New 8 week puppy

beloved1

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#1
Finally got our new puppy Sat afternoon. I am exhausted. We brought her home and since she was so young (I have not had a puppy this young before, they have all been 4 to 6 months before this) I did not want to chance taking her to a park to introduce her, as she has had only one set of shots, so we had to do it when we got home. We let our 6 yr old ACD sniff her while she was still in the carrying crate, which initiated only growling and snarling. Great. He didn't do that with the Corgi! He was doing alot of growling and barking and scaring her, so I told him no. That means I told him "NO", we do voice command and hand command. The cat also hissed and growled at her. This has not been easy. She tried to charge the cat, but I do not trust the cat and I don't want her hurt at this point, so I am definately keeping those two separated. After not letting the ACD bark at her, which was stupid on our part, he began acting afraid of her, and that was NOT good. So I had to turn the tables so that they can settle their doggy thing. I did this by gating the kitchen and letting her out while he was in his spot behnd the couch. When she poked her nose back there he barked and growled. SO later he came and sat outside her pen (I have it in the kitchen) and barked and growled at her for about 7 minutes at least. Got it out of his system. I didn't like ti because it scarerd her silly, but I think he just needs to establish the pecking order and that way he will be more accepting as we go along. Am I right or wrong? They have been better so far today. She is very intelligent (she is a standard schnauzer) and has had only 2 accidents. She has been excellent about going outside and learning things. After convincing my husband that the name I chose was better than his, we have settled on "Deena". I have not yet figured out what her registered name will be, as I had to promise the breeder will will show. She has very good lineage, excellent as a matter of fact. We will be going to the place recommended by the SSCA club called "Jump Start" for all the training we will need help with. The other dogs were MUCH easier. This one is exhausting.

Besides safety measures in helping the dogs adjust (when I had brought my corgi home the ACD instantly accepted him and babysat him. This is what I expected when I brought her home and I am not getting yet) She is doing a lot of fussing and whining. I figure part of it is due to a new place and being separate from her litter mates, but I need to know how MUCH attention is healthy for her.

Thanks.
 

beloved1

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#2
The breeder says that as she is a puppy she needs alot of attention, especially as she is in a new place. SO all the resposne to her has been okay. I just need to know what the right things to do are until she gets older and things adjust.
 

lizzybeth727

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He was doing alot of growling and barking and scaring her, so I told him no. That means I told him "NO", we do voice command and hand command.
What is your hand command for "no"? I've never heard of a hand command for no.

I didn't like ti because it scarerd her silly, but I think he just needs to establish the pecking order and that way he will be more accepting as we go along. Am I right or wrong?
He was probably not "establishing a pecking order", he was probably just barking at what he saw as an intruder in his house (hence the importance of introducing them on neutral ground first... which could've been the breeder's house, a friend's house, a parking lot with leashes, a pet store, or any number of other places besides a dog park). I think all the barking probably did more damage to her than it was worth.

I have not yet figured out what her registered name will be, as I had to promise the breeder will will show.
This sounds strange to me... have you ever shown before? Is the breeder going to mentor you? Do you have joint ownership of the puppy?


(when I had brought my corgi home the ACD instantly accepted him and babysat him.
Where is your corgi now?

She is doing a lot of fussing and whining. I figure part of it is due to a new place and being separate from her litter mates, but I need to know how MUCH attention is healthy for her.
When is she whining - when she's alone, at night, when she's with you, etc.?
 

Sch3Dana

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So, is the situation improving? I prefer to introduce dogs on a walk where the motion tends to distract them and prevent stare downs and direct interaction. Since your puppy is too young for that, I think your idea to introduce them through a baby gate is good.

Your ACD's excessive barking is obviously stressful for you and the pup, so I would try to stop it entirely. If he has obedience training, I would insist that he hold a down stay near the gate and treat him for staying and acting calm. If he breaks, correct him and start over, but try to keep the emphasis on the treats and praise. I would also withdraw all attention from him except around the new puppy, just until he is doing well with her. This will help him to decide that she is nice to be near and should help him to accept her quickly.

The fussing and whining is not unusual for a new pup in a new house with a new person and a new dog (who isn't being friendly). I would not expect her to be entirely calm, but get her off on the right foot- right away. Get her onto a schedule and take her out regularly. Try to avoid waiting til she cries to take her out. If you take her out when she cries, or pay attention to her when she cries, she may start to become one of those annoying, demanding puppies that no one really enjoys living with. The trick is to take care of her needs before she thinks of them, keep her tired with lots of exercise and play time and get her out to potty before she is begging to go. This will feel like a full time job if you are doing it right ;), but it won't last nearly as long as a human baby. The worst is over by 16 weeks or so.

Good Luck!
 

ihartgonzo

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#5
Your ACD sounds a lot like my Border Collie, Gonzo... when he meets most puppies, he is a growly snarky grump. I know Gonzo. I know that his display is a result of his own insecurity and sensitivity, and the instant the puppy figures out how to act around him, Gonzo will be nothing but sweet and playful with the puppy.

