New Puppy Questions (sorry long!)

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi! I have been lurking on this board for a while and finally got my new puppy today! He is a 6 1/2 week old cairn terrier. We are thinking of naming him Frodo. I have been reading everything I can on dogs and training but still have some questions you more experienced people out there! :)

1. He seems to pee A LOT! Not a lot at a time but he peed about 4 times in an hour. I managed to catch 3 and bring him right outside where he finished. It isn't little bits so I don't think it is submissive....could he just be nervous?

2. How can I make him like his crate? He whines and barks....will he get better soon? Is it just because he misses his brothers and sisters?

3. Finally (whew!) what are some good toys for him? I got him a Kong, a plush squeeky toy, a Nylabone and a peanut butter flavored cornstarch bone. So far, he likes crumpled up paper the best (just like a kid, buy him toys and he plays with the box!).

He is so cute! Very assertive but not agressive at all. He was not the "top dog" of his litter but right in the middle.

Thanks in advance,
Jessica

[Rowie-the-Pooh]

First, CONGRATS on your new puppy! You are a very lucky person to have him, and he is a very lucky puppy to have you!

:smilecolros:

OK, im NOT very good at puppy things, becuase both my dogs were 6 months old when I got them, so they had settled down, and had been partially trained. BUT, I DO know the answer to your first Q....

OK, I think little Frodo(if you call him that! :wink: ) is peeing so much because he is nervouse. He is in a new home, new place, new people, new smells, new sights....You know! :wink: So, he might pee alot the first few days. I remmember my cousin's Pomaranian mix peed for the first 3 days at his new home! So, it's normal. :)

I think that he will get used to the crate in time. Maybe if you incourage him. After he comes out, give him a treat or something like that. Keep his toys in the crate, so he will know that the crate is his little"den". I read in a book once that if a puppy is introduced to a crate at a young age, they will adopt it as thier home, and get used to it. :D

Anyway, you should hear from the other members too, i'm really not sure. But the others here have a TONof information about all kinds of things. I'm sure they will know the answer to your questions. :wink:

P.S. Why don't you become a member here? We will be glad to have you AND your little Cairn :D You'll have a lot of fun, and you'll find this forum informative, and really enjoyable. Hope you say yes! :D

Rowie-the-Pooh :angel:

[Guest roo]

[quote name='newcairnmom']Hi! I have been lurking on this board for a while and finally got my new puppy today! He is a 6 1/2 week old cairn terrier. We are thinking of naming him Frodo. I have been reading everything I can on dogs and training but still have some questions you more experienced people out there! :)

1. He seems to pee A LOT! Not a lot at a time but he peed about 4 times in an hour. I managed to catch 3 and bring him right outside where he finished. It isn't little bits so I don't think it is submissive....could he just be nervous?

2. How can I make him like his crate? He whines and barks....will he get better soon? Is it just because he misses his brothers and sisters?

3. Finally (whew!) what are some good toys for him? I got him a Kong, a plush squeeky toy, a Nylabone and a peanut butter flavored cornstarch bone. So far, he likes crumpled up paper the best (just like a kid, buy him toys and he plays with the box!).

He is so cute! Very assertive but not agressive at all. He was not the "top dog" of his litter but right in the middle.

Thanks in advance,
Jessica

Welcome and congratulations.
I will try to answer some of your questions for you so here goes.
Puppies pee and pooh A LOT.
you have only had him for a day and he will settle in and so will you :lol:
By watching him you will get to know when he is going to do something, it is best to put him outside evertime time he wakes, eats and frequently thru other times. he is only 6 and a half weeks old he is still very young,
(i dont let any of mine go before 8 weeks)

How can you make him like his crate?
As he has probably never been crated before and has also never been alone before, he is in a totally new world, new smells new noises new faces, i have always put asnuggly toy in with the pup, l know some people put in a clock under the blanket, i have never done that.
I would try to keep pup out and about untill tired then when either asleep or looking about to. calmly pick him up pop in in his crate, say night night
and i would also cover the crate a bit he will think its night time and snuggle down with his teddy. He will get used to his cage, it will become his bed, a safe place, somewhere to hide treasure(socks, toys,food)
Toys.
being only 6 and a half weeks you will more than likely find he will grow into the toys :lol: Mine used to love an old sock knotted in the middle, and the frenchies when babies used to love playing with dummys(but you do have to keep an eye for safetys sake with dummys)
another good toy for a tiny pup is an empty loo roll cardboard.

Hope this helps a bit
Roo

[eggrolyn1223]

I just had a LONG playtime/walk thing with Duck, but in the yard she was always running around me in circles, and then she'd jump and bite me! :( And then she'd crawl between my legs and lie down...should I praise her when she queits down and just ignore her when she's biting me???(It really hurts, and she almost ripped my shirt)Or should I hold her muzzle like rowie-the-pooh told me?Saying No doesn't do any good for her.

