Things you'd wish you'd known about puppies
Discussion
We've got our first ever dog on Friday, cute little 12 week Basset pup. Things seem to be going ok, he's not quite house trained yet but things are going in the right direction. Did have a major sleepless night last night though, he really doesn't like being on his own!
I was just wondering, as it's our first dog, what things do you wish you had known when you were in our boots that would have helped with training, upbringing etc. Or, to put it another way, if you could offer me one piece of advice, what would it be?
For the benefit of the the court
I was just wondering, as it's our first dog, what things do you wish you had known when you were in our boots that would have helped with training, upbringing etc. Or, to put it another way, if you could offer me one piece of advice, what would it be?
For the benefit of the the court
Don't let him upstairs, don't let him on the human's furniture. Always feed him after the humans. Make sure he knows he's at the bottom of the pack pecking order, and do it in a way that a dog will understand.
That's the way I'll educate my next dog, based on experience of current mutt.
That's the way I'll educate my next dog, based on experience of current mutt.
AdiT said:
Well that look in his eyes means sooner or later you'll let him do stuff you don't realy want him to... and then you're stuffed.
We have a deal, when he can be on his own for 5 minutes without crying, I might overlook a minor transgression or two. Until then, he's in boot camp!VoziKaoFangio said:
Don't let him upstairs, don't let him on the human's furniture
Check, already on the list.VoziKaoFangio said:
Make sure he knows he's at the bottom of the pack pecking order, and do it in a way that a dog will understand.
Check, hopefully doing this too.VoziKaoFangio said:
Always feed him after the humans.
Good point. Although his meal times are different from ours due to the weird hours I work. He doesn't seem to have cottoned on to the fact that whenwe sit down at the table we're eating. He just uses that time to go for a nap at the minute.Bless, he's cute. I remember having my Basset at 12 weeks. They do cry quite a lot for the first few weeks. What I'd say is don't expect much in the way of training. Bassets are pretty stubborn, so it very much a case of bribery to get them to do what you want. As above, make sure you're the alpha male. Do things like take his dinner from him when he is eating it so he learns from the start you can take things from him when you want. Also look up puppy mouthing on youtube. Oh, and play with his feet lots so you can cut his nails without it bothering him.
I did have my one pretty well trained, but every time I leave him with my missus or my mum he gets spoiled as he apparently looks sad. He plays dumb, but he knows exactly what to do to get them to jump through hoops.
Just make sure you take lots of photos of that cute little puppy as it's surprising how quickly that wee puppy turns into a big stinky basset hound.
I did have my one pretty well trained, but every time I leave him with my missus or my mum he gets spoiled as he apparently looks sad. He plays dumb, but he knows exactly what to do to get them to jump through hoops.
Just make sure you take lots of photos of that cute little puppy as it's surprising how quickly that wee puppy turns into a big stinky basset hound.
Marky Boy said:
Bless, he's cute. I remember having my Basset at 12 weeks. They do cry quite a lot for the first few weeks. What I'd say is don't expect much in the way of training. Bassets are pretty stubborn, so it very much a case of bribery to get them to do what you want. As above, make sure you're the alpha male. Do things like take his dinner from him when he is eating it so he learns from the start you can take things from him when you want. Also look up puppy mouthing on youtube. Oh, and play with his feet lots so you can cut his nails without it bothering him.
I did have my one pretty well trained, but every time I leave him with my missus or my mum he gets spoiled as he apparently looks sad. He plays dumb, but he knows exactly what to do to get them to jump through hoops.
Just make sure you take lots of photos of that cute little puppy as it's surprising how quickly that wee puppy turns into a big stinky basset hound.
At the moment he seems fairly eager to please, I guess that'll change soon! Speaking of stinky, as it's our first dog, how stinky should he be? When we got him he was pretty ripe from being in the pen with all his siblings so we gave him a shower. Whilst he's improved massively, he still has that distinctive dog "fragrance". Worth another shower or just live with it?I did have my one pretty well trained, but every time I leave him with my missus or my mum he gets spoiled as he apparently looks sad. He plays dumb, but he knows exactly what to do to get them to jump through hoops.
Just make sure you take lots of photos of that cute little puppy as it's surprising how quickly that wee puppy turns into a big stinky basset hound.
Marky Boy said:
Oh, and get a harness for him as with a collar it'll slip off quite easily when you try to pull him along on walks. And you will have to pull him at points as they stop and sniff absolutely everything.
