Sasha's and her family celebrated their one year anniversary together!
Canine Corner - Dog Blog
18 years ago
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Puppy and the Vet
About a month before we brought our puppy home, I interviewed about 4 veterinarians in my area. I looked for things like cleanliness of the facility, how many doctors on board, the friendliness of the staff, and the ability to get an appointment in a hurry if necessary. Also, another big factor is cost of a visit, because in the beginning vet care can be costly, and can be impacted by the size of your puppy/dog. (I'll explain later.) The vet facility I ultimately decided on was not the closest (they're probably the furthest about 6 miles from me), but it has 4 vets on staff, a very knowledgeable and friendly support staff that I can call with any questions that I may have (and in the beginning I had many from how much to eat to the color and consistency of the poop). It was not the cheapest, but also not the most expensive. But what I liked the most is that they did not pressure you to buy the dog food they were pushing.
Once you bring your puppy home it is extremely important that your newest addition gets a thorough check-up. The vet will check your pup's eyes, ears, teeth, ribs, legs, paws, its weight and listen to its heart. He will also do a "fecal float test" to determine if your pup has worms. Even though Sasha was wormed by another vet before we got her, she tested positive at her new vet. She was administered worming medication by the vet. We then scheduled her next visit for about 3 weeks later to check again for worms. This time it was negative. At this second visit she was given her second distemper/parvo vaccination (the first one she received before we brought her home). Her third visit was 4 weeks later at which time she was given her first rabies shot and a rabies tag with a number on it, plus a certificate of vaccination that indicates the tag number and date of administration. This certificate is important! Make several copies because before you ever plan on boarding or grooming your pet, you may be asked for a copy of this certificate. I was asked for a copy of this report by the groomer, training school, and kennel (luckily her kennel also did the training so they did not need a second copy). You may have to provide copies of the new certificate yearly, so make sure to ask or make copies.
Another interesting thing to note is that if you ask your vet, they will clip your puppy nails and clean their ears. (At least mine does. But if you don't ask, you'll never know)They will also show you how to do it yourself. In the beginning I clipped Sasha's nails, but she is too fidgety for me to handle, so I now let the groomer do it and I will say this, the groomer does a much better job.
If your vet service printout (receipt) does not include a schedule for booster shots, ASK and WRITE DOWN the DATES. It is important to protect your pets from other dogs who could possibly harbor a dangerous illness. Just like you wonder how you ever caught that cold, you'd be surprised how easily a dog can get infected especially when that nose will sniff just about anything!
After this point the wellness visits will continue each a year after your pup has had his rabies vaccine. But remember you might have to visit the vet at other times for a variety of reasons, such as a bout of diarrhea or throwing up. Dogs can get dehydrated very quickly so it is imperative you get to know your dog and its feces to know what is and is not normal.
When Sasha was six months old I had her spayed. She also had to stay overnight at the vet's , though I know some people who have brought their pups home the same evening. Also, talk to your breeder regarding when to spay or neuter your dog. I have a friend with a Great Dane who was told to wait until after one "heat cycle" before spaying. This is where the cost for vet care can be enormous. Sasha was about 10 pounds when she was spayed and did not require a lot of sedation. Her spaying cost $150.00 with the follow up visit included. The Great Dane was almost a year old and weighed about 100 pounds. Her spaying was $1500.00. At Sasha's follow up visit her stitches were removed (I know some who do not get stitches,ask your vet).
Since I got Sasha in late September the vet recommended that we discuss flea and tick protection as well as the heart worm test after her spaying in February. With flea and tick protection, again the size of your pet will determine the cost of the medication. My vet's prices were the cheapest compared to stores or on-line so I buy from him. In regard to the heart worm test, I opted for one initial blood test and to keep my pup on year round medication instead of subjecting her to a blood test each year. You decide what is best for you and your dog. But if you live in an area where mosquitos are a year round problem (warm climates), you might not have a choice. Same goes for flea and tick protection. And if you are thinking about taking your chances, then the cost of heartworm treatment will outweigh the cost of prevention. The same goes for flea and tick prevention when you have to get an exterminator for your home.
Questions to as the vet about your dog:
1. How much does he weigh?
Keep track of his weight and note any changes.
2. Is my dog too fat or too thin?
This will help determine if your dog is getting enough or too much to eat.
3. What should he be eating?
Most vets will recommend a good quality food.
4. How are his nails and teeth?
They will show you what to do.
5. What vaccines does he need?
Keep track and don't forget the booster shots. Depending on where you live your pet may be at risk for Lyme Disease. Also, talk to your vet about a "kennel cough" and if your pet should be vaccinated. Many kennel and groomers require this vaccine.
6. Does my dog need heartworm prevention?
Some vets take a seasonal approach while other promote year round protection.
7. Does my dog have worms?
The only way to know is if he gets a fecal examination. So if you think he may be infected you will be asked to bring in a small fecal sample.
8. How about flea and tick medications?
Ticks can harbor many diseases that can make your pet ill, think "Lyme Disease". Check to see if ticks are a problem in your area.
9. How do you handle emergencies?
My vet will let you come in anytime during office hours when there is an emergency. When the office is closed I have an emergency 24 hour clinic that I can use. I keep the address and phone number on my refrigerator door and in my wallet.
10. Is there any routine test I should have for my pet?
This largely depends on the breed of the dog, their size, and weight. The larger breed dogs are considered "senior" at an earlier age than "smaller breeds".
11. How can I communicate with the vet?
Phone calls or emails? How do I renew prescriptions? Call first or just drop in? Ask the vet facility.
