We get our lab on 5th September. A little black girl called Storm. She will be 8 weeks. I understand that socialization and getting her used to new experiences is so important especially in the first 16 weeks. What does everyone do before jabs? Do you take them out with you but carry them everywhere?! Is this ok? When we get the puppy I'm off work but will need to take my son (and daughter when she starts a week later) to and from school. I shouldn't be gone anymore than 30 mins. Is it ok to leave her in her crate in that first week. Otherwise I could drive to school (it's an 8 minute walk). Hang around in the car with her and then just nip them into school being gone for around 10 mins. My son is in year 2 this year but has had a difficult couple of years and although getting better he doesn't happily go into school by himself. Also is it ok to introduce her to family members dogs (who have been vaccinated) before jabs? Thanks x
Definitely take her out and about by carrying her. She'll get heavy towards the end, so some people like to use a bag. I used my husband When she's tiny, I'd take her to the school with you - ask now if she'll be allowed to come in with you (being carried) for the first week, while you start building up the time she's happy to be left alone. Even ten minutes is a long time to a very young puppy who is used to being surrounded by their litter mates. If that's not an option (I'm sure the school will be obliging, though), then is there another parent who could either take your son in, or look after the puppy outside for a few minutes while you take him in? As for the other dogs, it depends on how they are with her - and how she is with them. You want her to have good experiences with nice, tolerant dogs at the young stage. Don't let either side play too hard or too long, and let the adult have somewhere to get away from a pestering puppy. On the other hand, if she's nervous and the adult dog is too boisterous, then separate them. You're really thinking this all through - which is great!
Thanks snowbunny. I will ask the school but not sure they will be obliging. Another mum got in trouble for doing the exact same thing earlier this year. Maybe she didn't explain and ask permission. Do you think pup will be ok in weeks 2 and 3? Otherwise I think I'll have to get my mum in for pup supervising duties. My daughter starts the following week just afternoons so I will have 3 school runs to do. Again just 10-30 mins (depending how I do it) each time but still too long for pup. The following week just mornings. And I thought it was perfect timing for a puppy because apart from school runs I am free all day for training. Xx
Hi, Your situations sounds quite similar to mine, except that we pick our male yellow lab on 27th August. My son, who will be starting year 1, goes back on 5th Sept and then my daughter who is 3 will be doing 4 mornings at preschool. Obviously for the first week I will be home all of the time with the children and the pup as it's the last week of the school hols, but in his second week, like you I'm going to be doing school runs. I'm going to really work on getting him feeling safe in his crate in his first week, gradually building up time then hopefully he will be fine left with a Kong for a short while. Do you have space for a puppy pen if you are worried about leaving? Or if your mum is free then that sounds like a good idea for her to come over too. My children also do an activity each in the week where I'm out and hour and a half at a time, so I'm currently trying to arrange a recommended dog walker to come in as they also do 'puppy playing' services if you need someone to keep them occupied for a while. Not sure if there's anything like this in your area?
You just ned to get cracking with separation training really quickly, that's all. Do several short sessions a day, building up the time. It really depends a lot on Storm. Some puppies are bold as brass and don't mind being left. For others, it's a scary thing that needs gentle handing. So, it's hard to say how quickly she'll get the hang of it. Get those kongs filled with soaked kibble and use them to your best advantage. I can't say whether it would be safe to leave her in the car, because I don't know what the weather is like, whether you can leave the air conditioning on, and whether she'd be safe from being stolen. So, if you can get her hooked on kongs immediately, then it may be best to leave her with a couple at home, rather than leaving her in the car. Or, have your mum pop round for a couple of weeks to help out if she's a sensitive one.
