Have I finally found my friends? (Palmer has crossed over the Bridge)

Susan...

do not use the drop-one-arm-technique on your husband and tell him it was my idea! :eek: :eek: :eek: :D

Sas and Yunah ;)

Okay-I just emailed them and have asked if they would send a picture. Normally no pictures go out before two weeks. We'll see.

We always felt that Peaches and Palmer got house broken because we took them out every hour.

This is going to be one interesting ride home! I'll be taking plastic for my lap - we will start out in the cage....and do that as long as is possible. The trip back will be a two day thing. Hey-I think it's now 7 weeks from today. Yahooooooooooo!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:):):):):):eek::eek::e ek::eek::eek::eek:
-Susan

I too would give the prep school a miss. It sounds like they focus on crate training and I believe that crate training is something that needs to be done right - and the best way to do it right is to do it yourself at home! At least then if any mistakes are made you know what happened, when etc which makes undoing them a lot easier. (It isn't hard though if you go slow!:) Going slow and not asking too much at first is the key.)

I've crate trained our two dogs. (Neither from early puppyhood though). The first, Zac, was totally "crate naive" and was a breeze to train. He loves his crate and always has done - it is his happy place and where he wants to be if he is frightened (as by fireworks etc).

My other dog was supposedly "crate trained" when she came to us. But her relationship with the crate was far from ideal. I'm pretty sure her "crate training" had simply been spending a lot of time in a crate and so being used to it. This is not the same thing as true crate training, IMO. She rarely if ever went willingly (let alone enthusiastically) into a crate and tended to whine quite a bit too at times.

She's been with us for three months now and things are very different these days. Now she bounds into her crate with enthusiasm and I don't think we have long to go before she loves it as much as does Zac. But it has taken a while and a lot more effort and thought and problem solving than it did to do it right the first time with Zac - who is a much, much more innately challenging dog as well!

I would be a little concerned that the "crate training" they may do at the prep school is more like just getting them used to being crated rather than teaching them to love their crate. This would be especially likely if they are trying to do it within a set time period and with several puppies at a time. To get off on the right foot with crate training the initial training has to be done carefully with sensitivity to the needs of the individual and how much he or she can accept (and enjoy) at any particular time.

The benefits of a dog that loves its crate just can't be underestimated IMO. We recently went through the Brisbane floods (with a 5 - 6 day power blackout and needing to leave our home temporarily and all those fun things) and I'd would say that crate training was just about a life saver (certainly a sanity saver) for both the humans and the dogs. The dogs were completely happy to be crated more or less full time in return for frequent attention, occasional treats and 3X day walks about the neighborhood.

I presume the prep school will cost you extra - maybe using this money to enlist the help of a professional trainer is a possibility if you feel you will need some help in the early days.

Here's a link you might find useful: http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

Looking at this (and from distant memory) taking them outside every hour when they are really little is par for the course and has to do with a young pup's physiological immaturity.

Alison

I added a picture. Something happened in the transfer process. This is just something like Little Miss will look like. If you imagine the white parts as rust color, I think it'll be close.
susan

Susan I am so happy for you and your new arrival - can't wait!! By the way I have always used the crate in my room and then when once trained they graduate to a bed in my room. I like Saskia's idea of putting it near your bed - I am pretty sure that's what I did with Casey, although it is hard now to remember her as a puppy. They are so much fun though!!

Hi Ellen. That's what I plan on doing. Start out with the crate then later have a bed right by my side in front of my nightstand. I can't wait, either!!
Okay-tomorrow @10:40 or thereabouts, I will be in the docs office. Would everyone please take a moment and send up wishes that he'll removed this stupid rod? I'll let you know. I also hope to get a snapshot tomorrow. -Susan

Quote:

---

Would everyone please take a moment and send up wishes that he'll removed this stupid rod?

---

Consider it done:)

I love all the puppy talk, can't wait to hear of your adventures. Between your post and Deb's it is going to be a happy time:D

Best of luck, Susan. Your new puppy will be just fine.

Hugs,
Addy

Hi-
The work day has ended down south and I did not receive a picture of Little Miss.:(:(
The doc told me I had to keep the rod in for 3 more weeks.:(:(:(
-Susan

Well, you know what they say "Bad rehearsal, great show". Tomorrow is another day and in the big picture.....well, you know. Keep your chin up and concentrate on that wonderful, furry ball of love that will fill your life with magic.
Hugs,
Carrol

Hi- I have a question. I've got puppy books and have been reading online as well. They often refer to giving kibble as a treat for a task mastered. What really is Kibble? What size pieces do you give? We've never had a dog that would eat the dry food. I am hoping to make a large effort so that dry food is the food of choice. Palmer ate wet food and we gave him treats like Pupperoni, Jerky Treats, etc. I don't think that's real great so far as nutrition and they tend to be high in calories, I am told. We gave him pigs ears, dental bones and rawhide bones as well. I can tell you, if no one has tried them.....those Greenies do a great job keeping teeth clean.

And while I'm at it, what words of wisdom are floating out there about good dog food?
Is there something specific to look for in the labeling?

The rod news means I will only be hardware free for 3 weeks prior to our adventure to Alabama. I think the doc is also going to want me to go down to a more normal black surgical shoe, although he did say a few times back that once the pins/rod were out we'd start out slow with something like a sneaker. Again, he wants me off my feet with them up in the air. I have done almost nothing, but I'm going to further curtail what getting about I do.

When we left the docs office I said to Bob....."Just shoot me now." For some reason this is less tolerable to me than the knee replacement surgeries I had. I guess that's because with the knee surgery, they want you walking on day #2. This thing wants you not walking as much as is possible.

To top it all off, I'm having trouble sleeping. :mad:

Plan to ask for a picture again today.

I'll go give sleeping another try. -susan :(

ps-thanks for the encouragement and the hugs!