6 week old puppy

• 08-23-2007 1:41 PM

  mady Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 17 Points 0	6 week old puppy Reply Contact Hi,   We are getting a puppy at 6 weeks old. What can I do to help him out. I know he is suppose to stay with his mom longer, but I don't have a choise.   Thanks   Mary Ann
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• 08-23-2007 2:30 PM

  In reply to mady

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,618 Points 330

  RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact mady: We are getting a puppy at 6 weeks old. What can I do to help him out. Yikes, poor baby!  Suggestions:   (1)  Get a towel and put it in with the mother and pups so it has their scent.  Put the towel in a mesh bag (like one for washing delicates) to keep it clean and hang it on the outside of the pup's crate.  This would be easiest with a wire crate where the pup can snuggle up to the bag. (2)  Get a SnugglePuppy - a stuffed animal that provides heat and a heart beat sound. (3)  Get a Comfort Zone DAP plug-in diffuser - mimics a new mother's pheromones. (4)  At night put the pup's crate close to your bed and on eye level so the pup can see you. (5)  Take the pup out to potty when he/she wakes up in the crate and whines (nighttime, too).  The pup will be 1.5 months, so he/she will need to pee about every 2.5 hours (1.5+1). (6)  Try to make friends with the owners of the other pups in the litter (if any).  Play dates will help a lot and will help to teach the pups bite inhibition.   Edited to add product links.

  Filed under: new puppy info Post Points: 0

• 08-23-2007 2:48 PM

  In reply to mady

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,618 Points 330

  RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact I know getting up every 2.5 hours at night will be a real pain , so you might want the nighttime crate to be big enough for the pup and a scented puppy pad for the first month.  This shouldn't slow down your housetraining too much if the daytime crate has only enough room for the pup to turn around and lie down.  A lot of wire crates have removable, optional dividers, but I don't know how easy they are to put in and take out.

  Filed under: house training Post Points: 0

• 08-23-2007 2:53 PM

  In reply to mady

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,618 Points 330	RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact Threads with lots of info (and links to more) in case you are a first time puppy owner: http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=360822 http://forum.dog.com/asp/m.asp?m=412061
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• 08-23-2007 2:53 PM

  In reply to mady

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 Northwestern Michigan Posts 11,406 Points 405	RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact We always have a choice.  Poor little pup. A house without fur is not a home. Glenda
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• 08-23-2007 3:04 PM

  In reply to mady

  mady Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 17 Points 0	RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact Thanks Janet, You have been very helpful!!   Mary Ann
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• 08-23-2007 3:09 PM

  In reply to mady

  ark3 Joined on 06-21-2007 Tampa, FL Posts 388 Points 0

  RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact MaryAnn, I noticed on a past thread that you were inquiring about the pros and cons of getting a puppy at 6 weeks and that the breeder more or less insisted that this was okay. All of the responses you got back from fellow i-doggers suggested that this was probably not a good idea and gave many excellent reasons why. May I ask why you are choosing to get this puppy when it is quite clear that the pup should really be 8 weeks old or more? I know you said you don't have a "choice" but I have to urge you to think carefully about this decision and the validity of the responses you received about this. There are plenty of other breeders out there that would not "make" you take a dog a 6 weeks old...   I'm not trying to sound harsh, but you had asked for advice on this prior and got responses urging you to reconsider getting this pup at such an early age. Please consider the points that everyone brought up... [sm=2cents.gif] "To err is human: To forgive, canine." - Anonymous “If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” - Gen. Patton "It is our choices that define us, not our abilities." -Dumbledore

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• 08-23-2007 3:24 PM

  In reply to mady

  mady Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 17 Points 0	RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact I chose the breeder, before I found out that 6 weeks was not the normal age. She was the breeder in the area that I could get a puppy from. All her referrences checked out. They all said that their dogs were normal and great family additions.   Mary Ann
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• 08-23-2007 4:31 PM

