Raising Puppy within 2 locations.....

[Ashraf]

Hello Caroline,

Thanks a lot for asking, in fact plans have changed but am getting my puppy around 1st week of November. Scenario of taking the puppy to work is no more feasible. I shall soon write you more details with my thoughts to seek your advice.
Thanks a lot

[KOPcaroline]

Cant wait for the arrival! Will hear from you soon, and I'm sure we can help with any concerns you have

[Ashraf]

Hello Caroline,

Thanks a lot for your help. As mentioned in my last email I have some change in plans in respect of raising my new puppy in 2 locations (home & work). I have come to realize that taking the pup along at work won't be that feasible. As an alternative am planning to take it to a kennel boarding home during my working time as it is on my way. The only thing is that the kennel will not accept the pup before its 12 weeks and with its vaccinations. Another thing, is that I can have only 2-3 weeks off which I shall devote to house break the pup and get more bondage with. Having said that, I am now left with 2 options to choose from:

1. Get a pup at 9-10 weeks:
In that case I will have 2-3 weeks to potty train him the Direct Method and feed him during specified hours, and at week 12 I shall complete the necessary vaccines and enroll him at the kennel. In that case I lose the advantage of having my pup at the ideal age of 8 wks giving him the necessary socializing that is most critical from 8-12 weeks + avoid any habits that the pup may inherit from the owner that could not be working with me.

2. Get the pup at 8 weeks:
In that case the dog will have to be left at home for 2 wks till reaches age 12wks to vaccinate him. This will mean that I should:

a. Potty train the pup with the Direct + Indirect Method, do you think this is possible within 2 weeks? Can I start Potty training him for outdoors, and then (when he's fairly ok?????!!!!!!) I could start on the newspaper? How soon can a GSD pup learn provided am really consistent?

b. I will have to keep it confined in its crate for short times, feed him with stuffed toys ....kong, .....plastic toys.....etc....to keep him amused...and later confine him for longer times (which is the objective to reach when am away) but in a small room with having the crate open with newspaper at the opposite end of the crate and a pot of water - I shall of course keep his toys staffed with the required food dose, so he will be eating and chewing.

What is your opinion and advise? I know am very meticulous and perhaps very theoretic, because I do lack the experience and am quite sure that when am into that not only other things will come up but again I could see myself what more is required....rather than assuming & guessing.

Once again thanks a lot.

[KOPcaroline]

Hey Ashraf,

Its definitely better to be open to advice and ideas than just plow into an idea and figure out too late that its not working - so dont hesitate to ask anything on your mind or voice concerns! Here to help as much as possible!

Ultimately, this choice is yours - you know your specific situation better than anyone here, and we can only give you our opinions based on how we read your posts. That being said, this is my opinion :P

I'd say either wait to 9-10 weeks of age to bring puppy home, or bring him home earlier and use the crate. I got my GSD mix pup at about 12 weeks, and it took him a week or so to pick up on house training, so trying to get 2 ideas at once into a young pup in a new environment probably wont work very well. They are a very smart breed, but they are just babies! Sometimes even after a couple weeks of perfect house training they can relapse, have accidents, etc. And housebreaking isnt your only problem - you might want to train him not to bark incessantly, not to chew things, not to bulldoze through your closet, etc, etc, etc.

Waiting til 9-10 weeks of age is realistically only "setting you back" bonding for 1-2 weeks max. And if in the meantime puppy is at home with his mom, he'll never know. The breeder likely will let him do his thing with whatever siblings he has there until you pick him up. Even if he picks up some training from the current owner, you will easily be able to re-train him to your home when you get him. And he will bond with you without a problem - after all, you'll be the one comforting him in a new environment where he wont know anybody else! Like I said, I got my dog at 12 weeks and had no worries with training or bonding. Try not to let this be a huge concern.

If you get him earlier, you can start crate training him from the start, which will ultimately make having him home later easier if you intend to keep on with a crate (sounds like you are planning on this). Using the newspapers will be likely be easier if you start out using them as soon as you get him. That being said - he will likely whine a bit when you leave him for the first while - most pups do. I'm not sure if thats going to be an issue, but you'll need to make sure he's entertained, fed, watered, and has ample space to use the bathroom and not get in it after. This system also allows you to get a baseline training programme with him going before he goes to the kennels, where he might pick up training from people there.

Both ways have pros and cons. It just takes thought as to what you think will ultimately work best for you AND the puppy - remember to try and be fair to him as well! I think the kennel daycare sounds like a great solution - it will help him socialize and be entertained/stimulated throughout the day. Great job for finding that

Hope everything goes well!

[Ashraf]

Hello Caroline,

Thanks a lot for your reply. Yes I tend to prefer the earlier crating as I can foresee the situation in the future. I shall certainly get back to seek your advice should I get any further questions.

Once again thanks for all your great support & help.
Ashraf

[bkpierce]

It is entirely possible to have a puppy housetrained in two locations. It is all about consistency. Just remember to crate him in the car with you and he should sleep all the way. Also remember that an 8 wk old puppy needs to eat at least 3 times a day so you will want to add that to your routine. Happy parenthood.

[Ashraf]

Thank you so much bkpierce, I have taken note of your advice, and yes consistency is the most important factor in the whole process.
Once again thanks a lot, wish you all the best
Ashraf

[teresa1234]

I bought a 13 week old shih poo and 13 week old mini schnauzer. THey are great dogs and learn fast. But my shih poo has started marking all over the house. He won't stop and we have been firm and taken him out said pee here and put belly band on him he pees thru them. I am needing advice what to do cuz my mini schnauzer doesnt do it and I don't know how to stop my shih poo from marking. Hes soo young and cant get neutured yet and advice would be appreciated

[KOPcaroline]

Hey teresa1234,

Just wondering, do your two pups show any issues with who is dominant over who? If your shih poo is trying to establish his dominancy over your schnauzer, the marking may tie into that.

You should try to help them establish a household hierarchy - feed one first at every meal (probably the shih poo), say hello to one first every time you come home, pet one first, give one toys first, etc etc. Whenever an opportunity arises to "choose" one dog first - choose the one that is more dominant. Its not picking favourites or giving more attention or love to either dog, its just getting an order goin. It may help with the marking.

Any other stressors that arose when your pup started marking? New people, new experience, anything like that? Even a new piece of furniture can set some dogs going on this sort of behaviour.

As you said, neutering should also help, but since that can't happen for a while, try to figure out if anything specific set this off, and try to start on the household order thing :P Hopefully this helps!