Apartment dweller needs help!
She sleeps in a crate at night next to our bed and stays in the kitchen with a gate during the day when we go to work. We put a Ugodog (sort of like a dog litter box with a filter on top) in the kitchen with pine pellets on the bottom (the breeder used pine too so she recognizes the pine smell). I go home for lunch everyday. Lolly already knows to go on the Ugodog but when we let her out in the apartment, accidents happen. This morning when I woke up at 3am and 6am to take her to the kitchen to use the Ugodog, she walked away and peed somewhere else. I know that training a puppy to use a pee pad/litter box is frowned upon but since she can't really go outside, I don't really have another choice. What should we do? How do we get her to use the Ugodog every time or is there a better alternative? On a side note, Lolly weighs about 7.6 pounds at 8 weeks. Is that normal? Some of you mentioned your puppy at almost 20 pounds at 8 week. Wonder if this has to do with the heart murmur  Thanks again and we appreciate everyone's input.  |
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| Maybe she doesn't like the feel of it on her paws? You could try just newspaper? She is small and that may be due to the heart murmur An innocent murmur will not usually cause any detriment to normal growth but a more serious one will. |
Not really sure about the potty issues. We have never used a litter box or pee pads---just the good old outdoors! But the litter box sounds like a good solution for you,...just keep putting her on it when you know she needs to go and really praise/give treats when she uses it.  Every time I'm sure in time she will catch on.I wouldn't worry too much about her size,....Millie was only about 10 pounds at 8 weeks and she is now 67pounds and 23.5 inches at 11months. Considering she will continue to put on weight until 2years old, she will be a very healthy weight for a female sheepie, maybe even a little on the big side. There really is no way to absolutely predict how big your girl will grow to be because puppies all grow at their own rate. Good luck with the murmur,  that it is something Lolly will quickly outgrow. |
| I don't think the low weight is because of the heart murmur. That does sound a bit light. Are you feeding her enough? A puppy should probably be eating a few times a day. I think I fed one cup, three times a day...What are you feeding? You are in the City. I use a food called Orijen and there is a store in NY that carries it. Its hard for me to get out here on Long Island. As she gets older she will be able to hold it for the elevator ride down. Right now she is just too young... Hey, I just read about the new dog park downtown I think with a little walk in beach for the dogs? Have you seen it? And I agree with your Vet...avoid walking where other dogs may poop or pee until she gets all her shots...And definately avoid dog parks until she is older... |
| Low weight and slow growth (failure to thrive) is actually probably the number one symptom for heart issues.... |
| Thanks everyone. I really hope it's not a heart problem. The breeder said she was the lightest female but only by .25 pounds. So not that much. I currently feed her Purina Puppy Chow (probably the worst food) but the breeder fed her that. I ordered some Chicken Soup for Large Breed Puppy food and will slowly transition her. She eats 1.5 cups a day plus a bit of canned food (I make little meat balls and stuff her medicine in it). Her cardiologist appointment is on Monday. Diane: Are you talking about Prospect Park in Brooklyn? I live in downtown Manhattan and there are a few small ones hear me but never heard of one with a beach. Do you know what it's called? |
Well, dumb me not knowing the signs of heart problems  I think i and a half cups for the enire day might be a bit too little? Check with the vet and be sure to ask how many caloires, not cups, she should be getting daily. Then check the bag of food for the amount of calories per cup and split at least two ways if feeding twice a day and three if feeding three times...I don't remember the name of the new dog park. I think its downtown by the seaport...just saw it on the news as a grand opening last week. Sounded great! I will try to find the name... Good luck at cardiologist...keeping paws crossed just a puppy murmur |
Just tried to find that new dog park...I think you are right. its in Battery park...But I'm still looking  |
| oh I live right at Battery Park! |
| http://blog.downtownny.com/2011/07/new- ... -district/ Is this it? |
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