Happy end to sad story..please help..

[nikkig]

Good morning, I'm new here and hope to find some friends and advice!
Over the weekend my beloved chi/mix passed away. His name was Boo and I have had him for 16 wonderful years. He passed away in his sleep due to old age. Needless to say I was completly devastated, still am. My kids took it hard too (3 girls ages 6-11). Well, last night my mom came over and brought me the sweetest baby girl, a dashound, with a big bow on her head! She is so cute and I know my mom was trying to help but part of me can't help but feel like it is too soon. She bought her from a KILL shelter and ended up rescuing one for herself too. She came home with a puppy pack, her papers, shot reccors and spay certificate. I love her, really I do, I named her Esther. The problem I'm having is I am so far out of puppy mode I don't know where to begin. She is 1 month old and teething. Last night I kept her in the bathroom in my room but she cried so much I let her sleep in bed with me, which she loved and cuddled all night. She has wee weed in the dog bed, I gave her boo's bed which was very hard for me to do, maybe she was marking her space? I need to puppy proof the house. I have a crate I am getting ready for her but it was the one I used to train my old english bulldog (Layla, she is 6 and my other precious baby) So the crate is pretty big for her size. How should I set it up?? It has been so long since I have had a new puppy in the house and I need some advice to get going again. I am filling out her puppy history book now but it is kind of heartbreaking for me still. How can I pick myself up and start moving foward? I love my new baby, the whole family does. Can anyone give me some advice on ctare training, teething, puppy proofing etc...... I need some help. Thank you for listening!

 

[puppydog]

Use the search function at the top of the forums menu bar, also, look through the puppy section. You will find tons of info there.

 

[smkie]

I am so sorry for you Boo. I have an oldster too and know what you are going through.

I bet Esther will work her way into everyone's heart in no time at all. Congrats, that was wonderful that your mom got them from a kill shelter.

I would secure an area close to the bed where you can paper it at night. THen as soon as she wakes up (or before) whisk her outside. THen set an timer every 30 mintues or so until you see her schedule for needing to urinate and move her bowels. Making sure especially right after they eat, and after drinking heavy after play. THat way you can start with success. I do this with puppies spacing out the timer once I see how often they need to go. Good Luck and WELCOME to Chazhound!

 

[nikkig]

Thanks for the response Smkie! What about crate training, is she old enough at 1 month? I was a member her several yrs ago (I was Laylasmom then) I joined after I got Layla, I am glad to be back, I know what a great site this is and look foward to making lots of new friends (and maybe some old!)

 

[puppydog]

It is never too early to start crate training. Get her into a routine ASAP before you have to break habits.

 

[smkie]

ONe month is to me an infant and needs the closeness of living creatures. Crates seem to work for other people i do not use them so I won't comment on that. I do hope that it is close to the bed if you go that route. I can't imagine a one month old pup being alone at night.I kept mine where i could drop my hand and reassure using a big box. WE even had play pen for BAby Tate. By 8 weeks of course she was out of it but before that it helped a lot for when i needed her secure but still able to tumble about.

 

[smkie]

I am thinking too that both you and your mother will need to very carefully monitor signs of symptoms. If there is anything that resembles loss of appitite, or no interest in water. GO directly to the vet. I do not ever put such a young immune not ready pup on the floor of a vet, or take them anywhere they could be exposed to parvo. Imho it would be best if these two pups were kept together for 4 more weeks. Your and your mother are doing a wonderful things (and i love the name Esther..what is the sibling's name?) but your going to have to be diligent and careful. I have hand fed and raised a couple from 3 days up. IT can be done, they do turn out just fine with the right socialization and training after the danger danger age is past when the shots are fully in effect.

 

[bubbatd]

Sorry about your loss , but a big welcome to your new baby ! I'm with Smkie ..... the more closeness , the better !

 

[PoodleMommy]

She is only 1 month old?

That is very young... They have these toys that heat up that you could buy to put in the crate with her, also some tshirts you have worn... honestly at this age I would focus on just making sure she is really comfortable and getting everything she needs.

Gosh, I have never seen a puppy that small, is she even on solid food yet?

 

[nikkig]

I thought about the t shirt too, she loves to snuggle. My mom lives a few towns over, but they seem to be doing well. The strange thing is though, when my mom was looking at the pups at the shelter (she went back twice before she decided to adopt) the lady told her that they were 1 month old and the last of the litter. On the reccords they sent home with her however, they listed her age as 2 months old. They also had given her her first worming and round of shots (parvo and distemper) I got a cirtificate for her first rabies vac when she is of age. Why the differance in age though? By the way, we are bonding very well, she is going to be a wonderful addition to the family! Oh, her brother's name is vinnie

 

[smkie]

I would vet to see. Good time for a checkup anyway and see if there are any special diet requirements if the pup is 4 weeks.

I am really happy for you. I adore a baby and love starting with my dog from the get go. My Mary in the siggy and avie is very old and I have had her from the beginning. You can head off so many behaviors gently. I don't honestly remember having to teach MAry a thing. SHe doens't need a leash, she is a great nanny dog. HOpe Esther will do the same.

VInnie is as excellent and Esther. ANy chance for pics?

 

[PoodleMommy]

I dont know... it seems odd that a shelter would adopt out a 4 week old puppy... 8 weeks sounds way more reasonable... maybe the lady misspoke the first time?

 

[smkie]

A vet tech ought to be able to tell you. Maybe you can just ask at the desk. THe shots are not totally effective at that age. Please take all precautions.

