Comment

Comment by Bridget on May 9, 2008 at 3:36pm

Towels it is!

Comment by Ginny and Diggory on May 9, 2008 at 1:27pm

we just used old towels for Ginny to snuggle on the first few months in her crate. That way it didn't really matter if she peed on it or shredded it. Easy to toss in the wash and use again until they stop having accidents.

Comment by Bridget on May 9, 2008 at 1:14pm

Fortunately I will be home 24/7 for most of the time this entire summer, but there may be times I do have to work. So, most of the time the puppy will be with us inside or out having fun socializing. We'll keep it quiet the first few weeks, and then she'll be able to go most places with us (ballgames, to the park, walks in the neighborhood probably with me carrying her at first!)

The time spent in the Puppy Palace is only when we are not at home and no longer than 3 hours at most. It is a last resort since we felt 3 hours at that age was too long to leave in a crate without an accident. I have ready HOW IMPORTANT it is NOT to have accidents at all. I can't block off any rooms in our home to corral her. Too long to explain here. I would do it if I could.

Good point about the plastic bowl, I guess it really is a metal water bowl that attaches to the side of the pen. Can't knock it over as easily that way.

The Other End of the Leash was great, as was the For the Love of a Dog, and Ian Dunbar's Before You Get Your New Puppy, and The Culture Clash. I guess what I am trying to say is that I have read lots and am really eager to get started. I know so much more than when we had our first dog, and this group has been great.

Oh, the garage is comfortable year round. No problems there.

I will definitely put something soft and snuggley inside the crate for her to lay on. I read that most tend to chew and rip them up, but we'll try anyway!

Comment by Karen & Bailey on May 9, 2008 at 10:30am

bridget, you could put the crate in the kitchen when you leave for work - then block off a section with a baby gate for her to play in while your gone. stick a potty pad in there furthest awawy from the crate if you will be unable to let her out every 2-3 hours. I potty pad trained Bailey... and he still goes #2 inside - but since I am unable to check on him as often as I'd like - I've resorted to start pad training him until his bladder muscles develop (I've been told this is 9months-1year).

Also, don't forget some chewy toys and a stuffed animal or two or play with while you're gone - and if you do decide to keep her in the garage, literally get down on puppy level in your garage and examine what the puppy could get into - any anitfreeze - little nuts and bolts - cardboard boxes, etc.

Comment by Cindi on May 9, 2008 at 9:19am

My concern would be the conditions of the garage. Does it have a/c? An enclosed space can get really hot during the day and cold at night.

Ziska has some excellent ideas. You don't want your dog to think of the garage as being banished from the house. Even though we think we're giving them a wonderful space, in dog-world they don't think that way. Do consider crating inside the house instead of in the garage.

Comment by Ziska Childs on May 9, 2008 at 9:09am

What you puppers will need is a nice soft place to snuggle. It's pretty scary leaving the family at such a young age. I worry that you'll have a young pup crying themselves to sleep while you're at work. This could easily develop into a dog which barks all day while you're gone. Pheromones help. Seriously- they have sprays which mimic mama dog smells and it helps keep a calm atmosphere. The one I've used is DAP. Nothing will substitute for companionship however- they need a pack.

I worry about is hours alone for a new pup. Socialization is so important at this age. You may consider puppy day care. Ask around and see if you have a doggie day care (make sure they have a web cam so you can watch the interaction from work) which allows pups. Most will allow young puppies after they've had their first series of shots.

Your pup will need some sort of stimulus during the day. Sure they sleep a lot but it's run run run- sleep - run run run- sleep. This is prime learning time. If you can at least get away once during the day that would be good. You want them to bond to you and this is when it will happen effortlessly.

The next thing is piddle pads. Don't kid yourself- puppies have the weeniest bladders in the world and this is the easiest stage to "train" to go on the pad. The pad is better than papers because it's scented as a place to piddle- and they certainly absorb much better than newspaper.

Plastic water bowl? It'll be plastic packing chips in mere seconds. Frustrated pup with chewy- start looking into ceramic bowls. Jinksy when he was a pup was very good at telling me what I wasn't doing. One morning I woke up with the plastic dinner dish on my head.

You can't scold for anything which happens when you're not there. They just won't understand. I highly recommend "The Other End of the Leash" especially for herding breeds. Corgles will start manipulating you from the very beginning unless you let them know what you want. Soft but strong- puppies understand your tone of voice perfectly.


Ziska