Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums - have been lurking for a while. Well the last time I felt like this was the night before I went to hospital to have my son. Will I be able to manage, will I do it right, will I have enough love for all of my babies. how I have a few questions & would be really grateful if you could give me some advice. She's booked into the vets on Thursday for micro-chipping & vaccinations. They have two options: 1.) 1st vac at 8 weeks & 2nd vac at 12 weeks or 2.) 1st vac at 8 weeks, 2nd vac at 11 wks & kennel cough at 15 wks as there has been an outbreak in Norfolk apparently. What would you do? I'm thinking £20 extra for 3 vacs could save us a lot of heartache & vet bills but how easy is it to catch? We will be crate training her but on Weds my hubby is working a late shift (policeman) & I need to take my eldest to Beavers & pick him up again along with my 4 yr old. We don't have a car crate yet - would I be better to leave her at home in her crate or get a harness of some sort for the car? Thanks ;D
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Also I want to give her a wash - should I wait until she's settled in? She's not housetrained yet just on sawdust with her siblings at the breeders. What products would you recommend?
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Hello and welcome from me and two year old black Lab Sam I remember those emotions so well , the roller coaster and sheer fear at the changes, but you will cope especially with the help of this forum ;D I would personally opt for the three vaccinations , there is some debate as to the effectiveness of the KC one as there are different strains, but it does offer some protection which is not a bad thing . I would also opt for taking her for the short ride if you can get a harness in time, the sooner they get used to car rides, the better and short trips are good to start with . Unless she is very smelly , I wouldnt worry about bathing her yet but if she is , use a mild baby shampoo ( one for human babies !) . At least at this time of year, she will dry quickly
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Thanks Kate - yes she was a bit stinky when we last visited her - everything set up ready now - just got to get the baby gates out of the shed & get my boys down to puppy level in the garden looking for risks!
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow I agree with Kate. Go for the KC vaccine. The vaccine doesn't cover all forms of kennel cough but it will cover the really serious ones. Kennel cough is really easy to catch, especially for puppies. My dog got it a few months ago at his obedience class (when he was about 13 months) but because he'd been vaccinated against the worst types it wasn't a big deal at all and he was over it in a week. Also agree with the car harness. See if you can spend a couple of sessions getting her used to it in the car with the car stationary. One session with the engine off then one with it on - and lots of treats and praise for calm behaviour. Lift her into and out of the car as she's too young for jumping. I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job and will love her to bits And be sure to post photos so we can share in the puppy cuteness!
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Thanks Rachel - yes will get a harness - we'll be passing Pets At Home on the way back from the breeder. Just wasn't sure which was better leaving her alone or putting her through a another car journey before she's settled in. Unfortunately I don't have anyone else to take my son & I will be in his bad books if he doesn't go as they're visiting the fire station. He is on the verge of being diagnosed with adhd which one of the many reasons for getting her. When he visited her he was very calm & when he did get overexcited she took it in her stride & just gazed into his eyes lovingly. I will try & figure out how to upload some pics for you. x
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Hi there,just saying hi and welcome,you have come to the right place for lots of help and friendly advice.we've got Dexter 9 month old yellow lab... Rushing a bit at the mo so i will read your post properly tomorrow and chip in anything I think might help....Dex is our first dog though so we are on a massive learning curve.....loving every minute of it though Best regards Angela x
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Hi there! Welcome to the forum from me and Lilly. Good luck with the home-coming jac
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Hi and welcome to the forum from myself and my gang of spaniels (they allow all sorts on here ). Looking forward to seeing photos of your new puppy. Best of luck with her.
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Thanks everyone for making me feel welcome! Might have to do a couple pof hours on my exercise bike so I sleep tonight! I can't figure out how to post photos yet (be gentle I'm a newbie!) but this link to my facebook album might work https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151493726446172.1073741830.551891171&type=1&l=e7a5872390
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Do you have a photobucket account? It is very easy to upload your photos from facebook or your computer on to photobucket (or Flickr) and then copy and paste the link on here.
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Hello from all of us, Amy a 5 month old yellow Labrador, my hubby and two boys! Amy has fit in well with family life, and now is older she is happy to be left in her own while I do the family stuff. ( sometimes I prefer to stay with her out of the way!) lol
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow Thanks again everyone - I forgot to say my eldest actually sang her to sleep during that visit! Already got him primed on the recall - I heard him telling my husband "Daddy you MUST NOT call Beulah unless she is already coming towards you - I plan to put a toy next to me then she will come to me." I really want to train her & work on the recall but not sure whether to use whistle or not - will whatever my boys do confuse her? Or do I train them to use a whistle? My eldest could possibly do it but not sure my 4 yr old is sensible enough.
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow My 4 year is scared of Amy still and squeals at her. Which she thinks is a great game!
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow hello - I'm very new myself to say welcome - but Hi from me and my 4 month old Charlie choc lab puppy. I could not wait in between finding Charlie and bringing him home. I must have checked his bed/pen/newspaper/water bowl/kibble/toys were ready a thousand times! Was like being a 3 year old waiting for Christmas. The time dragged and dragged. Photos as soon as poss please!
Re: Beulah comes home tomorrow hi gemma welcome from me and jasper 6 month old,....i am working on the recall, at the beginning i was doing it all wrong, my grandson, son, and myself was working on the recall, ...however from reading the book total recall, i do all the training i use the whistle, i am still only doing the training in the house, i am working on it very slow. have you got pippas book ? enjoy your new puppy