To get the most out of your visit remember to make sure you have information about your dog to help the vet understand what the problem is. Know the details of what is ailing your dog, like when did the problem start and if there are any associated symptoms. And also be HONEST. Tell the vet what you fed your dog even if it is table scraps. This is your pet and I am sure you want him around for a long and healthy time.
Lara
Once you bring your puppy home it is extremely important that your newest addition gets a thorough check-up. The vet will check your pup's eyes, ears, teeth, ribs, legs, paws, its weight and listen to its heart. He will also do a "fecal float test" to determine if your pup has worms. Even though Sasha was wormed by another vet before we got her, she tested positive at her new vet. She was administered worming medication by the vet. We then scheduled her next visit for about 3 weeks later to check again for worms. This time it was negative. At this second visit she was given her second distemper/parvo vaccination (the first one she received before we brought her home). Her third visit was 4 weeks later at which time she was given her first rabies shot and a rabies tag with a number on it, plus a certificate of vaccination that indicates the tag number and date of administration. This certificate is important! Make several copies because before you ever plan on boarding or grooming your pet, you may be asked for a copy of this certificate. I was asked for a copy of this report by the groomer, training school, and kennel (luckily her kennel also did the training so they did not need a second copy). You may have to provide copies of the new certificate yearly, so make sure to ask or make copies.
Another interesting thing to note is that if you ask your vet, they will clip your puppy nails and clean their ears. (At least mine does. But if you don't ask, you'll never know)They will also show you how to do it yourself. In the beginning I clipped Sasha's nails, but she is too fidgety for me to handle, so I now let the groomer do it and I will say this, the groomer does a much better job.
If your vet service printout (receipt) does not include a schedule for booster shots, ASK and WRITE DOWN the DATES. It is important to protect your pets from other dogs who could possibly harbor a dangerous illness. Just like you wonder how you ever caught that cold, you'd be surprised how easily a dog can get infected especially when that nose will sniff just about anything!
After this point the wellness visits will continue each a year after your pup has had his rabies vaccine. But remember you might have to visit the vet at other times for a variety of reasons, such as a bout of diarrhea or throwing up. Dogs can get dehydrated very quickly so it is imperative you get to know your dog and its feces to know what is and is not normal.
When Sasha was six months old I had her spayed. She also had to stay overnight at the vet's , though I know some people who have brought their pups home the same evening. Also, talk to your breeder regarding when to spay or neuter your dog. I have a friend with a Great Dane who was told to wait until after one "heat cycle" before spaying. This is where the cost for vet care can be enormous. Sasha was about 10 pounds when she was spayed and did not require a lot of sedation. Her spaying cost $150.00 with the follow up visit included. The Great Dane was almost a year old and weighed about 100 pounds. Her spaying was $1500.00. At Sasha's follow up visit her stitches were removed (I know some who do not get stitches,ask your vet).
Since I got Sasha in late September the vet recommended that we discuss flea and tick protection as well as the heart worm test after her spaying in February. With flea and tick protection, again the size of your pet will determine the cost of the medication. My vet's prices were the cheapest compared to stores or on-line so I buy from him. In regard to the heart worm test, I opted for one initial blood test and to keep my pup on year round medication instead of subjecting her to a blood test each year. You decide what is best for you and your dog. But if you live in an area where mosquitos are a year round problem (warm climates), you might not have a choice. Same goes for flea and tick protection. And if you are thinking about taking your chances, then the cost of heartworm treatment will outweigh the cost of prevention. The same goes for flea and tick prevention when you have to get an exterminator for your home.
Questions to as the vet about your dog:
1. How much does he weigh?
Keep track of his weight and note any changes.
2. Is my dog too fat or too thin?
This will help determine if your dog is getting enough or too much to eat.
3. What should he be eating?
Most vets will recommend a good quality food.
4. How are his nails and teeth?
They will show you what to do.
5. What vaccines does he need?
Keep track and don't forget the booster shots. Depending on where you live your pet may be at risk for Lyme Disease. Also, talk to your vet about a "kennel cough" and if your pet should be vaccinated. Many kennel and groomers require this vaccine.
6. Does my dog need heartworm prevention?
Some vets take a seasonal approach while other promote year round protection.
7. Does my dog have worms?
The only way to know is if he gets a fecal examination. So if you think he may be infected you will be asked to bring in a small fecal sample.
8. How about flea and tick medications?
Ticks can harbor many diseases that can make your pet ill, think "Lyme Disease". Check to see if ticks are a problem in your area.
9. How do you handle emergencies?
My vet will let you come in anytime during office hours when there is an emergency. When the office is closed I have an emergency 24 hour clinic that I can use. I keep the address and phone number on my refrigerator door and in my wallet.
10. Is there any routine test I should have for my pet?
This largely depends on the breed of the dog, their size, and weight. The larger breed dogs are considered "senior" at an earlier age than "smaller breeds".
11. How can I communicate with the vet?
Phone calls or emails? How do I renew prescriptions? Call first or just drop in? Ask the vet facility.
To get the most out of your visit remember to make sure you have information about your dog to help the vet understand what the problem is. Know the details of what is ailing your dog, like when did the problem start and if there are any associated symptoms. And also be HONEST. Tell the vet what you fed your dog even if it is table scraps. This is your pet and I am sure you want him around for a long and healthy time.
Lara
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Let The Training Begin!
After bringing Sasha home the training began with her getting to know her new home and the rules. Yes there are rules! There should always be rules. The first rule was that I am the dominant one and Sasha listens to me, not the other way around. The dog does not walk all over you or you will be pulling your hair out wondering why in earth did you ever get a dog. Sasha is part of the family now and she lives by our rules.
