As some of you know, I'm going to pick my puppy on Saturday and if all goes well, I should be bringing her home in 2/3 weeks.

As it is 2 1/2 years since I last had to "do the puppy thing" I am a bit rusty on certain points, so questions for all of you knowledgeable CDers.

First night? I have 2 dogs already, one sleeps in the porch (her choice) and one in the kitchen. When Murf was a pup he caused chaos for the first month with his howling,whining and scratching. I tried him in the bedroom for 2 weeks but all he did was moan because of colic (long story) and along with the sound of "gushing" in the early hours on the carpet, oh and the delightful poo smell it didn't exactly endear him to me :D despite me taking him out 4 times during the night. Do I buy a crate, and put it in the bedroom? What size for a fast growing Briard? Where can I get a reasonably priced crate from if I decide to go this route? I assume that she will mess in her crate at 8 weeks.

Cannot for the life of me remember what collar to buy as they go through so many at this age, So what is recommended?

Feeding? Yes I know that she will be on several meals a day but as I now feed BARF, I am not sure what to give her and the amounts. I started on total BARF 18 months ago. Before that they were fed on Tripe, with biscuit and real bones about twice a week. Should I give her what my lot have, tripe, wings, carcasses, neck,eggs, garlic, fish etc. Is there any thing that I should avoid to begin with? And as she will be a big dog is there anything that is preferable to help with bone growth etc?

And lastly, I know that it is a contentious issue, as I very keen on socialising at an early age, what is the general opinion on taking out after first innoculations but before the second lot? I am in 2 minds on this and have done it in the past without any dire consequences but am now a questioning my logic.

All your opinions will be, as normal, very well received ;)

www.petbrands.com  do good reasonably priced dog cages/crates which flat pack - various sizes available. We got a 'large' for our Ridgeback as he is adult and just goes in of his own accord to sleep safely if we have my in-laws children visiting, or if we all stay over at someone elses house.   

With regard to collars  - think it's personal taste - though it seems most people avoid chokes and half check chains these days ( I did use a half check during his adolscence stage, for all of five minutes - didn't stop him pulling ,and we did use it properly - Gentle Leader Head Collar for walking solved the pulling  without fraying tempers).  We now have a simple clip fit collar from Rogz Dogz, so that if he does get caught in anything it is easier to release than a buckle one - it seems strong enough to hold him on, the Gentle Leader always stays in the pocket handy just in case.    
With socialisation we didn't get our lad until he was 12 weeks old ( he was at home with his mum, two sisters and visiting step brother - so was very confident around other dogs and people)  and then he went to vet supervised puppy parties prior to training at 16 weeks .    

Not sure if any of that helps !

Hairypooch, congrats on deciding to get No.2. You must be insane!!! LOL I have a cage for Barney and have a 42" (He was in a 36" bet grew out of it by 5 months!!). I bought it from ebay for £35 and it is really good quality. If you want the link then let me know and I will pm you with it. My mum has a briard bitch who is 2 and a 16 week briard puppy. She just puts Jed in his cage at night (with water) and when she is out. Jessie sleeps on her bed next to him (at the bottom of the stairs). As you well know what their coats are like, I use a flat leather collar and I have had no experience of knots as yet! Who is their breeder? We got Barney from Stablecourt. (ps he's black). With regards to taking out before 2ns innocs, my breeder said take him everywhere but just carry him. Only a novice myself but hope some of this is of use to you.

Good luck with it all, and dont forget to let me know if you want that link for the cages.

Hi All, yes, Julia I am insane :D but totally addicted......you know how it is ;) How are you getting on with Barney and his training? I would like the link please, as I've decided that crating is the way to go, it'll give her some peace from monsterman when he gets too boistrous She's coming from "Stormfield", same place as Murf. I like the bigger boned bred ones, plus the fact her sire is my dream dog in every respect ;)

I'll go the same way on jabs Teri, it's what I did with the others, just wanted some reassurance ;)

Just come back from the beach where his lordship decided to go for a swim, 2 hours of brushing ahead of me and that wont be until tonight when he's dry :rolleyes: I still think that I need my head examining........:D

Hi Hairypooch,

I always take mine out in my arms from when they arrive just to get accustomed to traffic, lots of people, (you know the drill ;) ) and carry them everywhere until their first jab is about a week done.  After that I avoid obvious dog walking places but take them out on a lead into pedestrian precincts in places such as the city centre or around large indoor shopping centres.  The way I figure it (and I know everyone has their own feelings on this) but you already have two dogs who could be carrying anything back in with them - so a new puppy in those circumstances is already potentially *exposed* a lot more than one going into an otherwise non-dog and non-cat owning household.  Does this make sense :P

I'm sure there will be more from others, but that's the way I work with mine and thankfully all's been well :)  

regards, Teri

I got my crate from ebay at a good price. They had several sizes, and they delivered the next day if ordered before 1pm (buy now, not auction)

I have an almost 13 week old puppy. Her collar is a small webbing one with a quick release catch. She will grow out of it by the time she's 4/5 months old, but as she is everywhere (and I do mean everywhere ;) ) I wanted one that I could release quickly, just in case.

I carried her around for a few weeks, until about a week after her first injection. Then she got too heavy for me ( I have a bad back and can't carry anything for too long) . She now goes for walks with my other dogs, though there are only another 3 dogs where I live so she doesn't meet up with anything else. The way I see it, she would have come with protection from her mum. The first injection covers her for any 'dog' illnesses. The 2nd I was told to stay away from anywhere that rats would be for a week. Difficult where I live. Right beside a small stream. Rats go through the gardens on a regular basis. BUT I feel that the protection she came with would have been boosted by anything she would come across.

