I’m confused to where my puppy is supposed to live?
ByIt’s my first dog.
My mom nor I have any clue how to start off..
It’s a puppy. A labrador retriever and he’s really small.
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12850421
So i was going to get him an ID tag..
any specific collar brands?
i was going to get this collar..
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751394&clickid=cart
and now im confused about where to put him to sleep!
because i was going to get this bed
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3200324&clickid=cart
but he’s most likely NOT potty trained..
so. what if he poos or pees in the bed?
i just do not know what to have him sleep in
a crate like this seems cruel
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3196957
so i was thinking of this
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2755204
but where would i put his food and water while i am gone? it seems very closed in
i just need some help basically.
i provided alot of links so hopefully soemone out there will remain patient with me
im rescuing this dog so i also need to know what food is good. it seems like ppl are against iams, purina, and pedigree, which seems to be the most popular and ironically what the adoption center is giving me as a sample.
i have no idea what to start him on…
i was thinking of royal canidae but idk
someone just please help me and basically give me a checklist on all i need
..
those who provide links will be greatly appreciated.
i am shopping from petsmart so hopefully you can find links on that website
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753727&keepsr=0
or even this. what about this?
my only concern is what happens when im at school and he needs to pee or poo. where does it go. like where does he just go in the pen.
that seems cruel as well.
11 Comments
March 13th, 2011 at 7:43 am
Dogs do not wet the bed. In fact most dogs will not use the bathroom at all in the same place they sleep. So don’t worry about that. You don’t need to get a crate or a play pen. However, they are useful for timeout.
It doesn’t really matter much what brand the dog’s collar is as long as it is comfortable for the dog and durable. As far as food I would ask your vet. However purina and Iams are really ok. They aren’t the best but they are better than generic. If you don’t want him getting into certain areas of the house while you are gone I would recommend closing doors or getting child safety gates.
March 13th, 2011 at 8:04 am
Ok….. GO TO YOUR LOCAL VET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She will tell you what to do and how to potty train and she will tell you basic things you NEED to know!!!!!!!!!!!
March 13th, 2011 at 8:17 am
the create is the beast thing for your new pup, if someone can let him in and outo to go potty in between you being gone, is someone going to be home most of the day? then this i it!! if no one can be home to let him her in and out you need to get the puppy play yard, put his bed in thier and food and watter and pee pad! it will g on this, and it will be harder for him to learn he has to go out side but you should get a book about potty training your new dog,!!
March 13th, 2011 at 8:37 am
You could get him a inside dog fence, theirs some at petsmart, petco
March 13th, 2011 at 9:28 am
I assume your mom works outside the home during the day. Is there any way you can have someone come by during the day and take him out?
As far as a collar, pick one out that you like. You’re going to have to buy 3 or 4 more (larger ones) by the time he reaches his full size. Get one of the do it yourself collar tags – you can get those at Petco, too.
As far as going in or on his bed – that doesn’t usually happen.
Instead of the playpen, I’d look at this one:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752018&keepsr=0, because you’ll be able to use it longer – that puppy is going to grow to 8 – 10 times the size he is now. Get some potty pads and leave his food & water in there with him during the day. Leave him on a hard surface (easier to clean). He’ll be fine.
Ask the people you get him from your questions – they want you to be successful and your puppy to have a forever home.
Enjoy your puppy.
March 13th, 2011 at 10:27 am
ok i have a lot of experience with puppies. First, NEUTER him, do not add to overpopulation. Also, he will need crate trained. Get a puppy crate preferably one that will grow with him that comes with a divider. He needs to stay in there all night. He may not be able to hold it through the night so you will need to get up once or twice during the night to take him out potty. Teach him how to ask you to go outside by hanging a bell on the door and bumping his nose on it while going out. Always praise him for that and when he goes potty outside. confine him to preferably the kitchen or where ever there is flooring that is easy to clean up by putting a baby gate in the doorway. You will need to buy puppy floor cleaning detergent. I like the stuff petco sells. also, I like natural balance for dog food as it is all natural with no fillers or preservatives. it has done wonders for all of my dogs. I also like Wellness dog food. just type each of those in google search and you will find info on them. Wellness is pretty pricey but well worth keeping your pup healthy and to live a long life. Feed him 3 times a day. about 1/2 a cup each meal. he does not need water in his crate with him nor food. only keep him in his crate at bedtime and when you are gone. use the command “place” or “bed” each time you put him in and praise him. He will learn to like his bed. Using the crate will teach him his natural instincts to learn to hold his pee. he will have his accidents. just be very consistent. it may take until he is 6 months old. Labs are easily trainable though so it may be well before then. Also feed him inside of his crate so he learns to like it. never put him inside of it when you are punishing him. also for his bed, drsfostersmith.com sells a bed that is waterproof. I prefer using towels until they are potty trained so I can just throw them in the wash. Get a bunch of cheap towels. He will be fine with just that until he is potty trained. I prefer the buckle collars from drs.fosterandsmith as well. the buckles they use are from the lifejackets used in the navy. Very good quality for a cheap price. Good luck!