Let me also add that it is important that you use words when training. Dogs are capable of learning hundreds of words (not long sentences or extremely long phrases). And be consistent in the words you use or you will confuse your pet. (Oh and yes I like to use the word consistent alot so get used to it)
Our second order of business was to make sure that Sasha went pee and poop outside. If you are consistent with this, your pup can be trained in no time. I consistently said "Outside" before I would take her out. Even if she had an accident I would say this firmly and take her outside so that she can associate this word with the action. Schnoodles are supposed to be extremely smart so to let you know it took about 2 weeks to fully train her without having any accidents. All dogs will learn if you are consistent. Some more quickly than others.
Next, when we went outside and she would pee I would say "Go Potty" as she peed so she learns the word with the action. I would also say "Go Poop" when she pooped. Which word you use doesn't matter, just be Consistent! After she did her business I would praise saying either "Good Potty" or "Good Poopie" immediately after she did her thing. After the second day I would give her a reward while I praised her to reinforce she did a great thing. I used a piece of her kibble in the beginning and eventually fazed this out after several weeks, meaning I would give her a food reward perhaps after every second or third time she went then I stopped the food reward altogether, but even now I still praise verbally. You will also find that after a while if you say "Go Potty" to your dog they will go when asked...saves you time if you are in a hurry and don't want to spend a hour outside while your dog sniffs the scenery.
Our next order of business was to get Sasha acquainted with her crate. The way I got her to go in was to place a few pieces of her kibble inside. She would go in and eat and then come out. That's ok, you don't want to scare them. After a few times of doing this I would say crate and toss the kibble inside. Wow so now she know s the word "crate". Once she got used to this I would serve her meals in her crate, always with the door open. I did this to let her know that the crate was a good thing. I would say "crate" she would go inside and then I put the bowl down. After a few times of doing this I would start to close the door but stay right next to the crate to let her out if needed. When she stayed in the crate again I would praise her by saying "Good crate". So how long did it take me to crate train her? 3 days! Yes, I am not exaggerating.
* Note when using her kibble as a food reward I would take this out of her daily meal allotment or else she would have ended up as a really chubby puppy!
In one of my other posts I mentioned that I put Sasha on a naptime schedule not only because puppies sleep alot, but I needed to get stuff done without having to supervise her constantly. So this is how it went. In the morning wake up take her outside to eliminate immediately. Bring her in feed her in the crate, wait 10 - 15 minutes take her out again. Play with her for about and hour and take her out after playing. Bring her in put her in crate by saying "Crate" and give her a couple of pieces of kibble and say "Go Nappy". Wait until she wakes up about 2-3 hours later and take her out again to eliminate. Bring her in and play with her and continue this routine again around noontime and dinner time. I would put her down to sleep at around 8pm taking her out first to eliminate and then take her her out again at 10 pm and then take her out during the night when needed. I should note that I would leave water out for her most of the day. I would not let her drink after 8 pm or she would have to keep going out all night long. At about 12 weeks I only had to take her out once during the night and around 16-20 weeks she could make it all night without having to go out.
Playtime is also a great time to incorporate some training! Sasha's first favorite game was fetch. As I would throw one of her plush toys I would say "Go Fetch" and she would run obviously because I threw it not because of what I said. When she put the toy in her mouth I would praise her saying "Good Fetch" and once she associated these words with the actions she would bring the toy back to me to do the whole thing over again. As she dropped the toy at my feet I would say "Drop" and praise her for dropping. The food reward came when she dropped the toy and I would say "Good Drop!"
What I want to let you all know, that around 11 weeks of age we had had Sasha for 3 weeks when she went to the kitchen gate and just stood there staring. I told my husband that I think she needs to go out. I promptly took her out and she peed. Yea! She did this over and over when it finally hit me...she understands! Did she ever have an accident after this yes, once when I ignored her signals thinking, but you just went out an hour ago. Well apparently she had to go out again. Sorry Sasha and shame on me! The next day I went out and bought her a new toy.
See! The training happens continually during the day. You just have to be... yes it's that word again... CONSISTENT.
Lara
Let me also add that it is important that you use words when training. Dogs are capable of learning hundreds of words (not long sentences or extremely long phrases). And be consistent in the words you use or you will confuse your pet. (Oh and yes I like to use the word consistent alot so get used to it)
Our second order of business was to make sure that Sasha went pee and poop outside. If you are consistent with this, your pup can be trained in no time. I consistently said "Outside" before I would take her out. Even if she had an accident I would say this firmly and take her outside so that she can associate this word with the action. Schnoodles are supposed to be extremely smart so to let you know it took about 2 weeks to fully train her without having any accidents. All dogs will learn if you are consistent. Some more quickly than others.
Next, when we went outside and she would pee I would say "Go Potty" as she peed so she learns the word with the action. I would also say "Go Poop" when she pooped. Which word you use doesn't matter, just be Consistent! After she did her business I would praise saying either "Good Potty" or "Good Poopie" immediately after she did her thing. After the second day I would give her a reward while I praised her to reinforce she did a great thing. I used a piece of her kibble in the beginning and eventually fazed this out after several weeks, meaning I would give her a food reward perhaps after every second or third time she went then I stopped the food reward altogether, but even now I still praise verbally. You will also find that after a while if you say "Go Potty" to your dog they will go when asked...saves you time if you are in a hurry and don't want to spend a hour outside while your dog sniffs the scenery.
Our next order of business was to get Sasha acquainted with her crate. The way I got her to go in was to place a few pieces of her kibble inside. She would go in and eat and then come out. That's ok, you don't want to scare them. After a few times of doing this I would say crate and toss the kibble inside. Wow so now she know s the word "crate". Once she got used to this I would serve her meals in her crate, always with the door open. I did this to let her know that the crate was a good thing. I would say "crate" she would go inside and then I put the bowl down. After a few times of doing this I would start to close the door but stay right next to the crate to let her out if needed. When she stayed in the crate again I would praise her by saying "Good crate". So how long did it take me to crate train her? 3 days! Yes, I am not exaggerating.