  In reply to mady

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,618 Points 330

  RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact Please don't vaccinate at 6 weeks.  There is research that shows that shots that early delay effective vaccination.  Wait until at least 8 weeks.   Worming: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?&acatid=400&aid=1083 DrsFosterSmith: Initiate treatments at 2 weeks; repeat at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. For a puppy at increased risk, also treat at 10 and 12 weeks, and then monthly until the puppy is 6 months old. Thereafter, use a heartworm preventive medication that is also effective against hookworms and roundworms.  You can de-worming inexpensively by getting liquid Safe-Guard and a dosage syringe.  Safe-Guard (OTC) has the same active ingredient as Panacur (from vet) and will keep for three years in the frig.  It is effective against Giardia as well as intestinal worms.  See the dosage instruction in the bottom section of this site: http://www.beaglesunlimited.com/beaglehealth_canineintestinalworms.htm NOTE:  Don't worry about the fact that this size bottle is marketed for goats.     Safe-Guard is effective for roundworms, hookworms (little vampires), whipworms, Taenia tapeworms, and Giardia, but not Coccidia and other types of tapeworms (e.g. the flea tapeworm).  Interceptor (for heartworms) is effective against the same intestinal worms as Safe-Guard, but not against Giardia.  Heartgard Plus (for heartworms) is effective against roundworms, hookworms, and Taenia tapeworms, but not against whipworms or Giardia.  I prefer Interceptor because it has only one chemical and it is effective against whipworms.   According to the manufacturers Interceptor is for dogs and puppies over 4 weeks of age weighing more than 2 pounds and Heartgard Plus is for dogs and puppies 6 weeks of age and over.  Go with your vet's recommendation on when to start a heartworm preventative.  If started at over 6 weeks, check for adult heartworms after 6 months.  If started at 6 weeks or less, the check can be delayed until 1-yr after starting the preventative. I would get the liquid Safe-Guard (3 once-a-day doses) and try to persuade the breeder to deworm the whole litter (and the ***?) with it just before I picked up the pup.  Safe-Guard liquid is a safe, gentle (and cheap) de-wormer with one chemical, so letting the breeder use some on the other animals will cost you very little and may help to persuade the breeder to do what you want.  Save the rest of the bottle for future use.  An additional de-worming chemical (praziquantel) may be necessary to get other types of tapeworms, but especially for young pups I prefer to give it separately.  Coccidia requires drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon®) or trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen®).     Get the pup to the vet as soon as possible after you get it.  I would go directly from the breeder to the vet to avoid any possibility of bringing Parvo into my home.  Get a fecal check at that time.   My suggested way of doing vaccines: http://forum.dog.com/asp/m.asp?m=326568 http://forum.dog.com/asp/m.asp?m=428538  (read the whole thread?)   When do you get your new baby?  We would love to see pictures!!

  Filed under: Safe-Guard, Coccidia, Giardia, hookworms, whipworms, Interceptor, tapeworms, roundworms, Heartgard Plus, worming new litters Post Points: 0

• 08-24-2007 5:58 PM

  In reply to mady

  Elizabeth209 Joined on 07-12-2006 Merced Ca Posts 222 Points 40	RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact If you really want to help him, keep him with his mom until at least 8 weeks of age. Why is this puppy owner letting this little puppy go so soon?? 2 weeks may not seem to long to you, but it could mean life or death to this pup. I love puppy breath. Elizabeth
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• 08-29-2007 3:16 AM

  In reply to mady

  TorontoJenn Joined on 07-21-2007 Toronto, Canada Posts 82 Points 0

  RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact ORIGINAL: mady I chose the breeder, before I found out that 6 weeks was not the normal age. She was the breeder in the area that I could get a puppy from. All her referrences checked out. They all said that their dogs were normal and great family additions. Mary Ann     So?     I don't mean to be rude, but there are numerous sources and studies that prove that puppies most definitely should be at LEAST 8 weeks upon leaving, for multiple reasons. I understand that you're impatient and can't wait for your baby to arrive. So am I, but I'm waiting 10 weeks for my pup to arrive. If you're so willing to be up every 2 hours for this puppy, why aren't you willing to leave the pup with the littermates for another 14 days?   Again, not trying to be rude but I am genuinely curious why anyone would willingly and knowingly put their puppy at risk rather than leave it with the breeder for another week or so.