Good luck with your new puppy, and enjoy your last few days of peace :D

Hi, congrats on deciding to get another Briard - I am jealous although I don't think I could cope with another coat like Saffys (to be fair though I think I am finally over the worse now she is 3).

When I brought Saffy home I used a crate for her to sleep in.  Through her first day with us we put toys and treats in it, but it wasn't until we covered it with a blanket that she really liked it.  That first night she only got me up once with a little crying.  The second night I heard her cry just once and nothing after that, so I think the crate really worked.  She had a blanket which her breeder gave me so she could smell her Mum.  She did go to toilet in the crate as it was quite large, but as I had let her out really late to toilet and when she woke me crying, it was only a little wee.

I remember she was such a huge lump that I didn't take her out in my arms too often.  I did take her to the school in the car and then held her in my arms to meet the children coming out, but even that broke my back!  One good idea though - my nieces took their puppies out in pushchairs (lord knows how they got them to stay in them but they did).  Maybe you could try that.

Good luck

Fiona

Ps who is your breeder?

Hairypooch, Who is the sire? Barney's dad is Fonsie (Stormfield). His training is going slowly and he is still a real pain, especially with the mouthing, but we are ignoring and diverting, so will hopefully see some improvement. I start with a new training club tonight (sevenoaks and District) as they are APDT and kennel club recognised. It is a 30 minute drive, but I will go anywhere if it helps!! :-o I will pm you with the link for the crates. Good luck for Saturday. That reminds me, I must get hold of Max to see if he wants to visit; he was interested in seeing Barney as he was the first Black dog from Fonsie.

Julia

Hi Julia,

I got the link thank you.

My new baby's sire is Fonzie and the Dam Scrumpy who I Know because she's Murfs mum. This is partly the reason why I am getting her, because Fonzie is the sire and everytime that I see him I just want to bring him home!! :rolleyes: We're taking Murf with us on saturday as Max & Storm want to see him again.

Good luck with the training club, he's so young yet, I'm sure it will all come together. Thats just reminded me, I've got all the mouthing and nipping to look forward to, they're total thugs at times :D Stubborness is their forte, I am happy with Murfee in every respect, but still can't get the bugger to jump into the back of my car........dam it :D

Hi Hairypooch,
what worked wonders with my girl on the first few nights was:
Obviously making crate nice and cosy - I put her in a small basket with one of my old t shirts for smell
i also put a furry hot water bottle in and THIS WAS THE GOLDEN TRICK! she used to snuggle up against it right from the start!
Finaly i kept a talking radio station on low all night for comforting background noise.

Dont get me wrong - she whinged for a few hours on night one but that was all - Honestly!

i also used to put her in it for naps so she got used to it as a sleepy sanctury!
Good Luck x

Hairypooch, that means that Barney and your new puppy will be half brother and sister (Ahhhhhh). My mum did the same as you, Jessie and Jed have the same mum, but different dads (funny cos Fonsie sired Jed so he is Barneys half brother as well!!). Small Briard world isnt it? Barney loves his cage and goes in it willingly, I just give him a couple of tough toys and his doggy pillow (strange that he will rip open a soft toy in seconds, but his pillow still looks as good as that day I gave it to him!!! LOL). Let me know how you get on.

Julia

Fiona, I am dreading the coat, it's all fine for 6 months and then it changes over night doesn't it? This is what put me off another one, albeit, Murf like Saffy is now over the worst, they still need a lot more grooming than some other breeds ;)

But I thought, hey, you've got one Briard to brush, wash face, excercise and clear up after, whats another one? I'm about to find out, says Jo, who said never again :D :D

Murf does the school run everyday, he always comes  cos we go to the beach afterwards. But as I was saying to Julia, he still wont jump in the back of the car. I feel such a fool when I have to put front paws in, stop and give a kiss :rolleyes:  (he gives me such a filthy look, I feel obliged to) and then oik in the back end. The amount of people that stop and stare at me, I've now given up caring.

Hairypooch, that means that Barney and your new puppy will be half brother and sister (Ahhhhhh). My mum did the same as you, Jessie and Jed have the same mum, but different dads (funny cos Fonsie sired Jed so he is Barneys half brother as well!!). Small Briard world isnt it? Barney loves his cage and goes in it willingly, I just give him a couple of tough toys and his doggy pillow (strange that he will rip open a soft toy in seconds, but his pillow still looks as good as that day I gave it to him!!! LOL). Let me know how you get on.

Julia

Oooops seem to be repeating my posts :-o

Jo, I encouraged Saffy to jump into the back of the car (estate part) by throwing liver treats in and then sitting in the back to encourage her.  Then I would put her lead on and say 'car' and make it clear I wanted her in there - eventually she got the message.

Fiona

Barney too, jumps in the back of the car when I chuck in a bit of sausage, but if I dont to that I dont have a hope in hell! I'm only 5ft and 28kg is a hefty lump to be picking up to put in the back of a picasso!!!! Barneys breeders have a fawn and a black, and they say that the black coat is far easier to manage. When my mum decided to get a fawn, they offered to let her groom Lola (fawn) so she could see how much more difficult they are. I wouldnt know as I have only ever groomed a black.

Julia

I know what you mean Saffy is a fawn.  She also has a MUCH heavier coat than her litter sister (whom the breeder kept) or her mother.  She must take after her dad Gus.

Fiona

Thank you Fiona, I have tried that, along with feeding him in the back of the car, yes, he'll jump in for his dinner, but the minute you try a piece of liver or the likes, even with me sitting in it, he doesn't want to know :rolleyes: He wont even jump in when Ella my other dog jumps in. He just sits there, saying "no" ;)

Good to know that the black may be easier to groom than the fawn, I don't think anything could be much harder than Murfee.

Hairypooch,

How did you get on visiting the babies? I bet they are just gorgeous! Let us know.

Julia