New puppy and now going on a two week trip

Old Jun 29th, 2005, 04:01 AM
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New puppy and now going on a two week trip

We (family of four with two girls, 7 and 10)have been wanting a dog for a while and did a bunch of research before deciding on getting a Westie (West Highland White Terrior). Then we did research on reputable breeders in our area and came up with two who will have puppies ready for adoption soon. The one breeder's puppies won't be ready to take home until the end of September (long after our vacation in July/August to Hawaii) but the other breeder's puppies will be ready to adopt two weeks before our trip. We will be able to look at these puppies this Friday and pick one. I am a teacher so I was thinking that having the puppy for two weeks before our trip (without having to go to work since it is summer vacation) would be ideal for acclimating the puppy to our house, house breaking it, and so on. However, then we would either have to return the puppy to the breeder ($10 a day) or have a neighbor watch it in our house who will take it for walks, play with it, feed it, etc. After the vacation, I would still have a week of being off work to spend with the puppy.
IF we wait for the puppy that is ready to be adopted in September, I will not have any time to take off to acclimate the puppy to our home, etc. By the way, I plan on going home at lunchtime each day to walk the dog since I am only five minutes away from school.
Which situation is better (puppy in a few weeks or September)? If you choose the puppy before the trip, should I let the breeder take care of it in her home or keep it in our house with the neighbor helping?
Thanks for your help!
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 04:08 AM
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Would it be harder for the dog to spend a bunch of time at home with us (2 weeks)and then have us begin a 7-8 hour work schedule away from it? Would it be used to having people around all the time and then be confused when all of a sudden we are gone during the day? Same problem when we go on vacation. With the September dog, it would be on the work schedule from the beginning.

Also, we have an old (14 years) cat. Any suggestions for getting them to be pals?
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 04:18 AM
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I'm not an expert so in your situation, I'd ask the expert, your vet. I think I'd lean toward the Sept puppy but ask the vet (and maybe be honest and ask both breeders what they think).

If you do take the earlier puppy, I think bring it back to the breeder is definitely the way to go. If you pose the issue with the breeder, he/she may offer to waive/reduce the boarding fee if they understand your issue and want you to have the dog.
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 04:30 AM
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DO NOT leave the puppy in the house with a neighbor checking on it. You will lose any training in the pup's routine for those 2 weeks, completely confuse the pup and all will pay a price later.

I'd get the Sept. pup. If you get the summer pup, having the breeder keep it is the next best option. But, I don't think it's the best option. Both Mama Dog and Breeder are ready for the pups to be gone. They are ready for a break.

Don't know where you live but I wanted a Westie and my vet recommended against one - for the dog's benefit. I live in a very hot, humid location and it is murder on Westie's skin allergies. They are great dogs. My comment is not against the breed - just harder on the dogs in my neck of the woods. A cooler, less humid climate is much better for Westies.
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 04:35 AM
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We live in Michigan. It is hot and humid now but it is only briefly that way in the summertime. Plus we have central air.

I will call the vet and ask. I need to decide before my girls get attached to a puppy this Friday. If the vet recommends against the summer pup, then we will not visit this week. Thanks! Anyone else???
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 04:45 AM
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Michigan has good Westie weather. There are folks with Westies in the hot, humid south but they have challenges with the skin problems.

Congratulations!

One last comment and I'll sign off. A good friend is about to deliver the last standard poodle of the litter. These are show dogs and she takes a lot more care with the pups than many breeders. Both mom and Mom are more than ready for the pup to be gone. They are ready to get back to their pre-puppy lives. I don't know what kind of breeder you are buying from, but I'd be concerned that the pup will be spending 2 weeks in a cage with little interaction from the tired moms.

I'd prefer a better adjusted puppy fresh from Mama Dog. Just my preference of course. I'll enjoy reading the input from others as well! Congrats again!
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 05:27 AM
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I would talk to the breeder and get his/her advice.

I have two Westies and I'm also a teacher who goes home during the day to walk the "boys." Westies are very smart and will acclimate to either situation.

Good luck!

PS Do you know about terrierclub.com ? You'll get tons of info and advice there.
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 06:26 AM
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ah4sail,
Did you get both Westies at the same time? I thought about that (to keep each other company) but was told it was better to get one at a time so that the first one bonds with you and not the other dog. Then the first one can help train the second one if you get it a bit later. Do you crate your dogs or just use gates to keep the dogs in a certain room of the house while you are at work? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Do you bring them with you on vacations? If so, which vacations were the most fun with the dogs???
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 06:26 AM
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There's some good advise here, and I think starrsville hit it right on. Puppies reunited with momma are frantic and frenetic(from personal experience). Very unfair to momma.

