New Puppy!
I want to thank everyone for their input on the other questions I've posted. You've all been so much help! I'm very excited to announce that our baby girl (Blueshire's Harriet the Spy) will be coming home on lucky Friday the 13th and wanted to take this opportunity to show off!  Look at that face!  Now that I'm done bragging, I wanted to solicit any opinions on do's and don'ts for those first days at home. This will be my first puppy since high school (my partners first dog ever) and our very fist sheepie, so any advice to make our little girls transition as smooth as possible will be appreciated. EM |
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| No advice, but just wanted to say congrats and is there anything cuter than a sheepie puppy? |
OMG  |
Oh my ggooodddnnesss!!! Look at that sweet face!! She is so demure, just posing beautifully. That changes however.......Harriet will just get more and more beautiful. Nothing like a sheepie puppy!!!  |
| She looks great, I'm sure you will be very happy with your first attempt with an OES. Our Bailee is now a little more than 2 1/2 and as I recall some of the best advice we had from our Trainer when he was just a puppy were these: Socialize, socialize, socialize! Introduce her the at least 100 people in her first 2 weeks. Have her meet the Mail Carrier AND as many other dogs as possible. Be patient, very patient. Give her a very highly rated puppy food. Our Vet told us that even though the cost will be higher you will make out in the long run due to better health which will result in fewer Vet visits. We used Innova Puppy Food, he loved it and believe it or not he has had "loose" stools ONLY ONCE in his life and that happened when we first transitioned him to the Innova from the Purina the breeder had him on. About a year ago or slightly longer we switched to Taste of the Wild (Bison) and again he is thriving. He is healthy, weighes 78 pounds and runs like a deer. Take her outside every 2 or 3 hours for the first couple of weeks. Set an alarm to get up and take her out during the night. The investment of a few loooong nights in the first 2 weeks will help to ensure her "house breaking" is a success. I did this with Bailee and it was VERY COLD at the time but he was Housetrained within those first 2 weeks. He had only ONE accident in the house during that time. Watch for her "signals" such as pacing, being a little hyper etc. and get her out ASAP and when you get the desired result LOTS OF PRAISE and TREATS!!! EVERY TIME, PRAISE & TREATS! Do not go to her the first couple of nights when she cries. It is hard to do but you must not give in to her cries. After a couple of nights she will be fine! Keep her OFF both the bed AND sofa. If you want her on the sofa by your side place a towel there and then INVITE her to come up, BUT she must learn only when YOU invite her is it OK. Our Trainer "strongly" suggested to NEVER allow her to sleep with you on the bed. I know a lot of folks on the Forum do not agree with that, BUT, we are extremely happy that we followed that "suggestion" from our Trainer. Of course the choice is yours. One more thing. Take her to Basic Obedience Training, these guys are strong willed and Training is really something they will thrive on. Best of luck, enjoy your new pup. |
| one thing you need to do as soon as you get her SEND HER TO ME |
Oh My Gosh...The FACE! The NAME!   Congratulations! |
| So jealous!!! My wife Kim so wanted a puppy from this litter. |
| She looks so sweet and love the name. |
| She's beautiful!!! I don't know if you are much of a reader- I always turn to books to help me out. A couple of titles that I found to be invaluable with our new puppies were Puppies for Dummies and "Your OUtta Control Pup" by Teotie Anderson. A breeder recommended the latter one to me- a quick read, and it was so very helpful! The former was a great resource- anytime the puppies did anything I didn't understand, I was able to look it up in the index, and read the bit in the book that helped. Check Dogwise.com for them, and other helpful books, videos and stuff!!! GOOD LUCK!!!! |
| I looked at that beautiful face and thought, "I bet that's a Blueshire baby." What a wonderful name too Congratulations! |
