Advice for first time puppy owners - Updated :)

becca0417

Hi all
We have just put a deposit down on a 12 day old labradoodle.
Just wondering if anyone had any top tips, must buys or book recommendations for training etc. Want to start getting prepared as we've never had a puppy before!
Many thanks

krlyr

My first piece of advice may come a little too late - though it's still not too late to walk away, even if it may mean losing your deposit.

One of the most important decisions you can make in getting a puppy is choosing the breeder. A good breeder will likely have healthy, well-rounded dogs, as well as being able to offer you support for the dog's lifetime (perhaps even longer!). A bad breeder may end up costing you thousands in vet bills, and more heartbreak than you can put a price on.

I would read up on choosing a good breeder and ask all the relevant questions. Unfortunately, "doodles" have been quite a fad and as a result, many people are churning out badly bred dogs in order to reap the benefits of those who haven't quite done all their homework. They're breeding crossbreeds, giving them a gimmicky name, and charging more than the purebred breeds individually!

The breeder you have chosen may not necessary be a bad breeder just because they breed Labradoodles, but I would automatically be putting them under closer scrutiny. I would want to know why they felt the need to cross the two breeds - why do they feel there was more benefit to this cross than breeding a Poodle or Labrador litter?

I would also make sure they have done all the appropriate health tests. Each breed has conditions they are prone to, and with some overlapping, this may increase the risk - conditions like hip dysplasia and cataracts can be prevalent in both breeds. Some breeders advertise pups to be "health checked" - but this is essentially a 5 minute trip to the vet to say the pup looks healthy from the outside. Blood tests, x-rays for hip scoring, etc. on the parents are going to give a much better idea of whether the pups may be more at risk of developing certain conditions, so ask the breeder what health tests they do - and ask for proof (many of these tests will come back with printed results)!

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2101
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/findingbreeder.htm
http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/good_breeder

I am in no means a "purebreed snob", I own a "Rotten Shepherd" (Rottie x GSD) myself! I have, however, had the misfortune of owning a puppy from a backyard breeder (aquired from a relative at 9 weeks - having been sold to them far too young at 6 weeks old), who was sadly riddled with health and behavioural problems. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, having to say goodbye to their much loved pet at just 4 years old because her hips had deteriorated so much (her behavioural issues preventing further treatment) she couldn't walk pain-free. It may be tough walking away from a cute puppy now, but if you have any doubts whatsoever about the integrity of the breeder, it may be the much easier option than watching your beloved puppy get old before his/her time as poor health took over.


In regards to care, Gwen Bailey's "The Perfect Puppy" is meant to be a good all-round book - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Puppy-Britains-Number-Care/dp/060061722X

There's lots of threads in the Pet Care section on all aspects of puppy/dog ownership, so worth a search. I'd suggest a good dog forum too for advice

http://www.unleashedforum.co.uk
http://www.dogpages.org.uk
http://forum.dogrescueworld.org.uk

lee111s

Read read read! There's loads of stuff on the internet about puppies. What I've learned is that consitency is the key. Feed at thr same time, take them to the same place for a week/poo and praise every time they go.

Are going to crate train them? If you've not considered it I'd highly recommend it. Lenny absolutely loves his and it helps loads with the potty training. He's 13 weeks now and goes a full 8 hours through the night without needing the toilet, just pop him out just before bed.

I started with the crate in my bedroom for the first week as he'll still be able to smell and feel your presence so will be less likely to cry. If he does cry you absolutely must brave it out and don't tend to him unless you know he needs the loo. If you pick him up or give him any attention it'll reinforce that crying is OK!

Start with your obidenice training straight away. I started with Lenny the day after I got him and he's amazing now at only 13 weeks! Make sure you have food, bowls, toys, bedding and a collar. Put the collar on the day you get him so that he gets accustomed to it. No reason not to put a lead on him around the house too so that he gets used to the feeling of it before you can take him out.

The best advice I can give though is make the most of your sleep now!! The first 4-5 weeks you're going to need to get up 2-3 times a night to start with for toilet breaks. Every week I increased the time I left him overnight between breaks by about 30 minutes. By 12 weeks he was going about 7 hours and even now after 8 hours he doesn't exactly bolt out to get outside, I have to coax him out most mornings!

