orloffer's Spoo Puppy thread! 🐩

[black_cat]

Puppy coming on Saturday!! (We still don't know which puppy).

Woooo!

 

[black_cat]

When we get the puppy, do you think I should let her see the chickens (from a distance) and watch how she reacts to them, or try to keep her out of the area entirely until she has had some training (this latter option would be difficult to achieve, due to the size of our yard)?

The puppies had their first vaccinations today. Just 3 more days until we get a puppy!

With Finn I brought him out on the first day to gauge his reaction- you need very different training if your dog sniffs them and walks away or is trying to lunge through HC.

 

[NatJ]

With Finn I brought him out on the first day to gauge his reaction- you need very different training if your dog sniffs them and walks away or is trying to lunge through HC.

That sounds like a good idea.

Even if the puppy does try to lunge through the hardware cloth, you can just pick it up and carry it somewhere else to end the situation for that day. And then you would know what kind of situation you are working with.

 

[orloffer]

With Finn I brought him out on the first day to gauge his reaction- you need very different training if your dog sniffs them and walks away or is trying to lunge through HC.

That sounds like a good idea.

Even if the puppy does try to lunge through the hardware cloth, you can just pick it up and carry it somewhere else to end the situation for that day. And then you would know what kind of situation you are working with.

Sounds good! I will try to bring the puppy out to show her the chickens at a time when she is calm/sleepy.

 

[orloffer]

With Finn I brought him out on the first day to gauge his reaction- you need very different training if your dog sniffs them and walks away or is trying to lunge through HC.

@black_cat What did you do with Finn on his first day home, including immediately after he came home? I want to create a general schedule for what to do with the puppy on her first day. I know it will vary a lot based on the puppy's individual temperament and needs, and I expect I will have to deviate from the schedule once I actually have the puppy, but I am curious to get some ideas.

Wow, now that I have started thinking about what to do with the puppy after we bring it home, I am coming up with question after question! Should I interact with the puppy and let her explore the house, or should I confine her to the exercise pen and let her be for a while after she comes home? When should I offer food, and in what form (stuffed Kong, luring / hand feeding)? Should I put a water bowl inside the exercise pen or keep it outside?......

 

[NatJ]

I want to create a general schedule for what to do with the puppy on her first day. I know it will vary a lot based on the puppy's individual temperament and needs, and I expect I will have to deviate from the schedule once I actually have the puppy, but I am curious to get some ideas.

Just a suggestion:

Take the puppy to the potty area first thing.

Do not go inside the house at all, or at least do not sit the puppy on the floor in the house, until AFTER the puppy pees outside in the correct place.

That way, the next time the puppy needs to go, you can take there and the spot already smells right.

 

[black_cat]

@black_cat What did you do with Finn on his first day home, including immediately after he came home? I want to create a general schedule for what to do with the puppy on her first day. I know it will vary a lot based on the puppy's individual temperament and needs, and I expect I will have to deviate from the schedule once I actually have the puppy, but I am curious to get some ideas.

Wow, now that I have started thinking about what to do with the puppy after we bring it home, I am coming up with question after question! Should I interact with the puppy and let her explore the house,

I think so

or should I confine her to the exercise pen and let her be for a while after she comes home? When should I offer food, and in what form (stuffed Kong, luring / hand feeding)?

I would offer food at scheduled mealtimes. Most puppies are supposed to get three meals a day. Get some puppy food and feed her at whatever meal is next. I'd feed her in a bowl, at first.

Should I put a water bowl inside the exercise pen or keep it outside?......

I wasn't home right when he came, but my mom just pet him and let him explore outside, in the front yard. He was little enough to not really need a leash or collar because he couldn't move fast enough. By the time I came home he had peed outside, so we brought him in and just let him explore while supervising. He was a bit stinky because he spit up on himself on the ride to our house, so we gave him a sponge bath, wrapped him up in a towel, and he fell asleep lol
His first day was mostly exploring, playing, and sleeping.

 

[orloffer]

Just a suggestion:

Take the puppy to the potty area first thing.

Do not go inside the house at all, or at least do not sit the puppy on the floor in the house, until AFTER the puppy pees outside in the correct place.

That way, the next time the puppy needs to go, you can take there and the spot already smells right.

I think so

I would offer food at scheduled mealtimes. Most puppies are supposed to get three meals a day. Get some puppy food and feed her at whatever meal is next. I'd feed her in a bowl, at first.

I wasn't home right when he came, but my mom just pet him and let him explore outside, in the front yard. He was little enough to not really need a leash or collar because he couldn't move fast enough. By the time I came home he had peed outside, so we brought him in and just let him explore while supervising. He was a bit stinky because he spit up on himself on the ride to our house, so we gave him a sponge bath, wrapped him up in a towel, and he fell asleep lol
His first day was mostly exploring, playing, and sleeping.

Thank you both for your advice!

Puppy tomorrow!! I still can't believe it.

 

[orloffer]

This is the exercise pen. We are going to put a sheet of vinyl flooring underneath it:

Spoiler: Ex-pen

 

[black_cat]

This is the exercise pen. We are going to put a sheet of vinyl flooring underneath it:

Spoiler: Ex-pen

View attachment 2642979

if that's as short as it looks, she'll be able to jump that real quick if they all grow as fast as Finn