| I am so happy for you and so very very jealous. As for advice, I would echo what others have said. Socialize! Amber will have gotten Harriet off to a very good start, exposing her to kids, cars, visitors, other dogs etc. Keep that up-resist the urge to just stay at home and snuggle with her. Have people visit you. Have someone with a dog that you know and trust come over. Mady is going to my sister's house tomorrow to help 'socialize' her new puppy. One of the things I love most about my little Blueshire Mady is that she is so good with other dogs, cats, kids, older folks, folks in wheelchairs, the postman, the local drunks at the tavern etc. My last bit of advice is, if you are crate training, to resist the urge that first night to go and take her from the crate when she cries. Amber told us to resist and we did and are the happier for it. Mady goes happily into her crate every time. Of course, those first weeks you will have to wake up in the wee hours to take her out to go to the bathroom. Ok, have to stop writing now. I am getting all misty and sentimental about your puppy. Please post pictures. Many pictures. Oh, and one more thing, remember to let her sleep enough! |
| She's a cutie - and love her name Between Amber and all of us we will be there! |
Congrats on your pup and welcome to the forum  Lots of great advice can be found here, but I just have to strongly disagree with baileesdad's comments re food. I'm sure Amber will also go over this with you but I just have to say it.... these dogs, especially these lines, do amazingly well on the food they have been raised on. Purian Pro Plan puppy food is a great quality food that agrees with these dogs. I recommmend not switching to another brand at all, there is no need to. If for whatever reason you insist on switching (and preferably never to a food recommended by a vet just because they happen to sell it in their office) don't do it for at least a month. Give your pup time to settle and adjust before introducing yet another new thing to it's young system. And after a month if you decide to switch please do it sloooooowwwly. Any food change should be so gradual that it takes weeks to complete. Seriously though, your puppy is healthy and beautiful in part because it's already on a great food! Too many people seem to think if there is a more expensive food out there it must be better and then they wonder why the pup gets diarreah and reactive issues to various foods. Why fix it if it ain't broken as the saying goes. We hope to see lots of pics as your baby grows up |
| Thanks everyone for the great advice! And while I am biased, it's nice to hear my heart isn't the only one being melted by that face. I have a feeling that saying "no" is going to be challenging occasionally! With regard to socization I couldn't agree more. As we speak I'm lining up play dates with some of Amber's other dogs in my area, a friends senior soft coated Wheaton terrier, some of my friends kids, my little cousins, and we're planning a field trip to my office, which will be her first experience in an elevator. We also hvave two cats, so she isn't going to have a choice--she has to like felines. That being said, I'm planning on at least one trip to the vet to treat a scratched nose! While, I'm nervous about taking her out too much before her vaccinations are complete, my research seems to indicate that as long as we stay away from areas with a heavy dog population should limit her exposure to parvovirus, etc. Have I read right? This being said, the trainer we plan on working with will not take her into puppy kindgergartan / obedience classes until she's through all of her inoculations. We will be kennel training and are currently planning on keeping her travel crate (she's being flown to us) in our bedroom until she's potty trained. Then we'll transition to a XL wire crate (48x33x32) on the main floor of our house. As for food, our breeder recommend ProPlan Large Breed Puppy so we have a large bag of that on hand and will continue to feed it to her provided she remains happy and healthy. With regard to food, I plan on deferring to expert opinion, as I have no sheep experience. Anyway...enough rambling from me!  Please, please, please keep the great advice coming! |
| Sorry to see that Willowsprite takes such strong exception to my comment about food. As I recall the originator of this thread actually asked for "advice". I simply gave my little bit of advice based on opinions I have seen here on the Forum and that of my Vet (who incidently DOES NOT sell dog food) at his practice. I suggest going to the following site http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ which was listed on the forum in a previous thread and check out the information there. Then make a decision based on what you learn. You will note that Innova Puppy (5 Star rating) and Taste of the Wild (6 star) are both considered EXCEPTIONAL foods. Check out the ingredients on the Purina Pro Plan food and you will note the word "CORN" within the first 5 ingredients. From what I have read here on the Forum that is a BIG NEGATIVE! CORN IS A NO-NO! Anyway I was just offering an opinion, it works for us. |
