New arrival so nervous....

[Mircass]

Our lovely boy arrived today, he's one day short of 8 weeks.  He came from a litter of 7 with 5 adult dogs around and was the second to leave.

I visited him at 3 weeks and 6 and he - and all the siblings - were friendly and not nervous.

We had a 2 1/2 hour journey home with him, he didn't sleep much and was sort of hyper-ventilating (breathing fast) almost the whole way although not crying. He didn't give any attention to us (no licking or sniffing etc).  We had one pit stop and I took him into a disabled toilet and he wee'd on the training pad (what a clever boy!) and wagged his tail a bit for the first time. As soon as we got home, he went into his crate and laid there.  I gave him some water and hand fed him some kimble whilst in there.  Once it got to around 2 hours after his last wee and he was sniffing around in crate, I lifted him out, put him on the litter tray and he did a wee and poo (got liver treats and cuddles) and then we played for a while and he relaxed a bit.  After 20 mins, he took himself off to the crate and fell asleep.  I left him closed in and did the school run. He continued sleeping for another 1 1/2hour, woke up and again took a lot of tempting to come out.  He rolled on his back a few times which I know is a sign of submission.

The thing is, he seems very nervous and shy.  Our last dog, although most certainly not an alpha or out-going type, wasn't this nervous at all on arrival.  Could we have a dog that hasn't been socialised enough?  Should I keep visitors away for a few days until he's settled or would that be the worse thing to do? There's four of us at home and he's been friendly after a while to my sons (age 9 & 12), he particularly likes the older one.  He's eaten a meal now, done another wee (in the right place!!) and cried a bit whilst constantly sniffing and circling the litter tray - I think he's looking where to do a no.2.  Anyway he's back in the crate fast asleep now hence my furious speed typing.  

I thought I'd done all my homework but it really is just like having a new baby home - they're all so different, you worry about everything!  

[Patp]

Lovely to have him home at last!!

There will be lots of advice on here, but the main thing to remember is that it is a massive change for him and he will have to get used to new smells and people without the comfort of his siblings, mother and the other dogs.

Socialisation should start as soon as possible but for a few days just new sounds and family around the house will be enough.

Pictures please xx

[Birdy]

Congrats on you new arrival.
As Pat said it's a big change for him, but in no time he'll be running the wall of death around the living room, reducing your slippers to shreds and fetching you all sorts of lovely offerings from the garden 
Enjoy 

[Leannieb]

Hi how are you all getting on? I hope everything is going well. We pick up our little boy on December 15th ( we have called him max). x

[Robbie34]

Your pup needs lots of love and gentle handling.  Watch the children don't treat him roughly even though they don't mean to be rough with him.

He'll also need to be exposed to lots of different things for his socialisation.  Although you can't take him outside for a walk until he's completed his vaccinations, you can get a harness that you can carry him in and take him out for a walk so that he can meet other people.  Let them make a fuss of him as long as they are gentle.  When he's finished his vaccinations let him meet other dogs on the lead, but make sure they are fine with other dogs.  Also, enrol him in puppy classes so that he can mingle with others and have some training.

I have done this with my pups and they have all turned out to be lovely dogs.  Henry was the funniest: he was about four months old when we started his puppy classes and he thoroughly enjoyed meeting the other pups.  After a few weeks he would run like mad to get inside the hall for his class.

I used one of these carriers to take Henry outside to help his socialisation.  http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=1404&pf_id=61581

[Mircass]

It's actually going really well now.  I think he could be more introverted than outgoing in character but he's also so calm and relaxed. 

I've been sleeping in the kitchen on the sofa bed, with Ralph in his crate (door open).  Last night he got up once to go to the toilet and once to check on me.  Tonight I'm sure he'll be confident to stay alone from midnight - 6.30am. I've left him a few times during the day whilst I do housework etc and he's been absolutely fine. I'm also doing 'closing the crate door' reward work and he's relaxing on that front too. I don't have a need to rush anything as I don't work and penciled in this month to spend as much time with him so I'm doing everything slowly but surely.  Importantly, Ralphie feels confident and trusting of me and we're already doing really well with clicker training and recall (such a clever breed!).

I can leave his crate open at night as he's pretty much toilet trained.  It's so rare that he goes elsewhere other than the litter tray.  He's very much gained confidence with all of us now, he's fine with my children although I do keep an eye on proceedings (my boys are 9 & 12 and they're calm sensible types).  He's been out with me a few times in a puppy carrier bag (from the days of our last puppy which unfortunately is pink!), he's been to the primary school with me and takes it all in his stride although I tend to go in last when there aren't so many children around.  But he's going to have to get used to the school run.  We met another (fully vaccinated) cocker today but Ralph got nervous and hid into my clothing. I was holding him at the time, level with the other dog.  She was lovely and calm and didn't hassle him too much, just a bit of sniffing.

He is enrolled into a 4 week class beginning Jan, maximum 6 pups.  I've got a two friends with older puppies and I'll slowly introduce them but I think one of them may be too boisterous for him.  Because he may have a tendency to be shy/nervous, I'm prioritising the socialising side and any tips would be appreciated during this time of non-vaccination.

Thanks everyone for all suggestions and support, always appreciate the replies.  And Leannieb - I'll PM you back with all the boring intricate details!!     

[8 Hairy Feet]

Sounds ideal!
If you have a carrier just take
him with you when you can ,all good
for socialisation,and if you are in
no hurry that's good because you will
be getting loads of attention just having a
pupster with you