* Note when using her kibble as a food reward I would take this out of her daily meal allotment or else she would have ended up as a really chubby puppy!
In one of my other posts I mentioned that I put Sasha on a naptime schedule not only because puppies sleep alot, but I needed to get stuff done without having to supervise her constantly. So this is how it went. In the morning wake up take her outside to eliminate immediately. Bring her in feed her in the crate, wait 10 - 15 minutes take her out again. Play with her for about and hour and take her out after playing. Bring her in put her in crate by saying "Crate" and give her a couple of pieces of kibble and say "Go Nappy". Wait until she wakes up about 2-3 hours later and take her out again to eliminate. Bring her in and play with her and continue this routine again around noontime and dinner time. I would put her down to sleep at around 8pm taking her out first to eliminate and then take her her out again at 10 pm and then take her out during the night when needed. I should note that I would leave water out for her most of the day. I would not let her drink after 8 pm or she would have to keep going out all night long. At about 12 weeks I only had to take her out once during the night and around 16-20 weeks she could make it all night without having to go out.
Playtime is also a great time to incorporate some training! Sasha's first favorite game was fetch. As I would throw one of her plush toys I would say "Go Fetch" and she would run obviously because I threw it not because of what I said. When she put the toy in her mouth I would praise her saying "Good Fetch" and once she associated these words with the actions she would bring the toy back to me to do the whole thing over again. As she dropped the toy at my feet I would say "Drop" and praise her for dropping. The food reward came when she dropped the toy and I would say "Good Drop!"
What I want to let you all know, that around 11 weeks of age we had had Sasha for 3 weeks when she went to the kitchen gate and just stood there staring. I told my husband that I think she needs to go out. I promptly took her out and she peed. Yea! She did this over and over when it finally hit me...she understands! Did she ever have an accident after this yes, once when I ignored her signals thinking, but you just went out an hour ago. Well apparently she had to go out again. Sorry Sasha and shame on me! The next day I went out and bought her a new toy.
See! The training happens continually during the day. You just have to be... yes it's that word again... CONSISTENT.
Lara
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
First Full Day With Sasha
It was Sunday morning and I probably got about a couple hours of sleep. During the night Sasha whimpered a few times, probably missing the warmth of her siblings. She probably wasn't really missing her mom too much, because Lorene told me that at around 4 - 5weeks old they take the pups away from their moms so they can be weaned. My daughter got Sasha a cuddly toy she named Frankie that you can remove a pouch from the inside to warm in the microwave. The thought behind this was that the warmth of this plush toy next to the puppy will mimic the warmth of her siblings. Anyway, it seemed to do the trick and the other times Sasha woke up was just to eliminate. Forget about their age plus 1 month equals how many hours they can hold it in right now. That first night Sasha went every 1-1/2 to 2 hours. And when I thought she held it in for the 2 to 3 hours, I found a puddle on the floor. That's ok because I kept doing the "Outside" and "Go Potty" and "Good Potty" routine all night and the next day as well.
Outside Sasha was more interested in taking the leaves and small sticks in her mouth. Thanks to my hubby who picked the backyard with the tons of trees (that's what happens in the fall - they fall. Leaves that is)as the place for her to eliminate. I spent more time trying to discourage her from eating leaves by constantly saying "No" and pulling the leaves out of her mouth.
Sunday morning and it was time for Sasha's breakfast. At almost 8 weeks, Sasha ate 3 meals a day (1/3 cup at each meal for a total of 1 cup a day.) Puppies need more calories than fully grown dogs. But make sure you check with your breeder or vet on the proper amounts and types of food to give. Smaller and larger breed dogs have different needs as they grow at different rates.The food her breeder gave her was Purina ProPlan Puppy food for small dogs (chicken flavor). Sasha gobbled up her food and then took a long drink of water. I waited the allotted 15 - 20 minutes that all the puppy books say to wait before taking your puppy out to eliminate and they were right. Sasha did her business! I always remembered to say " Go Potty" as she went and "Good Potty" as she finished with loads of praise!
I also put Sasha on a nap schedule, like I used to do for my daughter when she was a baby; more so for me, so I could shower and eat and even perhaps take a nap. I was never so tired since my daughter was just born. Sasha slept for about 2 hours during her naps and after awakening I would whisk her outside and continue the whole ritual again. Hopefully by doing this about 15 times a day it would soon sink in. Don't worry! If you are consistent you will see a light at the end of the tunnel very very soon!
Well, that first day Sasha ate, drank, slept (a lot), peed and pooped. We even managed to play with her. She nibbled on our fingers with her tiny teeth and we rubbed her tummy. She gave us lots of kisses and stole our hearts!
Next time... Sasha's visit with the vet and how she began to make friends in the neighborhood!
Lara
Outside Sasha was more interested in taking the leaves and small sticks in her mouth. Thanks to my hubby who picked the backyard with the tons of trees (that's what happens in the fall - they fall. Leaves that is)as the place for her to eliminate. I spent more time trying to discourage her from eating leaves by constantly saying "No" and pulling the leaves out of her mouth.
Sunday morning and it was time for Sasha's breakfast. At almost 8 weeks, Sasha ate 3 meals a day (1/3 cup at each meal for a total of 1 cup a day.) Puppies need more calories than fully grown dogs. But make sure you check with your breeder or vet on the proper amounts and types of food to give. Smaller and larger breed dogs have different needs as they grow at different rates.The food her breeder gave her was Purina ProPlan Puppy food for small dogs (chicken flavor). Sasha gobbled up her food and then took a long drink of water. I waited the allotted 15 - 20 minutes that all the puppy books say to wait before taking your puppy out to eliminate and they were right. Sasha did her business! I always remembered to say " Go Potty" as she went and "Good Potty" as she finished with loads of praise!