March 13th, 2011 at 10:52 am
OMG he’s adorable! ha ha!
The collar you have pictured will be just fine. Mine go through 2 collars a year. they just get nasty! and it’s a waist of money to buy a fancy collar you’ll just end up replacing. a basic nylon collar like that one is perfect, and they come in a thousand colors and designs.
Don’t spend too much on a doggie bed for now while you are potty training him. sometimes they have accidents…and sometimes they do pee on their puppy beds. it happens. not usually but it happens, lol. their babies.
A crate is NOT cruel hon. Dogs are DEN animals. meaning that they LIKE to be in a decent sized dark safe out of the way spot. that’s why dogs like to lie under coffee tables, desks and beds. it’s ‘den-like’ to them and makes them feel save and secure. crate training is essential. if you do it properly your dog will love his crate.
*crate training-http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html
a crate keeps your puppy safe and out of harms way while you are away. i’d rather have my dogs in a crate while i was out shopping for groceries than loose in my house and somehow them get into something that can be harmful.
Make sure the size of the crate is proper for your dog, he needs to be able to stand up comfortably and have enough room to turn around, no more, no less.
i would recommend THIS kind instead of the one you have posted-
http://www.dogkennelsandcrates.com/Cozy-Crate-Folding-Dog-Crate.html
you can put his bed, and toys in the crate w/him to keep him from being bored.
i WOULD recommend that someone come let him out to pee often though. a puppy under 1 yrs of age cannot hold his bladder for very long. up to about 4 months old they should be let out every 1hr or two. after 6 months they should be let out every 4-6hrs. NO dog should be left alone w/out potty break for more than 6 hrs (IMHO) i know i can’t hold it that long, i surely dont think a dog can.
Water should be provided at a minimum while in his crate, you dont want to make him need to pee sooner.
food should be given in the morning and at night (and mid-day as well while he’s a puppy), but he must ALWAYS go outside to pee and poo after he eats. which is why letting him out for a bit during the day is important, so if you have someone that can come to let him out that would be good. otherwise potty training will take a very long time.
um i think you meant Royal Canin or Canidae (two different foods) both are great, can be found at most petcos or petsmarts, and aren’t too expensive. it’s high quality food. i feed mine Solid Gold.
don’t change his food all at once, mix in a little of the new food w/his old food and gradually reduce the old food every other day till he’s off of it. this helps his tummy adjust.
March 13th, 2011 at 11:38 am
Crate training your dog is not a bad idea at all and while you may think it is cruel, it really isn’t. I mean crate training is much better than having the puppy accidents in the house. A lot of people end up taking dogs to an animal shelter because of this. In a crate you don’t have to worry about them going on the floor or chewing up anything when you are gone. Initially regardless of whether you leave the puppy in a crate, lock him in the bathroom and put down newspapers, or whatever else, he will have accidents. It takes several months to fully potty train a dog and once he starts getting older he will have stop having accidents. When he is out take him out often. This should include soon after eating or drinking, as soon as he wakes up and anytime you decide to let him run free. Keep a close eye on him and confine him to one room if possible. Be patient and remember just like a baby he needs time to grow up and he will make mistakes, he will have accidents, but if you work hard you will have a best friend.
March 13th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
The collar that you put up from petsmart is a very good collar. I have a lab that is almost a year and a half she tore up two collars that i bought somewhere else. Just make sure that you buy a collar that that has a hook more like a belt because if not the puppy will get it off. Until the puppy gets use to the collar you need to keep it on a little tighter than normal once he/she gets use to it you can loosen it up.
Since its your first dog you might want to take him to the pet training class that is offered at petsmart. Labs are very smart dogs and they are very protective and it is best to get them trained as young as possible.
March 13th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
I’ll try to help you as best I can, but there’s a whole lot to learn.
Basic Checklist:
Collar – the one you chose looks fine, though you’ll have to replace it fairly soon.
Leash
Food/Water bowls
Food – Innova, Evo, Wellness, and Canidae are all great. You’ll also need some of the food he’s currently eating, because he’ll need to be gradually switched.
Treats – Semi-moist treats are best.
Toys – Look for strong, durable toys for big chewers like Labs. I like bones and Kongs. You can stuff Kongs with peanut butter, kibble, and a few treats (and even stick it in the freezer beforehand) to keep him entertained for a long time.