D&DD

We have our first dog here too and we got brilliant advice from this forum including The Perfect Puppy book that Krlyr has recommended it really is worth getting I still refer to it now and she's nearly 3!

We spent a lot of time researching the breed we chose,for most breeds there are forums and often clubs who's advice you can ask as to wether your breeder is a 'good one' or not.

Before we got her home the whole family had read up about her breed quirks and training etc I think it helped us as she now doesn't ignore/turn a deaf'un to any member of the family we all trained her so she responds equally to us all,I didn't want a dog who would only answer to one person although she is my son's dog.

She has been a dream to train but as we already had 2 cats and they had to be introduced properly it was hard work when she was little I agree about the lack of sleep in the early days even though she was nigh on toilet trained when we got her!

Many owners told me it was similar to having a new baby and they weren't wrong,it's hard work at first but so worth it.

becca0417

Thanks all - I ordered the Perfect Puppy book last night.

We are definitely going to get a crate, from what I've read sounds quite good.

We did a lot of research before choosing the breed and also researched the breeder. I would never have brought a dog from a breeder I was unsure of and to be honest as much as I wanted to see the puppy, I wanted to see her too and the surroundings he was being brought up in. Saw both the mum and dad too which was great. Breeder was great, answered all our questions and was very down to earth.

6 1/2 weeks and counting!

catkins

I too would recommend a crate. I have had 2 puppies in the past (lots of older rescue dogs) and never used a crate. In fact I regarded them as "cruel". How wrong was I. I got our puppy last September and the main reason for using a crate was because our house is not very puppy friendly unlike where we were living when we previously had a puppy.

His breeder had a couple of crates so he was used to seeing them and going in and out of them. For the first couple of weeks me and OH took it in turns to sleep downstairs with pup so he didn't feel alone and it made it easier to let him in the garden when he needed to go out. We didn't really want him to get used to sleeping in our room and also our room is small and a crate would have been awkward.

He loves his crate, he goes in there of his own accord often during the day to have a nap and learned the word "bed" very quickly. As soon as one of us says "bed" he is in there. We have always put him in there when we eat so he can't pester and now when he sees us come out of the kitchen with a plate he goes in his crate without asking and stays, without the door being closed, until we have finished.

He sleeps in there all night now - he is 11 months and rarely gets us up in the night and also goes in there if we go out.

I would also agree with the poster who said to put a collar on as soon as possible and also practice lead walking indoors. I didn't do that to start with and ended up trying to walk a dog who acted like a fish on the end of a rod, dancing and jumping and never having all 4 paws on the ground!

If you intend taking pup to training classes ask around for recommendations and do lots of research. I used 3 different schools, all of which I thought were awful for different reasons, before I found one I and pup got on with. Whether you go to school or not a puppy needs a lot of socialisation once it is able to go out - children, people, dogs, noisy places, quiet places etc etc. My pup was taken as many places as possible - beach, woods, parks etc and on a bus (yet to go on a train) to get him used things. Also as me and OH like to sit in a pub garden or a tea room garden quite often we took him to some even if we only sat there for 10 or so minutes to get him used to that type of environment. We have had lots of comments from people saying how well behaved he has been at the caf!/pub/tearoom etc for a young pup.

One last thing. I am sure you have researched thoroughly but hopefully you are not getting a labradoodle for allergy reasons? I only ask because I know a few people who have got them because they think they won't moult or because someone in the house has allergies and the dog has moulted or caused an allergy and then they got rid of the dog.

becca0417

catkins wrote: »

I too would recommend a crate. I have had 2 puppies in the past (lots of older rescue dogs) and never used a crate. In fact I regarded them as "cruel". How wrong was I. I got our puppy last September and the main reason for using a crate was because our house is not very puppy friendly unlike where we were living when we previously had a puppy.

