Picking Pup up Tomorrow - Few Questions

[cocdawg]

I'm picking my pup (10 week old GSP) up a few days earlier than I had planned b/c of work. Now I'm on the run trying to get everything ready. Will the pup be fine in the house in his crate during the day as long as I go by every hour or so and check on him and let him out to potty OR should I get the 10 X 20 kennel up tonight and leave him in it during the day? Also, can I start now feeding him dog food as opposed to puppy food? I'm wanting to feed Exceed Performance. I'm thinking about putting the wife in the kennel and let the pup sleep with me or maybe I'll be nice and let her stay inside in the crate

Thanks everyone for all your help on this board. This has been a process that I"ve studied for over a year now, so I hope things go well. I have convinced my two boys that we aren't getting a pup so they're going to be EXTREMELY excited tomorrow night. After reading over my post you would never know I've been planning this for over a year now!!

[mtlee]

My .02 cents...


1)The pup will be fine in a crate if you can stop by as often as you're saying.

2)I feed my pup the same type food the older dogs get and he's doing fine.

3)Make sure you put a bark collar on your wife before you leave her in the outside kennel overnight as you do not want her to disturb the neighbors

[kninebirddog]

Be sure to get what the puppy is eating and slowly mix in the new food you want to feed

and congrats ...don't forget the camera and take pictures

[EddieF]

I'm no expert, but I'd definitely get him used to the crate now so it won't be a stressful situation when he has to be in one later when you're traveling or whatever.

[gar-dog]

Crate, with lots of supervised play. Neve let him wander in the house even for a few minutes without direct supervision or he will learn to sneak in potties and never be house-trained. Go straight from the crate to the backyard whenever you take him out. And get ear plugs for the next few nights!!!

Good luck!!

[EddieF]

Crate, with lots of supervised play. Neve let him wander in the house even for a few minutes without direct supervision or he will learn to sneak in potties and never be house-trained. Go straight from the crate to the backyard whenever you take him out. And get ear plugs for the next few nights!!!

Good luck!!

Honestly, it seems like it will never end, the whining/crying/barking at night, but it DOES! Now I can hardly remember it, but there were times in the first weeks where I really doubted myself. "Am I really supposed to ignore that??" Now she's great overnight in the crate.

[romeo212000]

10x20 is huge. I have my dogs in 5x10 kennels which is fine provided they get out to excercise every day.

[Sharon]

Everyone has touched on everything - yes in the crate, yes to adult food but mix with previous food etc. etc.

All I can add is Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! ( I wish I was you.

PS Take paper towel in the car as pup may be car sick.

[RayGubernat]

I have taken a small radio, tuned to an all night station with the volume low, and put it in the room with every new pup I have bought. Talk or music doesn't seem to matter which, but the human voice sounds seem to settle the youngster down pretty quickly.

Also, moistening the dogfood with some warm water can make it much easier on the little guy's stomach.

RayG

[dug1976]

I heard to get a stuffed toy. Throw it in with all the littermates and let them get their scent on it. Then put it with the pup. Some say it makes them more confortable.

[56-26]

They gave us a blanket when we got the dog to keep ing the crate. I rember the first night. Santa brought the dog to us. Xmas started around 2 in the morning for us when the kids heard the dog downstairs. The next night we puy a blanket over his crate and has worked good for us.

[Sharon]

Is pup home yet? How did it go?

[cocdawg]

Thanks guys for all the replies. Sharon, no the pup isn't home yet. The breeder and I couldn't get together on a time so I'm going Friday morning to pick him up. This will actually work out better for me anyway. I've had time to get things lined up. Again, thanks everyone for the replies and I'll let you know how it goes.