romeo Posted February 11, 2016 Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 Hello! I'm new to this forum as i was just accepted to adopt a BC puppy! Everythings clear; the meeting of the dog, the application, the slightly stressful home visit, ect. He's not at my house just yet, but I hope to pick him up from the foster on the weekend! Meeting him in real life was wonderful, hes so charming and a big sweetheart. I held him and he fell asleep in my arms- it melted my heart! I was originally going to get a different BC pup from the same litter, but he was so shy, I thought he would better like a home that could be more patient with him. So we deicided on this lovely, sweet, and cuddly puppy! Reading around on this forum got me so hyped up about games, sports and fun adventures, as im home most of the day and he will need lots of playtime! Hes such a lovely and happy pup, i would never want to overwork him because hes so young (only 9 weeks!). I heard about all these exciting sports- agility, frisbee, flyball, all that sort of stuff! But he needs to be much, much, older and i would be devastated if something happened to him well he was still a tiny lil guy because of me! Sadly, I havent had much luck in finding much for him to do ahead of time, given im a first time puppy owner and all. Of course we'll do obidenace classes and trick training, but i havent found many other creative ideas. I wanted him to do treiball (is that how you spell it?) because it seemed like not much jumping or spinning, but i heard about dogs getting bloody noses from bumping the dog sports ball i found (I checked the reviews) Oh my gosh i would feel so terrible! Hes already my precious little baby even though i havent even picked him up yet..He just seems to have the ability to charm everyone he meets! I was also wondering about toys. Besides a treat dispensing ball and a little fetch toy, i havent found much else. I just want to make sure hes always occupied and happy, so i would love some suggestions. PS! I plan to name him Romeo because its almost valentines day! I would love to post a picture too when i pick him up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxMom Posted February 11, 2016 Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 I started nosework with Livi when she was about 5 months old, but you can start even younger. We do our classes online, and there's another intro class starting April 1: http://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/15 (Also, the sample week they share happens to be from that class: http://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/sample-course ) Otherwise we're doing obedience and tricks, which keep us pretty busy. You can also do a lot of foundational work for whatever activities you'll want to try with him later. You could work through something like this: http://sue-eh.ca/page24/page26/page10/ Toy-wise, Livi's favorites are her rope tug and her bully ring. She also loves anything stuffed and squeaky, but I have to watch her or she'll tear them apart pretty quickly. She was gentler when she was littler, though. Congrats on your little guy! Looking forward to seeing pictures of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waffles Posted February 11, 2016 Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 In the beginning you will be busy just teaching him about the world. Taking him places, teaching basic commands, loose leash walking, house breaking, crate training. There will be plenty to do! I would advise not falling into the trap of occupying the pup constantly. Teach him to settle in the house or occupy himself quietly (frozen kongs, chew toys). If you're always paying attention to him and catering to him 24/7 he will expect that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted February 11, 2016 Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 Yes to waffles' reply ^^^^. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that the puppy has to go-go-go. A pup/dog should learn how to be calm [and deal with being bored] for periods of time. And of course, don't forget that a young pup will need naps too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosikins Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Socialization is the most important thing you could ever teach your pup. Expose him to all sorts of things, places, people, and dogs! Hoping you'll post pics!! Good luck & enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chene Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Think about human babies. For the first year or so of their life no one is signing them up for dance lessons or entering them in races or whatnot. It's their time to grow and learn and that's a huge occupation in itself. Your puppy has never learned that he can do specific things to get treats from people. He's never run around in a big field chasing after a ball. He's never spent the night alone, never tried to shake food from kong, never watched a squirrel squirrelling through the yard. He doesn't know yet that sun is warmer than shade or rabbit poop tastes delicious or snow is HARD to run though. The world is a whole new place, he's never been here before! Every single day, every single experience is a discovery and an activity as exciting and stimulating as agility or herding or hiking. Let him take it all in before start on the extra-curriculars. And enjoy him while he's young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 ^^ Chene's right. But just remember that puppies grow up much faster than human babies do ant that a one year old dog is equivalent to a 15 year old human. So don't forget the socialization in the early period, most crucially up to 12 weeks of age, by which time a puppy should have met as many people and dogs as you can mange to expose him to in safe environments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chene Posted February 18, 2016 Report Share Posted February 18, 2016 ^^ Chene's right. But just remember that puppies grow up much faster than human babies do ant that a one year old dog is equivalent to a 15 year old human. Good point, I definitely didn't mean to imply to wait a year before doing anything with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.