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The countdown begins...

4K views 52 replies 28 participants last post by  MarinaGirl 
#1 ·
So I am picking my pup up today and have a couple questions.
1. Since there is about 5+ inches of snow on the ground here, should I just focus on training to potty inside?
2. How long do I need to wait before introducing him to others or taking him in public? He has had his first round of shots so far. He is 9 weeks old.
3. Would someone PLEASE help me with a darn name!!!! It's driving me nuts....

;)
 
#7 ·
Congrats! I would try and keep inside as an option so when you get lots of snow or other bad weather, he feels it is ok to potty inside. I'd also try and clear out a spot in the snow so you can also start on outdoor potty training.

You can introduce him to people right away. The more the better. Older, younger, men, women, kids (watch the kids) etc. Some people don't think they should be around other dogs until they are fully immunized 13- 16 weeks depending on the vaccine protocol you are using. Some think you run the risk of depriving them of crucial interactions that will retard their ability to deal with other dogs later. Some people take a middle road.

I waited for puppy K until Colbie was 12 weeks and had her 2nd of 3 rounds of shots.

Enjoy your new pup. Don't forget pictures :)
 
#9 · (Edited)
I'm no help on names, because I think that's a really personal thing. But…

I would DEFINITELY start with indoor training with a small puppy at this time of year. IT will be SO much easier for BOTH of you!!! Your breeder will probably already have introduced the pups to some sort of indoor potty surface. (or at least they SHOULD have!!!) And, at least for the beginning, it's usually easier to start with the surface they are used to.

A lot of breeders use pee pads, either disposable or washable ones. Even if you start with these, I HIGHLY recommend that you move to something else before long. Many puppies start to play with and or destroy the disposable ones, and many of those who get used to the washable ones start seeing every scatter rug in the house as "another pee pad"! ;) If you want to continue with pee pads, the best solution seems to be some sort of grate/tray that snaps together and keeps the dog away from the actual pad. UgoDog is popular with a lot of forum members, or you can use the Rascal Dog this way too. Litter boxes with wood pellets are a good, biodegradable option too. (that's what Kodi uses, and the Rascal Dog can be used this way too)

Lots of people think the idea of artificial turf sounds neat… I tried it too. The problem is that vanishingly few people are happy with it after the first few weeks… they start to stink, and it's impossible to get the stink out. There is one person in the forum who is still using a grass mat, but hers seems to be made a little differently, with no backing. She says it doesn't hold the smell… I'd need to be convinced… I have a very sensitive nose! ;)

You can, and should, be exposing your puppy to as many people as possible from the day you get him home. Don't put him on the floor in public places until he's had his last puppy shot. (and this is ESPECIALLY true of the vet's office and pet stores!!!) Also avoid dog parks or other public places with a lot of dog traffic. It's fine to let him on the ground in the typical suburban backyard, as long as there aren't a lot of strange dogs wandering through.

You should also be exposing him to as many safe, friendly dogs that you know are properly inoculated as possible. The more you can arrange for this, the better. You should also get him signed up for a good puppy kindergarten ASAP. The sensitive period for socialization starts to close by 16 weeks. After that, socialization gets MUCH harder, and may never be as effective as those early weeks!!!

Some people, especially those who have small breed puppies tend to be over-cautious about socializing before 16 weeks. The good thing is that Havanese are an out-going, social breed, so many do fine even without early socialization… though you will also read about MANY dogs on this forum that are afraid of large dogs, or react badly to some group of people (like men in hats. ;)) so early socialization is not to be taken lightly, even with our breed.

The fact of the matter is that dogs who are socialized early, and are friendly and out-going with people and other dogs are MUCH less likely to end up in shelters than dogs who aren't. Is there ANY risk? Of course. Even with an adult dog, there is risk of illness or injury every time you take them out of the house. (and sometimes even in the house!!!) The risks of NOT socializing early are much higher.

Have a wonderful time, and we expect lots of PICTURES tonight!!! :D
 
#12 ·
I think Karen's right, names are a REALLY personal thing. Go with what you feel is right for you and your puppy, kicker0927 - other people's ideas can't really be all that helpful, I don't think. Well, I've never found that these sort of straw polls do much more than muddle everything for me so I don't ask, I just find myself sifting through possibilities until one seems to come to the top of the list. Or you get lucky and think of something just right, straight off. Something must have tipped you towards thinking 'Syd' or 'Rosco'; they are very different names....one or other will seem right, or not...just keep churning it around, I would....for what that's worth! Only my way, sorry if not helpful.
 
