Hi all, I am getting a new 7 week puppy in Jan first week. Can someone please help me on the 2 questions below: 1. I know a full sized labrador doesn't need a sweater most times but what about a 7 week puppy. I see the temp forecast for the first 2 weeks in Jan - and the minimum is around 32-34 degrees Fahrenheit. Will the puppy feel cold...especially if I have to take him out at night for a potty break? 2. I have read that until all the vaccinations are not complete, it is not advisable to take the puppy outside. But I have also read that for potty training, leash walking and puppy socialization, it is also important for the puppy to go out. I read we need to find an area which is not soiled by other dogs for the safety of the puppy. Now this is difficult because I stay in an apartment and the common area (near the pool) is visited by all dogs. I understand that the puppy cant be socialized with other dogs before his vaccinations are over but what about potty training and leash walking. 3. How often we need to brush his teeth? It would be great if someone could help me get answers to above questions.
I'm afraid I can't answer all your questions knowledgeably, others will soon, but I do have a question: Is it possible for you to leave the collection until the puppy is 8 weeks old? 7 weeks is still too young for a pup to be taken from their mum and siblings. Please ask about this.
Thanks for replying. I had discussed the same with the breeder some time back...and he said...that he would first arrange a meeting at 6 and a half weeks with me and then decide as to when the puppy will be ready to leave the mother and siblings. He said generally puppies are ready to go home by 7 weeks but sometimes he keeps them longer upto 8 or 10 weeks depending on the size and other factors.
Hi there, and welcome to the forum. You must be so excited! Girl or boy? Do you have any names? We do advise, as Debz says, to leave your puppy with mum and littermates until at least 8 weeks if you can, as this means a puppy who learns better manners and biting control. Might be worth speaking to your breeder about this if you can. The younger your puppy the harder work these early weeks will be for you. They need their mums when so tiny. We have discussed this elsewhere, and I think most puppies are fine to go out in the cold - hopefully you aren't going to be out for hours anyway. When they are so small its often all done in a bit of a hurry and you probably wont have time to put on a jumper or coat. If there is snow on the ground, or rain, you might find your puppy less happy though! You shouldn't need to worry about things such as leash walking as your puppy is so tiny, that will come later, and popping him or her on a lead short term for toilet breaks isn't the same as walking. They can get used to the leash by wearing a collar inside, and just let the lead trail behind. You might have to watch out for chewing though! Its really important to socialise your pup, but a lot of that can be done by short trips out with you carrying them, popped in a back or something (like a small tote bag or rucksack) so they can see what is going on, people can say hello etc. Its relatively safe for the puppy to meet and play with dogs you know are vaccinated, but make sure it is short bursts and well supervised. The toileting is a trickier issue, not sure what the best advice is. Its important to avoid common areas where dogs are not vaccinated, or if they are frequented by other animals such as foxes that might carry diseases. The best option might be to find another area which isn't used by other dogs which might be safer for your pup. Best to ask your advice about the risks in your area however, they will be able to give the best advice. I would leave it a few weeks for your puppy to settle if I were you. Some people never brush teeth, some on a weekly basis. It might depend on what kind of food you are using. There are some great posts and videos about tooth brushing elsewhere on the forum.
Thanks a lot for the detailed reply. It does help me. As for the name - I haven't come up with a name yet Still thinking. It's a boy - right now the name that comes to my mind are - Tuffey, Striker, Mojo etc
Sure - I will. Yes, exciting times It was one of my dreams. I just hope I am up to his expectations and turn out to be a great dad
One more question - and it might be a dumb question. I and my wife will get the puppy in Jan and exactly after 1 month (mid Feb) - my wife is going to her parents place for a month. Once she returns - after a month - will the pup be able to recognize her - considering she will leave him at around 12 weeks and return when he is 16 weeks old. I know dogs have great memory but the pup will be very small so thought of asking this question.
I suggest you buy the Happy Puppy Handbook and read it before the pup arrives - it is full of excellent advice. I also regularly head for this part of the site - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppies/ I'm on my fourth puppy in four years (I raise pups for Guide Dogs) and I find all the advice there invaluable. Don't worry about the pup knowing your wife when she returns - how could she tear herself away?? - pups are supremely adaptable. They need to know they are safe and their needs are met then they'll be just fine. My last pup went away to a boarder for a week when she was tiny, she was fine ...
It's REALLY hard work in the beginning but you sound much better prepared than I was. Have a crate and babygates ready for your sanity! You'll love it. We went away for 6 days when Libby was 13-14 weeks and I felt a bit sad that she didn't recognise us when we returned Sunday evening, preferring my daughter who had looked after her. But Monday morning it was like normal and she was all over me. We went away again when she was 20ish weeks for a week and she definitely recognised us immediately on return that time. So, I'd say your pup won't recognise her immediately but it won't take long to be reacquainted and it certainly won't affect their relationship.
Hi Debzc - just wanted to share with you this. So I saw the pups on Facebook today (the breeder posted video) they all looked great and so cute...I called him up to know how they are doing. And he replied, 'they are doing good but I have still not made up my mind as to when I will give them to you- it depends on how they grow from here to then'. It was a good indication how much he cares for them I was really happy that he said that.
He doesn't understand the reasoning behind the eight weeks. It's not about how well grown or weaned they are. It's about needing to be with their litter mates to learn dog language and bite inhibition. Pups which leave too early can be very difficult to socialise with other dogs as they have inappropriate responses.
Boogie is right. Eight weeks should be the minimum age. Some breeders keep the puppies until they are ten or twelve weeks old, giving them lots of early socialisation. There's no benefit to a breeder keeping them later if they're not putting the time into this socialisation, but eight weeks should be the absolute earliest they leave their litter mates.