He does do that, wish I'd started the thread earlier, was in the pet shop this morning, could have picked a harness up.On a more general note, how do you know when a dog is ready to run off the lead. We've got a big field but I'd be terrified he might just bolt and never come back.
blueST said:
At the moment he seems fairly eager to please, I guess that'll change soon! Speaking of stinky, as it's our first dog, how stinky should he be? When we got him he was pretty ripe from being in the pen with all his siblings so we gave him a shower. Whilst he's improved massively, he still has that distinctive dog "fragrance". Worth another shower or just live with it?
They have a distinctive hound smell which doesn't really bother me, my other half says he stinks though. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't stink out the house, it's just when you're cuddled up with him, I guess it's something you learn to live with. I cant remember him smelling too bad as a puppy though. Just be aware that you can't wash them too often as its strips the oil from their skin/coat. Also use proper dog shampoo.As for the letting him off the lead. I won't let mine off the lead tbh; like you I was always worried that he'd pick up a scent and be off never to be seen again. I did do recall work with him when he was younger and he would come back, but I was always just too frightened about losing him. I'm sure someone with more training experience on here will be along shortly to point you in the right direction.
blueST said:
On a more general note, how do you know when a dog is ready to run off the lead. We've got a big field but I'd be terrified he might just bolt and never come back.
Do it now!A lot easier while everything is "big and scary" (and he's not so fast). Don't wait untill he get's more confident. He will wander away, lot's of stuff will get his attention, but he'll want you around for security. Lots of treats and fuss when he comes back. Use "come" or "here" for recall and not just shouting his name. Lots of jumping about and arm waving will be required as well.
Once he's OK with that, try hiding from him when you call him. He'll panic but soon learn to keep an eye on you at all times. It should be his job to know where you are whatever other interesting stuff he's doing.
If you are too scared to let him off, you could always use a long training line. We used one when we got our Springer at 6 months. We did not use one for our collie when we got him (8 weeks) as he was easy to train. With our springer, it was not that she would not come back, it was that she would not come close enough to let you put her on the lead. We used to let the training line trail behind her (30ft). If she did not come when we wanted her to, we just put our foot on it. She learnt that she had to come when called within 5 days. Little bit different for a younger pup, as has been already mentioned, they will want your security.
Our collie was let off as soon as he was allowed out, which was a few days after his 2nd jab. If he has not had his 2nd jab, then probably best wait until he has had that. You don't want him catching anything.
Marky Boy mentioned a crate. I think hey are great. Our collie, who is now 3, has been in his since the 3rd night we had him. It took us a few days to get him used to it. I think he would be lost without it. He goes in there if he gets a bit scared or is unsure of things. Even if we leave the door open at night so he has access to the whole kitchen he will still sleep in there as it's his den. Our springer got used to hers pretty quick and after she has done her business at night, she opens the door (it is not locked!) and goes and sits in there as she knows it's bed time. She does not rely on her crate as much as much collie. That could be because she didn't start using one until we got her.
As far as what else you need to know... get plenty of toys for him to chew and destroy. If you do not, he will go for the furniture. We also got some spray to spray onto things he wanted to chew (chair legs etc). We used "Get Off". Ok when I bought it, I did not read it properly. Its purpose isn't specifically to stop chewing. However we figured that if it will stop a dog going toilet somewhere, it should stop them chewing it as well. It worked for ours.
The hiding thing....worked for us as well with both dogs.
Our collie was let off as soon as he was allowed out, which was a few days after his 2nd jab. If he has not had his 2nd jab, then probably best wait until he has had that. You don't want him catching anything.
Marky Boy mentioned a crate. I think hey are great. Our collie, who is now 3, has been in his since the 3rd night we had him. It took us a few days to get him used to it. I think he would be lost without it. He goes in there if he gets a bit scared or is unsure of things. Even if we leave the door open at night so he has access to the whole kitchen he will still sleep in there as it's his den. Our springer got used to hers pretty quick and after she has done her business at night, she opens the door (it is not locked!) and goes and sits in there as she knows it's bed time. She does not rely on her crate as much as much collie. That could be because she didn't start using one until we got her.
As far as what else you need to know... get plenty of toys for him to chew and destroy. If you do not, he will go for the furniture. We also got some spray to spray onto things he wanted to chew (chair legs etc). We used "Get Off". Ok when I bought it, I did not read it properly. Its purpose isn't specifically to stop chewing. However we figured that if it will stop a dog going toilet somewhere, it should stop them chewing it as well. It worked for ours.
The hiding thing....worked for us as well with both dogs.
We all try to stick by the normal rules / theory. What happens when a dog gets to 13 and can't walk upstairs anymore ? You carry him up at bedtime - all 33KG's 
The biggest thing at the moment is that the dog has lost all his litter mates that he has slept alongside for the last 12 weeks. Its natural that he is missing them and looking for a replacement - which is probably you unless there is another dog in the house.