[eggrolyn1223]

WHOOPS!!I thought this was under the problems... post. Sorry.I'll just copy it over there

[cairnmom]

Thanks for the tips Roo and Rowie!

He is already getting better about peeing outside. He had accidents in the house yesterday but has gone poo and pee outside several times now. I bring him out whenever he is done eating or playing or sleeping. Or when he is starting to sniff around a lot and "looking ready".

I will try to wear him out before putting him in the crate. We have a big day today! Going to the pet store to find a collar that fits. I bought a harness thinking he would be too small for a collar but he isn't as tiny as I though. He weighs 3 pounds already!

I thought he was sort of on the young side too but the vet gave the go ahead.... Right now he is playing in his dog bed. I think he likes that the best. I am going to get him so chew sticks since the breeder said he likes those. He is loving fall with leaves all over the ground! He is jumping on them, "killing" them and then carries them around in his mouth. It is so funny!

PS- I did set up an account now!
Jessica

[cairnmom]

Thanks for the welcome!
I think I might work on a little web page for him today. Have to get some cleaning done though. He is napping right now. Hope he sleeps for a little while!
Jessica

[Carolk9s]

Hi Jessica! Welcome to you and Frodo! Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures and seeing more pics of the pup.
I have a special fondness for cairns, all because of one named Charlie. Many many years ago, perhaps 9? I was at a dog show with Jesse. It was an obedience trial, while waiting our turn we were just sprawling on the grass. Along came a lady walking a cocky little cairn boy. She stopped so the boys could sniff noses. Well they took a shine to each other, started playing. Charlie was a bit older than Jesse and intact but the boys got along just fine. Jesse of course towered over Charlie, so I convinced him to lie down. He stayed down, he and Charlie did some playful face fighting, then Charlie proceeded to climb all over Jesse, literally walking on his side and shoulder. Jesse thought it was a hoot. The lady who owned Charlie took some photos and promised to send me some but alas I never did get any.
But back to Jessica and Frodo! Bet you're enjoying that pup immensely!

[bk_blue]

Welcome Jessica/Cairnmom :D

I can't help with any of the probs, I've never had a really young puppy myself (just a psycho blue heller- oops I mean heeler :roll: )... but just wanted to say hi and hope you enjoy Dogo.

Michele, a thought: I don't think dogs like pooing where they wee? Maybe that has something to do with it?

[cairnmom]

He is finally settling down quicker! He is sleeping in the kitchen in his dog bed. He likes that better than his kennel...Per my husband, no sleeping in our bed! So, he will have to sleep in his bed next to us.

We went to Petco and I got him an H harness. So, it fits but he sure doesn't like it. And bought a nice 6' training leash. Expensive but heard they last forever. He is still too small for the smallest collar.

I am surprised, CarolK9s that her cairn was so laid back. I was told male cairns can be dog agressive if they are intact. They are cute and small yet "tough" so he is the perfect breed for us. He is getting fixed when he is old enough just because I don't want him to breed ever!

Michelle - My mom has two Yorkies that are piddle pad trained. They pee on one and poop on the other. Maybe if you put some of his poo on a seperate one, he will start going there? I notice my puppy already poos on one side of the patio and pees on the other so it must be a dog thing!

HTH

[Guest Anonymous]

Welcome and Congrats on the new baby!

Until Jac got use to his crate(3 days) I slept on the floor with a finger or two inside the edge(of course he also had a toy or two)! (I know I am crazy!) but it worked! He "kennels up" now! The poo and pee thing is like Roo said...Alot especially that young...takes time and a schedule and lots of work on your part!
Good Luck! :wink:

[cairnmom]

Michele,
I am sure he will get it eventually. Time, time, and more time!! I am so glad we have hardwood floors. Wiping pee up is easy! And he has only poo'd outside (so far anyway! :lol: )

[Guest Anonymous]

Aww. I'd love to see pics of him. First, I do want to say (I don't want this to be taken negatively by you, as it's directed toward the person who bred this litter), this pup was taken away from his mom and littermates way too soon, so you will need to do a lot of socialization with him, and I can't imagine a vet saying 6 1/2 wks was okay.

Peeing - have you had him to your vet yet. Sometimes a urinary tract infection could be present, but not always the case but best to have him take a specimen. Puppies do pee a lot, and when my dogs were pups, and I was home, I would take them out every 1/2 hr. (yes, it can be a pain, but they don't train themselves) and give a lot of praise for each deposit he makes outside. Also, with a very young pup, you can tether him to your waist with a six foot lead, so that you can catch him getting ready to squat and also know where he is at all times so that he's not getting into something.