Dog Toothbrush + Toothpaste
Brush
Crate – Crate-training is in no way cruel. A crate-trained dog sees the crate as a den – my dog will sleep in there even with the door open. The whole point of crate-training is that the dog will not eliminate in it, so you can keep him in there when you can’t watch him, at night, or when no one’s home. So, the crate should be just big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down in, and no bigger, or he will be able to sleep in one end and eliminate in the other. If you don’t want to keep replacing crates, you can buy a crate divider.
Other things to do beforehand:
Find a local vet and schedule your puppy’s first appointment. I would recommend getting him microchipped.
Find a local obedience class in your area.
Puppy-proof your house. Get down on your hands and knees and look at the world from a puppy’s point of view. Pick up any loose things on the floor or on low surfaces. Move objects on counters or shelves back from the edges. Make sure all trashcans are inaccesible, and that all wires are out of reach.
Housetraining:
A basic rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold it for one more hour than it’s age. For example, a two-month old puppy will be able to hold it for three hours MAX. You can’t just let him go in his crate. This makes the reason for crate-training useless, as I’ve already explained, and will teach him that it’s okay to go potty indoors.
Don’t just leave him outside either, even if you have a kennel or fenced-in yard. This teaches him that it’s okay to go potty wherever he wants. You really need to have a friend or neighbor come in a few times a day to let him out.
Some basic housetraining tips:
1. Have a set schedule. Walk him at the same times every day, and feed him at the same times. Make sure you take him out first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed.
2. Use the crate at night and when no one’s home, so he won’t have an accident.
3. When you take him out, go directly to a potty-place. This can be wherever you want. He should be on leash. Stand in one spot and let him circle around you. Only give him five minutes or so – he has to learn this is something he has to do quickly. If he goes, make it a HUGE deal. “GOOD BOY!” Pop a treat (or two) in his mouth, then reward him with at least a short walk.
4. If he doesn’t go, try not to get frustrated. Take him back in and put him immediately in his crate, so he can’t have an accident. Try again in twenty minutes and every twenty minutes after until he goes.
5. If he has a accident, don’t scold or punish him. This actually hinders the training process and confuses him.
Some other things you should know:
Socialization:
Puppies have a crucial socialization window that closes at about six months of age. During this time, they should meet at least one hundred different people and one hundred different dogs to be completely friendly when he grows up. Take him to parties, pet stores, dog parks, anywhere you can think of. Make sure he meets people of all ages, and people wearing funny things, like hats, skirts, beards, etc.
It’s a lot and I didn’t write enough. Feel free to email me for more information! I’m always here! Good luck!
March 13th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
I have a lab/retriever and he was 5 weeks old when I got him. We bought a large kennel from Walmart for 60 dollars. It had a divider in it. This way we did not have to buy another one when he was grown. I put a towel down for him to lay on and a small toy. This was his bedroom. He still has this kennel and he loves it. We keep him in there while we are away from home and he sleeps in there at night. It keeps him safe.
We use cheap nylon collars as they have to be replaced every couple of months for the first year or so. We also purchased a leash and harness. When we take him for walks, he wears his harness. We started this early so that when he was a larger dog, he would already be used to it. This is so that YOU have total control over your pet while outside. They are strong and will weigh 50 plus at 6 to 8 months old.
As far as potty training, we took him out every 30 minutes until he was 3 months old, then we stretched it to 2 hours and now he can go overnight without having to go outside. As we do not have a fenced in yard, we have a tie out for him and we hook it to his collar and he can run for 100 feet in a circular area to use the bathroom and for extra exercise. We used treats and praise when we took him out to get him potty trained. It only took about 3 months and he had it down pretty well.
He also loves to chew so we give him rawhide to chew on. But only for an hour or so a day. Otherwise, he can eat one every two or three hours and then he doesn’t want his food.
Our vet told us that our dog needed puppy food until he was a year old, but that he needed large breed puppy food. We used Puppy chow brand. Now he eats kibble and bits. They have a chart on the back of the bag and we went by that. Our vet said he was at a healthy weight.
Keep in mind that this breed does shed. They need to be brushed daily. Start as soon as you get your puppy.
Large breed dogs are also prone to hip and leg problems, so make sure that he gets plenty of exercise. This helps and make sure that you do use a good brand of dog food for large dogs. They need the extra nutrients for bone health.
These dogs also have a tendency to get dirty smelly ears because they have large droopy ears that do not let air inside. The vet can provide you with some ear wash to help this. We use it every few days on our dog. He actually comes to you and lays his head on your lap and wants it done. It’s too funny.
Just some added advice. Start giving your dog a bath around two months old. This gets them used to it before they are too big to handle in the tub. Our dogs will go get into the tub on their own and wait for you to give them a bath. They love it. They also sell a shampoo to help control the shedding.
Good luck and enjoy your new pet. They make wonderful pets and are good with people. Very loyal.