On the cat becoming "friends" with the pup: Can happen. We lived with a Siberian Husky from her 1 year birthday to almost her two year birthday. Husky's are prey dogs, but our husky boarder never picked on our 12 year old cat; and they played when the cat felt like playing. Good luck in your decision
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 06:31 AM
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Hi Ashley,

I would go on your trip and then consider adopting a puppy when you are back and can give your full attention to a new puppy.

Our little Sophie is just over a year old now, and I can't imagine after having her for two weeks and then leaving. They become VERY attached to you very rapidly and just like children, get used to your routine. I believe that leaving a new pup after only two weeks of owning him/her would be confusing and lonely for the puppy.

If you are concerned about being back at work in September, perhaps waiting until the next summer and adopting a puppy in the beginning of the season would be a better option.

One other important thing to consider is your cat that has all of your attention for all of these years. This will be an adjustment for the kitty, too.

I think leaving after two weeks would be a huge mistake and unfair to both your and your new ((&)).

Enjoy Hawaii and take on this new adventure when you come back, and believe me, it is indeed a new adventure.

In either case, I would NOT allow a neighbor to just 'look in' occasionally, they realy need and deserve all your love and care.

Best wishes, Tiff & Soph ((&))
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 06:36 AM
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Puppies, like children/babies, need continuity. You really do not want to confuse this new baby by bringing it home, getting it just started in adjustment to the house rules and family, then take it away again and start over. It will only lead to problems.
I would really urge you to talk to the breeder and to bring a pup home to your family when you can be there most of the time to train and raise it. Those first 6 months are what determine the sort of dog you will have for the next 10-15 years.
When we brought pup home, we already had a 17 year old cat. We held the pup and let the cat meet him. Of course, Pup was a squirming eager bundle, Cat was more sedate and cautious. They ended up soon after, being caught sleeping together!! and to this day, 4 years after our sweet little cat died, if you ask Pup, where is Pussycat? he will run around the house looking for him (weeping)..
So this is my advice & story..it is like adopting a child, you have to put all of your time and energy into it if you want it to turn out well. If you went to the trouble to pay for a well bred dog, you have to continue to follow through.
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 06:39 AM
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Sorry *PS*
The worst idea is to leave a new pup in a house alone , just after taking it from its litter, and expect it to be any sort of sane and happy pup when you come home. They need someone there with them all the time.
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 06:47 AM
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I would opt for the September date so that the pup can bond with you and your family, not the neighbor caring for him/her while you are gone on vacation.

My mother got a Westie after my father died. He is a cute dog but he is definitely a ball of energy. As a puppy, he would not let you sit there and watch TV because he wanted to play. When he got bored, he'd chew on everything not nailed down. He chewed one of my library books to shreds.

I highly recommend an obedience class since Westies tend to be a bit strong willed. Mom never did this and I wish she had.
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 06:53 AM
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In response Ashley to your question about crates or gating off of rooms...

In risk of being flamed as this is off the travel subject I will answer anyway ~~~~~~ I did a VAST amount of research BEFORE we brought Sophie home. We had everything bought and arranged so she would have routine immediately. Everything in my research showed that puppies respond well to crates and indeed Sophie did. It is comforting to them to have "their home" in a small area like a crate, much like a den. I never left her in it for very long, she was primarily with me, and we would go outside at least once a hour.

Scarlett is right, the first sixth months are critical to what habits you will be forming. I did alot of reading prior to getting her, and followed our plan well, and it was well worth it. We have a very loving, content, happy, fully potty trained sweetheart. It really is a big responsibility or in my opinion is should be taken as such, but you get so much in return!

One last thing, and I just know I am going to getting flamed for all this "dog advice", ha, but so be it. When you bring your new puppy home for the first time, do NOT bring him/her into the house right away. Bring the puppy to a grassy area so he/she can go potty, and wait for him/her to do so, praise the puppy well for doing so, and THEN go inside the house.

Get some books for that long flight to the islands, and read, hee. It will make all the difference int he end.

