puppy question(s)

[radfringe]

We pick her up next Sunday...

She's been on JOY brand of puppy chow, can't locate it in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PA area, they will be sending some up with her so we can gradually switch her to another brand - but if anyone in my neck of the woods knows where I can find JOY brand - let me know

the other question is about housebreaking pads - they weren't around the last time we had a puppy in the house so we have no experience with piddle pads

anyone ever use them? pros/cons? any particular brand better than others? your input is greatly appreciated!!!!

[femmocrat]

1. Congtratulations on your new puppy!

We are in western PA but I haven't seen Joy in supermarkets in ages. Try the local pet stores maybe. (We use Purina One.)

Re: puppy pads. We didn't have any luck with them because the puppy would shred them up. Plain old newspapers worked the best for us. I also tried the puppy litter, but the puppy just tried to chew on it. I recently read that pellets from pellet stoves are supposed to work well for puppy litter, but I don't know anyone who actually used them.

Please post a photo when you get a chance? Good luck! :hi:

[China_cat]

2. Here's their email address

[email protected]

You might ask about distributors in your area.

[Kali]

3. piddle pads:

first you train puppy to pee in the house on them and then you train puppy to pee outside. Why not just skip that first step?

(I have had lots of dogs - never used them, don't "get" it, frankly)

[Maine-ah]

4. how old is the puppy?

[auburngrad82]

5. Everyone here has good points

I think it's best to train her right from the start to go outside. The only way to do it is to watch her closely, take her out after every meal and take her out often. If she starts sniffing around, especially by the doors, you probably need to take her out.

If you're not home, keep her in a crate until you get home and then take her out immediately. She'll sleep most of the time you're away. Most dogs won't foul their crates unless they just can't hold it any longer.

Also, crate her at night. It will keep her from getting up in the middle of the night and getting into things she shouldn't be in.

[NMDemDist2]

6. crate training really is a great idea, so many don't like to do it

make sure the crate is the 'safe place' with her toys and bed not the 'bad girl' place she gets sent for punishment

never tried puppy pads, just watched the baby like a hawk, took them outside the minute they woke up and after every meal and until they were 10 weeks or so never freaked out if they had an 'accident'

[auburngrad82]

7. Used correctly a crate is a safe haven for the dog

When our dogs are ready for bed, they go into their crates and stand with their heads out until you give them their treat and close the door. We crate three and let the oldest have the run of the house.