Hi Reggie,

  If you could give some idea of where you are some of us may be able to put you in touch with a suitable trainer to help you get started on the basics.  Are you in the US?  If so and you let me know where I can probably give you some contact details or at least find some out for you ;)

In the meantime, please don't tie him up anywhere - even indoors - it is dangerous as he could become distressed, tangled up and even choke to death :(   BSDs are very needy in terms of contact with their family.  As Brainless suggested, either have him spend overnight in the kitchen which is easy to mop if he has any accidents overnight or have him in a crate beside you.   Personally, I have my own Tervuerens in the bedroom with me and only crate them overnight as pups until they are able to stay dry through the night or at least know to wake me and let them out :)

Re. grooming, get into the habit of grooming him all over every other day - get a spray bottle, fill with water, and dampen his coat all over before brushing - this not only makes it easier for you but also easier for him as it won't tug or cause his coat to break.  The soft hair at the back and base of ears and down the back of his front legs is better to be combed.  Pay particular attention to brushing out his chest, underbelly, trousers and tail as this is where the densest coat grows and can quickly become matted if you don't keep on top of it.  Once he's used to being groomed regularly and you're comfortable doing it, once or twice a week is sufficient to keep on top of it but when he starts to moult go back to daily brushing until all the dead hair is out.   Use a brush that is a mixture of natural bristle and nylon for routine care and a nylon only brush for when coat is moulting.   Keep an eye on his nails too - if he gets lots of exercise on hard ground they will stay short naturally but if mainly on grass etc they will need to be clipped.  Also check his dew claws - these should be on the front legs only - one on each of the inside front leg, half way between his paw and what will seem like his "knee" ;)  These can grow in a sharp circle and cut back into the leg so need regular attention.

If you like you can send me your ordinary email address and I will email you fuller details on coat care and general management.

>i just realized that he loves to eat garbage stuff like stones, mud and sometimes even plastics.

This is not safe for any dog so try and distract him from doing it and sweep up any debris ;)  Make sure he has toys available - Belgians love 'em :P   Also something to keep his mind busy like a Kong stuffed with food treats or creamed cheese - it's a great toy because of the random bounce too.

There are lots of poisonous plants - good on you for removing them.  Pups often chew on low branches and fallen leaves etc and better to be safe than sorry.

Regards, Teri :)

ps. re names I see you wanted something beginning with "R" but have you thought of something relating to his silver colouring, such as Frost, Ice, Ash etc :)      

=)) :d :-/ b-)

Back to your original point, 1st and last dog, you do realise he won't be your last don't you? Tervs are addictive, they get under your skin and you will fall so totally in love with the breed you will never want anything else! ;) :p My first introduction to them wasn't good but I am now seriously considering looking into them for my next dog as I see more of them. (don't tell Teri, she'll start crowing 'I knew it, I knew it!!!) :p They really are a beautiful breed. :)

As to the grooming, I would recommend a rake, which you should be able to get from any pet store. They are fantastic at getting out undercoat. :)

>(don't tell Teri, she'll start crowing 'I knew it, I knew it!!!)

Nah, nah, ne-nah, nah :D :D :D  They're irresistable - hate to say I told you so :rolleyes: ;)

Oh b***er, should have guessed you see it. Maybe when the time is right I'll have to make a wee trip up to Scotland eh. ;)

starts looking out interrogation (whoops) :rolleyes: "information" material :P :D

Do you do them in grey? I would like one ready for mid-July. Do you know if Parcel-Force will deliver? Oh and I want a non wetting one and although it must be long haired I can't be doing with all that grooming so it's OK if I clip it right? ROFLOL :D Would be funny if not so true wouldn't it?! Slap hand. ;)

>Do you do them in grey?

Just spraying them with one hand while typing with the other ;)

>I would like one ready for mid-July. Do you know if Parcel-Force will deliver?

Job lot en route as soon as spray paint is dry - why wait until next July

>I can't be doing with all that grooming so it's OK if I clip it right?

Currently haven't got a strand of hair between them - grooming totally unnecessary, quick rub down with a chamois and you'll be ready to go (providing it's dark) :D

Dagnabbit, forgot to ask the most essential question...how much are they and do I get a discount if I get two at the same time, ya know, buy one, get second one half price? ;) Please tell me no one has ever asked that one! :rolleyes:

BTW anyone else who has come in late to this thread, I am joking. Of course I would never expect to get one for half price. :D No seriously, it is a joke. No way could Teri ever be spraying a dog grey whilst typing, the dog wouldn't stand still and it would go everywhere...

LOl  @  Colliesrus :D

>No way could Teri ever be spraying a dog grey whilst typing, the dog wouldn't stand still and it would go everywhere...

Ya think ................ ;)  Is this you trying to wriggle out of it even though the guy from Parcel Force is currently blasting the first one dry :D   They're bags are packed!  Strictly COD incidentally - "Cheesecake on Delivery" :P

Me? Wriggle? You have to be a certain shape to wriggle, I think I'd be more likely to roll...

Anyway, I thought I had made it clear; mid-July and not a day before. So you'll have to find another use for your Parcel-Force man. And his special sticky tape...ahem Funny you say that about the cheesecake tho, I have some in the fridge at this very minute, a fancy one from Sainsburys with strawberry sauce dribbled over it. Best Homer Simpson voices please...mmmmm cheesecake...maybe that's why I can't wriggle, too much cheesecake. :rolleyes:

Oh no, stop it. I'm almost drooling, can't get to the shops either, this is TORTURE I'll have you know!!! ;)

Ahhhh u poor thing, tell u wot i'll do, i will have some for u, howsat? scuse typing got collie on lap and its not the little one. :p

Sorry everyone, but I have no idea what is going on with this post but I'm getting very worried about this puppy.

on his first day.. at night we had no idea where to keep him..  we tied him to the bedroom door.. he cried all night...

That really concerned me and some of the other comments are quite odd aswell.

What is going on with this post? Is this puppy going to be ok?

Hi Bertbeagle,

OK, so some lighthearted stuff :rolleyes: What's the world coming to .....

Perhaps if you read the offers of help both via the forum and additionally for the OP to get in touch privately made by several people - all highly experienced in the breed - as well as the excellent advice given by other experienced forum members you're mind may be set a little at rest.

We're all concerned about what is right for the puppy and how best the poster can achieve this  ;)  Hopefully Reggie wil come back on and not only follow the advice given but also take up the genuine offers of help that have been made.

Regards, Teri 

Hi Bertbeagle :)

I hope very much that Reggie can stay in contact with us and keep us updated, so that we can give advice. It sounds as if the pup was unexpected, so not an ideal situation, but Reggie is asking all the right questions and hopefully will be put in touch with someone Teri knows to help in the US (if that's where they are :P ).

Lindsay
x

Apologies everyone, just had to have a silly moment. I'll keep out the way now so the thread can go back to being sensible again. ;)

Get a sample of his urine to your vet Reggie. We had a puppy who did what yours does sleeping [we were told he was only a baby too] but when they tested the sample it showed blood - pup had cystitis and took antibiotics to clear. Once the antibiotics kicked in, pup was fine and dry in no time.  Even if your vet says its not necessary it does no harm to check.
Neeva

Hi I just was thinking about names someone in the parks dog is "Rio" or another name "Bailey".  Mind you I can talk, we didn't have a name for our dog, we all couldn't agree.  Everyone was thinking of names, then a friend said what about "Mason", and it just stuck and now I couldn't think of calling him anything else, by the way he is a dobermann.  Hopefully you will find him a name soon.