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teachingmom
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Virginia Bluebells
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| Posted: Aug 18 2008 at 11:56pm | IP Logged
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Well, we finally did it. After much lobbying by my daughters, we have a new addition:
Bella is an 8 week old Miniature Australian Shepherd. She's been with us for 48 hours, and so far, we love her. I know, I know . . . talk to me in a few weeks or months!
So, can all you dog lovers give me your best puppy advice? We had planned to do this in a month or so, but found the right dog and moved on getting her immediately, so I haven't even had time to get to the library for books on dog training, potty training, etc.
She cries and whines at night. How long should I expect that? Any tips for dealing with it?
I just borrowed a crate from a friend this evening. Any tips on successful crate training?
Everything I've read says that this breed is wonderful with children. She's tiny now and will only grow to about 14-16 inches tall. But she's a shepherd, and I already see signs of her trying to "herd" my toddler. Anyone have a dog with a natural herding instinct and want to offer advice about how to keep her from nipping at my youngest dd?
Finally, practically everyone - from my mother to many friends - has said that getting a dog was a big mistake they later regretted. I was happy without a dog and am not a natural dog lover. I did it mostly for my children (particularly my oldest dd, who is a huge dog lover!) and my husband.
Do any of you absolutely love having a dog? I'm starting to feel like loving dogs and being a mom are mutually exclusive things. I do not want to regret the decision and am hopeful that this puppy will bring us much joy in the years to come. I must admit that she's already growing on me. I mean, who wouldn't love that adorable face?
Can anyone encourage me in this step we've taken???
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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MacBeth
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| Posted: Aug 19 2008 at 12:16am | IP Logged
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Ha! She's so cute! We are now on our third aussie (the first two are minis), and let me tell you...they are tough to train!! Crate training is a great idea. They also are "sneaky" about doing their business, so a dog door is a big help...they can sneak out when they need to go.
As for the nipping, it takes patience. Our current pup (turns 1 tomorrow!) loves to play tug with everything!! It has taken a gentle touch, and a firm "no" over a long period to get her to stop tugging and nipping. Do get a book on training aussies ASAP.
Whining and crying is usually not bad if she is sleeping with a family member. I know some folks don't like that, but our dogs do share bedrooms with the kids. They settle quite nicely if they have company.
One more thing about some aussies (but not all)...at about 6 months they can become very aggressive towards strangers (though they will usually not approach them, just bark). Your mini is quite small (ours are on the large end), and if she stays that way, she may be fairly easy to handle.
Anyway, enjoy her! She's very cute!! 
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MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
Nature Study
MacBeth's Blog 
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mellyrose
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| Posted: Aug 19 2008 at 1:11am | IP Logged
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What a cutie! We just adopted a puppy ourselves -- she's an Australian cattle dog and we got her at 6 weeks because her mom was killed by a rattlesnake. She is a sweet thing and my boys are so happy to have a dog again! Our boxer died right before Lydia was born and they have been asking ever since (you know Mom, James Herriott says you shouldn't wait to replace a dog that dies!)
ANYWAY, she's also a herder and she does nip and herd the kids - especially my toddler. We've had her a week and 1/2 now. I read that you should immediately react by yelping and then ignoring her because that's what would happen in her litter. When she nips at the baby, I correct her right away and flip her over on her back until she is submissive. She then goes back over to Lydia and licks at her.
We crate trained our boxer, and we are crate training this puppy as well. If you do get a crate, make sure it's not too big. I couldn't find the divider for our crate, so I put a big box that fills 2/3 of the crate. This keeps them from messing in the crate, since dogs don't like to mess where they sleep. If the crate is too big, they will mess in one corner and it's hard to un-train them from that.
We're not ones to sleep with dogs, I believe they need to be in their crate. I do have soft towels in there for her, and I also put a hot water bottle in there for her at night. It's just wrapped in a towel. A big reason I like to keep them in the crate at night is to avoid pee or poop throughout the house. If there is an accident, it's contained and easily cleaned.
The best advice I have is to keep the dog with you as much as possible so you can catch the dog's cues and get her outside when she needs to go. When you can't be with her, put her in the crate. As soon as you take her out of the crate, take her outside to minimize accidents in the house. She'll quickly learn to hold it until she's out of the crate, and then she'll learn to go outside. I try to make sure our puppy gets outside every hour or so right now, except for overnight.
I would get some books and also look into puppy training class. You'll get lots of good tips and help in socializing the dog. I got a couple books from the library that were written at a kids level for my boys and Colin has been reading them and practicing what he reads, and sharing the info with all of us.
Dogs are a lot of work. I loved our boxer - we got her as a puppy the first Christmas DH & I were married. I'll admit that when the boys came along, I did not spend as much time/effort on her, but she was still much loved in our family.
