bringing a new dog into your home..

[gregs317]

Hi, I am almost ready to make the deal, to buy my dachshund and arrange for her to fly here. Still a little nervous about finalizing the deal, i've been single for a while and haven't shared my apartment with anyone else. But I'm sure it will get easier, with time.

Was wondering: what are some good ways to help your dog adjust to his or her new home? I bought a bed already, and i'll make sure to have a blanket available for her, as well as food and a leash and a collar. Like during the first 2-3 days, i'm sure she will feel some shock and loneliness from her old home, and her dog brothers and sisters. I will try to remember to have some new toys available for her, as well. If you have any other tips, I'd appreciate it a lot. Thanks, Greg

[calgal]

Some Nylabone chews........NO rawhide! Food and water dish, car seat, sweaters for chilly days and a coat if you live where the winters are really cold.
Make her appointment with your Vet. so you can take her in for a complete check up the day after she arrives. Why are you flying her in? You should have been able to find a breeder in your area, and one that gives a one year health guarantee, and where you could drive the puppy back to the breeder if necessary. I wish you the best with your puppy.

[gregs317]

Unfortunately I wasn't able to find a breeder in my area, which had what I was looking for. The dog is 3 yrs. old, and she will be flying from North Carolina to Pennsylvania.

I have a neighbor across the street with a dachshund, Rusty. I visit them frequently, so i will probably take Maggie over to meet him. I hope they'll get along and maybe play together. Greg

[gregs317]

just curious, why no rawhide? And anything i should be aware of before introducing 2 dogs - even if they are both dachshunds? Greg

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

You can put a tshirt or sock or something of your's with your scent on it in her bed to help her feel more comfortable and bond to you. That's usually recommended for puppies, but my 5 year old Greyhound is just as comforted by items of mine (I'm still missing a t-shirt that I suspect he has stashed somewhere! One I didn't give him! lol). For the first couple days I'd just take it real slow. Do whatever you normally do and let her decide how much to participate. Definitely give her a week or two and have her vet checked before introducing her to any other dogs. If she's not up-to-date on shots or spayed that'll need to be done, but I think you said she's all of the above. Make sure your vet knows she's from another state so the vet can check for parasites or illness that may not be common in your area. Also ask if heartworm preventative and flea and tick preventative are necessary, and if she's already on any at her current house.

I bet Maggie will be thrilled to visit another Doxie. Introduce them on nuetral turf (not your yard or house, not their's), and if all goes well move to a yard or room and keep an eye on them for awhile.

Rawhide can cause choking and obstruction when swallowed. There are other toys and chews that are safer, but anything that can be chewed should be under supervision. Especially until you figure out how vigorous of a chewer she is and buy toys that are appropriate.

I'm sure the transition will be smooth and you'll enjoy her lots. Let us know the coming home date and be sure to post pictures when she gets here!

[dogs4life]

Looks like you got great suggestions, just wanted to add:

You will need time to bond, will you take time off work to spend quality time with your new dog? You don't have to tell your work it's because you are getting a new dog, some people just don't understand in that arena

Do you have a vet picked out?

Is the dog crate trained?

You might need a crate for the car or night time to keep your new dog from getting up without you and getting into stuff. Crating your dog is a personal preference but I love the fact my small dog is crate trained, he loves it in there.

[gregs317]

I guess to a lot of people (like me), a crate seems like a prison sort of thing. But I guess as long as the door is open and it's nice and comfy, it's not so bad. Greg

[dogs4life]

I believe is a very personal choice, but if the dog is used to being crated, it might smooth the transition to your home. Just a thought not a real suggestion

[Cassiepeia]

Actually think of a crate like a bedroom, the dog gets its own personal space, a nice warm safe place to sleep and the security of an enclosed area.
You'll find that dogs LOVE their crates. If you're uncomfortable with a crate, however, you can use an ex-pen for your home instead (think of that like a play pen for a toddler or baby). You'll need somewhere safe and secure to put your dog when you can't supervise her (because an unsupervised dog can choke on objects it swallows, fall off furniture it climbs or jumps on, get electricuted by electrical cords it chews on, get poisoned by things it decides would taste yummy to eat etc...).

I can't wait to see pictures of your new girl! You must be so excited now.

Cass.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

I second what Cass said about a crate or exercise pen. 3 out of 4 of my dogs are crate trained. My Yorkie won't stand for a crate (she's from a pet store and I had no idea what I was doing when I got her as far as crate training her, so that could be a big part of it. She does get in Ollie's crate when she feels like to and just sits. lol). My other two little ones that are crate trained do well in their crates, and my Greyhound gets really upset if he's ever NOT able to get into his crate!

I should post pics of the three crates. Aysa's looks so comfy I'd sleep in there (if it wasn't so dirty. Haha!)!

[Rivsky]

I didn't crate train my dog because I also thought it was too much like a prison at the time - but I can tell you that my future dogs will be crate trained as I've learnt the error of my ways

I really do think they serve their purpose particularly when you're out visiting other people's places or on holidays etc - you just take the crate with you and your dog would automatically know that's somewhere they could go and relax and be safe.

And definitely give your dog her own space when she gets home. My sister got her dog as a 3 year old as well and for the first night she just sulked in the corner on her own and didn't want to have anything to do with anyone in the house - including her other dog. It was so hard on my sister to just sit back and not comfort her but eventually she became more relaxed and now she's my sister's shadow - doesn't let her out of her sight when she's home!!!

[calgal]

I personally am not into putting chemicles on the pets, (as they are absorbed into the blood stream and can cause major health problems including cancers) but instead I use all natural products that I make up and they are just as effective. This is a wonderful site if you do choose the natural approach.
http://lowchensaustralia.com/pests/bites2.htm

[LilacDragon]

Originally Posted by gregs317

I guess to a lot of people (like me), a crate seems like a prison sort of thing. But I guess as long as the door is open and it's nice and comfy, it's not so bad. Greg

I decided that crate training was important when I was 21 and my shepherd pup chewed the 220 volt cord off of the back of the refrigerator.

The other thing you might want to consider about crate training is this - what if there is some emergency where there is no option but to crate your pet? If your dog is ill and must be crated at the vet or there is an evacuation and you are only allowed to take your pet to the shelter if it is crated?

[saden99]

For many people crate training seems cruel much like spank training seems cruel to others.

Crate training has its pros and it has its cons like any type of training.

I didn't crate train Junior and he was housebroken a week after he arrived at my house. He was also quite comfortable being around me. When I would leave the house for 7-8 hours he was left in my room with a few toys and a chewy bone. When I got back home I'd play with him and let him roam around the house and play with the other dogs here.

He's grown up quite nicely without a crate. He is still a little feisty but I would attribute that to him being 9 months old and he is tumbly on his long legs...still getting used to them I guess.

[smkie]

^^^^^ that is how i feel about crates and spanking. I would much prefer someone take the time to keep an eye on the pup, take it out ever half hour especially making sure right when they wake up, after they drink a lot or right after they eat as well. Understand that your working with an infant and they need the same gentle kind of guidence.
I do however make a safe room removing all electrical cords out of reach, coating ones that have to be with bitter apple gel and making sure there are no choking hazards for when i do have to leave. I have never needed a crate to train my puppies. Babysitters are very nice to have for very young dogs that cannot hours for their owners to return.