Hey guys I’m so happy that I have found this forum. Firstly, as this is my first post-hello. I pick up my new baby next Tuesday and I’m pretty prepared. I have a crate in the bedroom near our bed for the first week and also a playpen with a larger crate for him during the day if I go out. My question lies in the fact that I live in Sweden, it’s winter now, and being that the pup is only 8nweeks how should I handle the potty breaks which I have planned for 2am and 6am. Should I take him outside, regardless of the weather or should I encourage him to go on a puppy pad or newspaper ( which the breeder uses now) if so how would I get him to go on the paper? During the day I plan on outside. His name will be Jack - at this stage anyway. Thanks for your tips
Hello and welcome! If you have the facility to take him outside during the night then this is best. I live in a flat so having to train twice - first 3 weeks until he can go out on puppy pads and now she can go out trying to move this outside. This is harder when it is cold and wet and she isn't keen on going out in it so having to use high value treats when she does pee outside. Thankfully she doesn't poo in the house anymore and has learned to hold this until outside however sometimes she gets too excited and forgets about peeing then you see her running for a mat! Luna is now 17 weeks, she pees outside about 70% of the time now so we are making progress! What sounds better - peeing inside where it is warm and dry or outside in the cold and getting wet? I know what I would rather and if you give Jack the choice then it will make it harder to train him to go outside when he gets bigger. You could have a warm hot water bottle to put into his crate when her gets back in or even heat up one of his blankets a bit on the radiator so his bed is cosy to come back to. Most importantly enjoy your precious little bundle!
Hi Sabrina! Can’t believe someone else living in sweden is posting in the forum yay! Where abouts are you what temperatures are we talking? We’re in stockholm so its not that dramatic yet. Our puppy was born quite early in the year up in Dalarna and even in march they were out playing in the snow in -10 or whatever it was for 5-10 minutes at a time before coming in again and making sure everyone was warm and dry. If it were me to be honest i’d skip puppy pads completely, just keep trips short. Its not that cold yet, if you were getting him in january-april i’d be a bit more concerned but honestly now i think its not a problem!
Hi Holly Thanks for your advise, I had suspected that was what I needed to do...we live in Älmhult, so quite the distance from Stockholm... it’s going to be super cute watching him in the snow.... down here, it could be quite soon - labs have very warm coats.. One question though- no puppy pads in his playpen area for if I go out during the day....?
Oh lovely! Yes watching them learn about snow is very cute haha For me i would avoid any puppy pad because its just slowing down your training but if you ever have to leave him longer than his bladder can hold then i suppose thats the best way forward yes!