 

[nikkig]

I plan to, after what I just had to go through with my Boo passing I want to make sure that little Esther has the best care from the beggining so she will be with me as long as possible! I adopted Boo from the same shelter 10 yrs ago (he was 6 at the time) and I never had to teach him a thing either. He was house trained, and after a few weeks he even came to sit at my feet when I snapped my finger! He was the best dog, really he was.

 

[ACooper]

Awe, it sounds like he was wonderful Nikig, so sorry for your loss.

I am sure you will provide the best possible home for little Esther Welcome to chazhound by the way! We love pictures if you got them..........of Boo and/or Esther!

 

[JoeLacy]

4 weeks old is very young and probably hasn't learned play bite inhibition which they learn from other puppies in the litter. I would nip that one in the bud so to speak.

If you are going to housebreak using a crate, you have to start that process early on. Put some kind of separators in your current crate. The puppy should only have enough room to stand and lay down. Anymore room in the crate and they will eliminate inside it. Like PoodleMom said, put old clothing UNWASHED of yours into the crate.

Get her on a very regular schedule of feeding, drinking, going outside. Take them to the exact same spot outside to do their business every single time. When they poop in the house, carry it outside and place it in the grass every time. She'll catch on.
Write down the time you feed her, then write down the time she goes in the house. If it's 30 minutes, then you know you have to take them out no later that 30 minutes after they eat. Take them to the "spot" and praise. You'll have a pretty good idea of timing after a couple of days.

The bathroom now is a scary place plus she was just separated from the litter. Putting her in the bed right now is only rewarding the yelping. The crate will be a scary place too, but you can easily conditioner her.

Take some treats and toss them in the crate but leave the door open, let her come in and out, in and out. Do this several times a day. You might cover the sides and top of the crate so she feels more secure. You basically make going in the crate a good thing. Keep this up for 2 minutes at a time, no more but do it throughout the day. In early evening, after she understands crate means her nr harm. Place her in and shut the door for 30 seconds, then 1 minute, then 2 and so on. Be sure to praise her. She'll catch on, just make sure whatever you do when you place her in the crate at night she had FULLY eliminated. You should not have to get up in the night, she may and probably will yelp at first, but if you take her out of the crate, she yelp every time to get out of the crate.

If you start basic training from day one, your puppy will sleep better. If you wear them out mentally you'll have less yelping at night.

Others will come along and offer suggestions, welcome to Chaz and congrats on your new puppy!

Oops, you guys Ninjaed me.

 

[nikkig]

Esther(red) Vinnie(black)
oops, didn't work, how do I post a pic
and how do I post one for my avitar

 

[smkie]

Up above on the left hand side it says User cp. Right underneath the title of your thread. In that it has edit avie and siggy. Go there. Looking forward to meeting them!

 

[Doberluv]

If you wait until the whole puppy vaccine series takes effect to socialize this puppy, I can pretty much guarantee you'll have big problems with her down the road. Unfortunately, the last few shots coincide with the closing of that critical socialization period. Puppies, before they reach the age of 3- 5 months must have had adequate exposure and happy associations with lots of different people, tolerant, gentle and HEALTHY puppies and adult dogs (that you hand pick to associate with). They need to get out and about, seeing all kinds of environments, ground surfaces, machines, bikes, skate boards, vet visits for just a cookie and a weight, a little attention a couple of times a week will help your pup not fear going to the vet's. Almost every day your pup should meet up with novel people and things. It has to happen within that critical socialization/imprint period....birth to 3-5 months. If you miss that window on account of fearing parvo, you will be guaranteed a mal-adjusted, fearful dog who can't adapt to novel things. So, while these diseases are a scary thing and a risk, that risk can be somewhat lessened. Don't take her to dog parks or pet stores where a lot of unknown dogs are. Ask around if there have been any parvo cases in your area...ask vets and others. Take reasonable pre-cautions. But there is no risk about waiting to socialize. The emotional damage caused by an impovershed socialization history....is a known. It is so commonly the cause for so many behavior problems, that it is a super big issue to me.

As far as crate training, if this pup is this young as you were told, it may be hard for her. I'd take it gradually. Feed her in there, make it always a pleasant place where her favorite toys are, treats, never punishment associated with it. Start out by leaving the door open and when she's happy about being in there, close it just for a minute while you're in the same room. Don't open the door for her if she's making a fuss. Wait for a lull. Be careful not to inadvertantly reinforce behavior you don't want to increase. Lots of love and sympathy is good, but wait for quiet behavior to give it to her.

If it's a large crate, see if you can rig up some kind of divider to make it smaller...just enough for her to lie down, turn around etc. I wouldn't use it for a place to go potty. It might be hard for her to not use the crate later on....for the toilet....unless that's how you always want to do it. In that case, 1/2 of the crate could be used for that, I guess.

Browse this forum...see what you can find on bite inhibition and other positive method training tips. And never hesitate to ask questions if you can't find something.

I'm sure sorry about your loss of your little Chi. It's the worst devestation to lose our best friends. I think, even though you don't feel ready and your Mom maybe shouldn't have sprung this puppy on you without your consent, I can see she meant only the best for you. And I think you're going to have a new lease on life with this little girl. She'll force you to move on. I bet she's cute as a bug's ear. Do you have pictures yet?

Anyhow, welcome and I hope you post a lot.

 

[smkie]

With TAte, I had her starting at day 3 we had our own dogs and lots of children in and out to stop and meet. I had friends with dogs as well. Hopefully you can set up meet dates. We did that and everything turned out great.