Meet our new puppy

[Shoskyns]

So, here she is, our little whippet Bonnie! (Preview has the pic upside down! Not sure how that happened!)

We picked her up on Saturday morning. She seems to be adapting to life without her family pack fairly well. She is 15 weeks old so house training should, apparently, be easier! She is sleeping in a crate next to my bed at night. She whimpers a little when she goes in, but settles quickly. Last night she woke me at 3.45am so I got her out and took her outside to do a wee - in the pouring rain! She didn't like that at all. Stayed out about 5 mins (felt like hours in the rain) and didn't do a wee at all. So, back in the crate and back to sleep. She then woke me at 7am. Took her out for a wee - still pouring with rain. Stayed out a good 5 mins but she still didn't do a wee. Came back in the house and, sure enough, she did a massive wee! So, at least I know she CAN go through the night without doing a wee but I have learnt that when she wakes at the start of the day, I really need to stay outside with her until she has done her wee. I am giving her lots of praise when she does a wee outside.

Other slight challenge I'm having is getting her to eat. The breeder gave us a bag of Pro Plan Puppy, but she turns her nose up at it. I think the problem, is that her breeder was giving all her dogs one big homemade casserole meal together in the evening and then had kibble available throughout the day, so she could effectively free feed when hungry. When I put her food out she just takes 3-4 little mouthfuls and then leaves it. Comes back later for one or two more. So I am going to try and just leave it out at set times for 20 mins and then take it away. I've tried making the dry food wet with a bit of water, but she still just nibbles a tiny bit and then leaves it.

Any top tips gratefully received. We live in a very rural area about 45 minute drive to the nearest town along very twisty roads so just popping to the shops to pick something up is not easy! Car sickness may be a problem if her first journey home was any indication of things to come.

Off to the vet today for second jabs and check up.

Sarah and Bonnie

 

[goldenbear2013]

She is adorable and it sounds like you have it figured out with the crate training so well done and keep it up!

The only thing I will say is slowly start to move the crate out. 2 weeks in your room, then 2 weeks on the landing and then downstairs to the room where she will always sleep. Doing this gradually will break in this routine gently and effectively for her.

Pro Plan puppy is very good, it's what our breeder gave us when I picked up my lab puppy.

Keep doing what your doing with the food and she should be fine. Some dogs pick at food and others just want to gobble it all up as quickly as possible.

Keep an eye on her bowel movements and if they are normal then the food suits her, if they are runny or too soft or irregular then the food maybe a bit rich for her and you will need to try her on something else. Your vet can recommend and good puppy food for you as they will come to know your dog over the coming weeks, for check ups on her weight etc.

Good luck! She is a sweetie

Sophie x

 

[Shoskyns]

Trip to vet was a bit of a trial. She was sick 3 times in the car, then, when we got to the vet we found out that the first jabs the breeder did are a non-compatible brand to the ones our vet gives, so we've got to start from scratch with the jabs. Very boring as we now have another 3 weeks to wait before we can really start socialising her properly or taking her for walks.

She is now happily playing with a piece of cardboard. Favourite toy!

 

[goldenbear2013]

Mine love the kitchen roll tubes. I give it to him when we have used the kitchen roll and he loves it! Tears from the lounge with it ripping it to shreds! lol!

Now with your puppy, if she isn't the best with the car, then you can try a few things to help her along.

If you pop her in the boot (or wherever she will be in the car when travelling) and just let her sit and have a sniff. Try and get her to stay in one place as well.

Turn the engine on too so she gets used to the noise.

When she is in the car you can also reverse your car off the drive and then drive back on.

You can slowly build this up to driving to the end of your street, then round the block etc etc.

It will be a slow and easy way to introduce her to the car, so 1; she isn't afraid (as puppies can be sick if anxious) and 2; her stomach may settle a bit so she isn't as sick.

Plus if you have another 3 weeks on your hands with her not being able to go out for walks etc, then you will have plenty of time to get her used to the car.

The other thing you can do as you cant walk her, is take her out anyway, but carry her.

She will feel safe in your arms, its fresh air for the both of you and its introducing her to the sights, sounds and smells around her, so she wont be frightened or cautious when you do take her out for a walk for the first time.

Plus it gets you out the house!!!

xx

 

[eingana]

Yep, everything goldenbear says about travel sickness needs to happen by the sound of it. Whilst she may have a tendency to not travel well in the car, the degree of sickness can be worked on, and it's made worse by anxiety so getting her familiar and calm in the car will pay you back hugely later on.

Hope you don't mind- I added a copy of your image the right way up