I also put Sasha on a nap schedule, like I used to do for my daughter when she was a baby; more so for me, so I could shower and eat and even perhaps take a nap. I was never so tired since my daughter was just born. Sasha slept for about 2 hours during her naps and after awakening I would whisk her outside and continue the whole ritual again. Hopefully by doing this about 15 times a day it would soon sink in. Don't worry! If you are consistent you will see a light at the end of the tunnel very very soon!
Well, that first day Sasha ate, drank, slept (a lot), peed and pooped. We even managed to play with her. She nibbled on our fingers with her tiny teeth and we rubbed her tummy. She gave us lots of kisses and stole our hearts!
Next time... Sasha's visit with the vet and how she began to make friends in the neighborhood!
Lara
Monday, September 15, 2008
Bringing Sasha Home
Well, the date to pick up Sasha, our new puppy, was quickly approaching. I felt we had everything we needed to bring our newest addition home and we all decided on her name beforehand. Since we had a 3 1/2 hr drive from Philadelphia to Maryland, we decided to leave the night before and stay at a hotel so we could arrive at the breeder's by 10 am. The breeder, Lorene of Liberty Schnauzers and Schnoodles was waiting for our arrival with the 2 female pups already bathed and outside waiting to be picked up. As soon as we approached one pup came right up to us and eagerly greeted us while the other just stayed back and did not approach us at all. We petted the one who came right up to us and then I went to the shy one to see if she would come to me. Well she just sat there and ignored me while the friendlier one just followed me around. At that point it was a No Brainer, the happy friendly pup it was. If you really think about it, Sasha chose us!
Lorene handed me the vet papers on Sasha and a bag of kibble with instructions. While there a few of her dogs came up to meet us, seemingly checking us out to make sure we were a suitable family for this puppy.
So now we were on our way back home with Sasha! I slipped the collar on her having to make several adjustments until it was the right fit (I could place 2 fingers under the collar comfortably). She did not complain at all and just snuggled up to me and my daughter in the back seat as my husband drove home. We brought a couple of toys and some water (don't forget to buy a water carrier with dispenser that you can take along with you, especially for long car rides or walks) and some towels in case of accidents or car sickness. We did make one stop along the way home, to eat lunch and let Sasha relieve herself. It was so cute to see her squat and pee on the grass! Back in the car Sasha spent most of the time sleeping, while occasionally waking up to listen to all the various noises outside.
Finally, around 3:30 pm we arrived at home! I attached the leash to her collar and let her out of the car so she could sniff her new outdoor surroundings and I tried to introduce her to the area where I had planned for her to do her "business". But all she did was sniff and attack the fallen autumn leaves. At this point we brought her inside the house into the kitchen that we had securely closed off with child safety gates. She sniffed all around and promptly squatted and started to poop. Quickly my husband stuck a paper towel under her. I guess the potty training begins immediately.
I placed the crate in the corner of the kitchen for her to get comfortable with it being there. I did not expect for her to sleep in it until she was ready. Right now she had to get used to a new place, a new family and being away from her mom and siblings. I placed a towel on the floor next to the crate and Sasha lay down and napped for a bit. I put fresh water in one bowl and some kibble in the other since she hadn't eaten since early that morning.
Of course, there was a lot of cuddling that first day and a lot of pee to clean up from the floor. We had to get used to her signals, but first we just had to make sure she went out about every 2 hours. Puppy books say that for every month a puppy is they can hold it in for that number + 1 hour. In Sasha's case, she was almost 2 months old, so she should be able to hold it in for about 3 hours. Boy it was going to be a long night!
I had already planned to sleep downstairs with Sasha so she wouldn't be lonely and so I could quickly scoop her up and take her outside to eliminate. At the first sign of a whimper, I picked her up and said "Outside" and once outside I put her down and then said "Go Potty". And when she went potty I said "Good Potty" with lots of praise and happiness in my voice to let her know that she did well. Well, in those first few nights there were a few accidents that I had to promptly clean. Believe me, you want to use a spray to eliminate the smell of urine or they will always gravitate to that spot. Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover is a good one to use. If she went on the floor, I would quickly pick her up and say "Outside" to let her know that is where she has to go without scolding her and then placed her on the ground for her to sniff for a few minutes so that she would get the idea.
The next morning on Sunday, my husband had to leave for a business trip for a few days, so it was just me and my daughter taking care of Sasha. It was this next day that I realized that she could fit between the bars on one of the safety gates. Thinking quickly, I called my husband because he is just a genius when it comes to solving these kinds of problems, so he said to place a couple of the large coolers on the opposite side of the gate so that she can't get through. That was a pain , because we had to weigh the coolers down even though Sasha was only 4 pounds these coolers would not stay in place. Then I got an idea! We had some large pieces of cardboard in the basement so I cut these to fit the size of the gate and place these on the opposite side and kept them in place with the coolers. Once my husband came home he cabled them to the gates in sections so we could open the gate door to get through instead of climbing over it. My husband once broke his foot climbing over a child safety gate when my daughter was less than a year old, but we'll save that one for another day!
To end this long story, I slept downstairs with Sasha for about 3 weeks. After that she slept in her crate and I only had to take her out once during the night for the next month. I used my old baby monitor to hear when she would get up and take her out. She never had an accident in her crate!
Next time I'll talk about how I crate trained her and how long before she would actually let us know that she had to go outside to potty.
Lara
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Getting Ready For The Puppy.