As long as you're sure of your ACD's bite inhibition, and that he has good social skills, I would not punish the growling ever. Usually, otherwise friendly adult dogs who are super growly and intolerant of young puppies are insecure. A well-adjusted, confident dog will tolerate a lot of a young puppy's antics and correct when needed.... but our sensitive boys feel frightened and uneasy with a reckless, unpredictable puppy around. Make being in the presence of the new puppy POSITIVE for your ACD! Keep a handful of tiny, delicious treats with you. When the puppy is in the room, and he's either ignoring her or being civil with her, shovel treats into his mouth... from the moment she enters the room. Run through some of his commands, pet him, and praise him. He will begin to accept his new little sister much, much quicker if he feels safe and comfortable in her presence.

I hated it at first, and the growling was SO annoying at first, but when I just let go and allowed them to work it out, within a few days they were playing and hanging out constantly. Now, I kind of like that Gonzo was strict with Fozzie when he was a puppy. Fozzie is incredibly well-mannered and friendly with all other dogs as an adult, and I attribute a lot of that to him growing up with Mr. Manners. ; D
 

beloved1

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#6
Thank you for the help. I am treating the ACD and encouraging him every time he is good around her or does a good thing, like sniff at her when she whines.

Is there any way I can UN insecure him???

In reply to questions, I had to put my corgi down on Aptil 17 due to the lymphoma. He was only 5 years old. He was diagnosed with lymphoma at 4 years, so at least we made it thru another year before he started to suffer. On Wednesday night he did not eat(which was a HUGE chnage for HIM) and was not able to get up and walk. My vet came Thursday. I was not willing to have him suffer a long and painful death. It is still hard for me to talk about, and it is why I am still shying away from corgis. It broke my heart.

He was however older than my new baby. This is the first time I have had a pup so young, so it is new for me. I am a little tired. I think it would be easier if I didn't have to always be protecting her from the cat or the other dog. I really hope he decides to accept her soon!!!!!!

In addition, we need to go to classes and learn what to do about showing. This will have to wait until after she has her 2nd set of shots and maybe her ears. I have to ask the breeder. Fortunately we know many people in the club, as well as the breeders, who will help. We will be taking her to Jump Start, the place every body else takes their schnauzers.

She has been very good, except I had to take the table cloth off the table because I cam home and found pieces of it in her pen. When she is out of her pen, I have to put things up like the kitchen towels or she grabs them and makes off with them. She is a very good girl.

I am trying to get on a good schedule. I am still learning her timing so I know when to take her out. When I first brought her home she was in a big change, so I know the timing was not the same as it will be by the end of the week.

I will get back to other question etc. whenever I get time to go on the computer! I have to go to the bank and to work. Fortunately, the cat is out.

Thanks again.
 

beloved1

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As for the shcedule, I get up when my husband leaves for work and take her out. Then if I am lucky I put her back in the crate and go back to sleep for an hour maybe. Then we got out again and then I feed her. I finally figured out she needs to go out 15 minutes maybe 20 after she eats. I take her out about every 2 hours (or more depending) and she goes right away. If she needs to go, she starts to whine a certain way, so I have learned to NOT do something else first. She only goes whn in the house in one corner on the puppy pads when she doesn't get outdoors to go due to people stupidity. She really wants Blue(ACD) to play, so I hope he loosens up and gets it. He needs the excercise and she needs to company. Per showing, I need to learn what is involved and see if I am any good at it or if I should get back to the breeder to be her handler. We will do that as soon as possible. I am still tryingnto find a good "D" name that goes with "Deena" .
 

lizzybeth727

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#8
In addition, we need to go to classes and learn what to do about showing. This will have to wait until after she has her 2nd set of shots and maybe her ears.
I'd suggest getting her into classes ASAP. Waiting until after her second set of shots is a good idea, but don't wait many weeks longer than that. And I'd start with a puppy socialization/manners class before a conformation class, it's far more important to make sure that she is well-socialized as a poorly socialized dog will not do well in the show ring!

She has been very good, except I had to take the table cloth off the table because I cam home and found pieces of it in her pen. When she is out of her pen, I have to put things up like the kitchen towels or she grabs them and makes off with them. She is a very good girl.
Does she have free run of the house while you're gone? It is not good training-wise, as well as not good for her health, to leave her in the house unsupervised. Now that she has learned that pulling towels/tablecloths down is fun, it will take a very long time for her to un-learn that.... and it won't stop with tablecloths. Plus it's very dangerous if she gets into something poisonous while you're not home, or eats something she shouldn't (like a piece of the tablecloth).
 