I've just gone through this (pup is currently 4 months). We also live a quick walk from school. For the first 2 weeks I left her in the kitchen while I did the school run - if I really hurried I could be home in 20 minutes. Then I started leaving her in the crate with the Kong. I didn't want to risk the crate becoming a bad place so I really followed the advice from the main site. @Sarah B I had the same issues re after school activities. For the first 5 weeks my wonderful mum would take my daughter, I couldn't have managed without her. We're out between 3-5 ish three afternoons per week and her atrocious puppy bladder could not have coped. At 12 weeks I was able to crate her for 1 hour and then by 14 weeks I'd built up to 2 hours. Those early weeks are very, very restrictive.
Yes I imagine so, all depends on their bladder too. Unfortunately I have no family that can help with taking to activities as all are working on my side and husband's side all live in Devon. So just hoping the dog walker is free at the times I need to come and play. Otherwise they may just have to miss activities for a few weeks, which won't be the end of the world. Luckily there's just one on a Monday for my daughter and one on a Tuesday for my son. They both so swimming at weekends so that's not a problem as my husband will be here then.
Thanks everyone, really helpful. @snowbunny - the car would be ok. She wouldn't be likely to get stolen. In fact I've never known of a dog theft where I live. Trust me it would make front page news. I wouldn't leave her if it was too hot. All the windows could be left open (or is this a no-no) the car is not likely to be stolen either. People have only started locking their doors in the last 10 years! Haha! @Xena Dog Princess - really pleased that crate training has worked so well. It's good to know that the advice does work. Should I get a puppy pen?! Can anyone share any pictures of how you set them up or recommendations? Have just bought a 42" crate with divider. @Sarah B good to know I have a puppy buddy going through it at the same time X
I used one of those baby sling things (really just a massive piece of fabric gathered with a fastener on the ends) that goes over your shoulder for my puppies. It was actually made for dogs (had a little paw print on it) but no difference from the ones you can get in baby stores. I looked ridiculous, but my puppies really liked it and got them the socialisation they needed. I maxed out at about 20 pounds then just had to wait until the vaccinations were done to keep going out. I had lots of people coming over to play with the pups so that little stay at home gap wasn't a huge deal. I didn't let my Rottie puppies play with other dogs or let anyone come in the house without removing their shoes or spraying bleach on the soles and washing their hands before playing. This was on the orders of both my breeder and the vet. But I think this is a Rottie thing as they are particularly susceptible to parvo. Doesn't seem to an issue here in Germany, though...so maybe some weird US/CA thing!
Please avoid letting your dog play with other dogs, regardless of how old or if they have had their shots until your puppy, Storm, gets all of her puppy shots. I made the mistake of letting Stryker play with 2 older dogs (5 years old+) and he got sick and is now on two different antibiotics for 10 days. I'm with the others about letting anybody pet Stryker, I make sure they wash their hands really good and I avoid letting them wear shoes inside just until he's had all his shots. My vet is giving him 3 sets of shots, 3 weeks apart. We had to start over with his first set as we couldn't get proof from the breeder he had his first set at 8 weeks. His schedule for his puppy shots before I can let him socialize is; 10 Weeks - Redid first set of shots 13 Weeks (August 30th) - Second set of shots 14 Weeks - Another dose of Heart worm prevention (This goes on for 3 months I think, I forget and will have to check as I'm going off the top of my head.) 16 Weeks - Last set of Puppy shots The very important ones are the 3 sets of Puppy shots. He doesn't need all his prevention medication to be socialized.
@Emily_BabbelHund thats a good idea. Will invest in one of those. Had thought I could put her in my daughters old buggy and hide her in the playground. Haha. @Stryker my vet said that they have a lightly different kind of jab. Where she has the first at 8 weeks, 2nd at 10 weeks at which point she can go outside. Then the 3rd shot at 12 weeks. I'm new to this as haven't had a puppy in adulthood. Thanks
Yes from my understanding according to the vet, the shots are given 2 - 4 weeks apart. We are on a 3 week schedule which the vet suggested which is not a problem. It just means I have to wait a bit longer before socializing him and if he does go anywhere to carry him.
