Dog Community

Some info and could use some advice, please? (maybe long)

Posted : 5/30/2006 5:08:20 PM

I thought that after my welcome post I would post a little bit of info about Benedict and his new family, and outline a couple of areas in which I really could use some advice.

The other half and I had been talking about getting a puppy for a while, and after we decided to I spent some time locating breeders in my area of the types of dog I would most like to own - Labs being top of the list of large dogs, but I am also a huge fan of the giant breeds and would love one day to own a Saint Bernard or a Newfoundlander. Anyway, completely by chance I found a woman in a country suburb of the city where I live, who had bred her pedigree black lab to another pedigree lab and wound up with a huge litter of gorgeous little pups. They were all home raised, obviously well socialised and taken care of, not just by this breeder and her husband but by their 3 children as well. I asked all of the questions I could think of, and when satisfied, decided that one of these sweeties would come home with me.
I am home all day (self employed) and not a very solitary person by nature, so I both wanted and knew I had the time to invest in a puppy to grow up and be a loyal companion for me. He is so cute and I race out of bed every morning, despite being exhausted, to spend time with him. My vet says he wins her cutest patient award, and that he couldn't be healthier, so all is well on that front.

However, I do have a few questions....I am not really concerned at this point, but trying to get to grips with Ben's temperament.
- I know he's only 7 weeks, but he does seem to be a bit "quiet", which is not something I had really expected from a lab. He goes through periods of being really hyper, but a lot of the time he is content to just lie around (not just sleeping). Is he bored, or do I just have a shy puppy? I interact with him as much as I think he will take, stopping when I start to sense that he is losing interest.

- If he is very tired, and I show him his crate and say "bedtime", he will happily go in and go to sleep for anything between 45 minutes and a few hours, and doesn't whine immediately when he wakes up. I go to him as soon as I can, but if I am taking dinner out of the oven or something than obviously he has to wait a minute. Then I take him outside, and about 50% of the time he does his business, the other 50% he will just curl up on the ground, or go and eat some grass, and then want to come in again, where he will play for a few minutes before having an accident on the floor. Should I be trying to keep him outside for longer, even though he wants to be let back in?

- I am having a bit of a tough time getting him into a predictable routine, partly because of the above issue and partly because although all of the books (lol) say that he should want to have a bowel movement right after his meals, Ben doesn't - it's a good 1-3 hours. That's not necessarily a problem during the day, (or is it? could this be a food issue that changing his diet might help?) but at night when he falls asleep after his last meal, I know he'll be waking up within an hour or two. Thus, I tend not to put him to bed in his crate until after that, meaning I am not getting to bed until at least midnight, and he has me up for the day at six.

He has had his first round of shots, I don't know about the US but here in the UK pups are vacc'd at either 6 weeks and 10 weeks or 8 weeks and 12 weeks. He's up to date on his worming, had a full physical exam and is booked to start his puppy socialisation classes as soon as I can take him out. I have also started clicker training with him, though all of this is a learning process for us both. Any advice on the routine, houstraining or his energy level would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Kate

zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa]

Posted : 5/30/2006 5:42:00 PM

Oh congrats kate,
You sound like your on the way to having a very loyal companion for a very long time! First, 7 weeks is WAY to early for him to be away from his mother and litter mates. But since he is there and seems to be settling in nicely I'll try to answer your questions from my experience with dogs and what I have read......which is a lot because I was a nervous puppy owner like yourself.
-Seeing as how he is still a tiny little guy expect him to sleep a lot, there is nothing out of the ordinary about that. As for him being a quiet, I think he sounds like he's just a good natured calm lil guy, esepcially if he has gotten a clean bill of health from the vet. I know when we think of puppy we think of some little hellion tearing through the house causing ruckus....those days will come!
Right now he should be with his litter mates playing hard, sleeping hard, and leaning bite inhibition and other things from his kind. So expect him to have bouts of hyperness and exhaustion. Since you are now his partner you are going to have to teach him bite inhibition, no problem!
By the way you have described his behavior it REALLY seems as if he is extrememly smart already. When he wakes up, do stay outside until he is done going potty, praise him to high heaven and then bring him back in. If he has a accidnet, take him right back outside! Rory dosnt have a bowel movement right after she eats either, never has. Its always when she wakes up, mayve your pup is like that too, it dosnt sound like a food issue if you have him on a healthy pup food without too much extra treats while he is still so young. I think give him a little extra lee-way with all the things you are reading about due to his age. Labs are very smart dogs and will adapt accordingly! Good luck and post up some pics!

