[Discuslova]

Hey all,


I am finally getting my dog! Today in a few hours actually! I just had a quick question.

I got a bit of dog food today from the store. Acana puppy and junior dog food. The ingredients seemed really good. I can't remember if this was a food recommended to me, but has anyone had any experience with this food? I am assuming the owner I am getting the dog from will have him on something like pedigree. How should I ween him onto this new food? 1/4 Acana and how slowly should I up the amount?

Thanks,

Connor

 

[Kyllobernese]

How old is the puppy? I would be inclined to feed whatever the breeder is feeding for at least the first few days as the puppy will be upset enough being away from its littermates without also changing the food. When you start to switch the puppy, add a little more of the new food every day until it is eating just the new food.

 

[Discuslova]

How old is the puppy? I would be inclined to feed whatever the breeder is feeding for at least the first few days as the puppy will be upset enough being away from its littermates without also changing the food. When you start to switch the puppy, add a little more of the new food every day until it is eating just the new food.

Thanks for the response!!

It was born December 22nd so it is slightly over 3 months old.

I will hold off on giving him the new food, the breeder was feeding it Natural Holistics (Natural being the brand) which I believe is similar to the food I would like to offer.

Another few questions.

The Dog really likes to get up and lick my face for some reason. I had been getting him down and telling him a firm and confident "no" and distract him to do something else. Can I dissuade this behavior or is it something important for the dog to do? I don't mind if he licks my fingers but I would prefer if he didn't lick my face.

We have set up a pen for the dog that includes his water dish, toys, training pads and his kennel. Is it good for me to play with him in the pen to get him used to it? I know you should reinforce calm behavior in the kennel but is okay to inforce play time in the pen? When should I start putting him in the kennel? I should do it when I am home for a few minutes at a time to get him used to it. Should I be putting toys in the kennel also?

Sorry for all the questions but I want to do this all right.


Thank you,

Connor

 

[Trixie]

First, rest assured, you will not get it all right. Everyone makes mistakes, and that's OK. Contrary to popular belief, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks and bad habits can be corrected, should they arise. (and they will)

You doing the right thing with stopping the dog from licking your face. I think the most important part is giving the dog an alternative. (once you get him off your face, giving him something else to lick, like a frozen kong)

Personally, I would not play with the puppy in the pen. Play time with you is outside the pen, calm/alone time for the puppy is inside the pen. I am sure others have their own methods, so remember that this is just one person's opinion.

When you say "kennel" do you mean a crate? You can and should put a toy or two in the crate when you are crate training. It helps make the crate a good, happy place for the dog. We usually leave our dog with her kong and a toy or her bone. As for when to start crate training, I have no idea, but we didn't do it until our dog was about 7-8 months old, so even if you don't start now, it can still be done a little later.

Good luck, enjoy your puppy, and remember, you'll make mistakes but it isn't the end of the world.

 

[Discuslova]

Thanks for the reply Trixie. I am glad mistakes aren't such a big deal! hahaha


Yes by kennel, I mean crate. Thanks for clearing that up, I will help try to reassure the "alone time" feel when he is in the pen.


He is not crate trained yet, and as for tonight I was going to let him stay in the pen in the living room with his toys and blanket, but he was crying a lot and whining. I tried to ignore it but it was getting loud and I didn't want to upset the neighbors. I took down the pen and collapsed it into a small shape and put it in my bedroom with his blanket, a soft pillow and his toys (I did not include his training pad or water.) Is it okay to do this while he is getting used to the house and being away from his brothers and sisters? I still want to affirm that I am pack leader, but am I being too soft?

As for crate training, how do I start him off? Today I was throwing his toy in and letting him explore inside the crate with the door open, letting him go in and out as he pleased. When should I start closing the door, and for how long a period?

Sorry for all the questions, I am learning. LOL


Thanks,

Connor

 

[skelaki]

Playing games with the crate is good. Also, start luring him into the crate and use your crate command (i.e. "kennel up) as soon as he's inside, close the door and give him a treat through the back of (or back side of a plastic) the crate. Count 5 seconds, praise and let him out, but only if he's quiet. Repeat a few times. Then gradually increase the time he's in the crate with the door closed. At night, first tire him out with some exercise and a potty trip. Then put him in the crate with something that has your scent on it or even a stuffed animal (if he won't tear it apart) for comfort. Put the crate by your bed so that you can reach your hand down to reassure him with your presence. And set your alarm for at least one potty outing during the night.

 

[nikelodeon79]

He is not crate trained yet, and as for tonight I was going to let him stay in the pen in the living room with his toys and blanket, but he was crying a lot and whining. I tried to ignore it but it was getting loud and I didn't want to upset the neighbors. I took down the pen and collapsed it into a small shape and put it in my bedroom with his blanket, a soft pillow and his toys (I did not include his training pad or water.)

I highly recommend putting the crate in your bedroom to allow puppy to sleep in there at night. Luna (my pup) sleeps in her crate in the bedroom, and I feel it's what got her used to the crate much quicker. She didn't even whine the first night she was home, because we were near.

Are you unable to get home every 3 hours or so to let your pup out to go potty? I am wondering why you are using a crate inside a pen... Crate training will go quicker if you can actually put puppy in the crate rather than allowing them to use pee pads in the crate area. I am wary of leaving a puppy with pee pads... simply because many of them choose to eat the pads. The pads are made of material that swells when it comes in contact with liquid (to be more absorbent) and it will do the same thing in puppy's tummy.

 

[Discuslova]

Hey,

Thank you for the info. I will start to crate train today.


Depending on my Dads schedule I may not be able to get him out every three hours. What should I do when I can't?