baileesdad wrote: Sorry to see that Willowsprite takes such strong exception to my comment about food. As I recall the originator of this thread actually asked for "advice". I simply gave my little bit of advice based on opinions I have seen here on the Forum and that of my Vet (who incidently DOES NOT sell dog food) at his practice. I suggest going to the following site http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ which was listed on the forum in a previous thread and check out the information there. Then make a decision based on what you learn. You will note that Innova Puppy (5 Star rating) and Taste of the Wild (6 star) are both considered EXCEPTIONAL foods. Check out the ingredients on the Purina Pro Plan food and you will note the word "CORN" within the first 5 ingredients. From what I have read here on the Forum that is a BIG NEGATIVE! CORN IS A NO-NO! Anyway I was just offering an opinion, it works for us. There's nothing wrong with corn in dog food, it's always been there, probably always will be. It works. Yes the occasional dog develops an allergy to it, but people are occasionally allergic to peanuts and we don't then decide peanuts are bad for humans.... Any dog food regardless of "rating" is only as good as it benefits any given dog. I've tried tons of more expensive brands and found many of them just don't agree with oes digestive systems while pro plan does. I've never had a dog not do well on it. I have no problem with your advice baileesdad Everyone has an opinion, I was just also voicing mine |
| This is just my view as a pet owner of multiple dogs, having tried different foods and dealing with a probable food allergy... No single dog food is right or even good for all dogs. If a dog is doing well on a dog food (good energy, good skin and poops and is healthy), the question is whether there's a good reason to change. If a dog is doing poorly, it's definitely time to look for a better food to meet the needs of that particular dog. Good breeders know how their dogs do on the foods they recommend... they may have tried others before settling on that particular kibble... so it's usually best to start there and change only if necessary. Another possible reason to change foods is availability... if you have to drive 2 1/2 hours to get the recommended kibble, it probably isn't happening... I mean feasible.  Again, it's just another opinion... we should feel free to share them. |
6Girls wrote: This is just my view as a pet owner of multiple dogs, having tried different foods and dealing with a probable food allergy... No single dog food is right or even good for all dogs. If a dog is doing well on a dog food (good energy, good skin and poops and is healthy), the question is whether there's a good reason to change. If a dog is doing poorly, it's definitely time to look for a better food to meet the needs of that particular dog. Good breeders know how their dogs do on the foods they recommend... they may have tried others before settling on that particular kibble... so it's usually best to start there and change only if necessary. Another possible reason to change foods is availability... if you have to drive 2 1/2 hours to get the recommended kibble, it probably isn't happening... I mean feasible. Again, it's just another opinion... we should feel free to share them. Agreed 100% |
| Adorable baby congratulations. |
| 35 hours! Not that I'm counting down or anything! Have any of you had pups flown to you? How should I expect her to react once she's home and out of her crate? I'm a little worried she's going to be traumatized... |
| I've had 5 OESs fly cargo- one adult almost 2 years http://www.oesusa.com/Page259.html , one pup age 10 1/2 months http://www.oesusa.com/Page30.htm, two 9 week old puppies together in one crate, one 10 week old puppy alone. Another was a special needs 9 week old that flew in-cabin. http://www.oesusa.com/Page192.html (I'll always remember getting teary-eyed when I unzipped the Sherpa carry bag... Kaytee popped her head out and started licking my nose.) All were perfectly fine except the 10 week old pup that flew alone... it was a 4 or 4 1/2 hour flight and he arrived stressed. He wouldn't even come to the front of the travel crate... you can tell by his body language even after he had been out for a bit that he was scared so I held him for about an hour and he relaxed. http://oesusa.com/ABumbleInTheBunch.htm He has always been noise sensitive... but he may have simply started out a softer, more sensitive dog. ALL the others were perfectly fine... the 10 1/2 month old came out of her crate, sat down and wanted to shake hands with everyone who approached. So I think it has a lot to with the individual dog. If you're like the rest of us, you'll worry until your baby is in your arms. You are in for soooo much fun!! PS- Oh... you may have already been told this but don't walk your baby at the airport. If she has to potty, take her to a less traveled area. |
