I Got a New Dog!

Yesterday, my mom told me her friend's lab had puppies and she's selling them for $50, and my mom would buy me one for Easter and because we need another dog.
So, we went and got a 6 week old yellow lab pup around 5pm last night.
FIRST I need to ask:
- Well, we still have no name picked out for her, and I really want a unique, more uncommon name for her. It also has to be a little farm-ish because she will grow up on our farm. Any suggestions?
And SECOND:
- How in the world will I get this puppy to not kill my chickens and scare my goats when she gets a little older and more into the "puppy stage"?

(PS: I might post pictures of the puppy later.)

Congrats! She'll enjoy growing up on your farm, I'm sure. As far as the chickens and stuff....
TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING!
And some more TRAINING!

There are lots of great videos on Youtube (kikopup is one of my favs) and great dog forums for advice. I have a black Lab, and he was a terror as a pup, but he mellowed out and is the best dog I've ever had. He's great with my chickens. I've also got an 8 month old Olde English Bulldogge, man- I'd obviously forgotten how much work puppies were! I train Dudley (the OEB) for at least 15 minutes everyday, but I usually aim for two 15 minute sessions and we go for a short am and pm walk. Short because he's lazy.
I can't help you with names, but after you get to know your puppy it'll probably just come to you. That's how both my dogs got their names

howfunkyisurchicken said:

Congrats! She'll enjoy growing up on your farm, I'm sure. As far as the chickens and stuff....
TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING!
And some more TRAINING!

There are lots of great videos on Youtube (kikopup is one of my favs) and great dog forums for advice. I have a black Lab, and he was a terror as a pup, but he mellowed out and is the best dog I've ever had. He's great with my chickens. I've also got an 8 month old Olde English Bulldogge, man- I'd obviously forgotten how much work puppies were! I train Dudley (the OEB) for at least 15 minutes everyday, but I usually aim for two 15 minute sessions and we go for a short am and pm walk. Short because he's lazy.
I can't help you with names, but after you get to know your puppy it'll probably just come to you. That's how both my dogs got their names

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Well I got her out on a leash and she was terrified of my chickens, I know she'll eventually grow out of it though, but do you just walk her around your coop or actually let her sniff them and interact with them?

Congrats! Getting a new animal is awesome!

For some really unique names type out unique baby names and there should be lots. Thats what i do whenever i want some cool ones

Congrats!! Lab puppies are adorable. I would love to see some pictures! We have been very lucky with my brother's lab, she has never bothered the chickens. She has whined a little and was curious but has always behaved around them. I suggest just letting her smell of the chickens while on a leash when she is comfortable and train her to listen to you while the chickens are around. As for names, look up baby names! It's a great way to see some unique names. My parents named our first lab Maggie May and the second one Daisy May. Congrats, it is always so fun getting a new dog!

6 weeks is 2 weeks too young to be leaving mom, youll have to be extra diligent when it comes to socializing, your also more likly going to have trouble with bite inhibition

chloechickens01 said:

Well I got her out on a leash and she was terrified of my chickens, I know she'll eventually grow out of it though, but do you just walk her around your coop or actually let her sniff them and interact with them?

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I actually encourage my dogs not to pay any attention to the chickens. I go out with a pocket full of treats and reward them whenever they're being calm and not overly focused on them. When I trust that they're not going to get excited about the squawking and flapping they'll get to sniff them. My Bulldogge was the same way as a pup, scared to death of the chickens. He eventually became mildly curious and (on the leash, under supervision) crept up to sniff ones behind one day. That chicken turned around and gave him a stern peck right on the nose. He's now decided that the chickens are definitely something that requires a wide berth. And, goodness forbid, if they start squawking and flapping he runs in the opposite direction instead of after them
Just be diligent with your training. There are lots of great resources on the internet.
And as previously posted, since your pup is just 6 weeks old, do lots of socializing. In fact, taking your puppy back for visits with mom and siblings is a great idea if that's feasible. And, obviously, be careful of where you put your puppy down and strange dogs until after puppy shots are completed

I agree with Nikki. I have always found it best to teach the dogs to ignore distractions of all kinds. If you can keep the puppy interacting with you, then it will be less likely to be nervous with new things. My Shepherds are great with the birds, but not by nature, by training.

Contrary to popular belief, shepherds do not simply herd any animals. Their role as a herding dog is to constantly be in motion and use a full grip to put any out of line animal back in line. Full grip = all the way in the back of the mouth! This prevents skin tearing, but not hear attacks when this happens in front of me! From day one with my newest girl I practiced keeping her attention on me rather then her surroundings. Now she is happy to be with me, curious about animals, but its look and no touching.

As others have said, socializing is very important. After she is vaccinated, of course. One word of caution, only socialize the puppy with animals you KNOW to be docile with puppies. One bad experience is all it takes to begin a load of problems with reactivity.

Good luck, and I hope to see some pictures!

xchairity_casex said:

6 weeks is 2 weeks too young to be leaving mom, youll have to be extra diligent when it comes to socializing, your also more likly going to have trouble with bite inhibition

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She does bite but I think she's doing fine without her mom. The people we got her from already sold most of the pups, but the socializing, we would have to work on that, i know.