Well the first night with a puppy did not go as planned ! We had followed the advice of some books and thought that she could have two nights in a soft crate in one of our rooms before migrating to her metal crate downstairs (which has bedding etc in it - its not just metal !).
Anyway she became a howling, teeth flashing demon trying to get out. I doubt she was missing her littermates at all and was merely concerned with getting out. However as we live in a semi detached house, firstly we couldnt just keep ignoring the noise and secondly when I looked at her, I thought she was possibly going to get a tooth trapped in the fibres of the soft cage door. So out she came and into bed ! In fact I was even contemplating taking her back the next day but when I brought her through to see everyone else the next morning they were all happy to see her so that was the end of that ! So we now have our new family member !
In fact it has been quite an adjustment getting to know that new member of the family. However by day 5 she is now a firm member of the family and I think I am getting used to it !
She now sleeps in a crate and I took the advice of a friend and slept the last three nights in a camp bed next to her. It was supposed to be for two nights but we have found that she is pretty good at her toilet training but in fact she still needs up once in the night for a "No. 2" or a poo, whatever is the polite term for that ! So following advice from the books, I have not interacted at all with her until after she does her business and at that point its fine to praise her then settle her back to bed. So so far I had one night that was 11 - 7 with a wakening at 4 and last night she was 12 - 7 with two breaks at 1.30 and 5.
I am surviving OK on that so far as I was a bit of a latenighter before. However I am making sure I get to bed at the same time as her and get as much sleep as is possible.
Other things we got on top of is that we seem to have managed to stop her "puppy biting". A combination of sharp "Nos", ending the game is she bites and diverting bites onto her toys has worked.
Toyswise, we already had a teddy and an old baby rattle and a Kong Wubba which has been good. Today I went out and got a great ball which you can hide a treat in and there is a hole which the treat will fall out of when it turns the right way. She has thoroughly enjoyed this ball and exhausts herself chasing it. The Pet Shop also recommended a small space hopper which squeaks which you can throw to them and they bring back holding onto the handles. Apparently the feedback from customers has been good about this. However she is a bit wary of that at the moment.
Well I must go and get back to my new "routine". Oh yes and the ironing has piled up - the pile is currently the volume of an arm chair! Aargh ! Oh and the other thing is we have had lots of visitors eager to meet her so that is good and helps with her socialisation. All have to remove shoes at the door to keep the dreaded parvovirus out until after she completes her vaccinations.
And the other thing is to see how tomorrow night goes with Fireworks night. I am hoping she will be too young to notice them but if there are very loud that might be difficult.... Bye til the next time !
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