Puppy advice

[daffidazey]

Hi again! We are now on day 3 with our beautiful puppy! We only had one accident last night so that's good, he is eating well and drinking well.
It has been a few years since i have had a puppy so am just after a bit of advice really...
Any accidents in the house are ignored and when he goes to the toilet outside he is praised and told 'good boy toilet!' Is there anything else i should do to encourage him?
He is being fed on Beta Puppy as that is what the lady who bred him was feeding him on, just wondered if people had any views on this food as I know some tend to be 'better' than others.
Any other tips or hints?
I just want to make sure I'm doing the right things for my puppy so any advice will be greatfully appreciated. Daffi x

[daffidazey]

No offence but I don't agree with cage training. I'm not shutting my dog in a small box.

[wolf63]

When I first heard of cage training a dog I was horrified at the thought. But it actually works and gives the dog a safe zone - a little cave of its own. I have never used it but have never heard any negative stories about the method.

Food - don't even consider changing anything at this stage. Unless you want runny doggy poo everywhere. I feed my cats Iams and my last dog ate it too. I believe that Beta puppy food is a good quality food.

It must be nice seeing his excited little face, puppies are so appealing and cuddly.

[cruella]

Daffi
I was just wondering today how you and the pup were getting on.
have you decided on a name yet!
So pleased to hear he has settled in so well.
I just know he will bring you years of enjoyment.
I have to say, I am not really in favour of cages either but everyone has their own way in training dogs.

[daffidazey]

Hi Cruella! He is sooo cute! If you have a look on the other thread there is a pic of him. Daffi x

[cruella]

daffi
Was that Murphy's pic that jon posted.
If so, he is just absolutely adorable.

[leelapops]

daffi, where where WHERE is this pic? I can't wait to see your new baby! I have been on tenterhooks for 3 days!

It sounds as if he is going to be a very happy boy, with such a loving home.

Like wolf, when I heard about cages ('crates'), I was appalled, but actually I now know that a lot of dogs think of them as a safe haven, and that for owners it can be practical, especially if you might be travelling with your dog, or visiting other people who may not like your dog to hve the run of their house (you can buy pop-up 'travel' crates).

I have no experience of the food you are using, but if he seems happy, you are probably wise to keep him on it. Has he plenty toys? I am sure you went puppy-shopping before he came, anyway, I know how excited you were! Your toilet training sounds great, from other advice I have seen on here. Our dog was 7 or 8 months when he came to us (although we were told he was 14 weeks!) and he wasn't toilet trained, so I had a lot to learn, and QUICK!

Have a wonderful week with Murphy, and for goodness' sake tell me where I can see his gorgeous face! x

[daffidazey]

It is his pic. He is a little rascal but he is sooo damn cute!

[daffidazey]

Hi leelapops! It is on the original thread I posted x

[daffidazey]

Sorry leela, I never replied to your post properly. He does have plenty of toys, he loves his 'donkey'! I'll keep his food as it is, he wolfs it down but i guess that comes from having to share it with his brothers and sisters. I am having so much fun with him, he is so playful! I have him booked in for his first lot of jabs on monday, can't wait to get it sorted so we can start taking him for walks and playtime in the park! Daffi x

[jules77]

No never found the need to cage train myself either. My own experience has been when the puppy has stooped to do a wee I pick them up and take them outside, even though they may already have finished, and they have soon got the message, usually within a week there have not been any more accidents. Take puppy out as soon as it wakes up, after food, and during play, and wait until it does something, rather than just sending it outside on its own. Dont know what it is with collies though, as I have never had one that has used paper, or done anything in the night.

I would keep the puppy on the Beta food, at least for the moment, and if and when you do change, you should do it gradually, but you probably already know that.

I prefer to give half dried food with half fresh meat and vegetables for palatability. If I try to give them the meat and veg or dried food on itsown they stand and look at the bowl as if to say something is missing.

There are lots of good complete foods on the market, I personally dont think Beta is one of them, but if the dog does well on it and it suits him, that is fine. I have fed Hills for as long as I can remember, my friend feeds Royal Canin, and I know people who feed Burns, Eukanuba, or James Well beloved, so it is personal choice. Avoid Bakers as dogs seem to go loopy on it (e numbers for dogs), and Pedigree can give some dogs an upset tummy.

I also give my puppies full fat goats milk, rice pudding (not ambrosia just the cheap stuff), boiled or scrambled eggs, and cottage cheese, as having four meals a day of the same food must get boring!!

I am sure you know everything I have stated above, but its good to share experiences.

[Jillius]

How can I get to see the pic of him ? You told someone to look on the other thread but where is it ??

[daffidazey]

Hi jules! Thanks for that, it's nice to have other peoples opinions and experiences and have my memory refreshed!

The pic of Murphy is here.

http://beta.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature /Question491839.html

I tried posting a pic that wouldn't work so the lovely Jon helped me out. Daffi x

[leelapops]

daffi I can safely say I am in LOVE!! Murphy is just the cutest ball of fluff ever! Is he all black? Look at his little nose. Oh no, I am broody!! x

[daffidazey]

Hi leela! He is very dark brown with a white bit on his chest and back toes. He is a bit lighter around his ears and eyes so don't know if his colouring will change a bit as he gets older. He is very playful and has started barking this morning! He frightened the life out of himself it was so funnny! Daffi x

[leelapops]

Oh my word, he is so special! I love him! He is such a cutie. I bet he jumped a mile when he heard his own voice!

I remember first getting Jack, and taking him home in a taxi. I had brought a bag to carry him home in, but it was far too small! So I wrapped him in a comfy blanket I had, to carry him home. He was such a nervous dog. I've since learnt that he wasn't the 14 weeks he was advertised to be, and so the change in environment must've been a shock to his system, but he seemed very happy to have us, and he is such a lovely boy.

He has come to work with me today, and is lying right next to my chair so I can't escape!

Murphy's colouring sounds lovely-he is such a handsome pup. Jack has a spotty face and spotty paws (a little like a Spaniel) and if we clip him short in Summer, he has spots towards his rear end and his shoulders. Oh I just love him!

Jack tells me to tell Murphy "Welcome to your forever home!"XX

[daffidazey]

Aww leela! Jack sounds as gorgeous as Murphy! Do you have any pics? What sort of dog is he? Murphy is asleep by my feet as I type! Give Jack a pat from me and tell him Murphy says "woof"! x

[Seafarer1966]

Please remember that it is a pet dog and not a child. Bad memories of a camping trip flooding back of a couple in the next tent who spoke to their Boxer like it was a child....all night.

[daffidazey]

Seafarer - yes, he is a dog, but he also a member of my family and will be spoken to in the same way! daffi x

[leelapops]

Damn right daffi! Seafarer, I don't think most people on here need reminding of that!

daffi, Jack is a Border Collie, a small one, he was the runt-he is black and white with those spots I told you about, and he is just a bundle of cute! I've been asked before if he's crossed with a Spaniel; I don't think he is, although he has a similar expression to a Welsh Springer I guess.

I am not very good at posting picture links (think I need jon's help!), but when I get home from work I will change my avatar so you can see him :) x