[Laurie]

Hi, my new chocolate lab puppy, Angus, is coming home on Saturday for the first time. He will be 9 weeks old. Am really looking forward to having him and have got lots of stuff prepared for him - bed, blankets, crate, nylabone, a few toys, newspapers, etc. but wondered if anyone had any last minute tips or advice how to make the transition as smooth as possible for him? I have already left a towel with the breeder to get the scent of his mum & littermates and have a loud ticking clock for him - any other ideas much appreciated!

Many thanks

 

[Karen_theArtist]

Hi there, Welcome to the Forum!

We got our choc lab 4 weeks ago, our first ever lab - he's 11 weeks old now. They grow so fast - he likes his cuddles on my lap but is getting heavier and bigger!

Corbie's breeder gave us a fleecy blanket that had been left with the litter so he slept with that and I think it helped a lot - at bed time he only cried a couple of minutes and the next time was 7am! He had done some business overnight on the newspaper.

We also showed him around the house - the phone ringing and tap running made him jump at first - and took him out in the garden as soon as we got him home so he could go to the toilet. We had his bed in the lounge with us during the day so he could go to sleep and be with us. It was very strange as at that point he didn't really know his name or any commands.

He sleeps in the kitchen, and we didn't put him in the crate until a couple of days later (wish we'd used it straightaway as I found the oven gloves and teatowel in his bed one morning!) and he was straight in there no problems before it was even bedtime! Half of it had his blankets and the other half newspaper.

I've been carrying him out of the house and to the main road a few times to get him used to the traffic noise, taking him out in the car, etc. He will be going for his first walkies on Thursday as he had his last vaccination last week.

With toilet training, we'd let him out after he'd just woken up or been playing or eating.. usually he would need to go approx every hour at that time. It only took him a week to learn to go to the back door to go out, but there were still a few accidents indoors but we perservered and now he will go straight to the back door and whine to go out (although he will also try it on when he doesn't need the loo just to go out and sniff around!!).

You may find he enjoys playing with newspaper, shoes, slippers, cardboard, underwear, etc more than his toys at first! :lol:

Patience is the key, and gradually your puppy will start to learn and it's very rewarding to watch. He will also be very mischievious if Corbie is anything to go by, but it is a lot of fun (and tiring, although they do sleep a lot so there is some respite during the day!) :lol:

Look forward to hearing all about Angus

 

[lablover]

You sound like your pretty well prepared Have you got a copy of the perfect puppy? It has lots of tips for new owners. Take someone with you for the journey, or ask someone to drive you so you can sit with him. If your're using a crate, feed him all his meals in there to start with so he associates it with good things, and throw a blanket over it so it feels like his 'den'. Book an appt with your vet so he can get started with his innoculations and I would also advise booking a puppy class - they can get booked up quickly. Most important with a young puppy is to socialise, socialise and socialise. You should not allow him to walk in public areas until about a week after is second innoculation, but after a couple of days do take him out (carrying him) as much as possible to get him used to different sounds, places and people.
HTH

 

[Laurie]

Thank you so much for your replies - very helpful. Angus has been at home for over a week now & is settling in well. He is used to the crate now & seems happy to go in there at night or if I pop out. Looking forward to taking him out & about when he has his jabs.

 

[bradleysmum]

Hi Laurie,

A warm welcome to Labforums.

It sounds like you are doing a great job, and little Angus is settling in well.

You might find a few things on this puppy guide helpful, although not all will apply.. (Many are tips before ownership) but you might find some bits helpful.

http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/puppyguide.html

Have fun with Angus, i remember when our Bradley, now 9 months was just a tiny little thing...such lovely bundles of fun aren't they! They still stay lovely, but they just grow, and grow, and grow.......! lol

Have fun on the site.

Bye for now

Julie
Aka Bradleysmum