Benedict

Posted : 5/30/2006 6:15:19 PM

Sheprano - thanks so much for the reply.

I know 7 weeks is early....I am not sure what the norm in the US is but here a pup usually goes to a new owner at about 8 weeks, but Ben was part of a litter of 13 pups, which from what I have read is approaching the maximum for a lab litter. Anyway, his mother just couldn't cope with all the pups anymore, wasn't able to spend any one-on-one time with them, and was just too tired. For that reason the breeder, the vet and myself decided he would come home early and start learning with us. In an ideal world I would have waited, in this case that wasn't to be. (Would just like to clarify that I completely understand your sentiments on this issue, do not wish to offend and am glad you have my puppy's best interests at heart.

)

Thank you, as well, for your words of reassurance. I am, as you said, a nervous puppy owner. He is not my first dog but is my first puppy, and the issues faced are totally different. I am willing to put in the time - I am actually one of those people who is more excited about the adult phase than the oh-look-at-the-adorable-puppy phase (don't get me wrong, he is adorable and I love him dearly) but know that investing the time now is what will make the adult phase that much more enjoyable. I am really looking forward to the time when I can take him for 2 hour walks in the woods. I am just torn between wanting to take him in my arms and cuddle him 24-7 and giving him some time and space to develop his personality.

He is on high quality kibble - I measure out rations of it every morning and that is what he gets for the day, spread over 4 mealtimes and pieces of it as rewards for training, which I am keeping quite gentle but he knows "bedtime" if I stand next to his crate, and "let go" of something I can't puppyproof (like my shoelaces while my shoes are on my feet).

The mention of your dog's habits is helpful ang again, reassuring. Sometimes when all the books say one thing, and that isn't the way your dog is, there is a tendency to worry.

There is a pic on my introductory post in "anything and everything", but I will take some better ones and post those as soon as he lets me.

I think he is very clever - any mistakes here are most certainly on my part, not his.

Many thanks again,
Kate

smilee1079

Posted : 5/30/2006 6:40:40 PM

I am not sure how often you have to feed a puppy, but is it possible to feed him his last meal a bit earlier so you can get to bed before midnight?

Also, for what it is worth, Zoe doesn't potty immediately after eating either

. I remember when I got her the SPCA person said dogs will have to go 10 minutes after they eat. So there I was everyday trying to get her to go and she never would. But, she also didn't have accidents and when I took her out a few hours later, she always went then. All dogs are different I guess

.

zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa]

Posted : 5/30/2006 7:02:57 PM

13 pups? Wow, that poor girl! Well I see why you got your lil precious so early! I see so many people on here and I think "oh lord why didnt they just get a cat"? But I felt happy to give my opinion on your post because I recognized someone who truly wants to have that special bond with their pup. I'm amazed he knows "bedtime" and "let go", that is incredible.
"but know that investing the time now is what will make the adult phase that much more enjoyable."
If I could stess one point to new puppy owners that would be it! Thank you so much for putting into simple words for me, as you can tell my thoughts are kinda drawn out, ha ha!
I was just trying to explain to my niece the other day:
The more you discipline your dog, the better its life will be, for example if your dog has a excellent reliable recall (which takes the highest amount of time and energy)
then you will be able to take your dog more places and enjoy mor ethings without worrying, leaving him at home because he dosnt listen, or worse him getting hurt as a result.
I also had to explain to her why when Rory was a pup I would put her out back while we ate dinner. (she had a horrible habit of begging from the start) Everyone thought I was so cruel letting her watch from outside while we ate and then only feeding her after we were done. I learned that from dog packs and now Rory won't even think of begging at all.
So to sum it up, I think you are doing a great job so far, keep the wuestions coming, wehave a ton of great educated people on here to offer their advice, consolation, and input!

schleide

Posted : 5/30/2006 8:52:23 PM

Welcome and congrats on your furbaby!! As was already mentioned and as you know, 7 weeks is really too early to leave mama dog and litter - I am stressing this, because a lot of people will read these posts and it is important that everyone understand that in usual circumstances this is too early. But, it sounds like in this case, all parties thought that this was best for the pups, so, you are going to have to be mama and littermates to this puppy - it sounds like you are up to the task!!

