Orca is Home!

[Puppypeoplenj]

We brought Orca home tonight! Other than some carsickness and some whining, he's done great! Orca is my first puppy, so I'm learning as I go along. Some thoughts and observations, in no particular order:

I am getting to know this puppy so quickly! He loves the broom and his food, but his favorites? Sticks (big, small, he doesn't care!), and cat food! He doesn't eat kibble, but he is absolutely obsessed with the cat's dry food!

If it runs, he will chase it. High prey drive with this little guy! Orca and Subby, our bunny, did not have a good introduction. It should have been predictable, I guess, since rabbits are quite literally prey animals.

He loves snow and water! He digs in his water bowl, rolls around and lies in the snow, and tracks water all through the house. I can't wait to get him to some real water.

I need to learn his potty signs, stat! I also need to be trained about how to train him. Sit means nothing to him. His recall is great though, and he always comes running. Puppy Kindergarten doesn't start for another ten days, though!

Don't worry, pictures to come. I'm happy beyond belief, and am just starting to realize just how much work he will be. During visits, he didn't do anything but sleep, but from the moment we got in the house, it's been go go go!

Thank you all for your support as I searched for him, and waited for him. It was certainly worth the wait to go through a respected, responsible breeder as opposed to nextdaypets.com or Craigslist, because our breeder has already been a great source of support. I'm excited to join Newfie get-togethers and meet locals (Stacy! Dawn!)

Don't worry, I'll post pictures tonight. Watch out, Jen, I'll be sure to include a belly shot just for you!

 

[Whybu1]

Careful with kitty food; it causes the runs bad.

At his age the potty signs are almost non existant. He basically runs around and then his brain says "time to potty" and he does. Pretty much just have to take him outside often. Especially right after nap or food. If you see him playing and suddenly stop; outside he goes.

Crycket loved to dig all the water out of her water dish as a puppy. Now she is better.

Enjoy him while he is little. They grow fast. Found Crycket's old rabies certificate. She went from 33 to 111 lbs in just one year!

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Zeke was my first puppy It was great, I loved every second...yes those playful spurts are killers sometimes when your tired but remember in your mind the best puppies are tired puppies.

As for the potty training, my suggestion is to get some hanging bells from the front door (if you can) set your alarm for every 2 to 3 hrs and before going out the door make sure to ring the bells, Zeke was potty trained in a week....very easy pup, that's why we then went for Miss Myra but she was a different ball of wax all together, took me over a month to potty train. We didn't crate, we did the baby gate, first in the master bathroom, then I bought the plastic runners to go all the way around my bed, so when it was time to move the baby gate to our bedroom door made things easier and with the nails on the plastic I would wake up when he was moving about....unless your crating?

Not to many steps, if can be helped and I also leashed when we went outside and started associating certain words, I didn't like hearing everyone saying pee-pee or poo-poo, so mine was find a spot. They are sponges at this point and very quick learners to start with commands, he will get it and you'll be amazed at how quick. Oh, and with sit, use a treat in your hand and hold it above his head...all I do now is put my hand above their heads and they know what I mean (most of the time...sometimes I need to use the word )

 

[Murphy]

How thoughtful of you to include a belly shot.. :shocker:

 

[chumleysma]

Oh dear, you must be so excited! Orca sounds like Chumley's doppleganger. They both love brooms, had bad prey drives with the bunny of the house, and loved the water bowl. I heard dogs often like the cat food because of its high protein content. If so, that would be bad for a Newf pup's bone growth. I'm just guessing though.
One piece of advice with potty training. My puppy ALWAYS had to potty as soon as he woke up from a nap.
I can't wait to meet you and Orca at the next get together. I have a bad memory, so can I learn your name now or just call you Orca's mom? Can't wait for those pictures and good luck in puppy class. They're a lot of fun.

 

[Angela]

Potty training. Before he eats, after he eats, as soon as he wakes up from a nap, just before bedtime and about 3 hourly at night.
Take him outside and tell him to go pee or whatever words you want to use. He won't understand the words for a while but it is useful for the rest of his life to GO PEE on command!
Don't play with him till after he pees etc and then have a big party to praise him!!
Taking him out on leash helps I found, that way he has to go where you decide his pee place will be.

Congratulations, post lots of pics and have a wonderful time with,your new baby.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Glad you finally got your pup! Get a crate for house training. Newf pups grow quickly in size but not their brains. :crazy: so lots of training and patience is needed in the beginning.

 

[Puppypeoplenj]

Hi!

About to post some pictures now. Yes, we're crate training. (Our crate doesn't have a divider, any advice?) We had one accident today, but honestly, it was totally my fault. We established his "spot" according to the breeder's advice, and he's been perfect ever since!

Stacy, I'm Courtnie. Nice to "meet" you!

 

[Angela]

I have never had a divider in a crate so think it will be OK for him.

 

[NinaA]

You need to set up a schedule for potty training. Don't expect much of anything for some time. How old is he? He'll need to go out every time he wakes up, eats, or gets active. He'll need to go out at first at least twice during the night. There are lots of ways to do it, and there is a wealth of knowledge here. But don't try to do everything at once. If you're doing puppy kindergarten they should give you lots of advice. Ask us lots of questions. Great puppies (and adult dogs) are not born, they are raised. So, be patient.

 

[shellyk]

Take him outside and tell him to go pee or whatever words you want to use. He won't understand the words for a while but it is useful for the rest of his life to GO PEE on command!
.

This is so useful later when you want to take him in the car. Potty on command is great!