emanning123 wrote: 35 hours! Not that I'm counting down or anything! Have any of you had pups flown to you? How should I expect her to react once she's home and out of her crate? I'm a little worried she's going to be traumatized... One thing that is interesting to do is ask the shipper for the Air bill number... you can track the pup... from the time the booking is made... you can see what time the pup was checked in at the airport.... what time it was loaded on the plane.... sitting on the runway... in the air....landed.... if there is a change of flights you can make sure everything is going smooth... I once had two pups flying to me...they had a flight change...they were due to arrive at 9 PM ... the airlines got them on an early flight... I saw the change online... I called to confirm and the pups arrived at 6:30 ... it really helps with ease all the worry.... and fun to do. |
| She'll do fine, I have had one come from another country and all went well, not even a mess in the crate and the guys in Cargo where I had to pick her up from did not want to let her go. You'll find the crate is a happy place for them and a secure place also. One suggestion, take a puppy lead and collar to the airport, also a few towels & baby wipes and a bowl and water for after collection, potty her, give her a little drink and just in case there has been a potty accident, you can clean her up before taking her in the car home & if needed also with the towels change her crate matting and also a plastic bag in case there is any soiled stuff that needs to be put in there for the trip home. Most breeders shipping by air, dont feed prior to the flight to safeguard against poos happening while shipping, your girl will do fine. In the car pop her back in the crate if you have the room or have someone nurse her on the way home with a towel just in case of car sickies. Best wishes with your new little princess, an exciting time when baby comes home. |
| AWW!! Today's the big day. Have fun with your new puppy!! They are just the sweetest.............. The only living being that God created that truly loves YOU more then themselves. |
| well where are the pics already haha |
we're waiting. impatiently.   |
| She's been here for about 30 minutes and is bounding around the house. The cats are unimpressed. . Pics tomorrow! I promise |
emanning123 wrote: She's been here for about 30 minutes and is bounding around the house. The cats are unimpressed. . Pics tomorrow! I promise  Glad she made it safely!!!!! Reminds me of the day I picked up Finn from the big bird and he wasted no time in the car tearing into MY lunch!  Enjoy that new baby...send us all some puppy breath! |
| She's napping with her Lambchops doll! Quick question... How do we get her back into her crate for bed? Just put her in there with a toy? |
emanning123 wrote: She's napping with her Lambchops doll! Quick question... How do we get her back into her crate for bed? Just put her in there with a toy? I think that would be the easiest thing to do!!! You may want to nap while she is |
| Yay! Congratulations and ENJOY!!! |
| Beautiful puppy. If you listen to these folks, most of them , everything should work out fine. They give good advice. Thanks to them my pup is doing great and so am I. |
| Congrats on your new, adorable puppy! One quick note. If she is a chewer, you might want to be careful leaving her in a crate unattended with a stuffed animal, especially one with a squeaker. Destroyed "stuffies" have been known to cause bowel obstructions in dogs, sometimes requiring abdominal surgery. You might want to try a Kong, with peanut butter in it, as an enticement to enter the crate. Laurie and Oscar |
Oscar's Mom wrote: Congrats on your new, adorable puppy! One quick note. If she is a chewer, you might want to be careful leaving her in a crate unattended with a stuffed animal, especially one with a squeaker. Destroyed "stuffies" have been known to cause bowel obstructions in dogs, sometimes requiring abdominal surgery. You might want to try a Kong, with peanut butter in it, as an enticement to enter the crate. Laurie and Oscar I was thinking that too but, I wasn't sure when they started that fun puppy stuff! Good thing to point out! |
| The crying! Will I ever sleep past 5:30am again? We just came in from going potty, I put her back in her crate and she's crying like there are wolves after her...I just want to sleep for One.More. Hour. She however is ready to play. Do I let her cry!?!? I feel like I'm causing her harm...seriously...you have to hear this noise... HELP! p.s. You will soon I'm a worrywart. :/ |
Donner's Mom wrote: emanning123 wrote: She's napping with her Lambchops doll! Quick question... How do we get her back into her crate for bed? Just put her in there with a toy? I think that would be the easiest thing to do!!! You may want to nap while she is You thought I was kidding didn't you?? You will survive.... |
