New puppy question

[Sheehan]

Hello everyone
I read some where that you could send toys to your breeder ahead of time so that when your pup came to your home that it would have something with the smell of it's old home, and this would help with the adjustment. Does anyone know anything about this and does it work? We are going to get our pup in two weeks, I have cleared the calander so I will with him the first week, I read that it helped with the adjustment period. We plan to crate train, but we are keeping the crate in our bedroom to give him a break for the kids. Am I on the right track or have I totally lost it? When our other dogs came to our home we just added them into the normal routine, but they where older than this pup will be. If anyone has any better suggestions they would be appreaciated. Thanks Sheehan

 

[Nasus]

How old will the pup be when u bring him/her home ?
U want your pup to adjust to your family and smells.. it's his new pack. Having old smells is IMO confusing for a pup. I can't give u anything on the create without knowing the pups age. Potty training for a newf pup is around every two hours at most for a 10 week old pup and after each meal. Remember that newfs want to be where the family is so having him isolated in a bedroom might not be the best thing. maybe a room near the heart of the house.. like the kitchen. U have to teach the kids that this is a baby and needs sleep, and quiet time.. make a game of it if your kids are young enough.
Giving us an age for the pup will help in any future questions. Congrats on the new pup.

[ 05-18-2006, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: Nasus ]

 

[TerriW]

Great answers, Nasus - I can't add anything!

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Our breeder gave us a small towel to take home with the pup. This may have helped smooth the transition during the first couple of days. Then the pup was getting used to us and the smells in our house, so I just chucked the towel.

The pup will be fine in his crate, right in the middle of where the kids are playing. In fact, he may really prefer to be where he can see the action. I'd let him be right out with the kids (with CONSTANT supervision by you) and reserve the crate as his safe place, when he starts to get tired, or needs a break from the kids. That way, he can be part of the pack and learn to play well with them, but have a place to go when he needs a rest, but can still see what's going on.

We raised four children, and I know what you're thinking about, with wanting a "haven" for the pup.

He will be fine being in the same room, as long as he has the crate to retreat to.

 

[Jeannie]

Anytime I got a pup (I have had 3 pups)) the breeder always sent something home with familiar smells on it. It does not hinder the pup's adjustment time at all. I'd highly recommend something with familiar smells.

I bet you will find the pup will not want to be isolated in the bedroom. They are people dogs and need to be with people. Anytime the children are interacting with the pup you should supervise. Not only for the safety of the kids but the safety of the dog.

Good luck with you pup and pictures are manditory!!

 

[Ivoryudx]

I crate my pups in the bedroom at night, with me, but I also have another crate in the living room. For the first couple of weeks, when the pup still fits into a small crate, I will move it with me to whatever room I am in when the pup needs to be crated. I don't expect a puppy to accept being crated in another room, away from all the activity, unless they are really tired and are ready for a nap. In that case, they'll sleep no matter what is going on around them. haha

Otherwise, I keep the pup always in my view, or tether them to me, as I never want them to wonder off and get in trouble. Puppy is always dragging a three foot leash, as I want to be able to get a hold of them, at all times.

 

[Windancer]

How wonderful ! A new puppy.! If you have never owned a newf before you are in for a treat. I have tried to discribe newfs to a host of people, and tell them they just have to experience it. They later tell me they know what I meant. This is a breed like non other...enjoy ! Julie

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Our house is small, with an open floor plan, so I cordoned off part of the kitchen area with a puppy pen, with the entry open. That way, the pup was in the center of everything, but had the confines of her pen when she was tired or wanted a break from the older dog. Worked just like a crate for her and we were all happy.

 

[Angela]

The breeders have always sent a soft toy home with the pups.
I have numerous wire crates that I set up in the bedroom, the laundry room and the living room/kitchen area, so when I didn't have my mind 100% on the pup it could be there, seeing what's going on, but safe from chewing furniture, being a pest to the other dogs.
All my pups have slept in crates till about 8 months at night, then just in the bedroom on the floor.
They don't like to be away from the "action", being people dogs!!

