Help!

[RebelxPoptart]

hi. listen i know you'll probably stop reading just after this, but i am only 12. i do have my parents permission. Here's the deal: I (and my parents) have ordered a puppy from texas (i live in Massachusetts). It's a Cocker Spaniel/ Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix. It's due to be born the 30th of July. I wont be able to get it til end of september, maybe early october (because it has to be eight weeks) i've been asking for a dog since i was about 3 years old. I've been doing all the reseach since before i could remember! i thought i knew everything there was to know!.....i was wrong. i didnt take into account that before i could take it for a walk right after it gets off the plane to go to the bathroom, i need to train it with the leash and collar. Since i wont get the pup til october, i'm going to be in school for six hours. i will be taking it for it's morning walks, and as soon as i come home from school, i'll take it, and take care of it. (i'm paying for everything with my money, so my bank accounts going to be completly GONE by the time this pup is full grown, but my parents said they'd help) I really wanted the pup to reeaallyy bond to me. also, can someone please shed a little more light on the whole 'crate training v.s paper training v.s ???' ? i think that crate training would be best, but i dont know. i've got somemore questions, but right now it's 11:45 pm, so i'll be off. i'll check back tomorow to see if anyone has responded.

thanks in advance!!

Sarah

[Dawn]

Crate training is by far the way to go. The dog never learns that it's acceptable to go inside (like with paper training). It also provides a safe place for your dog no matter what the age, and it teaches your dog how to be contained safely and calmly.

The biggest issue is consistency. You have to have a set schedule and follow it. Dont' let the pup run around unsupervised. Keep him in the crate unless you can keep an eye on him. It sounds mean, but he's going to be sleeping the majority of the time anyway.

[RebelxPoptart]

thnx so much. any ideas (anyone) on the whole situation about getting back from the airport? should i make him/her hold it another hour til we get home to a big fenced in yard? or what am i sposed to do?

[sambucca/whiskey]

let him go right away at 8 weeks you will just be waiting for an accident.

[HeartSong]

It's generally not that difficult to train a puppy to be on a leash. It will probably be too confused and scared to fight much right after it gets off the plane. I would use a long leash and have some yummy treats in my pocket. Find a nice grassy area, sit down on the ground with the puppy on the leash and just see what happens. The most ideal situation is that it will come up to investigate you a bit and the surroundings as well. If it does try to fight the leash, give it a few treats and reassure it. It probably won't acctually need to go to the bathroom, since it is so young it would probably go in the plane since it will be quite a frightening experience for such a young pup, so don't be too concerned if you're there for 10mins and it still hasn't done anything. If it does go to the bathroom, be sure to praise it for doing so. While you are sitting with it, reassure it, give it a couple of treats, and just let it get to know you. Since you are the first living thing that has spent time with it since leaving mommy, it will start to bond with you. The more quality time and attention you give it during the earliest days, the more it will bond with you.
BTW, if you don't let the age thing bother you then neither will I. I believe I started training dogs when I was about 8. It's great that you have done lots of research and are asking for help, this is a good place to find some.

[RebelxPoptart]

should i just like home on to him/her on some grass at the airport (if there is any) or what?

[HeartSong]

Grass at the airport would be ideal if there is some and you are allowed to use it, but if not then the closest grassy area there is that you can use safely. If it is an area by the road, make sure it is far enough away that the cars won't scare him/her. A park would be good or an area beside a gas station. Just make sure you have plastic bags with you so you can clean up afterward. Also, be prepared to stop during the trip. An hour might not seem like a long time, but it could be for the pup. Pay attention to it and if it seems to get really anxious or hyper, find a place to take it out of the car for a few minutes.

[erdog3]

You are not supposed to let a puppy come into contact with the possiblility of catching any contagious disease, parvo being a killer. You puppy will not be fully protected at 8 weeks, the answer NO make him hold it till home, very risky to put him down on the ground, I would sooner have an accident in the car, than a sick pup. You need to wait till after his booster shot, in Oz it is 12 weeks old, not sure for where you are, but somehting well worth checking out. Even after the booster, you should wait at least a further 2 weeks for full immunity to be reached.

[RebelxPoptart]

but can i still let him/her (let's just say it's a girl) run around in my fenced in yard? there's only been two dogs that i know of that have gone there, and they only played back there once. (my aunt's dog and my neighbor's dog) i've seen in some places "dont let your puppy go on grass that other animals have been on" how do i do that? there are squirrels, raccoons, etc. how do i take her for walks if she hasnt gotten her booster?

(i'm sorry for so many questions, but this seems like one of the few very responsible places to ask on the web)

thnx again for all your help!

sarah

[peptodog]

Hmm dunno get her shots asap