Question:
My fiance and I are bringing home our new puppy this Sunday. He will be nine weeks on Friday (the 19th), he is a full breed yellow lab. He is currently in a kennel at the breeders with his Mom, Dad and siblings, they do get out of the kennel throughout the day to roam and play. We, nor do they (the breeders) have any idea as to how his potty routine will be since he is outside most all of the time. This is our first puppy together. We have had puppies in the past growing up but we never have had a dog to house train on our own. So we've got lots and lots of question.
Both my fiance and I work full time, so the pup is going to be a lone throughout the day. We can make it so he will only be home for around 4 hours and then one of us can stop home at lunch and let him outside and play with him for a little bit, then again for 4 or so hours. We are wondering if we are planning to crate train him should we have a different area where we keep him during the day when we are gone and when we are at home? We also have three cats so we were planning on keeping him in the garage in a crate during the day, that way he wouldn’t see the cats roaming the house. Will this be okay in the training process? What size crate should this pup have? Can we get a crate that he will grow into or should we get him a crate that fits him now? If reasonable we would prefer to get one that he could grow into. Also when we do leave him during the day what do you leave in the crate (in garage) with him? Toys? Comfy Bed? Food? If an accident happens while he in the crate what do we do (besides clean it)? Do we let the pup know he has done wrong or clean it up and ignore it? Like I said we are beginners in this process and don't want to mess up from the get go:confused: .
I have read on this forum that we ought to leash him to take him outside (to do his business), is this always necessary, is it a control thing in order to train or not? We have a large fenced in backyard that we can let him roam in and keep our eye on his activity. Also how soon can we start leash training? Is it too much to try to house break the dog and leash walk? Of course our biggest priority would be potty training and house breaking first off.
Can you recommend any good toys? Anything we are absolutely going to need when we bring this little dude home? Any good books that will have a lot of good info that are easy reads, that we can get through before we get him home? Any recommendations would be GREAT.
We appreciate any help.. Thanks a lot in advance. :)
Answer:
We are wondering if we are planning to crate train him should we have a different area where we keep him during the day when we are gone and when we are at home?
Thats not necessary.
We also have three cats so we were planning on keeping him in the garage in a crate during the day, that way he wouldn’t see the cats roaming the house. Will this be okay in the training process?
I would leave him in with the cats as long as your cats arent dog vicious..Leave him the firs 4 hours then move him the last 4 see how that works out. Then as cats and pup get use to eachother keep him in the whole time.
What size crate should this pup have?
There are crates that have dividers. Midwest makes some nice crates.
I believe its called Midwest Life Stages. You can divide a larger crate to make a smaller area so that your pup doesnt have the whole space. Often getting a large crate for a small pup will allow them room to feel comfortable to eliminate in. Get one that will fit your dog when full grown but has a divider for when its smaller. Thats more ideal. Otherwise get one that fits him now..Then buy another as he grows.
Also when we do leave him during the day what do you leave in the crate (in garage) with him? Toys? Comfy Bed? Food? If an accident happens while he in the crate what do we do (besides clean it)? Do we let the pup know he has done wrong or clean it up and ignore it? Like I said we are beginners in this process and don't want to mess up from the get go .
Here is a great article on crate training. Im suprised your breeder didnt offer this information. I usually provide this information to clients
http://perfectpaws.com/crt.html
I have read on this forum that we ought to leash him to take him outside (to do his business), is this always necessary, is it a control thing in order to train or not? Not necessary if you have a fenced yard. Just stay out with him the whole time and make sure you praise when he eliminates. You can use a leash if you wish.
We have a large fenced in backyard that we can let him roam in and keep our eye on his activity.
Make sure there are no hazardous plants for him to chew on. Try to keep it well raked as Labs have a tenacy to eat everything they see thats interesting! LOL
Also how soon can we start leash training?
This is the information I give my clients....
Put a collar and leash on your pup when you are home and let him drag it around for a while like 15 min. This will get the puppy used to wearing a leash and collar. Then you can move on to more formal training. The tranisition seems to be easier this way. Not always but more often than not.
