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    Poisonary's Avatar
    Poisonary Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 30, 2010, 01:34 AM
    Help raising a 3 or 4 week old puppy
    So my family received a very young Chihuahua mix out of nowhere. My dad was informed that she was 2 weeks old but she is able to urinate and defecate on her own and can eat some solids, so I'm guessing she's around the 3 or 4 week mark.

    I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into. I think I more or less will end up being the primary caretaker of this dog, which irritates me slightly because I am the kind of person who believes getting a dog is a months-or-years-long process, but I don't mind too much. We have purchased Esbilac for her but she doesn't need it in a bottle anymore - she can lap it up from a bowl. She has no interest in water from a bowl. She can also eat some canned puppy food with the Esbilac mixed in.

    So, for starters, how would being consistent in potty training work at her age? From what I understand, for every month in its age, that's how long it can hold it in hours, so I'd be taking her out every hour. Does this apply even at night?

    I don't have a crate for her yet but we made a makeshift box-bed-thing that I lined with old towels. I notice sometimes she shivers or is trembling while sleeping in the towel. Is this just her being cold/scared?

    She also REALLY likes sleeping in peoples' laps, and sometimes I have a hard time getting her to sleep in the box. I've fixed this so far by using one of the towels from her box in my lap, then carrying her to it when she's asleep, but is there a better way to get her to sleep for the night? I also downloaded a clock ticking app on my iPhone since I read the ticking comforts them. Sounds weird, but I gave it a try. Thanks in advance!
    posey_84's Avatar
    posey_84 Posts: 202, Reputation: 15
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    #2

    Mar 30, 2010, 04:21 AM

    Its going to be very difficult for a while yet as she should still be with her mother and won't understand why she's not. She is absolutley far too young to be toilet training (it just won't work). All you can do is make sure you take her out after every feed or sleep to prevent accidents even during the night. You need to register with a vet too as she will need injections at around 8 weeks and can't be taken out until then, a vet will also be able to tell you how old she is. The reason she wants to be on someone's lap all the time is because she's scared and needs love. She needs to be handled by as many people as possible to socialise her. Its hard work for the first few months and it's a big commitment but please don't give up because the love you get back from your dog is so worth it. Good luck
    shazamataz's Avatar
    shazamataz Posts: 6,642, Reputation: 1244
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    #3

    Mar 30, 2010, 04:54 AM

    Poseys post is very good and it sounds like you are doing everything very well so far.

    Sleeping on her own and all night will take time, do you know what situation she was in before you got her?
    Was she with a large litter of puppies?
    If she was suddenly taken away from littermates or her mother then it will take a bit of time for her to gain some independence. The ticking clock is a good idea... just make sure it's only very soft or it could end up having the opposite effect than what you want.

    My new puppy is a lot older than yours but what we did to get him to sleep in his crate without fussing was to put his crate right next to our bed.
    I removed my bedside table and put him right next to me... that way he was still in his crate but still close to me so he didn't get worried/scared at night.
    Eventually you can move the crate further and further away from your bed each night until it is where you want it to be.

    Crates can be expensive but they are worth it. I use all wire crates (not those yukky plastic ones) so that when it is hot they get plenty of air circulating through them, but when it is cold you can just put a blanket over it.
    I also use a blanket to trick my dogs into sleeping in later of a morning because they don't see the sunlight until I remove the blanket.
    Aurora_Bell's Avatar
    Aurora_Bell Posts: 4,193, Reputation: 822
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    #4

    Mar 30, 2010, 06:00 AM

    I agree with the two above posts. Puppy is much too young to start house breaking yet.
    But one thing I cannot stress enough is make sure your puppy gets properly socialized with other puppies (after being vaccinated), older dogs and humans.

    Dog’s that leave their pack at a young age have more tendencies to become aggressive. Socializing with puppy classes and obedience classes will help with aggression, as well as promote bonding between you guys.

    I like the all wire crates as well. Since your dog is smaller, you should be able to find one relatively cheap. Check out your local classifieds, Kijiji adds, as well as Craig’s list.

    It sounds like you are on the right track, I would try and bring your puppy into your room for the night while he is so young. It’s a good idea to take him out as much as possible during the day as well as at night. Be prepared for a few sleepless nights! It’s admirable that you are willing to take on such a huge responsibility. Do you know why the pup had to leave his litter mates so early?