Well, last August we did it. We put a deposit down on a Schnoodle pup with 5 weeks to get ready for its arrival. I had my list of questions for the breeder so that I was prepared for its arrival at her new home.
Questions for the breeder:
What should I feed the pup and how often?
Normally the breeder will tell you what she has been feeding, how much, and how often. The breeder should also give you some of the food in case you did not get a chance to buy any. Use this food initially because the puppy is used to it and it shouldn't upset its tummy. Remember the trauma of going to a new environment is enough stress. You don't want to add to the agony of giving your puppy a different food that will upset its stomach.
What size crate should I buy?
I know there are people out there who say they would never crate an animal. But believe me it is not cruel and will save your possessions in the beginning and also protect your pet. When it comes to crates you have 2 choices wire or plastic. Definite advantages to both. With the wire crate you can get a divider to use when a puppy is small. I chose the plastic crate because the puppy cannot chew on the wire. I bought a Petmate crate for her adult size and placed a Playmate cooler with a couple of weights inside in the back of the crate to make it smaller. The thought is the smaller the crate is for a puppy, it will not eliminate in the crate. Here are some instructions on how to crate train a puppy/dog crate training
What size collar should I get?
The breeder told me that I did not need a collar or leash initially since the puppy would stay near me and can't get away. My thought was if the puppy gets used to the collar and leash in the beginning it won't be a hassle later. So I got 2 sizes just in case. My puppy was only 4 pounds when we got her so the smallest one I could find worked. The nylon adjustable breakaway collar is best and a 4 foot nylon leash is about all you need at first. The breakaway is important in case the collar gets caught on anything. But the best thing to remember is NEVER CRATE WITH A COLLAR ON.
What about vaccinations?
The breeder should always give you the pup's vaccination record with the worming info and dates, plus lot numbers of the vaccination. Remember to bring it with you on your first visit to the vet.
And one of the questions that I should have, but neglected to ask was:
What size or how much will she weigh when we pick her up?
Why is this important? Our puppy was less than 4 pounds when we got her at 8 weeks of age. One of the safety gates we had in the kitchen had too wide of a spacing so our pup could make it through the openings. A quick remedy was to attach a large piece of cardboard to the opposite side of the gate.
Additional things I did in preparation for the pup's arrival:
1. Bought chew toys and plushtoys (with squeakers)
2. Bought a Kong This will be a life and furniture saver for you. They come in various sizes, but sometimes it is better to get the next size up. Also, forget about buying the stuff for filling the Kongs. The dog's kibble and peanut butter works fine.
3. Bitter Apple Spray. You can buy this at Walmart or any pet supply store. I sprayed it on the surfaces the puppy would chew on, like the kitchen table legs. (That is another reason why you need the gates and the crate.. puppies chew on everything so make sure it has enough proper things to chew on!)
4. Anything you can find to remove urine smells (local pet stores have a lot of these) When your puppy has an accident, clean up the mess and spray this on that spot so they can no longer smell where they have gone. That is why it is also important to initially block off an area where they can run around under your supervision. (Just like having a toddler again!) I chose the kitchen because of the tiled floor (easier to clean up messes and there will be a few in the beginning). Puppies are known to find soft places, like rugs and carpets, to eliminate, but since their tiny bladders are like little babies, they can't hold it in too long and will eliminate when they have to.
5. Safety gates. Measure your doorways and get the appropriate gates. After about 1 year we finally took them down, but we do use one of them on our deck for her and when we finish the basement will probably use the other one down there to keep her out of the storage area.
6. Water and food bowls. Also, get a mat to place these on, it will be easier to clean up. I bought stainless steel bowls and they still look great after a year. Oh, and don't forget a measuring scoop for the food and an airtight food storage container if you choose to get one.
7. Any book about getting a puppy. It will give you loads of info on what to do in the beginning and what not to do.
8. Interview Veterinarians! Check them out well in advance of bringing your puppy home. Go to the offices and check to see how clean they are and how they treat their patients. How many doctors are available and how long does it take to get an appointment. Also, what do you do if there is an emergency. Hopefully, they will give you the name and phone number of an emergency pet hospital near you! I checked out 4 places before we decided on the one that was not necessarily the closest, but had 4 vets on staff and the supporting staff is very knowledgeable and kind. I scheduled my pup's visit for the Monday after we brought her home to get checked out.
Other things to think about?
Puppy proof your home! Just like you would do for a baby. Keep the door to the bathroom closed or at least put the seat down Check to see if you have any plants that can harm them. Keep small objects off the floor that they can eat or swallow. Keep wires and cords hidden if possible. If your pup is tall enough keep things off the coffee table like candy,especially chocolate! Always supervise and if you can't- crate!
Next time, I'll introduce you to our pup and how she spent her first few days in her new home!
Lara
Questions for the breeder:
What should I feed the pup and how often?
Normally the breeder will tell you what she has been feeding, how much, and how often. The breeder should also give you some of the food in case you did not get a chance to buy any. Use this food initially because the puppy is used to it and it shouldn't upset its tummy. Remember the trauma of going to a new environment is enough stress. You don't want to add to the agony of giving your puppy a different food that will upset its stomach.
What size crate should I buy?
I know there are people out there who say they would never crate an animal. But believe me it is not cruel and will save your possessions in the beginning and also protect your pet. When it comes to crates you have 2 choices wire or plastic. Definite advantages to both. With the wire crate you can get a divider to use when a puppy is small. I chose the plastic crate because the puppy cannot chew on the wire. I bought a Petmate crate for her adult size and placed a Playmate cooler with a couple of weights inside in the back of the crate to make it smaller. The thought is the smaller the crate is for a puppy, it will not eliminate in the crate. Here are some instructions on how to crate train a puppy/dog crate training
What size collar should I get?
