Well tomorrow life as we know it life will change forever - we are getting a
GSP puppy. We haven't had a puppy in over ten years but an opportunity
presented itself that we couldn't (well my dh couldn't anyways pass up.
A puppy will hopefully make a smoother transition into the household than an
older dog as Shadow has some aggression issues.

I was thinking the initial meeting will go like this: Puppy and Shadow will
first meet outside. Not exactly neutral territory (as was suggested by a
vet) but probably better than the house. Then DH will bring the puppy
inside and let her get acquainted with the surroundings while Shadow and I
stay outside playing fetch for awhile. Then after a sufficient (?) amount
of time we will go indoors. Does this sound like a good plan? Or not?

We will be using a crate (for the first time ever) mostly at night. Should
we leave water in the crate overnight or does this interfere with
housetraining?

I want this puupy to be well socialized with children as grandchildren are
probably on the horizon in the next few years. Since I'm not in contact
with young children my youngest daughter is going to being taking her at
least weekly to see a friend of hers who has a two-year-old (constant
supervision is a given with that age). I would also like to take her to my
daughter's kindergarten class but I don't want her to be overwhelmed and was
wondering what a good age would be to do that. From what I've read the peak
socialization period is 8-16 weeks but it is also the time that they can be
traumatized.

Any feedback/comments are welcome! Thanks

Kathy

In article ,
"kat" wrote:


I was thinking the initial meeting will go like this: Puppy and Shadow will
first meet outside. Not exactly neutral territory (as was suggested by a
vet) but probably better than the house. Then DH will bring the puppy
inside and let her get acquainted with the surroundings while Shadow and I
stay outside playing fetch for awhile. Then after a sufficient (?) amount
of time we will go indoors. Does this sound like a good plan? Or not?

I think Shadow will want to be in with DH and puppy! I would spend as
much time outdoors with the 2 of them first, and then all go in.

We will be using a crate (for the first time ever) mostly at night. Should
we leave water in the crate overnight or does this interfere with
housetraining?

No water overnight. It gets spilled, she doesn't need it as she should
be sleeping, and it just becomes a mess. I'd put the crate next to the
bed though. I use a smaller bedtime crate (because that's what fits in
the bedroom!) and a larger more open wire crate in the family room for
the times I leave during the day.

I want this puupy to be well socialized with children as grandchildren are
probably on the horizon in the next few years. Since I'm not in contact
with young children my youngest daughter is going to being taking her at
least weekly to see a friend of hers who has a two-year-old (constant
supervision is a given with that age). I would also like to take her to my
daughter's kindergarten class but I don't want her to be overwhelmed and was
wondering what a good age would be to do that. From what I've read the peak
socialization period is 8-16 weeks but it is also the time that they can be
traumatized.

Find a good puppy kindergarten class. You may be able to get a lot
accomplished there. Start at 8-9 weeks IMO.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

In article ,
Janet Boss wrote:
I think Shadow will want to be in with DH and puppy! I would spend as
much time outdoors with the 2 of them first, and then all go in.

Me too!

No water overnight.

Me too!

Find a good puppy kindergarten class. You may be able to get a lot
accomplished there. Start at 8-9 weeks IMO.

Me too! How'd you get so smart?

Puppy license is a great thing. In general, with adult
dogs, I tend to like to allow lots and lots of heavily
supervised interaction, and the dogs tend not to be too sure
about each other for a couple of weeks. But my experience
with puppies is that they're completely unself-conscious and
will curl up on top of the adult dog the first day. Which
is not to say, of course, that you don't have to supervise
supervise supervise.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

In article ,
(Melinda Shore) wrote:


Me too! How'd you get so smart?

I just listen to the puppies!

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

"kat" wrote in message
net...

We will be using a crate (for the first time ever) mostly at night.
Should
we leave water in the crate overnight or does this interfere with
housetraining?

Congratulations on your new puppy . Agree with what's already been said
but I thínk you should leave a small amount of water in the crate
especially if you have the heating on . You can get bowls that clip on the
side, off the floor.
Your pup will be in a strange new situation and will be stressed and not
settled at first and she could very likely become thirsty. Perhaps when she
is more settled in a few days you could remove the bowl but I personally
don't like to do that.
Alison