| We have Jaxson 2 months and I remember those days of the crying in the crate. It is not easy but you have to keep her in there. It will stop. Once you give in she will think everytime she cries you will come running. The first 2-3 weeks of having Jaxson was tough. I would lay down next to him while he was in his crate. I would find myself falling asleep on the hard wood floor, waking up like 10 minutes later, like what the heck just happened. It all passed and now Jax (who does not care for the crate) loves his playpen and walks right in when bed time. He is only 4 months old. Good Luck. |
| I did not get much sleep the first 2 months, I was probably running on 5 hours sleep total, and I was completely drained and exhausted. She often woke up around 4 a.m., I would take her out, then back in the crate, and maybe I'd get another hour of sleep. When Mady was up at 5-6am, I was up for the day. We can now sleep in until 9 a.m. sometimes on weekends. First 2 months were really tough, than everything became really easy. |
| Yeah...I've accepted that I'm going to be sleep deprived for the next little while. That being said, she's getting better...she hasn't been crying as much the last couple of nights. That being said, whenever I put her in her crate during the day she is unimpressed. How rude of me to put her in there so I can shower, right? Anyway, I'm starting to feel bad about shoving her in there and slamming the door closed before she can run away. I've tried tossing in treats, her favorite toy...but, she is only going in there voluntarily on her terms (she goes in her crate and lays down throughout the day, just not when I want her to). Any tips? How have you folks made pup want to spend time in their crate? |
| Before we got Mady, I had read that you should really try to have the puppy go in the crate "willingly", so I would try with toys and kibble etc. and it was a pain. Then when I asked our trainer about it, she said "just put her in, it's not a negotiation". So I would just plop her in, if she tried to run out, I'd push her back in and close the gate. Of course, I did it with zero anger or frustration because it's not a punishment, just a cheery "it's crate time" and plopped her in. Made it so much easier for me, and she accepted it fine, now whenever we tell her crate time, she goes in her crate herself with no fuss. Her crate is her place and she will go there when she wants to really snooze. I've become a big believer in the "no negotiation" approach. Now where are the pictures you promised? |
Baba wrote: Before we got Mady, I had read that you should really try to have the puppy go in the crate "willingly", so I would try with toys and kibble etc. and it was a pain. Then when I asked our trainer about it, she said "just put her in, it's not a negotiation". So I would just plop her in, if she tried to run out, I'd push her back in and close the gate. Of course, I did it with zero anger or frustration because it's not a punishment, just a cheery "it's crate time" and plopped her in. Made it so much easier for me, and she accepted it fine, now whenever we tell her crate time, she goes in her crate herself with no fuss. Her crate is her place and she will go there when she wants to really snooze. I've become a big believer in the "no negotiation" approach. Now where are the pictures you promised? This, makes me feel so much better. I've been feeling really guilty for just stuffing her in there and letting her cry. Hahaha! I have a sheepie puppy...I barely have time to eat, much less post pics Soon! I promise! We are amassing quite the collection. |
   Sorry if they're not the best quality...they're from my phone! |
| OMG the middle one is priceless!! I love the legs stretched out like a little frog! |
| oh waht a cutie i would have problems putting her down |
| Very cute!! And I notice all 3 are pictures of her totally crashed out  |
got sheep wrote: :D Very cute!!And I notice all 3 are pictures of her totally crashed out That would be because its the only time she's still enough to take a photo I wish I had that kind of energy! |
| I am in love with your puppy ~ |
Harriet had her first photo shoot last night, courtesy of her "Auntie" Lisa. Here are a few of my favorites.    |
| OMGosh, she is just gorgeous Harriet is perfect! The second picture is my favorite. |
| Harriet the spy is adorable ...and keep the great pictures coming! |
| What a sweet baby!!! |
| Sooooo cute! |
| I am in love! What a cutie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| The second is my favorite too....that face |
| A great looking dog. Soo cute. |
| I love the last pictures.... The smile on both faces is priceless...... Its the LOOK OF LOVE. |
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