His breeder had a couple of crates so he was used to seeing them and going in and out of them. For the first couple of weeks me and OH took it in turns to sleep downstairs with pup so he didn't feel alone and it made it easier to let him in the garden when he needed to go out. We didn't really want him to get used to sleeping in our room and also our room is small and a crate would have been awkward.

He loves his crate, he goes in there of his own accord often during the day to have a nap and learned the word "bed" very quickly. As soon as one of us says "bed" he is in there. We have always put him in there when we eat so he can't pester and now when he sees us come out of the kitchen with a plate he goes in his crate without asking and stays, without the door being closed, until we have finished.

He sleeps in there all night now - he is 11 months and rarely gets us up in the night and also goes in there if we go out.

I would also agree with the poster who said to put a collar on as soon as possible and also practice lead walking indoors. I didn't do that to start with and ended up trying to walk a dog who acted like a fish on the end of a rod, dancing and jumping and never having all 4 paws on the ground!

If you intend taking pup to training classes ask around for recommendations and do lots of research. I used 3 different schools, all of which I thought were awful for different reasons, before I found one I and pup got on with. Whether you go to school or not a puppy needs a lot of socialisation once it is able to go out - children, people, dogs, noisy places, quiet places etc etc. My pup was taken as many places as possible - beach, woods, parks etc and on a bus (yet to go on a train) to get him used things. Also as me and OH like to sit in a pub garden or a tea room garden quite often we took him to some even if we only sat there for 10 or so minutes to get him used to that type of environment. We have had lots of comments from people saying how well behaved he has been at the caf!/pub/tearoom etc for a young pup.

One last thing. I am sure you have researched thoroughly but hopefully you are not getting a labradoodle for allergy reasons? I only ask because I know a few people who have got them because they think they won't moult or because someone in the house has allergies and the dog has moulted or caused an allergy and then they got rid of the dog.

Thank you for all the advice! Our pup is in a crate at the moment so will hopefully be used to it.

We will definitely be taking him to puppy classes & OH has a few recommendations from people at work who have recently had puppies. My mum and dad also have a dog that we will be socialising him with a lot.

Are places generally ok with taking dogs in? I've never really noticed.

We're definitely not getting one for allergy reasons. However his mum and dad don't shed so I'm guessing he won't much either. But if he does, that's fine too

Frugalista

becca0417 wrote: »

Hi all
We have just put a deposit down on a 12 day old labradoodle.

becca0417 wrote: »

Our pup is in a crate at the moment

He's crated at 12 days old???? :eek::eek::eek:

catkins

becca0417 wrote: »

Thank you for all the advice! Our pup is in a crate at the moment so will hopefully be used to it.

We will definitely be taking him to puppy classes & OH has a few recommendations from people at work who have recently had puppies. My mum and dad also have a dog that we will be socialising him with a lot.

Are places generally ok with taking dogs in? I've never really noticed.

We're definitely not getting one for allergy reasons. However his mum and dad don't shed so I'm guessing he won't much either. But if he does, that's fine too

I really is so much easier with a crate. My pup is quite big so has a large crate and I put a throw over the from about the middle to the back so that it makes a quiet, darkish spot where he can feel safe. As I say he goes in there on his own during the day to sleep often and if he is ever scared about something he shoots in there!

Most of the places we go to eat we sit outside which we have never had a problem with but some pubs allow you inside and there is nice caf!/tearoom near me which allows dogs inside which I think is great. I lived abroad for a few years and dogs were allowed in restaurants, hotels and some shops so our dog at the time went just about everywhere with us.

Glad to hear you are not bothered if pup moults or not. It's so sad when I hear of someone getting a labradoodle then getting rid of it when it moults.

becca0417

Frugalista wrote: »

He's crated at 12 days old???? :eek::eek::eek:

He's in with his mum. It's a huge one. Don't think he's in there all the time!

catkins

becca0417 wrote: »

He's in with his mum. It's a huge one. Don't think he's in there all the time!

That's the same as my puppy so it should make it easy for you to get pup to use it as it's not a new scary thing.

I bet you can't wait to get him - has he got a name yet? I can't believe my pup is now 11 months and is so big. He was quite tiny when we got him at 9 weeks.