Brand New Puppy (First time owner)

[eepuni]

I will be bring home a 2 month old puppy home in less than two weeks.  Don't get me wrong, I am ecstatic and will probably die of happiness once she is home, but like it says in the subject, I am a first time dog owner and I have some concerns.  I have written some of them in the reply to the "New Member" thread:

"The owner of the parents is not a breeder and has never dealt with puppies before (It was an accidental pregnancy >.< ), but I was wondering, when you are weening a puppy from it's mother, is there anything that the owner should be doing?  Or does the process just occur naturally?  When I went to see the puppies last week they were just about 2 months old and on solid foods (softened with a little bit of water), but they still seemed to want milk from the mother, is this normal?

Also, I currently reside in Chicago, does anyone know of any good (and preferably reasonably priced) vets in the area?  The pup hasn't had any of its shots yet and I need to get that done asap."

However I also had some other questions and concerns.

Are shorkies generally hard or easy to train the basics to (i.e. potty training, sit, come, stay, etc)  I read the other thread and it did not seem too hard, but then again, I'm sure it sounds easier than it really is.  About how long does it take to potty train/house train a shorkie puppy? 

Furthermore, everywhere I look I keep hearing about crate training.  Is this an effect method?  How long should the puppy be in the crate for, all day except for those occasional potty breaks? 

I don't want to be too over-indulgent and end up with a little princess (even though I have a feeling I will be  ), and I definitely don't want to make any mistakes with her health and overall wellbeing. 

Hehe, I guess it's pretty obvious that I'm a first time owner =P

I would really appreciate whatever advice I can get.  Thank you! 

p.s.
I'll be posting pictures as soon as I get her home.  We think her name is going to be Sadie, but that may change.   

[Ann]

I haven't tried crate training so I cannot advise you on this. As you probably read my instructions in the other post that is the way I have trained my dogs all my life. It is just perserverance. You will get days where you think your puppy will never learn it took Toby approximately 6 weeks but I got my puppy from a pet shop. This is not a good thing as it trains them poop where they eat I did not know this at the time as I have always got my dogs from breeders before. The fact that your puppy has come straight it's mum you may find you will have little trouble training as the mum teaches her puppies. How it will take I can't promise but if you start straight away and be persistant I beleive you will find you will train her in no time at all. There is ine thing I have found with these dogs is that they are very easy to train. It is just us humans who have the problem. Just remember Waht ever you want your dog to get use to you must start straight away. For example if you don't want him to sleep in you bed or bed room don't put him in there now as he will think he is being punished when he as got older and you no longer want him in there.

As far as the vets go if you find a good vet ask them what to feed him and I don't know if they have puppy pre schjool over there but if they do I do advise you to go.

Looking forward to seeing the photo's

 

[mmcgui]

How exciting! I got my Mattie a few months ago, and had nightmares on how she would be with training.  I crate trained her, and she still cries when I leave for the day, but I think she is starting to enjoy her crate.  When I leave for the day, I try to give her small bits of a treat spread around her crate so she can be occupied while I'm gone.  I also got her a Kong toy, which she didn't like at first, but now she loves (it's mini!), a nyla-bone, and little stuffed bear (which she carries with her everywhere!).  Those things seem to keep her occupied during the day.

At night, I put her in her crate next to my bed.  The first two nights, she cried a little (barely at all!), and I would talk quietly to her or sing...which helped her a lot!  Since then, she goes right to sleep.  I also cover her crate now with a light blanket...only at night.

Training her to go to the door when she had to potty was nonexisistent.  She kind of learned on her own.  I carried her outside for a little while, and after that she knew.  She still has accidents every now and then when another dog comes to visit...or when she's excited!  (But it's just a little squirt...I swear she's the easiest animal to clean up after). 

She's almost 4 mos old, and she already knows how to sit, stay, and lay down.  She also is good on a leash, but we are still working on that ("Cesar", the Dog Whisperer, says to get a standard leash (not a retractable one) for more control).  SHe has been very easy to train! 

I'm sure yours will too, and you will love her so much!!  Definitely make her a little spoiled princess!!! 

PS: I got a lot of my information from dogbreedinfo.com.  They have a lot of free information on there about breeds, and training, and other fun stuff!

[Mai Tai]

Hi, Congrats on picking up your new puppy.  I too, will be picking up my new Shorkie in October when he is 12 weeks old.  If you feel the pup you are getting is not ready to leave the mom yet, ask your friend if she can keep him/her another week or two.  It is really best if Pups leave mom at 12 weeks, not the usual 8 to 10 that pet stores and some breeders send them home at.  At 8 weeks, they are not socialized enough yet to leave mom and siblings.  It is the siblings that help socialize a dog not to bite, etc.  My pup was an "accident" too, but to me, he will be a blessing.  Best of luck.