Is it too much to try to house break the dog and leash walk? It can be a bit alarming to a pup who has never worn a leash and collar. Try the method above first then you can move on to using a leash.
Can you recommend any good toys?
Kongs are great for pups. They are durable and you can fill them with peanut butter or what ever to keep your pup busy for awhile. Also buy durable toys. Labs are chewers and often chew up toys then eat them! LOL So be very selective about what toys you allow him to have while unattended.
Anything we are absolutely going to need when we bring this little dude home? Any good books that will have a lot of good info that are easy reads, that we can get through before we get him home? Any recommendations would be GREAT.
I dont know many books.
The Labrador Retriever Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbook)
by: Audrey Pavia
I have heard is a good one.
Also
Guide to Owning a Labrador Retriever: Puppy Care, Retrieving, Training, History, Health, Breed Standard (Re Dog Series)
by: Richard T. Burrows
Bring a crate for travel. Dogs are much safer in a crate or some type of restraint while traveling. Ask the breeder what kind of food they are using and purchase a bag. They often will have samples for you with coupons but its best to be prepared. If you dont like what they are feeding then get a small bag of what they are using and a small bag of what you would prefer. Mix them like this 1/4 of your choice food and 3/4 of thiers for around 4 days. Up the mix to 50/50. for 4 days then 75/25 for 4 more than 100% your choice. Its best to do a gradual change as puppies stomachs can ge sensitive.
Make an appointment for your pup to have a well puppy check up. Bring any shot records with you the breeder provides. Alot of pups have worms and often need to be wormed more even if the breeder did wormings.
If you are getting a health guarantee I would make an appointment with an animal opthamologist to have his eyes checked. This way if there is a problem they will see it and you can return the pup and get a refund or try another pup. Its hard to say for sure if pups eyes, hips, and elbows will be 100% I am just saving you the heart ache ahead of time. Its a lesson I learned the hard way. You can have the hips and elbows checked at a year old. This will give you a good idea as to how good thier joints are...or how bad. Again this will prepare you for the future.
WHEW...Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions
Kristine:)
Answer:
We're picking up our 8-week old puppy tomorrow.
We are pretty much on the same schedule--he'll have to go about 4 hours at a time without one of us being home. We were planning on using gates to keep him in the kitchen (no carpet, nothing dangerous) during the day. We'll keep him supplied with a bed, blankets, toys, and a piddle pad.
Then, when we're home (and not playing with him) and when we're asleep we were planning on leaving him in his crate with a blanket and a couple of toys.
Does that sound all right, or should we leave him in the crate all of the time?
Thanks!
Answer:
Herschel, I'd crate him whenever you aren't there. We did that w/ our GSD pup when we got him- it really minimized the accidents and other bad habits like chewing. Our 5 year old pug still uses his crate- he loves being in there and will go to it whenever he wants quiet time. Besides- you'll be surprised how much waste a little pup generates in a few hours while you are gone- you want to be mopping that kitchen floor a couple times a day? :)
Answer:
Hersh...
I would say that the kitchen area would be ok once your pup has learned to hold its potty and eliminate outside. If it starts having accidents I would go back to the crate. I have had great sucess with pups and crate training.
Take a look at that link I posted above for crate training.
Feel free to contact me anytime.
Raising pups is hard work and often frustrating. Stay strong and dont be afraid to call your breeder and ask questions. Any good breeder is going to help you any way they can.
I have a 6 mo old pup comming here for a few weeks for obedience work. The owners got so frustrated I offered to take him for a bit to help them out for free. This is the kind of breeder to look for.
Answer:
Well, everything pretty much depends on how you want your pup to be raised.
Our dogs, Kobe (golden ret.) and Sprout (brussels griffon), are part of our family, not to mention, couch potatoes ;)
Many people crate train these days. I dont have much aginst it, but Kobe and Sprout stay out in the yard during the day (when we aren't home) and sleep on the bed or beside the bed at night.
Sprout was never put in a crate. He just kind of 'got the hang' of the whole potty training deal pretty fast, as well as Kobe. But Kobe slept in a crate for the first few weeks at night, just incase he couldn't hold it in.
