I am sure the rewards will be plentiful and you will enjoy your new friend for many years to come.

Chuffy

Posted : 1/30/2007 10:16:31 AM

From your OP it doesn't sound like you need any advice, you know exactly what you are doing.... I think you are right, this little guy is starting off on a handicap and will take longer to adjust than a "normal" puppy but I think all he needs is more time and patience.

To make the transition easier on him, make sure he has bedding with familiar smells on it and possibly some familiar toys too. If you can take one or two household items in for him to sniff and familiarise himself with the smell of your home that might help too. Keep his diet the same as what he is used to (at least initially). Keep us posted how he gets on..... [

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Cita

Posted : 1/30/2007 11:02:19 AM

One of my many concerns is that he is older now and has had a life of ease just going from his room to the play room and then back to his room, will he be harder to train than a young puppy that hasn't lived like this? He knows nothing of real life...I don't think hes ever seen snow or a hot summer day. How will he react to being outside (I hope he doesn't get some sort of weird condition with daylight or something). All the sounds in my house will be totally different to him...there will be no dogs barking all the time, but he will hear birds, the dishwasher, the vacuum, etc...

In my very un-expert advice I think you will be just fine. It sounds like you care a lot about him, and he's going to sense that. So take it slowly, be a calm role model for him, and I'm sure things will work out perfectly. My dog led a fairly sheltered life up until a few months ago, but since then he's been exposed to all sorts of new things: horses, donkeys, cows, cats, a hedgehog, airplanes, snow, living illegally in a dorm room, cold winter weather... he's actually really enjoyed it.

Good luck to both of you, I bet it will work out beautifully. What a lucky little dog to have found you

georgie4682

Posted : 1/30/2007 9:01:32 PM

Thank you guys!

I am so excited to introduce him to his new, more exciting life! Hopefully he'll be coming home with me tomorrow night! [

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Michelle

Posted : 1/30/2007 10:13:02 PM

Bless you and your supervisor, wow, 11 years and the lady is giving him up. People never cease to amaze and disgust me. But then, people like you and your supe restore my faith. Of course, we will need pictures!

georgie4682

Posted : 1/31/2007 10:58:45 PM

I have bad news [&o]

When I went to work today, expecting to be taking Benny home with me tonight, my supervisor said that the owner is causing some problems. She doesn't feel that it is right that she can't have our contact info. I don't see any reason for her to have it. She is giving up her dogs, she does not need to keep in contact with us. If she wants she can come to the boarding place and ask us, there is no need to call us at home. My supervisor thinks that she'll get over it but we probably won't be taking the dogs home until February 22!! [&:]

I really want to get them out of there now. I just hope she calms down a bit and lets us take them. I guess there's nothing I can do, but wait it out.

sallya

Posted : 1/31/2007 11:03:32 PM

Bless you!!!! I can't wait to hear more!

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 2/1/2007 12:02:10 PM

Bless you, Georgie! I'm sure that your kids will show him how to be a dog. Just be patient with his owner. I know it's hard to but she's holding all the cards right now. I just find it funny that the dog's owner hasn't seemed to show much care for the dogs & now she wants to care? I have no patience for people like that.