#15 ·
I’m so excited for you! Syd and Rosco are nice name but just like everyone has said – you’ll know the name once you see the puppy. I know for me, when we were going to pick up Roxxy (Our Vizsla), I had my mind made up she was going to be named Canela but yea, that wasn’t the case – when I pick her up I knew Canela didn’t fit her. Roxxy was one of my MANY back-up names and fit her the best.

Anyways, good luck with the name…. oh I still want to throw a name in the hat LOL….. “Jet”
 
#16 ·
just adding my 2 cents...Whimsy has been trained on the petsmart' top paw 'brand of pee pads along with the holding tray. The breeder started the pads and I just continued. ( the holding tray prevented her from playing with them) Now that she is older I keep it in the laundry room and that is where she pees and poops. Simple to clean up and we don't worry about weather or coyotes. :)
Everyone does something a little different for training....just do what works best for you and you baby! Looking forward to pictures and a name!!!!
 
#19 ·
At first, I thought the idea of an indoor potty system was gross. But, after a bunch of research and analyzing practicalities of our situation, I changed my mind. From the very beginning Brody has used an indoor system at home (because for my circumstances that is just plain easier) and going outside on leash at work. So pretty much 5 days out of 7 for most of his life he has used 2 systems. He doesn't seem confused about it at all. I find the indoor system is nice especially when we travel. I can set it up somewhere and right away he knows that is where he can go (and he's comfortable with it). I do find that in the morning he quite often hold his pee to go until we walk out to the car and then goes on the way there. On the other hand, sometimes when we travel to visit my mom and dad, who do have an enclosed yard, Brody will play outside and run inside to go to the bathroom - I think this is because he is used to being on leash when he goes outside.
 
#21 ·
OH, I think the name Syd is cute. Of course, 9 times out of 10 when people present two names they usually pick the opposite one to the one I like. ha ha

Socialize early, socialize plenty and socialize often!
 
#23 ·
I would tamp down a patch of snow or shovel a bare spot outside for him to explore as a future pee spot. If he piddles outside, throw a party and tell him "he's a brilliant puppy!"

We also had to go out and make trails for Jack when he was that tiny. The neighbors must have thought we were insane. The four of us stomping around the yard, single file being chased by a tiny black speck. :D
 
#25 ·
I would tamp down a patch of snow or shovel a bare spot outside for him to explore as a future pee spot. If he piddles outside, throw a party and tell him "he's a brilliant puppy!"

We also had to go out and make trails for Jack when he was that tiny. The neighbors must have thought we were insane. The four of us stomping around the yard, single file being chased by a tiny black speck. :D
We STILL snow blow paths for Kodi… He doesn't have a big dog to be "trail blazer" the way Jack does! ;)
 
#24 ·
#28 ·
I definitely think you should go with Lorraine's idea of "Shovel" for a name. That's the weirdest dog name I ever heard, and that's why I like it. :biggrin1: Seriously, though, of the ones you mentioned I like Roscoe a lot, but I'll bet once you've had him for a bit the name will become obvious.

Re: potty training, I could not live without having both an indoor and outdoor system. You won't have to train him to go outdoors, since most dogs will prefer to go outside anyway. I just use a potty pad on top of a tarp or other waterproof surface, without any frame or anything. For some reason he's never tried to play with them -- amazing, since he gets into everything else. I have a leftover 24" high expen set up in the corner of my bedroom, folded so it has only 3 sides and the 4th side open, into the smallest configuration. I then put the potty pad in there. By now I'm sure he would be fine without the little fence, but he's used to doing it that way and I do not believe in messing with things that work! He can hold it for a long time, also amazing since he was peeing all the time as a puppy. Now sometimes when I'm lazy on a Saturday morning, sometimes we don't go outside until 10:00 or so. He will either wait until then or go on the potty pad, and I love not having to worry about it.

You are going to have so much fun! Oh boy oh boy oh boy.
 
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