As for cats. We have three, and them and the dogs get along very well. Our dogs were raised with cats. I would HIGHLY recommend getting your puppy used to cats while he is young. They will start out by 'setting their ways' together. Our cats hissed, and scratched at the dogs at first. The first scratch that Kobe got, he knew that he would have to get along with the cats. Sprout (he is a brussels griffon, a hunting breed) took a while to finally get the message that the cats and him would have to coexist, but now they are all best friends.
I disagree with the fact (no offence) that a dog must be on a leash whenever they go outside. They need their freedom every once in a while. How are you ever going to play fetch or any games if your dog is not used to being free.
If you are going to use a crate, I would say get as big as possible. Puppies love to play, and it will be extremely boring for them to sit there all day with no company as it is, so a big crate would give them room to grow into it, as well as have a tiny bit of room to walk around.
If I were you, I would probably leave your dog outside while you were away, though. He will have more fun that way, instead of being trapped in a tiny crate all day, that is boring. It will help him grow into a happy, healthy dog!
Oh yeah- and like someone else said. Those 'piddle pad' things are good potty training tools, too. They have a scent in them that will assist your dog into learning how to go wherever it is that you want.
If you are worried about your dog alone outside, you could always get a dog door, too. There are ones that magnetize at the bottom, so it is harder for the cats to get out than the dogs.
Well, hopefully I could be somewhat helpful.. and good luck with your new dog! Cant wait to see pictures!
Answer:
Herschel-
I know other people have said different, but I like the sound of your idea. It will give your dog room to play and trot around, unlike most crates.
I know there's a chance of your pup going on the tile instead of the piddle pad or something, but it is worth it for your dog to be happier, in my opnion anyway.
Answer:
I have a question for the both of you getting lab puppies....
Are they going to be just pets? Or do you plan on hunting with them or doing some type of competition?
Answer:
We're not getting a lab, we're getting a miniature Schnauzer. He will be part of our family, not "just a pet" or any sort of show dog. :)
Answer:
I know there's a chance of your pup going on the tile instead of the piddle pad or something, but it is worth it for your dog to be happier, in my opnion anyway.
It's not only a matter of being "happier" or not, but of how quickly a dog catches onto the concept of not peeing/pooping indoors.
Wouldn't you rather have a dog that's done with housetraining and fairly reliable after 2-3 weeks, as opposed to dealing with it for months?
In my opinion, in the long run the dog is going to be happier being allowed more freedom over all instead of drawing out the potty training process by allowing accidents to happen in unwanted places. :)
Answer:
We're not getting a lab, we're getting a miniature Schnauzer. He will be part of our family, not "just a pet" or any sort of show dog. :)
You know I didnt mean it like that! Come on now!
How does this sound?
A pet only or competitions?
Answer:
Everything everyone's said sounds right on the money..
The only thing I would just state, is that crate training may seem cruel, but in reality your just teaching them that it's a priviledge to roam free. Once your pup gets older you most likely will be able to leave the crate open and he'll still spend most of his time there when your not around
And reprimanding for accidents...I wouldn't recommend it. Just a quick no and take them outside, if they eliminate there give them a treat! Than bring them inside and make them watch you clean up the "deposit". This teaches them that it doesn't belong there.
Good luck!
Answer:
We are wondering if we are planning to crate train him should we have a different area where we keep him during the day when we are gone and when we are at home?
If you crate train him that means he'll be in the crate. It would make no sense to move the crate back and forth.
We also have three cats so we were planning on keeping him in the garage in a crate during the day, that way he wouldn’t see the cats roaming the house. Will this be okay in the training process?
My puppy sees my cats roaming and my older dog running around and he doesn't care. He's a puppy and though he doesn't understand my logic behind it, he has to deal with it. In time he will be able to roam just like my other animals in the house.
What size crate should this pup have? Can we get a crate that he will grow into or should we get him a crate that fits him now?
Get him one that will last him his whole lifetime. They sell dividers for puppies but when your dog grows all you have to do is take it out rather than spending another $70. Remember your puppy should only have enough room to stand up, turn around and lay down. Any more room than that will cause your dog to pee/poop in it and sleep on the other side of the crate.