The crate is a good idea - I wish ours was still in it.
The biggest thing at the moment is that the dog has lost all his litter mates that he has slept alongside for the last 12 weeks. Its natural that he is missing them and looking for a replacement - which is probably you unless there is another dog in the house.
The crate is a good idea - I wish ours was still in it.
Thanks for all the advice and experiences. Since I last posted, he's given me rather busy afternoon. I'm exhausted! It all started when he decided he was hungry before I wanted to feed him, barking at howling at his empty bowl, which I'd stupidly left in view.
Then meal time arrived. Halfway through, he galloped off and peed in the middle of the kitchen floor, no circling or sniffing to give me at least a fighting chance. He was stood next to the open back door too, just to taunt me. So I went to turn more lights on so I could spot the pool I had to clean. A bulb chose that moment to blow and fused all the lights in the house. So now I couldnt see the pool of wee or the dog. In a mild panic I called him into the garden where there was still some light, then quickly ran to the circuit breaker to turn the power. Lighting restored, I returned to kitchen to find that he had rushed back in, charged the lounge door open and was having a dump in front of the fire place!
He then casually finished his food and fell asleep on his bed like nothing had happened. Leaving me to deal with the aftermath. I swear this whole tale occurred in the space of about three minutes. I've just had to have a lie down! On reflection, numerous lessons learned by me, if not the hound, on this occasion.
Then meal time arrived. Halfway through, he galloped off and peed in the middle of the kitchen floor, no circling or sniffing to give me at least a fighting chance. He was stood next to the open back door too, just to taunt me. So I went to turn more lights on so I could spot the pool I had to clean. A bulb chose that moment to blow and fused all the lights in the house. So now I couldnt see the pool of wee or the dog. In a mild panic I called him into the garden where there was still some light, then quickly ran to the circuit breaker to turn the power. Lighting restored, I returned to kitchen to find that he had rushed back in, charged the lounge door open and was having a dump in front of the fire place!
He then casually finished his food and fell asleep on his bed like nothing had happened. Leaving me to deal with the aftermath. I swear this whole tale occurred in the space of about three minutes. I've just had to have a lie down! On reflection, numerous lessons learned by me, if not the hound, on this occasion.
You're expecting too much. He was already 12weeks when you took him on so you've lost 4 weeks of socialising/ training time and you've only had him a few days. Ignore the accidents and work on the positives. Lots of praise and rewards when it goes well.
As for the rules re furniture, bedrooms and when to feed, never followed that and we have a fantastic dog. He has boundaries but he is allowed on the soda if we ok it. He is fed at set times whether we have eaten or not.
What I'm trying to say is work on your dog listening to you not all the rules people tell you to follow.
He is also a hound, you have picked one of the most stubborn breeds for a first time dog
.
I agree with letting him off the lead early but work on recall in the garden first.
I assume you did some reading up on puppies before you got him. Also get him to a vets for a health check and see what advice sheets they have. Most vets have handouts written by nurses with behaviour knowledge.
He's a cute pup, nice colour.
My one tip. Enjoy your pup, don't get frustrated or get cross, just like with a baby.
As for the rules re furniture, bedrooms and when to feed, never followed that and we have a fantastic dog. He has boundaries but he is allowed on the soda if we ok it. He is fed at set times whether we have eaten or not.
What I'm trying to say is work on your dog listening to you not all the rules people tell you to follow.
He is also a hound, you have picked one of the most stubborn breeds for a first time dog
.I agree with letting him off the lead early but work on recall in the garden first.
I assume you did some reading up on puppies before you got him. Also get him to a vets for a health check and see what advice sheets they have. Most vets have handouts written by nurses with behaviour knowledge.
He's a cute pup, nice colour.
My one tip. Enjoy your pup, don't get frustrated or get cross, just like with a baby.
Edited by bexVN on Monday 4th March 20:19
Squeaker toys. I bought some Kong tennis balls with squeakers inside. I took my eye off my pup for 20 seconds or so and he managed to swallow the plastic squeaker. This resulted in an out of hours trip to the vet to vommit it back up. My insurance cover hadn't kicked in yet so it hurt the wallet. Take out any squeakers if you can.
Badabing said:
Squeaker toys. I bought some Kong tennis balls with squeakers inside. I took my eye off my pup for 20 seconds or so and he managed to swallow the plastic squeaker. This resulted in an out of hours trip to the vet to vommit it back up. My insurance cover hadn't kicked in yet so it hurt the wallet. Take out any squeakers if you can.
We have bought him those exact tennis balls!Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff