new puppy

[newpuupymom]

Hello.....I have a new puppy that we just got on Sat. He's a mix of a dachsund and a shnauzer, but looks mostly like a shnauzer! He's so tiny.....he'll be eight weeks old on Wed. We haven't come up with a name yet. I want to make sure that we do all the right things when training this pup! We have a crate and are crate training because right now he cannot be just left out to do whatever he wants. Although he doesn't seem to get into much, he is very determined to get on the couch and climbs right up there with ease! but then how would he get down? He likes to play on the couch, sleep on the couch, and if you try to confine him to a smaller area, he whines and cries. During the day we mostly do ok, it's at night that he gets up and will manage to get out of any kind of enclosure that we rig up! When I confine him to the crate or an enclosed area at night, he whines and cries for about 15 minutes, then goes to sleep in his bed, then he'll wake up again a few more times during the night and whine and cry. He doesn't seem to be too needy of attention or of us.....just his freedom and being on that couch!!!
The people who had these puppies told me that he eats puppy chow.....but he doesn't seem to touch it much, so I've been getting him canned food, which he devours like a vacuum cleaner!! Any advice on what would be best to feed him right now would be appreciated......also some idea of how long it might take for him to accept his freedom being limitted without all the whining!!!
So far he seems to do well with going on the newspapers we put down and has very few accidents.....pretty impressive I think for such a young pup! He also went outside when we brought him out, so I think this area of training will be the one that comes easiest for him!
Here is the new little guy.......
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/ ... 1294103764

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Welcome to the Daily Puppy.

May I respectfully suggest that you go to our Behaviour and Training Section. Housetraining is covered in there, extensively, as well as talk about food.

Canned food is not the best thing for your puppy, but you must phase in new food. He is not even 8 weeks old, and should be on a puppy diet...not Purina Puppy Chow...that is garbage. Please peruse the Forums regarding crate training, which is necessary, as well as dietary requirements.

Good luck to you, and again, welcome from Oliver & Henry, and their Mum.

[newpuupymom]

I went to the behaviour and training section....but have yet to see anything there about what I should be feeding this pup.....can you at least tell me instead of making search all around what's the best to feed him?

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Actually, and I do apologize, most of the food information is in the Health Section.

Instead of making you search through there, check out the website dogfoodanalysis.com. It lists all the different types of food, and rates them from 1 to 6 stars.

I would recommend choosing a food, designed for a puppy, that has a 3 star rating or higher.

I just looked and found one of the discussions regarding feeding young pups. Richard (Nileska) is highly experienced, and has attained an age that affords him a wisdom most of us yet to acquire.

Here's the link:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5953

You may also wish to start a thread or two of your own, if you don't find answers to questions. Use the Behaviour and Training Section for things like housetraining, and the Health Section for diet, vaccinations, spay/neuter and other questions of that nature.

I'm sure some of our other members will be along to provide other links, and/or give direct information. I hope this is helpful to you.

[kian]

Welcome to DP! He is very cute, what a adorable puppy.

Deb has given you some great areas to look for info. Right now your pup is young and as his personality develops so will his activity level. The fun is just beginning! Get rid of the newspapers and get the pup outside to potty. If you are knee deep in snow, dig out a potty place.

Potty training 101
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6129

Richard ((Nileska) is a wonderful source as Deb stated as he is a breeder and knows very well the nutritional needs of pups. I'm sure he come around, if not myself or Deb can contact him. I like to feed a high quality puppy kibble, no canned food.

With the crate, are you putting a blanket in there, hounds love to burrow. I see there is a blanket on the couch he likes. I realize that one is too big for his crate, so you have something similar he can lay on? You can also try to put a sweat shirt you have worn in the crate, that will have your scent and be soft enough for him to lay on and get under it. Remember when putting a young pup in the crate, take the collar off for safety. Enjoy him!