Again best of luck to you, Tiff
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 07:00 AM
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Exactly, Tiff , that is what we did
We got out of the car with this little car sick puppy and took him to his "spot" where he peed. From then on, until we moved, he would go to that spot.
We crated Pup for about a month, he did so well with the baby gate at the kitchen door, that we left the crate open during the day, but he is , after all, a Poodle He is smarter than my neighbor LOL
I think those first 3 months are the hardest, you cannot leave them alone for long, they watch everything you do and take their tips on how to behave from you .. Ashley, as his Mama, you will feed him and that will always make you the one he will go to for the most important stuff..Welcome to Pup Motherhood ((&))
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 07:25 AM
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Here Ashley, these sites may be of assistance to you:

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/newpup.html

http://www.perfectpaws.com/pup1.html

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf987470.tip.html

http://www.workingdogs.com/30puptipsg.htm

((&))
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 07:35 AM
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excellent advice from Scarlett. Seems to me to wait until you can give a puppy (which is just a baby, remember!) the attention it deserves is the best idea.
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 07:39 AM
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We have a female Westie who is now 7 years old, and we love her. They are definitely energetic dogs and love to play, so your kids will have a great pet.

I think the advice to ask the breeders' and vet's opinion are the best bet for you, re: the take-home schedule. I think your easiest option is to wait for the September puppy. If you go visit the other breeder, you will surely fall in love with a puppy and not be able to wait! So make your decision before going to see the pups.

One key thing to know about Westie pups is that their ear cartilage is DELICATE. Don't let anyone ruffle the pup's ears, especially while the ears are still bent over and haven't stood up straight yet. The cartilage can be damaged so the ear never stands up correctly, I was told by our breeder.

In any event, I wholeheartedly agree with all who have said do not leave the pup at home with a neighbor. Too much room for error and confusion that way.

We live in Colorado and have never had a skin problem with our Westie. Ask your local Westie club about diet supplements to avoid that problem. I think it's relatively easy to avoid, especially if you're buying a pup with good breeding.

One more thing you probably already know: the Westie breed is known for its independent hunting background. This means it is vital you keep the dog on a leash when you're out, because when a Westie sees a squirrel, look out! It's off and running...

Have fun with your pup. You will love it forever.
 
Old Jun 29th, 2005, 08:08 AM
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I agree with virtually everything that has been said above. Only 1 of my dogs was crate trained and she had the best bladder control and was the best adjusted of all my dogs. I personally don't like crates but tried it and it worked. Show dogs are crate trained. There is nothing "wrong" with it. They do think of the crate as their den and go to it for comfort. Having said that, I did not crate train my next schnauzer a year later. It just didn't work for me. The "girlies" spent their days in a large bathroom with a pet gate (actually child's gate) in the doorway. The same system worked well when traveling with them. I just put their blankets in the hotel bathroom, put the gate in the door and they were happy in their temporary home.

I do think it's better to get 1 dog first and then the other dog later for the reason you stated. I've had good luck with kitty littermates but not dogs. And, my dogs have always made friends (and sleeping pals) with the cats.

As someone said earlier, anything that disrupts their training routine can cause problems down the road. My lab chewed on a lamp cord when a little pup and the steroids prescribed for the burns in the throat really disrupted her potty training. She had no control. She's a sweetie pie and is fine now, but puppy training was delayed as a result.

I may get flamed for this one - I don't know if you are planning to get a male or female but I have found girl little dogs are easier to house train than boys. I was so frustrated with my first schnauzer. Finally, a wise older man said that boy schnauzers "just don't get it" until the are 2 years old. Sure enough, at 2 years old it was like someone had turned on a switch in his head -he "got it" and never made another mistake in the house. Of course, I had to get rid of two oriental rugs he destroyed by hiking on the table legs and "doing his business".

I fell in love with Westies while traveling in England. Decided to get one. Was advised against it by my vet because of the long, hot, humid summers in the South. They do much better in the northern and west coast states.
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 08:11 AM
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Obviously, I want to do what is best for the puppy. If I wait until September, will the puppy be ok when I am gone to work? Like I said, I will be coming home at lunchtime so that he/she will have a chance to relieve themselves. I also plan on walking/exercising with them in the morning (I am an early riser so the dog will be able to have fun with me/family from about 4:30 until we leave at 8:00), bathroom break at 12:00, and then we will be home by 4:15. Does that sound ok???

Would it be ok if the breeder holds onto the summer pup and doesn't give it to us until we return from our trip or is that too much bonding time with the mom dog and/or breeder? That would allow a full week home to work with the dog before I have to go back to work.

Also, for those of you with Westies, my younger daughter wants to know if they are apt to chase their tails!?! I told her it is time to start picking up all her stuffed animals and keeping them locked up!
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