    As far as the water situation, just make sure there is always fresh water available. If you are feeding him hard kibble, you can always wet it with water this will ensure that he is getting enough hydration. It is crucial that he stays hydrated, puppies are at a higher risk of developing de hydration. Keep a close eye on this. It probably wouldn’t hurt to mix water in with any of the food that you are providing him now.
    Cat1864's Avatar
    Cat1864 Posts: 8,007, Reputation: 3687
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    #5

    Mar 30, 2010, 06:42 AM

    The only thing I am going to stress is that she needs to be checked out by a vet as soon as possible. The vet will be able to give you a better idea of her age and make certain that she is as healthy as she appears.

    You might try taking an old piece of clothing wearing it for a while so that it smells like you and putting that in her box. At her age, warming her towel before putting her down may help, too. Make certain that her box is out of drafts. Covering it with a sheet or towel could help keep her feeling a little warmer and more secure.

    Congratulations on the new family member. :)
    Poisonary's Avatar
    Poisonary Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Mar 30, 2010, 07:03 AM

    Thank you everyone! I did forget to mention that my family will be taking her to the vet this coming Saturday. And last night, she pretty much consistently woke up every hour. I mix the Esbilac into wet puppy food which she finishes pretty consistently, but she will not touch water by itself. Is the Esbilac a good source for hydration (since it's part water part formula)?

    I do not know what her situation was before she came to us, other than the owner is a patient of my dad's currently in the hospital. Last night was definitely a sleepless night!
    Poisonary's Avatar
    Poisonary Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Mar 30, 2010, 07:19 AM

    Also, how do I get her to poop or pee outside when it's cold? Since she's so young I figure the cold affects her way more than a normal dog would. I just fed her and I'm trying to get her to poop but once she comes outside she starts to shiver and huddles between my feet. I try coaxing her into pooping but she just seems way too cold.
    shazamataz's Avatar
    shazamataz Posts: 6,642, Reputation: 1244
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    #8

    Mar 30, 2010, 07:52 AM

    It's a shame you don't know her situation before she came to you, would have been a big help believe it or not... Most breeders I know actually start potty training puppies from the minute they are born... just not outside.
    Usually the whelping box is separated into 2 halves, one half has soft bedding, the other half flat newspaper. The puppies naturally try not to go on the bedding and go on the newspaper - so it trains them to paper from a very early age.

    I personally don't bother trying to train them to go outside until around 6 weeks of age... I just stick to paper training as it is MUCH easier with a puppy who needs to potty every half an hour! :D

    If she really is only 3-4 weeks old then she should only just be getting her first glimpse of the outside world, not being taken out all the time.
    There are too many diseases and illnesses a young pup can pick up outside and their first set of vaccinations aren't fully working until around 6 weeks of age.
    Lucky098's Avatar
    Lucky098 Posts: 2,594, Reputation: 543
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    #9

    Mar 30, 2010, 08:12 AM

    Your pup is way to young to even begin to worry about potty training. I got a pup at the 4 week mark as well.. Be prepared for mistakes. You can still take her out to go potty... but you NEED to be out there with her as well. This pup is too young to be alone. If this seems to be to hard. You can always introduce a potty pad. Puppies at this age don't quite understand yet what it means to keep the den clean. Puppies at this age are still cared for by mom. But when puppy turns 8wks.. its time to introduce the great outdoors.

    Also, at 4 weeks, its time to wean. It's a bit hard to get the pup to wean from milk to solid food... But it can be done. Stop offering the milk. Start offering a mushed up mash of the dry food you intend for her to be on. Dip her nose in it. Once she starts eating the mash with no problems (should take a couple of days) Start introducing hard kibbles and water. Puppies aren't going to need water unless they eat a dry food. If you continue to give a food with moisture in it, they're not going to want it.

    I just recently raised 3 pups that were rejected form mom... this process can be done! It just takes patience!
    Aurora_Bell's Avatar
    Aurora_Bell Posts: 4,193, Reputation: 822
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    #10

    Mar 30, 2010, 09:16 AM

    As much as I hate them, this might the situation for those pee pads.

    It is a lot of ahrd work, but I have also raised a pup or two that has been rejected by mom, not to mention the countless puppies that come into the shelter under age. It's very rewarding, it's hard work, but so worth it.

    Like Cat suggested, take her into the vet, ask the vet for some pointers, they will know what is best for your pup and it's true age.

