New to forum & puppy parenting

[Maddy'sMom]

Hi all,

I am a new member. I found the site because my husband and I acquired a 6-week-old lab/shepherd two days ago and I stumbled across one of your threads on that particular mix. Madison is extremely sweet and is already doing amazing with her crate training: she only got up a couple times last night, woke us up to let her out and then went back to sleep with maybe 3 minutes of slight whimpering; she's gone into her cage a couple times and laid down for a nap throughout the day yesterday and today, and she is eliminating almost every time we take her outside! And she is very playful. I so have two concerns (that I'm going to spend some time looking on the forums about): her stool is seems to be very soft and she play bites. She doesn't have diarrhea but it's soft. Right now we are feeding her Beneful so I think that might have something to do with it...any suggestions for a better puppy brand would be appreciated. And we have NO idea how to keep her from play biting. I've never trained a dog before (though I've had dogs before) but we have a newborn on the way and want to make sure to raise this little puppy to be a loving, happy member of the family and not a biter. I look forward to learning lots from this forum!

[SookDog]

Hi Maddy's Mom (and Maddy!)

Welcome to the DP from Shari and Sookie (also a lab mix). Congratulations on your new puppy, we love seeing pictures around here so feel free to share!

As with any new puppy, a trip to the vet is definitely in order. Bring a stool sample and they can check for any parasites she might have. Also, her poop may be a bit soft just due to all of the changes in her life right now - 6 weeks a bit young to be separated from her mother and litter mates, she's in a brand new environment, around brand new people. That kind of stress on a young puppy could be contributing to soft stool, but have the vet check just in case. You can also ask him/her about food, but dogfoodanalysis.com is a good start for finding the best food for your little girl.

As for the biting, feel free to jump over to the behavior & training forum, puppy biting is one of the most commonly discussed topics on there. But remember, just because she's a little mouthy now doesn't mean that she's going to grow up to be a biter. Dogs explore with their mouths, and use them on each other all of the time. Since she was removed from her litter mates a little earlier than is desirable, try yelping (just like a dog would) every time she mouths you too hard. She'll get the hint right away. Puppies are alligators for sure, they chew on you for MONTHS, so don't be discouraged. Make sure she's got plenty of toys to ease her sore gums when she starts teething and you'll be in great shape!

Again, congratulations and welcome!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Hi Maddy and Maddy's Mom!

Shari gave you excellent advice. 6 weeks is considered too young to be separated from the Mum and litter mates as that is the time when pups learn bite inhibition. However, as Shari pointed out, you can teach her. Since 8 weeks is considered the absolute minimum age that a pup should leave it's Mum, and personally I now think 10 is optimal, you will have a few weeks of adjustments. By four months of age, you will start to see patterns developing, and by six months, when the teething is over, new patterns will emerge. Puppies are puppies until at least a year (especially with trustworthy housetraining).

Puppies will be nippy and bitey until they loose their puppy teeth. It is important that you provide her with SAFE appropriate chew toys, and other things to occupy her. Puppy kongs are a great idea, as well as a face cloth, slightly dampened, rolled and frozen. The coolness will soothe her gums and also provides a reusuable "toy".

As with any toy, she should be monitored at all times. Please stay away from rawhides as they pose a choking hazard.

It sounds like you are doing well with housetraining so far. As with any training, consistency is key.

I would also suggest that a Vet check is absolutely in order. Beneful is not a very highly rated food. When you decide on a better quality product, remember to introduce it to her slowly. A sudden change in diet, particularly in one so young, will result in more diarrhea. The pup should be fed at least twice daily for the first four months. I would recommend three feedings, and include a quality biscuit as part of her diet. The biscuits can also be used for treats with training.

Congratulations on the impending arrival of a human baby as well. Hopefully that baby isn't due for a while and you'll have plenty of time to get to know Maddy first. Being part Lab means that your puppy will be smart and busy (usually)!

Welcome to the Daily Puppy from Oliver & Henry, and their Mum (Deborah) in London, Ontario