This new puppy is a lot of work and 90% of it falls on me. I knew that would happen, though, and while it's frustrating sometimes (even my husband is a bit clueless about it . . . like today I was gone for a few hours and he didn't feed her mid-day meal - but at least he took her out regularly) I know it's up to me to make sure she's fed regularly, taken out, socialized and trained. Thankfully my boys are willing to take on some of the responsibility, but they're only 6 & 7, so it's up to me.
I had said I didn't want another dog until Lydia was over a year (she's 15 months), didn't want an adult dog (didn't want to deal with a toddler and an unknown adult dog) and I didn't want to spend a lot for her (our boxer was a beautiful full breed that was $500), and this puppy was free. It all felt so right, and I sorta felt like God put it all together so our family could have another dog.
Dogs can be a joy in a family. I personally believe that they are much more enjoyable when they're well trained. It definitely takes time and effort, but I think it's definitely worth it!
Enjoy your Bella! She looks precious!!
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Melanie in AZ
Colin (11/00), Nate (05/02), Lydia (04/07)
My Little Patch of Sunshine
Pictures of our Life
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Laura in BC
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| Posted: Aug 19 2008 at 2:23pm | IP Logged
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Awww, what a cutie! For the first few nights with my puppies, I'd put the crate beside my bed, they'd quiet down right away if I stuck my fingers in the front and then they were nice and close for me to hear when they needed to go outside.
I'd keep mine on a leash when they were out of their crate in the house just to make sure my attention didn't wander from them so I wouldn't miss them making a mess.
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MarieA
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| Posted: Aug 19 2008 at 10:02pm | IP Logged
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Congratulations, Bella is beautiful!  She looks a bit like a shepherd that we had for many years (they never live long enough)! My family and I absolutely love having dogs and I have never regretted having our dogs, as they become a part of our family. We even bring them on vacation with us when we can, and only board them when it is necessary.
As for the crying at night.... Our dogs have always slept with us. We do allow them on the beds when they want...and they don't always want to join us, but having you nearby while they are crated would be comforting to her, too. Also, having her in a crate while you are sleeping will mean that you won't find any surprises on your floor in the morning.
I suggest finding a good training class or at least a good book.
Puppy Perfect by Sarah Hodgson is a good book with which to start.
Keep her with you as much as you can and crate her when you can't watch her. Take her out often and teach her a word for going "potty", so that you can eventually just ask her if she needs to go and then use it to get her to go more or less on command.
One toy, that is great for a pup is a Kong. I smear peanut butter inside and it keeps them busy for a while. They can also chew it, which is important to a teething puppy.
Don't forget to have fun with her. My dogs love their toys, walks, cuddles and swimming.
Enjoy!
Marie (As I type this, both of our dogs are in sight. We have a black lab and a German shepherd.)
Here is a link for a Kong
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teachingmom
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| Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 12:01am | IP Logged
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Thanks so much for the great advice and encouragement. I just wanted to update to say that we decided to try the crate-by-the-bed idea tonight, after reading the suggestions here and talking to a few friends. Bella is in her crate right beside the bed of my almost 14 year old dd. (We put boxes in there to take up some of the space and a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel - thanks, Melanie!) There is blessed peace and quiet in our house tonight. What a difference- thank you!
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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mavmama
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| Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 12:08am | IP Logged
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MarieA wrote:
One toy, that is great for a pup is a Kong. I smear peanut butter inside and it keeps them busy for a while. They can also chew it, which is important to a teething puppy.
Here is a link for a Kong |
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I second the Kong toys. We had a daschound who really loved it, and it was great fun to watch her try and get the treat out. Bella is a cutie! Makes me want a dog again....sort of 
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folklaur
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| Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 12:37am | IP Logged
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oh, my goodness! she is SO cute.
My dh is a dog lover. We always had dogs growing up.
I have never had a dog that was "crate trained." I think it is kind of....weird, in all honesty. How can a dog protect your house, get you, etc, if they are locked up in a crate? Just wasn't how we did it, I guess.
We would love to get another dog - but I don't really want the responsibilty right now, and I know it would fall on me. I don't have any children in diapers anymore, and don't feel like cleaning up after a dog instead  . Plus we are renting and I don't want to pay extra for a pet.
But I do miss having a dog.
But boy, she is a beauty.
Oh! Herding. My Mom had a Black Lab/Basset Hound mix (yes, it was as funny as it sounds.) That dog not only tried to herd the kids - she always tried to herd ME. She adored - and I mean ADORED - my dh. I think she was always trying to be "alpha-female" over me. It was a trip.
But she was a good, good dog.
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 6:55am | IP Logged
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We love the books and videos by the "Monks of Skete". I'm pretty sure they have one for training puppies. Their approach is very positive, and effective. We borrowed them from our local library several times.
What an adorable puppy!
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Topic: Puppy training advice, please!