Also when we do leave him during the day what do you leave in the crate (in garage) with him? Toys? Comfy Bed? Food?
My dogs get nothing in there crate because they don't know how to act. If I leave a toy in there they destroy it, blankets they pee on then move it to the side so that they don't have to sleep in their pee, food NO WAY. My dogs NEVER eat while I am not there to make sure that they don't choke. I do however feed my dogs in the crate but I keep a close eye on them, especially the puppy.
If an accident happens while he in the crate what do we do (besides clean it)? Do we let the pup know he has done wrong or clean it up and ignore it?
No, if you do not catch the puppy in the act you cannot scold him for that. You must punish (using the term lightly) the dog no later than 5-7 seconds after the fact. But even then it can be confusing to them.
I have read on this forum that we ought to leash him to take him outside (to do his business), is this always necessary, is it a control thing in order to train or not?
My puppy is ALWAYS on a long line, in the house, outside, wherever. It teaches the dog to come quicker and it gives me a connection to them if they are doing something bad instead of chasing them all around. Puppies can be mischevious and it will be alot harder to catch a puppy if it wasn't on a leash. My older dog sometimes is on a leash in the house to prevent him from getting into stuff.
Also how soon can we start leash training? Is it too much to try to house break the dog and leash walk?
By leash training what do you mean? Teaching heel or just having your dog walk on a leash without dragging him down the street. I take my puppy on walks everyday but I am not concerned with heeling but just having them walk on a leash can be started at any time. It is not too much to housebreak and walk on a leash. I am training my 8 week old GSD puppy to sit, down, stay, track, stand, housebreaking, the works. Dogs, especially those of an intellegent breed such as the lab can learn very quickly and can learn multiple things. Housebreaking is not a formal training. Meaning you don't sit down with the dog and teach it to him, not like if you were to trach sit or down. You only train one thing at a time (sit, down, stand ect) but housebreaking isn't OB training, just house manners and it is an ongoing thing unlike training sessions that stop and start whenever you want.
Can you recommend any good toys? Anything we are absolutely going to need when we bring this little dude home?
A kong would be good ( thats about the ONLY thing I might leave in a crate) and keeps them ocuppied. A few stuffed sqeaky toys (make sure their eyes are NOT buttons or little balls).
Good luck with your puppy!!!
Answer:
thanks a bunch for the information. We appreciate it. We will do our best... with the suggestions that you've made. We want to make sure we do our best the first time around rather then messing up and the training stepping backwards.
BTW the people who we are buying the pup from, they do breed with two of their pets (2 registered labs), but they aren't big time breeders, this is only their third liter. Plus there animals are water dogs and kennels dogs (always outside) so we aren't looking to raise/train our dog the same way. Our pet is going to be a family pet.... No hunting- but we want him to be well trained and well mannered.
Thanks again for your help.
I'm sure I will be posting more questions in the near future.
Answer:
AllyKat,
When we asked if we should have two different places to keep him, one throughout the day and one in the evenings when we are home. What was intended was; we weren't sure if we were crate training him if we kept the crate in the garage and he wouldn't have access to it without us opening the door for him to get to it, if it would defeat the purpose, since a crate is supposed to be a place for him to relax and hang out in.. not just be locked up in.
We are going to go and get him a crate that will last him his lifetime that way we don't have to buy another one in a few months as he grows... great idea. Plus money saved!!
Thanks for the info.. guess he will be in the house in the crate. The cats shouldn't bother him.. the 1/2 day inside and the 1/2 day in the garage in the crate sounds perfect.
when I mentioned leash training I was meaniing taking him outside for walks on a leash, I didn't know if he was too young to begin walking on a leash. Or if too much training at once was too much. I know labs are smart dogs so I'm hoping he can take a few tips at once..
thanks so much for the great info.. we appreciate it and intend to put it to good use.
Answer:
Mom Of 7
as soon as we get some pics of the little man we will post.. for sure.
thanks again for your help.