In terms of sleeping a lot - that sounds totally normal to me (I haven't raised a puppy myself - but all my memories of growing up with the extended family and all the puppies everyone had - they would be playing, playing, playing - and then before you could blink - dead asleep in 2 seconds...). In terms of potty - since you are at home and are able to do so, I might try a set schedule of crating (or teathering to you) and then taking the puppy out to go potty (for now, every 2 hours or so, since the pup is so young). When the puppy goes outside, throw a party - praise, playing, a little treat... When you see the puppy has to go (or starts to go inside), scoop the pup up, maybe saying, something like "no, potty outside" - make sure you are not yelling, or stern, or punishing, in any way whatsoever... and then praise and reward for finishing outside "good outside" - or something (nothing if puppy gets outside and doesn't go)). I am sure this is really young to be potty training, but a set schedule will probably benefit both of you...

Most of all - good luck with the new addition - you sound like a great mama!!

mudpuppy

Posted : 5/31/2006 9:12:56 AM

ANOTHER PIECE OF THE PUZZLE: PUPPY DEVELOPMENT
by Pat Hastings & Erin Ann Rouse, Editors (See other books by author)

you might want to take a look at this book. Talks about fear imprint periods and the like and ways to help your pup develop into a confident, well behaved dog.

Luvntzus

Posted : 5/31/2006 5:14:09 PM

What a great puppy to go to his crate on command at 7 weeks! Sounds like you're doing a really good job with everything. I think his activity level is completely normal; puppies play hard and sleep hard. They're like babies needing a lot of sleep because they're growing. Good luck with him!

Benedict

Posted : 5/31/2006 5:49:18 PM

Thank you everyone for the replies and advice, and thanks mudpuppy for the book recommendation.
He won't go into his crate if I command him from across the room (I tried it to see what would happen), but will if I tap it and seems very happy in there. I am not willing to get into any really hefty training just yet, he is still so little, by which I mean that I right now I see bite inhibition and the beginnings of housetraining as a higher priority than, say, teaching him to sit/stay, and I don't want to overwhelm him. This may be an error on my part, but I do feel that this is what he is responding to and why his cleverness is shining through already. I am reinforcing good behaviour via clicker training, but realise that I just can't throw everything at him at once. Learning will be a process for us both, and for now learning the "ways of the house" is the most important thing. I am encouraging the good (with praise and kibble) and not acknowledging the "bad" (for lack of a better word) with the exception of yelping when he bites.
I know that especially because he is young socialisation is of utmost importance, and I am doing my best on that front. I groom him, get him used to being touched and examined, introduce him to all the people I can and he is booked into puppy socialisation classes starting the very first day that he is allowed out and with other pups after his shots.
As long as I know that his energy level and everything else is normal I am not worried. Especially when he looks so darned cute curled up and sleeping. [

]

Thank you again, I am sure more questions will arise but I feel more relaxed now that I know where to come.

Kate

zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa]

Posted : 5/31/2006 6:03:51 PM

Wow Kate, I wish all new puppy owners were as knowledgable as you! Including me when got my first puppy. Please keep us updated. I totally agree with you not wanting to push him too much on the basic commands. Your right, he sounds super smart, congrats!

schleide

Posted : 5/31/2006 6:30:41 PM

You seem to have it all under control (although the first time he chews a really nice shoe, you probably won't feel that way[

])!! I totally agree that bite inhibition, housetraining and socialization (I would try to make sure you meet all kinds of people, old, young, tall, facial hair, weelchairs, everything you can think of - it will save you trouble in the long run) are the most important things - sit/stay and the rest of it can wait... Good luck!!

Benedict

Posted : 5/31/2006 6:38:21 PM

Sheprano - thank you very much for your kind words, I will definitely keep you posted and will put up more pics.

Schleide - That is the very reason the Jimmy Choos I bought to wear at my wedding next year are upstairs in the back of a closet. Everything else is replaceable lol. And funnily enough, he met a nice woman in a wheelchair today who used to keep labs.

Kate

miranadobe

Posted : 5/31/2006 7:00:15 PM

Another good puppy book that I really felt was useful - explained when to train your puppy what - and how - was "Mother Knows Best" by Carol Lea Benjamin. Illustrative photos and everything, while still being a kind/softer instructor. I used a lot of good stuff out of that book and have a remarkably good dog now.