 

[Sheehan]

Thanks everyone
he will be 8 weeks old when we pick him up. She said I could get him at six weeks but I felt that was a little too early. I guess I never thought about him wanting to be in the action. After looking around I see two or three areas for a crate. We have a basic open floor plan so he will be able to see all the action and with four girls there is always alot going on. And I'll post pictures after I read about how to do it, right now I'm a little unsure. Thanks again Sheehan

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Eight weeks is still a bit young, for a newf to leave mom. I'm sure others will chime in here. Would the breeder consider keeping the pup another week or so?

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Newf pups should stay with the mother until 10 wks at least. Usually at that age they get heart checked also. I sent home a towel with mom's scent on it when my pups went to their new homes.

 

[migrandl]

Also, by 10 weeks, they're pretty much over that 'fear-stage' - where they are afraid of anything and everything that moves/casts a shadow, etc. When Trouble had her litter, we wouldn't let the littles go until they were that age.

 

[Jeannie]

Eight weeks is very young. Ten weeks is the norm for newfs to go to their new homes. At 10 weeks is when the hearts are cleared for SAS or other murmurs. Your breeder is doing heart checks--right?

I got one of my puppies at 8 weeks and I can say I won't do it again. The puppy seemed slow to mature mentally and physically. Those last two weeks really make a difference in the maturity of the pups.

 

[Windancer]

I don't have a problem with 8 weeks to an experienced owner, but "6" is WAY too young ! I hope these puppies are vet checked. and Shots?
They need time to be in the system to immunize.
Julie

 

[Angela]

Originally posted by Sheehan:
. She said I could get him at six weeks but I felt that was a little too early. Thanks again Sheehan [/QUOT

I don't want to start trouble or a war here, but I'd be a bit cautious that a breeder would be happy to let a pup go at 6 weeks.
They need to be with their mother longer than that.
Back in the olden days I know that Newf pups did go to their new homes much earlier, but now that there is more knowledge out there about behaviour, and very importantly, heart problems becoming more prevalent in Newfs, the norm is not to bring them home before about 10 weeks.
As others have said, they need heart checks which are usually done around 10 weeks.

 

[ardeagold]

When we got our first Newf (at 10 weeks), I was surprised to learn about the 10 week standard with Newfs. Goldens and Labs (and many other breeds) usually leave their mother at 8 weeks. The mother has weaned them, they're on solid food, and mom pretty much ignores them, or tries to get away. They were ready, she was ready.

With Newfs, however, it's different. They mature differently and the time when everyone is "ready" is later.

All of the reputable breeders we've been in contact with keep the pups until 10 weeks. Their parents are OFA cleared, and the pups have been given their first shots, are heart-checked, wormed (quite a few times), and are fully ready to go.

To me, six weeks is too young for any breed...they need their mother to teach them what's acceptable and what's not.

I'm glad you've told the breeder that 6 weeks is too young. Have you discussed her reasons for letting them go so early?

 

[luvxl k 9]

Lots of good advice. With Apache, we visited him when he was 5 weeks old and left a baby blankie with Julie to keep with his sibs to get the smell on it until we picked him up. We kept it in his kennel and it really did seem to help. We also kept him in the same room with us at all times. With Beau we didn't know for sure we were getting him until it was almost time to pick him up, but Julie sent home a piece of fabric with all the smells of the litter on it. He didn't need it though as he glommed on to Apache and they've been best buddies ever since. Little brat wouldn't even ride home on my lap like Apache did, he wanted in the back seat with him the whole trip!

 

[NinaA]

I think I've experienced it all. Our first Newf was weaned by the mother at 6 weeks, we brought her home, and she did fine. Our second Newf (a rehome pup of 4 months) came from the breeder with her own stuffie (if I say Bear/Man you will probably know what I mean) and she did fine. Our third Newf (12 weeks) flew in on her own, was terrified, but immediately took over the household and has been an alpha bitch ever since (until she met the ducks the other day - see previous post). I think the main thing is to keep them near the family, and ask lots of questions here. Welcome.

Nina
et al

[ 05-19-2006, 10:18 AM: Message edited by: NinaA ]

 

[TerriW]

Originally posted by Sheehan:
After looking around I see two or three areas for a crate. We have a basic open floor plan so he will be able to see all the action...

Just IMHO, I would drape the back part of the crate with a big towel to provide a cave-like area he can curl up in if the activity becomes too stimulating! That is, if it's an open wired crate.

Can't wait for pics....