Crates and leads and stuff.

[Mel]

I've got a few questions about puppy stuff and wondered if anyone can help.

First of all, what sort of size crate should I get for a pupster? The reason I ask is because being mum's full time carer I do have to go out sometimes and do things like shopping and other bits and bobs. I know ideally I shouldn't leave pupster too long but I am also worried about pupster with electrical wires and stuff. Mum has quite a lot of electrical equipment, plus TV/DVD/PC/Hi-Fi, etc.

I am quite happy getting a crate which will, even at a year, give pupster room to sleep, have a play, possibly toilet if required and eat and drink. I know training to toilet in a crate is not the answer and I shall not be doing so, but I don't want the pupster to get caught short and get a complex if he needs to go. I just want pupster to realise there are a few places he is allowed to go and he will not get in trouble for it. Obviously I will train to a mat in the kitchen and take him out - I'm in a flat. I was successful quite quickly with Keli but I've never used a crate before, so advice on a good size would be very much appreciated.

I ideally want to train pupster to wear a harness and be walked on such. How soon is too soon to train to harness?

Forgive me for sounding completely dumb but how soon after the second injection can puppy mix with other dogs safely?

Many thanks.

[Anita D]

I read Ian Dunbar's Before and After Getting Your Puppy.  I found that invaluable, I'd have been lost without it.  Should give you answers to most of your questions. 

[rwasinski]

We started off with a small crate: 53 x 46 x 61cm and then have progressed to Medium: 61 x 53 x 76cm; as they have grown, which we will stick to from now on.
We bought four puppy pen panels from Croft

http://www.croftonline.co.uk/scp/Showman_puppy_pens/Single_puppy_pen_panels.html

with special additional hinges to create a pen area for the pups when young to have room to play outside their crate while we are out of the house to make sure they are safe from harm. We put paper and water/food in the pen area so toileting is confined to this area whilst we are out.
We shut them in their crates overnight between 10pm and 6.30am.

We used harnesses from the start on walks (11 weeks + ) but mainly because Llewelyn wouldn't walk on a collar and lead to start with. He now (5 months) walks fine without a harness. It is easier to start off with a harness for this reason.

Ours were vaccinated at 8 and 10 weeks, so were able to roam around at 11 weeks. One week after second injection should be OK but some like to leave a little longer.

Your breeder should be able to advise you on all this too 

[Penelope]

Hi there
Best of luck with your pup - take loads of photos cos they grow so quickly, you will turn round and find your pup is all grown up.
I have used crates with all of mine, but have a variety of sizes (have got 5 dogs!) so can't advise on specifics....
We have always used collars and leads with our gang as I personally found that a harness seemed to encourage them to pull but that's just my opinion.
Also, loved the book The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey - totally recommend it and still refer to it now even though my youngest "baby" will be 2 in May.

[Mel]

Thanks for your replies.

I'm sorta thinking going for a medium crate he can grow into would be more cost effective for me, so may well go for that. Thanks for the link rwasinski.

I couldn't remember the jab times as Keli was done by his breeder for both jabs and I wasn't party to any of it. However, I remember when he came home at about 13-14 weeks he had to still stay in for a week before going outside.

The reason I want to train to harness is that with Keli I initially used a halti which he hated after a while. Because he was frightened by some dipstick Big Issue seller and his dog, (the bloke was drunk and shouted "Kill" to his GSD who came lumbering over and scared both Keli and I), he barked at other dogs all his life. He went to Roger Mugford's and the Aboistop didn't stop it, I tried all the right passive training and that didn't stop it and I need to confess the OH and I took our dogs to a local recommended dog trainer who suggested both dogs needed pinch collars. Against our better judgement we tried these as Keli barked and Berti is just multi hyper.

I now know and feel terribly guilty for the fact Keli's larynx issue was partly down to the few weeks I used the pinch collar because we were not shown the correct way to use it. As a matter of interest both dogs suffered reverse sneezing in old age - Berti still does. I have since been advised with especially pully dogs, it's a good idea to try with a harness in case of larynx damage. For my own peace of mind I will give harnesses a try. Keli never broke leads but broke collars as a pup. Niki broke both leads and collars and both dogs were exceptionally strong pullers.

I've got Gwen Bailey's book, thanks for that. And gosh, don't I remember how quickly puppyhood passes hence I hoping to pick this new one up at around 10 weeks.

Thank you for your replies - I'm still in somewhat a state of shock and rather stunned by the events of the last few months. But I learnt a huge amount from Keli and his greatest legacy is to put into practice the things I learnt from him or change what I did wrong for him.

[sarahbe]

Good luck Mel- have you found a pup yet- do you know when you are getting another ?

[Mel]

Watch this space!

[sarahbe]

Everyone will be so happy for you!

[AnnieA]

Hi Mel 

I've been meaning to respond to this for a few days, but it's half term. 

We have a 36" crate in the kitchen for Ted - big enough for a bed, water bowl and a puppy pad if need be.  He looked ridiculously tiny in it to start with, but he is growing so fast!    We also have a 24" one upstairs where he just goes while we're in bed (didn't like sleeping downstairs  ).  He'll soon out grow the small one - but he seems to find it lovely and cosy at the moment. 

When we attempt the complete fiasco known as 'lead training', he has always been on a harness.  He has a Dog Games fleece harness size 1:

http://www.dog-games.co.uk/shop/harnesses-fleece-lined/fleece-lined-dog-harness-size-1.html

If you look closely you may see a rather handsome orange roan model on that page. 

I'm really happy for you Mel, I know you still have a lot of grieving to do for Keli, but I think you're doing the right thing, and look forward to hearing all about your new wee bundle! 

[PennyB]

I couldn't remember the jab times as Keli was done by his breeder for both jabs and I wasn't party to any of it. However, I remember when he came home at about 13-14 weeks he had to still stay in for a week before going outside.

Make sure you carry them out and about after you get them to socialise even before they can be put down (they don't have to stay in at all just make sure you don't put them down) - they can also mix with vaxed dogs at well before they can go out for proper walks as well. Socialising is extremely important for them.