The breeder told me that I did not need a collar or leash initially since the puppy would stay near me and can't get away. My thought was if the puppy gets used to the collar and leash in the beginning it won't be a hassle later. So I got 2 sizes just in case. My puppy was only 4 pounds when we got her so the smallest one I could find worked. The nylon adjustable breakaway collar is best and a 4 foot nylon leash is about all you need at first. The breakaway is important in case the collar gets caught on anything. But the best thing to remember is NEVER CRATE WITH A COLLAR ON.
What about vaccinations?
The breeder should always give you the pup's vaccination record with the worming info and dates, plus lot numbers of the vaccination. Remember to bring it with you on your first visit to the vet.
And one of the questions that I should have, but neglected to ask was:
What size or how much will she weigh when we pick her up?
Why is this important? Our puppy was less than 4 pounds when we got her at 8 weeks of age. One of the safety gates we had in the kitchen had too wide of a spacing so our pup could make it through the openings. A quick remedy was to attach a large piece of cardboard to the opposite side of the gate.
Additional things I did in preparation for the pup's arrival:
1. Bought chew toys and plushtoys (with squeakers)
2. Bought a Kong This will be a life and furniture saver for you. They come in various sizes, but sometimes it is better to get the next size up. Also, forget about buying the stuff for filling the Kongs. The dog's kibble and peanut butter works fine.
3. Bitter Apple Spray. You can buy this at Walmart or any pet supply store. I sprayed it on the surfaces the puppy would chew on, like the kitchen table legs. (That is another reason why you need the gates and the crate.. puppies chew on everything so make sure it has enough proper things to chew on!)
4. Anything you can find to remove urine smells (local pet stores have a lot of these) When your puppy has an accident, clean up the mess and spray this on that spot so they can no longer smell where they have gone. That is why it is also important to initially block off an area where they can run around under your supervision. (Just like having a toddler again!) I chose the kitchen because of the tiled floor (easier to clean up messes and there will be a few in the beginning). Puppies are known to find soft places, like rugs and carpets, to eliminate, but since their tiny bladders are like little babies, they can't hold it in too long and will eliminate when they have to.
5. Safety gates. Measure your doorways and get the appropriate gates. After about 1 year we finally took them down, but we do use one of them on our deck for her and when we finish the basement will probably use the other one down there to keep her out of the storage area.
6. Water and food bowls. Also, get a mat to place these on, it will be easier to clean up. I bought stainless steel bowls and they still look great after a year. Oh, and don't forget a measuring scoop for the food and an airtight food storage container if you choose to get one.
7. Any book about getting a puppy. It will give you loads of info on what to do in the beginning and what not to do.
8. Interview Veterinarians! Check them out well in advance of bringing your puppy home. Go to the offices and check to see how clean they are and how they treat their patients. How many doctors are available and how long does it take to get an appointment. Also, what do you do if there is an emergency. Hopefully, they will give you the name and phone number of an emergency pet hospital near you! I checked out 4 places before we decided on the one that was not necessarily the closest, but had 4 vets on staff and the supporting staff is very knowledgeable and kind. I scheduled my pup's visit for the Monday after we brought her home to get checked out.
Other things to think about?
Puppy proof your home! Just like you would do for a baby. Keep the door to the bathroom closed or at least put the seat down Check to see if you have any plants that can harm them. Keep small objects off the floor that they can eat or swallow. Keep wires and cords hidden if possible. If your pup is tall enough keep things off the coffee table like candy,especially chocolate! Always supervise and if you can't- crate!
Next time, I'll introduce you to our pup and how she spent her first few days in her new home!
Lara
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Can I Have a Puppy?
Yes, it all started back when my daughter was 6 years old and asked for a fish. Thinking it was a good idea to introduce some responsiblity we decided to go for it. So we headed out to the pet store in search of the perfect fish. Later that afternoon we brought home Wiggles, a beautiful French tailed goldfish. We set up the fish bowl with the needed decorations and each day we watched Wiggles swim around her fish bowl for hours. At feeding time she would swim to the top of the bowl and kiss my daughter's finger. It was soooo cute. Well, it did not teach my daughter too much responsibility because mom and dad cleaned the bowl and daughter had to be constantly reminded to feed the fish.
Oh, and how long do goldfish live? Well, Wiggles lived for 4 years. Much longer than we had expected, but nonetheless, we all cried when she died and buried her in the backyard near the shed. A month after Wiggles died, my daughter knew this was the right time to ask for another pet. This time a hamster! I convinced my husband that a hamster would teach her more responsibilty because she could actually handle cleaning the cage and that it was more interesting playing with a hamster than watching a fish swim around for hours.
Well, luck had it that someone in the area was looking for a good home for her male hamster and I gave her a call. This woman had a house full of animals, cats, a dog, 2 goats, some birds and 2 hamsters. It turns out she bred the hamsters to make some money, but no longer wanted to do this, so we brought home Onyx that evening. Onyx was loveable and cuddly black bear hamster and we fell instantly in love. The woman loaned us the cage until we were able to get one. Again as luck had it, a neighbor was getting rid of her hamster supplies and we were happy to take it off her hands. So again mom and dad were in charge of cleaing the cage while daughter had to be constantly reminded to give it food and fresh water everyday. But daughter, and mom and dad, enjoyed cuddling and playing with Onyx in the evenings, because all he did during the day was sleep!
Unfortunately, we had Onyx for only 7 months before he died. I stayed with him and kept him warm until he took his last breath.We buried him next to the goldfish. Well, again my daughter knew the time was right and asked for another hamster. So this time we went to the pet store for another black bear which she ended up calling, Selevster.
