|
Post by masha on Oct 30, 2006 0:31:15 GMT -5
Hi - so Ive finally decided to take the plunge - yesterday we went and chose our new puppy. He is a white shepherd / golden retriever cross. Hmmm. Not sure how that will turn out? Not a planned puppy, apparently! He is coming home with us tomorrow.
Now I feel as though I have forgotten all that puppy care stuff. Where is a good source of practical advice (on line)? Especialy advice about nutrition, and about introducing new pup to existing dog. I dont have any huge worries as my Ana is usualy very gentle with pups, but of course its different when he comes into her HOME. She spent the most of yesterday evening sniffing and sniffing me, really interested in all these puppy smells.
|
|
|
Post by willow on Oct 30, 2006 7:53:04 GMT -5
Now I feel as though I have forgotten all that puppy care stuff. Where is a good source of practical advice (on line)? Especialy advice about nutrition, and about introducing new pup to existing dog. Hmmmmmmm. I thought we were the best source of "practical advise on line". I would just do a google search on puppy care and read every thing that comes up until you find what you are looking for.
|
|
|
Post by Dom on Oct 30, 2006 8:01:57 GMT -5
Congrats on your new addition! Puppy hood, that wonderful time when you see how long you can survive without sleep. I know that I was exhausted the first month we had Sadie. I had to take a step back for some deep breaths a few times. Just remember when you feel you are at your wits end the 50th time you redirect your puppy from the couch leg to a toy, it doesn't last long. Soon you will look at your full grown dog and wonder how they ever fit in the palm of your hands. ;D Below is a link to articles by Clothier that I like to read from time to time. "It takes a pack to raise a puppy" is a fun article to read. I like how she talks about the "puppy pass" and points out how some people make excuses for inappropriate puppy behavior. It may not be exactly what you are looking for but her articles are good reads. I still get a chuckle when I read the poem under "Green Eggs and Ham and Dog Training?". www.flyingdogpress.com/artlibreg.htmThe only other thing I can suggest is to make sure you have one on one time with your new puppy. I made the mistake of letting Sadie bond with Doogie before she bonded to us. She would "listen" to Doogie before she would acknowledge I was even in the same room. It did take some time to correct that.
|
|
|
Post by Dom on Oct 30, 2006 8:05:40 GMT -5
Oh yes, I almost forgot... PICTURES!!! We must have pictures.
|
|
|
Post by masha on Oct 31, 2006 15:37:28 GMT -5
Oh yes of course, as soon as I get batteries for my camera!
Fetched him home today, and he is the sweetest thing. Much more of a cuddly pup than Ana was. She is very gentle with him. I was a bit worried that she would try to play too roughly but she doesnt. And he can look after himself too! Quite a little character.
They have only been together for a couple of hours and already Ana will lie on her back and gently hold him with both her paws while he climbs all over her face.
Now to figure out what his name is!
|
|
|
Post by Nicole on Oct 31, 2006 16:49:01 GMT -5
Congrats on the new pup!!
As a side note, make sure you let the little guy bond to you rather than Anna. If left on his own he will bond with the dog. So you have to take steps to ensure that they are not allowed together too much during this developmental stage. You want all good and fun things to come from YOU not Anna. Otherwise you are going to have a tough time getting him to be independent of Anna and to listen to you, want to pay attention to you and want to be with you.
|
|
|
Post by masha on Nov 1, 2006 4:46:23 GMT -5
Thanks - good advice.
|
|
|
Post by masha on Nov 3, 2006 10:30:26 GMT -5
Here he is! I think his name is Pippin. He learnt how to climb the stairs today. Up, and eventually, down also. He likes having his whole head rubbed, then he will close his eyes and give soft little piggy grunts. If Ana forgets herself and plays a little too rough, he tells her off WAFF!- she gets a fright, and then lies there, getting a little fright everytime he gets one of his percussive puppy hickup attacks.
|
|
|
Post by Dom on Nov 3, 2006 10:51:34 GMT -5
AWWwww he is adorable! He looks like he is going to be a big boy. I am glad Ana gets along with him so well.
|
|
|
Post by Nicole on Nov 9, 2006 18:15:43 GMT -5
He is adorable! Sunny positions his ears exactly like Anna's whenever he encounters a rambunctious puppy. Isn't that interesting. I always thought it was a showing of uncertainty because all puppies like to jump on his head and he doesn't like that. Almost saying..."oh no, what is the little pip squeak going to do now and he is too small for me to scare with a growl." But I am really not sure what the ears mean. Maybe it is a submissive position to tell the pup he means no harm. I noticed Anna's ears right away and also the position of the head..ready to duck a jump. Sunny has the same expression.
|
|
|
Post by Aussienot on Nov 11, 2006 3:57:04 GMT -5
Oh, he's so precious. What a beautiful boy. With his mix of breeds, he should be a gem. Smart and eager to please.
|
|
|
Post by masha on Nov 16, 2006 23:40:02 GMT -5
Yes - I think your interpretation of Ana's ears is spot on. Most of the time she is very relaxed with him, but after a while of puppy play its like - "OK - enough already! Get him AWAY from me." Its like she is not sure always how to treat him. First she treats him like a pup - lets him crawl all over her etc. and tries to pick him up by the scruff. And then she forgets that he is so small and plays a bit too rough .
I've been very careful to keep him away from her when she is chewing a bone or eating - but actually he sometimes gets past me and next thing I know there are two heads in that food bowl, and Ana doesnt seem to mind. I guess she will grow out of that as he gets older!
|
|