P

Puppy_luv08

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#9
I have a new 8 week old too! well she's nine weeks by now. The cats would hiss at her and would never some around... now they are doing much much better, my cat Lips(my little cuz named him that because he's got one white lip) is starting to play with Mia (my pup) takes them a little while but they will eventually get use to the little ones. I had the same mind thought as you do, she's so little you dont want her to get hurt. I actually brought her in the bathroom when we first got her while i took a shower. I didn't want the cats to attack her, and i was soooo (still am) nervous of my boyfriends 3year old daughter, Brooklyn, being around her alone. Mia just barly 2lbs, so she's my little shadow.
 

mjb

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I know you don't want a real injury to the little puppy's eyes by cat claws, but it really seemed to help speed things along when I let my cat instruct our puppy on proper etiquette. He managed to learn on the first encounter to play with the cat on the cat's terms.

The next time around, I took the introduction of cats to puppy VERY slowly. It took several months before they were used to each other, and I always wished I had just let them handle things in their own fashion right away.

My vet also said that cat to puppy introductions are usually the most difficult but that it's best to let the cat get the upper hand while the puppy is still smaller than the cat.

Now, I don't know if all that's correct. I would feel differently if a claw had injured an eye or something of that nature. That didn't happen for us, though, and the cat and puppy understood each other virtually on their initial meeting.

I also think it depends on the cat and puppy. My current dog is more persistent, so even if I had introduced him to my cats the same way as I did the first time around, it might have taken longer. And these cats aren't quite as cocky as the cat I had with my other pup.
 

beloved1

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I'd suggest getting her into classes ASAP. Waiting until after her second set of shots is a good idea, but don't wait many weeks longer than that. And I'd start with a puppy socialization/manners class before a conformation class, it's far more important to make sure that she is well-socialized as a poorly socialized dog will not do well in the show ring!


Does she have free run of the house while you're gone? It is not good training-wise, as well as not good for her health, to leave her in the house unsupervised. Now that she has learned that pulling towels/tablecloths down is fun, it will take a very long time for her to un-learn that.... and it won't stop with tablecloths. Plus it's very dangerous if she gets into something poisonous while you're not home, or eats something she shouldn't (like a piece of the tablecloth).

1. Of course, the first class is Puppy Kindergarten as soon as it is okay for that. I really need to be able to take the little fireball on walks!!!! ASAP.

2. Of course she is not left to run about unsupervised. That would be a dangerous, stupid and abusive thing to do! She is in her pen under the kitchen table with a crate, doggy pads and her food and water dish and a few things to toy. I can't put it anywhere else at this time. Thus the former tablecloth.
 

beloved1

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I know you don't want a real injury to the little puppy's eyes by cat claws, but it really seemed to help speed things along when I let my cat instruct our puppy on proper etiquette. He managed to learn on the first encounter to play with the cat on the cat's terms.

The next time around, I took the introduction of cats to puppy VERY slowly. It took several months before they were used to each other, and I always wished I had just let them handle things in their own fashion right away.

My vet also said that cat to puppy introductions are usually the most difficult but that it's best to let the cat get the upper hand while the puppy is still smaller than the cat.

Now, I don't know if all that's correct. I would feel differently if a claw had injured an eye or something of that nature. That didn't happen for us, though, and the cat and puppy understood each other virtually on their initial meeting.

I also think it depends on the cat and puppy. My current dog is more persistent, so even if I had introduced him to my cats the same way as I did the first time around, it might have taken longer. And these cats aren't quite as cocky as the cat I had with my other pup.

The cat thinks she is an invasive cat-size creature and attacked her first thing. He stalks her. I don't trust him. She does not back down unless he claws her, which I try to avoid. He is Evil Knievel. He is also mad about not getting the lap. She thinks he needs to be run off but is not quite able to do that.


Sigh.

At least the ACD is being a LITTLE more social. He actually cam up to her in her pen while Im was home to smell her, which got him a treat so he did it again. That's a step in the right direction. I think part of the problem is she thinks he should be playing and I don't think he know how to do that. Darn. There are Home Manner classes at Jump Start too which I hope might help him to socialize a little better.
 

smkie

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#13
My cat buried a toenail to the hilt in the pupil of my small puppy. IT was horried, and the pup screamed and had to have her eye treated with a laser and sewn shut for weeks. DO not let the cat discipline your puppy.
 

beloved1

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My cat buried a toenail to the hilt in the pupil of my small puppy. IT was horried, and the pup screamed and had to have her eye treated with a laser and sewn shut for weeks. DO not let the cat discipline your puppy.
That was my thought-I was not seeing discipline. Nope. It is more "kill the intruder". When we get to "play with the intruder" we will be fine.
 

beloved1

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Toay the ACD is dropping squeaky balls on purpose for her. He is still barking and growling loudly though. I wis h we would get over that!!! Egads.
 

Sch3Dana

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I'm also of the opinion that you should let the cat get the upper hand right away. For dogs and cats to live in harmony, the dogs need to learn when to leave the cat alone. They learn this really well when they are young and get a swat in the nose and it hurts. There is, of course, some risk involved, but if you spare the puppy, the cat could be the one that suffers later. I want my big dogs to be afraid of a posturing cat. I can only imagine how terrible it would be to come home to a dead cat. So, I let my puppies learn early on to respect cats and when they are older I know they are much less likely to chase and harass them.
 

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