Hi guys, Just a quick post to say hello. I've been reading so much on this website in preparation for our little furball to arrive (next Tuesday). He's going to be my first puppy and since I've taken 4 weeks off work to spend time with and socialise the little guy, I'm assuming I'll be checking in here often to get tips of maintaining my sanity and for inspiration and guidance. Will post puppy picture as soon as I've created a FLICKR account. Cheers, look forward to joining the discussion and picking your collective brains!! Kha
Hi Kha and welcome. I love the name Dante, it was on my list of names when we got Shadow, but it was vetoed by my OH
Hi and welcome from me and 3 year old girl, Harley. She was my first puppy too. It's hard work, but so rewarding.
Welcome to the forum from Fred (3) Annie (1) and me. Don't forget we want lots of photos of your puppy.
Hi guys, thanks for the lovely welcome! Seems like a great community here. I'm super nervous about the whole thing, so many theories and literature out there, it's great to find read up on out how others have gone about putting them into practice. Crating the first night is my main worry, won't a few nights of wailing/stress from crating hurt the overall crating process?? @Emily - We're also from Melbourne, near Chadstone area. @Naya - just wondering, as a fellow first timer, anything in particular that took you by surprise, despite all the research? Attached photo from FLICKR but hopefully my newbishness didn't mess it up some way.... mms_20170708_183018 by Kha Nguyen, on Flickr
I've not been a first timer for a while, but I did a load of research before bringing my first puppy home. Nothing prepares you. You may know all the theory, but it's just a completely different kettle of fish living through it. Lots of sleep deprivation, worrying about the smallest thing, THE BITING, trying to do All The Training in two minutes flat, THE POOING, constantly moving things and realising your home isn't as puppy proof as you thought... It's a good job puppies are cute, because they're hairy terrorists. With my latest puppy, I figured I had been there not too long ago with Willow (and Shadow, who is from the same litter as Willow, but we picked up six weeks later), so nothing would be a surprise. I was wrong. I had completely forgotten just how dependent these little monsters are on us, and how you have to watch them every second they're awake. Puppies are exhausting and can make you doubt you've made the right decision, bringing it into your life. It's important to remember that it only lasts a short time, though, so cherish the bits you enjoy and, for the rest of it, start the mantra "this, too, will pass".
Thanks for the sage advice Fiona, Willow and Shadow look like beautiful dogs. I've always liked the name Dante, thankfully my fiancé agreed with me. We were also thinking of Sooty/Shadow since he's all ash grey and silver hehe. We just moved house as well, so our puppy proofing started this weekend with a new tv unit and 2 new wardrobes to hide all of the non puppy approved things, I bet there's a ton of things that I have overlooked lol. I'll be trying to take as many photos of him during puppy phase, I appreciate that this period of their lives will fly by before I know it and he'll be full grown in a heartbeat. Socialising before immunisation is another grey area, for those that took your puppy outside during the 8 week - 12 week period, did you actually carry them everywhere or is that overkill? Few more pics of our little man from when we went to the breeder to pick from the litter - https://www.flickr.com/photos/157019368@N08/shares/8a4255
I carried mine until the week after the final vaccinations. I live in an area where there is a reasonably high risk of parvovirus, as there are lots of foxes about. It's best to discuss this with your vet, who will know more about your specific area. The thing that I learnt from my first two was that socialisation is not about the puppy meeting lots of other dogs or people, even though that's what it sounds like it should be. It's about having him experience as many different sights, sounds and smells as possible. While he is completely dependent on you, puppies tend to have less fear, so having him learn that it's OK to hear different noises etc at this stage is very useful. Later on, he will start making his own decisions, and this can mean that he gets spooked by new noises etc, if he hasn't been exposed to them earlier. @Boogie is a puppy walker for Guide Dogs, and has a good list of thing she does with her puppies. Hopefully she'll be along to share it. But, things like, going to a train station, seeing a bus, a bin lorry, people in motorbike helmets, hats and gloves. Big coats. The bustle of a busy supermarket car park - and people coming out of it (he'll get loads of strokes and cuddles there!). Children playing, people of different ethnicities. People in wheelchairs and on crutches. Elderly people. The list goes on! Basically, anything that's different to his "norm".
Welcome @godofserenity and Dante from me, Hattie 9 years and rescue boy Charlie 6 years. Enjoy your pup x
Hi and welcome! Dante is a great name! Must say I had to google Pomsky... I'm interested what in particular has drawn you to that cross?
Hi @Karen, thank you and love your avatar, are they your little ones? Are they still puppies? To answer your question, I love primitive dogs and their independent mind (Husky/Malamute etc) but after a bit of research, we realised that it wouldn't be fair with our lifestyle and living arrangements (apartment and both work FT) to get a Husky, due to their high exercise and attention requirements. Continued the research, I came across Pomskys and after talking to the breeder, decided they would be a better fit for us. Haha, thanks @snowbunny, for the detailed response also . He doesn't look like the pomskies you see when you google it but his personality is super cheeky and adventurous but the breeder seems to have done a great job with him so far, no issues with being examined and held, little fear response when we visited. He is going to be a handful but I wouldn't want it any other way.
Welcome from me, Wispa (5) and Tuppence (3). Looking forward to seeing more photos of Dante. Enjoy those puppy days!
Thanks Granca, Wispa and Tuppence. We will certainly be trying to enjoy them and of course, starting from next Tuesday, puppy photos will be shared!
Hello to you and Dante from me & Coco - gosh! he'll be with you very soon, how exciting! Coco is a German Shepherd x Labrador.
