New Puppy ....

[Mary]

She is lovely Kelly, really nice markings

I'm sure she will be lovely company for Millie :wink:                    

[KellyP]

Hi Colin / Penny,

its interesting that you took your new babies out at the same time as your older dogs ( I bet that was fun Colin, Misty in one arm building up the muscles, and Jimmy on the other building up the muscles! I bet you looked like stretch Armstrong when you got home! ).

We don't want the pup to be 'un-socialised' and was considering taking her to places where there weren't necessarily other dogs prior to her first jab, and then continuing up to the point where she'd had her second jab - these places I mean are, my office at work, Pets at Home etc.

Could I take her to see my mum and her bitch (always vaccinated) prior to her jabs ? or would that have to wait?

We've (obviously) never had 2 dogs, so I'm interested in any advice you 'two-doggers' have on the best times to take her out etc .. we were luckily with Millie because she was actually 15 weeks when we got her, and able to potter around outside straight away, with minimal toilet training ... this new puppy will indeed be a culture shock for us! We have 3 weeks leave booked between us for her !

So, with regards to socialising her, and minimising the risk of 'infection' .. what should we do ? Millie is quite a little grot, running through muddy puddles, sticking her head in dirty places, rolling in fox poo - should we walk her but not let her off the lead to minimise this potential 'dirt/bug' impact?
Can we take out the new puppy for a 'carry' the moment we have her (provided of course she isn't put on the floor) Can she interact with other dogs who have had their jabs (this would only be my mum's dog) ?

Any advice greatly appreciated                    

[PennyB]

Yes carry your pup out as soon as you get her (let her settle in the house for a day 1st).

My other cocker is a dirt bag and so had no problems about letting her get in her usual grot and then coming home to the pup as well. I didn't bother washing her down either.

I carried Wilf everywhere in a puppy pouch thing I got from Petplanet that was so useful as it meant I was hands free and had no problem handling my other dog on the lead as well—basically dog goes in bag in front of you (I also put him in a harness and clipped him into it so he didn't wriggle out).  Its just as you'd take a baby with you—got a few odd looks but when people realised why I was doing it they all thought it was brilliant.

Take your pup to see your mums dogs as well and any other friend's dogs you know have been vaccinated.                    

[Beano and Charlies mum]

Kelly, she is absolutely gorgeous Bet you cant wait till you pick her up.                    

[padfoot]

Aw she's lovely! Congratulations.                      

[*Jay*]

Hi Kelly,

Congrats on the new addition  I got Vegas when he was 7 weeks and carried him everywhere for 5 weeks - I had arms like Madonna's at the end of it :shock:  I didn't restrict Brook's exercise at all. When Vegas was 8 weeks old he met up with a few dogs of people I know in my aunties back garden - these dogs were all fully vaccinated so posed no risk to him. I honestly feel that these experiences were invaluable and he is now so confident and takes everything in his stride.  Think I might have to get one of those puppy carriers Penny mentioned for no 4 though - ran out of arms now :?                      

[Elisa]

She is absolutely beautiful!  You lucky things!!

I think "Bliss" is a lovely name for a little girl.

Elisa & Bailey                    

[Shirley]

How did I miss this :?   She's gorgeous Kelly.  You are so lucky gettting a playmate for Millie (why is there no 'green-eyed monster' emoticon?)
Hopefully we'll find one for Morgan by the summertime.

Only a week to go now, you must be getting really excited     I was off work for 6 weeks when we got Morgan and he came everywhere with me up until the last couple of weeks when I started leaving him at home, to get him used to being left for short periods of time.  He was with me in the car, in friends houses, at the shops and we even took him to the local carnival - I think this was great for him as he got used to so many different experiences.  I actually had a jacket (cagoul) which had a big pocket at the front and Morgan could sit in there with his head sticking out when my arms got too tired.

You're going to have such fun - good luck for next weekend