My Puppy is coming home TODAY!!

[Dopey]

I can't beleive it! I get to go pick up Yoshi today. I think I have everything at home for her. Anyone have little tips that you can't find in books to make the transition easier?

Thanks!
PS stay tuned for pictues later today!

[sharona1973]

Awww...Yoshi looks so cute!! How old is she?

Well, I believe in crate training, so I'd make sure her little crate is all comfy-cosied up...maybe a nice warm blanket or towel, a soft toy or stuffed animal to cuddle up with when she's sleeping. Even if you don't use crate it would be nice to have soft things to cuddle up with. If Yoshi is used to sleeping with her litter and mom, maybe a clock that ticks would help. That's all old school stuff....it's worked for me.

And of course nothing beats lots of hugs and kisses and cuddle time.

Have fun!!

[anaconda]

A cardboard box is a good idea for the first crate... cheap and cosy. It's a good idea to have plenty of old towels so she can curl up among them. Also, a warning: if she lowers her bottom and starts shifting around in circles, keeping her front paws in the same place, it probably means she's going to go! (In the books it said "circling", and I didn't know what he was doing until it was too late. )

Good luck, and congratulations!

[Carrie]

Congrats! She is adorable....can't wait for more pictures.

Well, have you read all the stickies on these forums about puppies? There are articles too that may be useful.

I like crate training too, as do lots of people.

Another thing: Of course, she's going to cry probably when she's put in there at night time. I found that putting the crate in my room really helped. The pup still has to learn to sleep independently, but is a little closer to you which is like it is when they're in a pack or family....instead of completely isolated. Just make sure she's gone potty and is comfortable and then when she whines, you'll have to basically ignore her and not let her out or she'll never get use to it and will cry and be the drama queen for a lot longer. After a week or so, she should be fine.

Do you have any specific questions about potty training or anything else? Do a search on this forum and read lots of threads. There are so many on here covering typical things that everyone has questions about. Also, don't hesitate to ask anything if you're not sure. Is this your first pup?

Good luck and keep us posted! Very exciting!

[tessa_s212]

Aww! You are so lucky! I still have quite a long wait for my puppy.

How old is she? If she is only 6-7 weeks you should probably expect quite a bit of whining the first few days, specifically when she is in the crate for the night, etc.

[Jamilupine]

Have a GREAT time with her! Make sure she gets lots of love! I found that I had a rougher time with the transition than Lucy did! Having a pup requires lots of energy!

I really like crate training. Lucy doesn't spend much time in her crate anymore, but it helped tremendously during the potty training period. Also, it's a safe environment for a pup when you aren't home.

I agree with Carrie, check out the puppy stickies - they are great!

Have fun, and post lots of cute pics!

[flyndog]

Cute!!! If you secure the crate on a chair next to your bed so the puppy can see and smell you and put a sock (that you have worn) in the crate so he can smell you, he won't be so sad and lonely and missing his littermates because he can smell his new mom.
Congratulations on your new puppy!

[Dopey]

Well we have been home for a few hours now. She cried in the car ride home but we think it was because she wanted to run around with all her puppy energy. We have already learned what corners she likes to have accidents in and have also had 1 successful trip outside. She is now sleeping in her crate. We put her in there with her kong for the first time. She played with it like crazy and then fell asleep so we shut the door.

Here are a few of the first pictures.


She likes her first toy!


I guess water tastes better out of a glass!


She likes the crate!

[tessa_s212]

Awww! She is soo cute! Success!! She LIKES the crate! That is awesome! And you'll be glad later on..it will come in handy!

[Jamilupine]

What adorable pictures! Makes me want another little one! I must say too, you made a great choice on the crate with a divider! If your pup seems uncomfortable in the crate, try covering it with a blanket. She doesn't seem to mind, but Lucy minded quite a bit when I changed her to a wire crate. Just thought I'd throw that out for you! Have so much fun with her, they are great.

[Carrie]

Oh that's a neat crate....with that divider! She is utterly more adorable than should be allowed without a permit. There is hardly anything cuter than a Beagle puppy.

Be really watchful so she doesn't have accidents. The more she has, the harder it will be to house break her. (easier said than done) You literally have to watch these little sneaks ever second while they're loose in the house....I mean, you get to thinking, "well....I'll just run in the bathroom and go pee myself and she'll be OK for those 3 minutes." Not on your life. Pop her in the crate. Then you can let her out again when you're through.

It's a long, arduous process and scolding doesn't help. It can make it worse, making the pup afraid to go at all until they can't hold it anymore. Then they go in the house because they think going pee is a no no sometimes, not that going pee in the house is the no no.

These babies barely feel it coming on and have so little bladder control. Take her out often...like every 1/2 hour or 45 minutes and say....10 minutes after eating. Take her out when she first wakes up from a nap, after a little play session, after drinking water. Watch for signs: circling, sniffing around in "corners" (lol) or furniture. Then scoot her outside and praise like mad when she goes out there. You can also give a command while she's going....like, "go pee pee" or whatever you choose. But keep it low key so as not to distract her. The second she's finished, praise her a whole bunch.

That's my potty training .02 worth. LOL.

Hope everything goes well for you. Thanks for showing us those darling photos. Keep us posted how everything goes along.

[Dopey]

Well we made it through the first night with no accedents in the crate

We got up every 2 hours and took her out. let her down in the same spot and told her to 'potty'. after having done this all day I would like to think she is already learning. It apears that she knows that when she is done going 'potty' I will give her lots of prais and a little treat. I sure hope this progress keeps up, but I'm sure there will be little setbacks but thats what puppies do.

[flyndog]

Oh she's precious! Yes, I want one, too! I love the smell of puppy feet!

[sharona1973]

How cute!!!! That is just so darling. Beagle puppies are just so adorable. I have always loved Beagles....they always seemed like perpetual puppies even when they are adults!

I love that wire crate! Way cool. Mocha was using Mishka's crate...and it's one of those pet porters....a wire crate would have been much better...you can see out of it!

Have a great time!

Oh....since we're talking potty training....do any of you say something different for urinating vs pooping? I just say "go potty" regardless. I'm wondering if I should have made a distinction?

[Carrie]

I say, "go pee pee, go poo poo." That's probably a lot of words, LOL. They probaby don't pay any attention to me anyhow and will go whatever they need to, if they need to. LOL.