    Good luck! And I can't believe no one has asked yet but... Got any pic's? :D
    Poisonary's Avatar
    Poisonary Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #11

    Mar 30, 2010, 11:17 AM

    Thank you! I'll get pics when I'm not so sleep deprived. :) I slept in the living room last night because she woke up every half hr to pee, poop, or cry for attention. I wanted to have her sleep on the couch with me because cuddling was a great way to knock her out. The process usually went: wake up to her crying and trying to get out of the box (sometimes she's successful, means we need a bigger box), pick her and her blanket up, cuddle on the couch till she's fast asleep, put her back in the box and go back to sleep. Repeat every 30 minutes. Tiring!
    posey_84's Avatar
    posey_84 Posts: 202, Reputation: 15
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    #12

    Mar 31, 2010, 04:51 AM

    I agree. Puppy pads can make things a lot easier. We got our pups at 6 weeks (2 weeks early) and decided to try the pads and they were great for us. We put them just outside their bed then over the course of a few weeks moved them closer to the door then eventually outside. Just remember gentle praise as she uses the pad (so you don't scare her) then make a fuss of her when she finishes. Good luck x
    Poisonary's Avatar
    Poisonary Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #13

    Mar 31, 2010, 01:17 PM

    Thank you Posey! We will be trying puppy pads soon, and it sounds like a good way to orient her to going outside eventually. Some good news now, she doesn't get up as frequently over the night so more sleep is to be had - at least that's what I heard, I couldn't watch her last night since I had school. She's also being handled by everyone in my family, including my 8 year old sister. I am trying to get my sister to help teach Dot bite inhibition since she seems to like nibbling on my sister's fingers the most. What's a good way to help with that?
    Cat1864's Avatar
    Cat1864 Posts: 8,007, Reputation: 3687
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    #14

    Mar 31, 2010, 03:11 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Poisonary View Post
    I am trying to get my sister to help teach Dot bite inhibition since she seems to like nibbling on my sister's fingers the most. What's a good way to help with that?
    Make a high pitched yelp and pull your hands, feet, etc. away from Dot. It mimics the way pups tell each other 'enough already.'

    She will be biting everything. It is one of the ways pups learn about their surroundings. Make certain to have a puppy safe toy available to subsitute for ALL of the things you don't want her biting like people, shoes, clothing, wires, etc.

    Good luck. :)
    Poisonary's Avatar
    Poisonary Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #15

    Mar 31, 2010, 05:28 PM

    She no longer seems to like her box - she will cry and bark and whine and try and crawl out if you leave her in there, even if someone is right next to the box. We will be picking up a crate this weekend, but for now part of the box has newspaper where her sleep area isn't located. So when we try and get her to eliminate after she's eaten or napped, she refuses, and when someone gives up and takes her out of the box, she poops and pees on the floor. It would probably be easier if we just walled off a part of the room and laid newspaper all over, huh?
    Aurora_Bell's Avatar
    Aurora_Bell Posts: 4,193, Reputation: 822
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    #16

    Mar 31, 2010, 05:42 PM

    You could make a make shift whelping "area". We've done that with puppies lots of times.

    Just ensure you are always keeping it clean, and still taking them out when the time is right, and giving them plenty of interaction. When does she go to the vet?
    Poisonary's Avatar
    Poisonary Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #17

    Mar 31, 2010, 05:51 PM

    This Saturday. I wish it would be sooner but my parents have the money to pay for it and don't have the time till this weekend.

    She likes to chew on carpet as well. So when she chews on carpet, do I also yelp and give her the toy?
    Aurora_Bell's Avatar
    Aurora_Bell Posts: 4,193, Reputation: 822
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    #18

    Mar 31, 2010, 06:22 PM

    You could make an obnoxious noise, it will resemble what moma dog does when the pups upset her.

    You can can try and start with the leave it command along with a yelp, or a "no", or what ever word you are going to use. I personally like "leave it" opposed to "no". We use the word "No" everyday, it starts to loose meaning for them.

    Saturday's not too far away! I'm glad you guys are at least taking him! (You wouldn't believe the people who wouldn't). Sounds like he is going to have a great home!

    Did you say her name is Dot?
    Poisonary's Avatar
    Poisonary Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #19

    Mar 31, 2010, 06:34 PM

    Yes, her name is Dot! ;) Named for the white dot on her forehead on an otherwise brown coat. I was never a huge fan of Chihuahuas but she's growing on me.
    Cat1864's Avatar
    Cat1864 Posts: 8,007, Reputation: 3687
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    #20

    Apr 1, 2010, 05:28 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Poisonary View Post
    Yes, her name is Dot! ;) Named for the white dot on her forehead on an otherwise brown coat. I was never a huge fan of Chihuahuas but she's growing on me.
    She sounds adorable and like a true puppy. :)

    Remember to praise her when she stops chewing on the carpet and starts playing with her toy. Understand that it is going to be a long process so don't give up. Stay consistent and she will learn. Just think, she hasn't gotten anywhere close to teething age, yet. :)

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