Puppy Advice (merged)

pboae

In theory a pup can socialise with vaccinated dogs, but (for example) parvo can be tracked in to a house on a dog's paws, so for the sake of a couple of weeks' wait, is it worth the risk?

daisykinn1

Our vet offered a 'Puppy Package'. It included all the vaccinations, insurance and puppy parties. Ask yours if they do something similar, the parties were brilliant.

Start toilet training straight away as mentioned. He may howl/whine at night, it's best to leave him and only let him out once he's quiet. When you collect him take a piece of blanket with the scent of his mother & siblings for his bed at his new home. Also the breeder what's she feeding him and stick to that for the first week until he's settled. He will need more than one set of jabs though so please speak to your vet for clarification.

I found this book really helpful - Puppy Parenting: An Expert Guide on What to Do and When to Do It by Scott Miller.

strawberryfluff

bexbex wrote: »

Hi
How to best introduce her to the cats, who have never spent any time with a dog before.
quote]

We have 2 cats who had never before met a dog, we then got a puppy, followed by another a few months later. The cats were disgusted!
We found that we really had to let them sort themselves out, but we never forced it and never left them unattended. Even now we keep them seperate whilst we're out.
The dogs had to learn that they would get scratched if they tried to chase the cats, and the cats had to learn not to run whilst near the dogs as they'd get chased.
The cats now know that if they're high up the dogs can't touch them. Eventually they all learned to live together, and occasionally they show signs of affection for each other, but you might find that they'll never be friends, but will learn to tolerate each other.
Just personal experience, others may have more practical advice.

Good luck though - dalmations are gorgeous!

whenwillitend

bexbex wrote: »

Hi
On Monday our new dalmation comes to live with us.
She will be 12 weeks old.
I have never own a dog myself but I grew up with dogs around and know the basics.
We also have 3 cats, 2 rabbits, 2 hamsters and one 3 year old boy (who loves to help with the animals, lol)
I have bought some puppy books and have the basics in now, a pen for her to feel safe in and sleep in at night (in the livingroom which will be warmer for her)
I'm going to get her a few toys and a lead and as she's had her first jabs she can go outside.
I'm just after a bit of advice and tips really..
How to best introduce her to the cats, who have never spent any time with a dog before.
if you have any other new puppy tips that would be great too!

we also have a lab/retriever which we had from 10 weeks and the only advice i can give is to put ground rules in straight away we did with ours and he learnt very quickly whos boss hes now coming up for 2 and can honestly say he is a perfect dog great with kids does,nt bark everytime door goes the best tip i can offer don,t waste loads of money on lots of toys buy a kong its one of the best toys our dog has and you can put food in it to give them something to do we wasted pounds on different toys that don,t last 5 minutes this is the best toy and our dog loves his

Raksha

pboae wrote: »

In theory a pup can socialise with vaccinated dogs, but (for example) parvo can be tracked in to a house on a dog's paws, so for the sake of a couple of weeks' wait, is it worth the risk?

If it can come in on a dogs paws, it can also come in on human feet...... What about puppies who go to live in a house where there are already adult dogs?.........

mk_wotsit

WoW! Dalmatians need loads of exercise....you're gonna get fit! :T
I think the best advice is don't spoil her too much(I know she's cute:D ), be consistent with your training and socialise her lots with people and other animals.
I seem to remember that deafness is a genetic weakness in Dalmatians ... do they test for this?
The pens are really useful for training. Your puppy will appreciate somewhere safe and quiet and it helps with house training too.
Aaawww!! I bet you can't wait?

scruffy96uk

The huge bit of advice I can give is what others have already said, get your pup socialized asap and preferably off the lead (once you have recall established). I hate to be out walking our dog, who is 2 and very playful and see another dog owner putting their dog on a lead or whats even worse is an agressive dog on a lead because 9 times out of 10 that is why the dog acts likes this because it never gets off the lead to socialize (however this is only in my opinion)
Good luck with the pup and I'm sure your wee man and the pup will be best friends. Our 6 month daughter is besotted by the dog and giggles whenever she sees him.

get_me_out

Yes they worked. Our pup is crated as shes a Yochun yorkie cross bishon fr. So only small.

Westie always been fine in the car.

bexbex

Here she is! Coming home on Monday
Thanks for the advice!!!

x_raphael_xx

Very cute!

All I know about Dalmations (I'm a dobi sorta girl!) is that they have a veracious appetite and will eat anything and everything. So you have to make sure nothing is left out, and keep an eye on her weight.
And child locks on cupboard doors may be useful (not kiddin!) I once heard of one who could open the fridge!