Crate - years ago, I would never have crated a dog, until one of mine ate all the cushions of my upholstered kitchen chairs while we were out and he was penned in the kitchen. I got a crate and have crated every dog I've had since them. It is not cruel, it is truly for their safety. I would suggest that you take the crate into your bedroom at night alongside your bed. If he starts to whine, you can put your fingers through the crate for reassurance. It can also let you be aware that he may need to go outside. All of my dogs grew to love their crates, and after they matured and the crates were not really needed, I left them up w/doors open and they would go in their and lie down, as it was their safe haven. I have a 7 yr. old and a 4 yr. old and they both still love their crates. We never close the doors to them, now. I wish you the very best of luck with your new pup.

[cairnmom]

Yes, I think it was too soon too....I wanted to wait until 8 weeks but the breeder was kind of anxious to get this litter out. They are bigger than her other litter that is 8 weeks old. Must have a better mommy.

I am not working right now so he is getting a lot of socialization! He sleeps a lot but I try to wear him out too. We gave up on the crate for now and just have him gated in the kitchen. I think he just hates the plastic (airline crate) and would rather sleep in his warm doggie bed....

Thanks for the tips!!

Oh- and we are going to the vet in the morning! I'll ask about the urinary tract infection....

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi,
I was just reading the posts (carinmom caught my eye). We just picked our carin puppy up this Tues. She is 8 weeks. I had to laugh about the leaf thing that is exactly what Sadie does. When she is carrying them she holds her head high like she's doing something great. I am new to this breed, I grew up with peke's (instead of trying to spell it). And had a Keeshound as a teenager. This little girl seems awful aggressive, she rarely gives kisses, just the painful puppy nips. But so far she has been too much fun. I don't seem to get anything done anymore. Sorry I ran on so long, just a proud new mom, I guess. Oh by the way, I kind of snuck her in on my husband, NO DOGS, was his famous words, but guess who puts the puppy in bed with us everynight.
Roxanne
Sadie's mom

[cairnmom]

He does love to give puppy kisses with his little puppy breath right on you! Funny that yours loves those leaves too. Frodo was attacking the rain drops this morning too. He couldn't figure out what they were :D

He did go right to bed in his crate this evening. He is out now but in his dog bed. I had him eat in there twice today so maybe he is finding out it isn't such a bad place after all! And maybe he enjoyed the break from the kids...they really wear him out! (step kids here this weekend).
Jessica

[Guest Anonymous]

Just thought I'd give my two cents.......I had trouble with getting my puppy used to her crate at first too, and although I've heard very contradictory things about it I started feeding her in her crate. I just put her in there and let her stay with her food and eat or not eat for about 20-30 minutes (and then take the food bowl out till next mealtime) and then take her outside to take care of business. I know 'they' say this can cause food agression but I have occasionally taken her food away for a few seconds (while praising her ) or petted her while she was eating and have never had any problem. Also, definitley have a warm blanket and a special toy or two that he can only have in his crate, it'll help give him something to look forward to.........Good luck with him.

[Shannon_C]

Hi Jessica.

Congratulations with your new bundle of joy!

I always place an old blanket at one end of the crate and food, water the other, without the crate being to big for any accidents that might occure...then i throw a treat in like a biscuit for the puppy to fetch, doing this often...also a stuffed kong, which i think is a great idea as it encourages the pup to keep its mind on nothing else but his food.
Patience is needed though, especially as your puppy sees his cage as some kind of threat, but in time he will learn, next stay with him but leave the cage door open so that he doesn't feel isolated again.....but do your own thing so that he doesnt think your watching him otherwise it could turn to attention seeking, then while he is occupied with his chew or kong....quietly close the door for a few minutes then open it...do this often in the room and out the room, gradually leaving him longer so that he sees his crate as his own, more like a den.....in between taking him outside to toilet, also after his sleep, food/water and playing so that he doesnt have any accidents in his den, while he is still very young...dont leave his water in there with him at night as puppies carnt hold themselves like the adults can, then as he gets older he will be able too
A radio left on will be very calming for him

Good Luck!

[cairnmom]

Thanks for all the tips! I did start feeding him in the crate (at least once a day) and he goes in without whining now. And, I wait until he is completely exhausted so he goes right to sleep. I bought him a stuffed dog and he sleeps with it and doesn't have it any other time. I think he likes having something to curl up with because he likes curling up in his dog bed too. I give him run of the kitchen with his kennel and water and toys when we are gone for more than a couple of hours. He might have accidents but I know he is still too young for complete bladder control!

Marble - I take his food dish away sometimes. He doesn't care at all. Just looks at me. :) Maybe certain dogs would be aggressive about it though. My father in laws GSD is. I also hand feed him sometimes. He seems to eat more then since his attention span is not very long!