Selvester was very different than Onyx. He was very young and very energetic. When we put him in his cage he jumped on his wheel and traveled for hours. He was a bit nippy at first so every evening I would put my hand in his cage so he would sniff my fingers and learn my scent and I would then pet him. He learned not to bite rather quickly, but he was still very quick so we had to careful with him in the evenings when we took him out of his cage when he was most energetic. We then placed him in a special hamster ball where he could travel all over the house without getting into trouble. Oh, by the way, we potty trained our hamsters! While they would pee in the potty, they would still poop all over the cage, but that wasn't too bad, because we could go a week before we had to clean the cage.
Now two years later Selvester was getting older. He was getting heavier, he wasn't as energetic as he once was, his fur was graying and his paws were becoming wrinkly. My daughter now asks, "Can I have a puppy?" with all the same promises attached.... "I'll feed it, take it for walks, play with it, etc..."
This was an extremely hard one. Number one, my husband has allergies. Number two, a dog is an enormous responsibility. I tried to persuade my husband that a dog is just what an only child needs. We discussed this one over and over and I did a lot of research to find the right breed and the right breeder. In the meantime, my daughter was getting older and did not need me as much as she used to. I wasn't as much a part of her life as I used to be , so I really needed this dog too. My husband agreed.
The dog breed we decided on from my months of research was the "miniature Schoodle" which is a cross between a mini schnauzer and a mini poodle.. Neither breed sheds and many consider them hypoallergenic, though many will say there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic animal.The one breeder I had in mind lives 3 hours north of us in Honesdale, PA. She had the cutest pups and takes precautions to make sure that her pups go to the right home. The only problem was when we ready to adopt one of her puppies her dogs were not having any pups. I tried sending her emails and she would not respond. That is not a good sign!
That's ok, because I had another breeder in mind who lived 3 hours south of us in Maryland. And guess what? She had a pick of at least 10 pups! But only 2 out the 10 were female, which is what we wanted. So after plopping down our $100 deposit we had to wait a few more weeks until she was old enough before we could bring our precious pup home.
So that is how we became a dog owner. Next time I'll fill you in on what it takes to prepare to bring home a puppy!
Lara
Oh, and how long do goldfish live? Well, Wiggles lived for 4 years. Much longer than we had expected, but nonetheless, we all cried when she died and buried her in the backyard near the shed. A month after Wiggles died, my daughter knew this was the right time to ask for another pet. This time a hamster! I convinced my husband that a hamster would teach her more responsibilty because she could actually handle cleaning the cage and that it was more interesting playing with a hamster than watching a fish swim around for hours.
Well, luck had it that someone in the area was looking for a good home for her male hamster and I gave her a call. This woman had a house full of animals, cats, a dog, 2 goats, some birds and 2 hamsters. It turns out she bred the hamsters to make some money, but no longer wanted to do this, so we brought home Onyx that evening. Onyx was loveable and cuddly black bear hamster and we fell instantly in love. The woman loaned us the cage until we were able to get one. Again as luck had it, a neighbor was getting rid of her hamster supplies and we were happy to take it off her hands. So again mom and dad were in charge of cleaing the cage while daughter had to be constantly reminded to give it food and fresh water everyday. But daughter, and mom and dad, enjoyed cuddling and playing with Onyx in the evenings, because all he did during the day was sleep!
Unfortunately, we had Onyx for only 7 months before he died. I stayed with him and kept him warm until he took his last breath.We buried him next to the goldfish. Well, again my daughter knew the time was right and asked for another hamster. So this time we went to the pet store for another black bear which she ended up calling, Selevster.
Selvester was very different than Onyx. He was very young and very energetic. When we put him in his cage he jumped on his wheel and traveled for hours. He was a bit nippy at first so every evening I would put my hand in his cage so he would sniff my fingers and learn my scent and I would then pet him. He learned not to bite rather quickly, but he was still very quick so we had to careful with him in the evenings when we took him out of his cage when he was most energetic. We then placed him in a special hamster ball where he could travel all over the house without getting into trouble. Oh, by the way, we potty trained our hamsters! While they would pee in the potty, they would still poop all over the cage, but that wasn't too bad, because we could go a week before we had to clean the cage.
Now two years later Selvester was getting older. He was getting heavier, he wasn't as energetic as he once was, his fur was graying and his paws were becoming wrinkly. My daughter now asks, "Can I have a puppy?" with all the same promises attached.... "I'll feed it, take it for walks, play with it, etc..."
This was an extremely hard one. Number one, my husband has allergies. Number two, a dog is an enormous responsibility. I tried to persuade my husband that a dog is just what an only child needs. We discussed this one over and over and I did a lot of research to find the right breed and the right breeder. In the meantime, my daughter was getting older and did not need me as much as she used to. I wasn't as much a part of her life as I used to be , so I really needed this dog too. My husband agreed.
The dog breed we decided on from my months of research was the "miniature Schoodle" which is a cross between a mini schnauzer and a mini poodle.. Neither breed sheds and many consider them hypoallergenic, though many will say there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic animal.The one breeder I had in mind lives 3 hours north of us in Honesdale, PA. She had the cutest pups and takes precautions to make sure that her pups go to the right home. The only problem was when we ready to adopt one of her puppies her dogs were not having any pups. I tried sending her emails and she would not respond. That is not a good sign!
That's ok, because I had another breeder in mind who lived 3 hours south of us in Maryland. And guess what? She had a pick of at least 10 pups! But only 2 out the 10 were female, which is what we wanted. So after plopping down our $100 deposit we had to wait a few more weeks until she was old enough before we could bring our precious pup home.
So that is how we became a dog owner. Next time I'll fill you in on what it takes to prepare to bring home a puppy!
Lara
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