VACCINES & POTTY TRAINING

[LarryL]

Hey guys,

My doodle is almost 8 weeks today.

He starts puppy imprinting / obedience classes and then comes home on February 13th at 12 weeks old.

He will have his second set of vaccinations while in school.

My question is regarding housebreaking and taking him outside.

I know they need 3 sets of shots - and since he will only have two when I get him - I'm worried about bringing him outside to do his business.

The breeder said it's fine if I bring him out just to do his business as long as he doesnt eat poop or interact with other dogs. and to bring him to a spot not frequented by other dogs.

The problem is I live in an apt complex in NY - and there is literally not one square foot outside where another dog hasn't already gone lol

Is it safe to bring him out to where other dogs have been/gone?

My other option is I was thinking about pee pads - but the trainer said that if I train him to use those, than the training he is getting now is pointless.

I then thought maybe I should get a "Porch Potty" - and instead of taking him downstairs - I can stick to house breaking, and take him onto our balcony onto the porch potty (and then outside and both as he gets older)

Am I being over protective?

Is the porch potty a good idea?

Thanks for any and all input

[SK & Hudson]

As a fellow doodle parent in NYC, I had the same issues last January when I brought Hudson home. Without the final rounds of shots, I didn't want to expose Hudson to parvo. Also, one walk outside in NYC and you will see how sticky and dirty their paws get, not to mention the chemicals on the sidewalk to prevent ice can sometimes irritate their cute little pawpads.

I decided to go with doggie boots. These were the best pair we have found that are easy to buy on Amazon (don't forget to buy through the Doodlekisses Amazon link!), fit nicely, can be washed in the washer or hand washed and let dry overnight, and they don't fall off: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UO5EEU/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=...

It has also been really helpful during the summertime when Hudson and I travel to relatives that live in areas with temperatures over 100 degrees, The concrete and asphalt get so hot, I can only imagine that since I can't stand to walk barefoot...it must be hot for her pawpads too.

I would say to keep your video camera on hand to capture your puppy's first walks in the boots...its priceless! It only takes a few minutes, and the pup will get the hang of it. I start with laying her in my lap for a belly rub. Now it barely takes me about a minute to put on all 4 boots. For reference, Hudson is about 20lbs now and wears a size extra small.

On the potty pad/porch note, I trained Hudson to go outside on any surface, as well as on the pads. It is a huge help for us that she knows the pad is a safe spot to go on. Although she is great with potty training if we take her on 3 walks a day, I know that a lot of my neighbors have difficulty getting there dogs to go outside when there is snow or rain. Also, some dogs prefer one or the other and will refuse to go #1 or #2 on the pads. Everyone has their own preference for how they want to handle potty training, but for me and the NYC lifestyle, potty pads have been great as an alternative for Hudson or a safe spot when she really needs to go. I order these on Amazon for usually about $0.20 a pad. I'd recommend a pad holder, as Hudson loved to run away with the pad to get my attention. Also, if you puppy chews on the pad, no worries, it will pass.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

A piece of sod on a balcony works great.

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

I just wanted to say that my puppy just finished puppy imprinting, his was an 8 week course and I am beyond thrilled at what all he has learned and is able to do! I think you will be very happy with puppy imprinting! 

I think the booties SK & Hudson recommended sound like a really good idea to keep him safe while he waits for his third vaccination. 

[LarryL]

thanks for the replies guys!

any thoughts on whether taking my pup out on the balcony on a porch potty will be detrimental to the training she is getting now?

[Paul Schumacher]

For what it's worth, we had same issues with Zoë. I was paranoid and used porch potty. Once safe, started taking her out. She had no problem transitioning to real grass.

[LarryL]

Thanks!

I'm worried my pup is being trained to go outside right now - then when I take him home I will try the porch potty - and then back outside again lol

[Paul Schumacher]

The only residual effect is that Zoe will now sometimes go to balcony door when she needs to go out, since she learned first to go out there to potty.  But it's pretty obvious when she does this so we know to take her out.

[Jess & Stewart]

I took Stew on walks & outside after the second round of shots. For the first 2 weeks I used the Fresh Patch from Amazon on my deck until he had his second round, then started taking him to the front of my apt where there is mulch. He had no problems transitioning, probably due to the mulch/grass of the Fresh Patch. The grass (it's real grown grass with a thin layer of soil) comes in a box, you just remove the lid & use! Once your ready to throw it out, just put the lid back on & into the trash it goes. It got delivered right to my door very quickly from FedEx.

Until he had his final round, I just kept him away from where I'd seen other dogs go or if I saw other dogs poop not picked up, kept him away from it. He can really only get parvovirus from eating infected poop, so if he's kept from that you should be fine. I didn't want to shelter Stew but still used the Fresh Patch until he was 11 1/2 weeks (I got him at 9 weeks). I'd say take him out, carry him to & from a spot, then back in when he goes. He'll learn soon if he has a "jackpot" spot or area!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Okay, I just have to ask:  What is "puppy imprinting?" Is your puppy remaining with the breeder for an extra period of time past the typical eight weeks for additional training before joining your family? If I have guessed correctly, I'm wondering what folks think about this added time. Thoughts??? I don't want to start problems here and I certainly am not judging. I'm just curious to know how typical this is, and if those who have chosen to do so, are happy with their decision.  

[LarryL]

Hi, my pup was ready to go home from the breeder at 8 weeks - but since it was a bday suprprise I asked them to keep him for another 4 weeks. they also offered a 4 week puppy imprinting class. so I figured might as well. here is a description from their site: INBOARD TRAINING for Dogs aged 8-12 weeks Puppies will begin crate training, walking on leash and imprinting basic commands (sit, down, come and stay). The majority of puppies in this program “graduate” knowing basic commands, how to walk perfectly on a leash, and are 90-95 percent accident-free in the crate. Every puppy is different, and some may not be mature enough at this age to fully master commands. However, early imprinting will lay the foundation for later obedience training and help the puppy learn very quickly. The training course fee includes board and training for 4 weeks. This also includes the 2nd round of vaccines. Heard lots of good things so figured I'd give it a shot

[Paul Schumacher]

Our breeder didn't use this term, but was a similar program to what Larry describes.  We got her at 12 weeks.  She had already been sleeping in a crate alone by the time we got her, and the transition to crate in our home was really easy.  After the first couple of nights, she slept through the night with no fussing.  Fingers crossed it continues.  She also had basic leash training, though she was born on a farm so being a city dog now has lots of sensory challenges not covered in the add'l training.  Breeder also took her out and about on errands and things to get her used to the world some, while still keeping her safe since all vaccines weren't complete.  Oh, and lots of messing with paws, ears, etc.  Zoe doesn't care what you do to her, she is relaxed (well except for eye drops but we are getting better at that as well).  I would recommend it.