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• 08-29-2007 8:23 AM

  In reply to mady

  amstaffy Joined on 09-10-2007 Pennsylvania, USA Posts 1,845 Points 340

  RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact Hi Mary Ann,  I will assume since you state you have no choice it's because the breeder is the only one within your area that you can get the pup of your choice or that you've already paid for this pup.  Many *breeders* (using that word VERY loosely) will sell pups and push to get them on their way early like this. The age of 6-8 weeks is a very impressional time for puppies and it is important to allow them to stay with their moms, even better to stay from 8-12 weeks.  eople who are not breeding for the betterment of the breed, showing potential or even to produce a dog that is of superior quality(health testing with certifications) will want the pups gone as early as 6 weeks because it is a lot of work after the mom has weaned the pups and they are not intereted in nurturing and the beginning stages of training young pups.  You may have no choice now but in the future when you are ready for your next companion you will know better on what to look for in a better breeder.   For now, there are plenty of people here who can help you and support your questions. Janet has provided you with a lot of information above. I, along with a few others are breeders and can help answer your questions when you have them.         Please Lord if I must lead only one life, let it be at the end of an Am Staff

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• 08-29-2007 11:08 AM

  In reply to mady

  NC_cockermama Joined on 07-29-2007 Posts 179 Points 60

  RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact I had to find all of this out from members here as well.  I had no idea, I thought 6 weeks was the norm until I really researched the facts.  Now, it is hard for me to imagine that a 6 week old baby is ready to be taken away from momma.  Reesee's pups are 5 weeks.  They are still learning everything....how to eat, where to potty, how to follow a daily routine.  I just think you may be setting yourself up for failure with a puppy so young who hasn't even had a chance to learn the basics about being a dog.

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• 08-29-2007 12:31 PM

  In reply to mady

  Maxs Mom Joined on 09-26-2006 Livonia, MI Posts 1,509 Points 100

  RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact We did something different when Teddi was a puppy that we never did with our other dogs and it really seemed to help. We had her bedtime crate with a divider in it so her space was considerably smaller. The tighter space I think made her more comfortable like sleeping with her siblings, she was far less fussy than my other puppies. She was older than 6 wks but it still might help. Of course you have to constantly adjust the space because the pups grow like weeds. I said "bedtime" crate we had two crates so we didn't have to keep moving it around the house. That was a big plus for us. Ann & Art Maxine CGC, UADNJIII, DDNJ-r (11 yr old Golden) Belle NJP, NAJ, OJP, CGC, UAGI, UADSJ, UADJJ (5 Black Lab) Teddi UADJJ, UJJ, CGC (1 1/2 yr old Golden) Pete 14 yr old TB

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• 08-30-2007 2:45 PM

  In reply to mady

  samshine Joined on 09-10-2007 Denver, CO, USA Posts 382 Points 0

  RE: 6 week old puppy Reply Contact One of the most important lessons that a puppy learns from its littermates and mother is bite inhibition.   Here is an article that might help. [linkhttp://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/bite.txt]http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/bite.txt[/link] NOTE: not even the best dog trainer in the world can teach bite inhibition as well as another dog. It takes a lot longer for the average puppy owner.   Another problem that can come with a puppy adopted too young is lack of socialization with other dogs. They don't completely learn to "speak dog." So they can have inapropriate social behavior and just not get along with other dogs. You will have to make an extra effort to find dogs to socialize your puppy with. Other puppies of the same age, size, and play style are great but very hard to find. An adult dog who likes and will play with puppies, but does not let them get away with bad behavior is wonderful. You want an older dog who will teach proper manners, disciplining the puppy but not too harshly. This kind of dog can also be hard to find.   Good luck.

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