Oh My Are We Having Fun Now!!
Puppies almost 8 weeks old! Today we introduced them to an umbrella. As you will see, they were not impressed! Made a great new toy tho!
Puppy Care
Puppys turned 1 week old Sunday!
We started our Puppy Culture Protocol a few days ago. Here the puppies are getting accustomed to being on their backs. It stimulates the nerves they do now normally use at this stage. They also spend a few seconds vertically both with heads up and heads down. Again, for the same reason. It also flushes their little brains with blood….and then drains it.
None of these movements are intended to replace the normal petting, stroking and hugging they get each day. These are also very important for reducing blood pressure and stress in the puppies.
Adding to Your Dog Family
Because I have several families who have more than one dog (often more than one of MY dogs!), I thought I would put some thought into advice for the families who are considering doing the same. My thinking was inspired by a family who is actually taking a second one of my adult dogs that I have retired from breeding to “live the good life.”
There are a lot of articles on the Internet about this situation. (I will post links at the end of my column here.) They all agree that you, first of all, need to consider a second dog for the right reasons.
Not because:
- Your current dog is aggressive and needs to learn its manners.
- Your current dog is nervous around other dogs and needs reassurance/
- Your kids want another dog.
Happy and healthy Havanese…that’s our goal
But because:
- You have the time and resources to train, care for and enjoy another dog.
- You want a companion for your current dog.
- Your present dog is getting older and a second dog will often “add years” to its life.
- You and your family love dogs and isn’t two better than one?
- You recently lost one of your dogs and your current one misses him.
So you have made the decision, now what? First of all, consider timing. I don’t recommend getting a second dog until your first one has completely bonded with you and is on its way to being socialized, trained and has adjusted to its new home.
Then, put some thought into what kind of dog to get. If you are delighted with the one you already have, maybe stick with the same breed, size or temperament. On the other hand, if you have reservations about your experience with your current dog, consider alternatives.
Is your current dog a rescue with health issues? Consider a pure breed where health history is a known quantity.
If you, yourself, are getting older and your present dog is a large one, maybe think about downsizing to a smaller breed to make travel, condo living, etc. easier.
Are your children part of the equation? Consider their ages and what breed might be good for them.
Finally, how do you introduce the second dog to your first one?
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First, be sensitive to the fact that your house is Dog #1’s house. Initially, it will see Dog #2 as an intruder and competitor for food, attention and living space. Make sure Dog #1 still has its own toys, food and water bowls, bedding and crate.
Second be sensitive to both dogs’ temperaments. If Dog #1 is low key and at all submissive, you might make the introduction in your own home so that the second dog realizes this house is #1’s house….for now. But if Dog #1 is outgoing and confident, maybe introduce them in a neutral place where #1 won’t overwhelm #2.
Then, my best advice is to go slow and always supervise their interactions during the first few days. Let each dog have its own space, own bowls, own toys and own bedding. Begin with one in its crate and the other outside of theirs. Then reverse the process.
Play with them together so that one doesn’t think the other is getting more attention. Walk with them together for the same reason. Watch for any signs of stress…stiff postures, ears down, tail down, lips lifting and staring. If you see an issue, calmly separate them and try again in a few hours.
And, remember, you are on your way to a wonderful life with your fur babies. Just give them time to adjust.
Here are some links for further reading:
Aster and Joey Have Some Beautiful Babies!
Aster delivered her puppies on June 1, right on schedule!! Not only that but she delivered 7 puppies in record time…2 hours!! Not only that but she delivered in the afternoon!! And every single pup is healthy!!! Thank you Aster!!
Aren’t they beautiful?
This is Joey. Also known as CH Zona Rosa’s No Ordinary Joe.
This is Aster For Aster’s Health Records and parentage click here.
For Aster’s Health Records and parentage click here.
For Joey’s Health Records and parentage click here.
My Annotated List of Puppy Supplies
Equipment for Your Havanese Puppy (Updated 5/6/21)
The first few days with a puppy are very special ones. Make sure the course is as smooth as possible. Here are a few things you may want to have on hand.
1. Carrier
If you plan to travel on an airplane with your Havanese it is wise to purchase a sturdy
carrier that is airline approved and will fit under the seat of your airplane. Get a size that will be large enough for your puppy when he is full grown. Plan to spend about $30-50.
Note: I recently purchased a roller carrier on Chewy.com. Which I think I am going to LOVE. ( https://www.chewy.com/gen7pets-links-print-roller-carrier/dp/154917 )
2. Harness and leash
Because a Havanese puppy is so small, I don’t recommend collars. Instead, a harness with a
leash. The size harness you will want will be small (up to 4 pound pup) for pups up to 10 weeks old. Or small (5-10 pound pup)…10 weeks to 4 months for most pups.
3. Crate.
I recommend the open wire crates with a removable floor (for cleaning) and a divider that
will create a smaller space for sleeping until the pup is completely housebroken. A crate appropriate for a 15 pound dog is more than sufficient. Mine are 18”x 18” x 24”. Any larger gives the pup too much space inside.
4. Exercise Pen (X-pen)
The 8 panel, 24” tall, pen is fine. Some come with interior gates to reduce the size of the
crate for little puppies. Helps keep them from using the extra space as a bathroom! You can buy a second one if you want more space.
See how I have the X-pen set up with the wire crate (door open!) inside it? Water bowl outside the crate. Feed puppy inside the crate. Close the door during feeding and at night time.
5. Food bowls.
Ceramic or stainless steel are best. Puppies will chew plastic ones. And they get yucky!
Smaller is good (5” max/ 1⁄2 cup).
6. Food.
Your puppy has been eating a combination of these two formulas:
https: //www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-all-life-stages-small/dp/52433
and:
https://www.chewy.com/wellness-core-wholesome-grains-puppy/dp/248861
Feel free to give either food and you can gradually switch to something else if you want. But GRADUAL is the key word here.
Do not give your puppy grain free foods without first consulting your veterinarian. Feel free to switch out with any good dog food that is formulated for puppies. But avoid grain free.
Puppies are used to three meals a day…about 1⁄4 cup per meal. This varies from puppy to puppy and is hard to gauge as I provide their food in one large bowl. I am still softening it with water a couple hours before each meal.
7. Toys
Puppies love toys! Lots of toys keep their interest away from furniture, cords and shoes!
Tough rubber toys for teething are good, especially the small “Kong” toys you can stuff with
yogurt and freeze. Squeaky toys are good too. Just don’t spend a lot on these squeaky toys as they pup will likely dismember it in a few weeks! NO rawhide. And NOTHING made in China that goes in their mouth!!!
8. Housetraining
The pups have become quite proficient at using a litter box. (They actually train themselves…I take little credit for this!)
It is the same kind of box/tray used for cats. But it is filled with pine pellets, NOT clumping kitty litter. Here is one link from Chewy.com
https: //www.chewy.com/frisco-pine-pellet-unscented-non/dp/218560?utm_source=google-produ ct&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Frisco&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjw7di EBhB-EiwAskVi1300PG_hHljeHM6PJICZ6vTV0GeEIP5gs798neFpYMgO1HiuQr1JchoCsIwQAvD _BwE
If you plan to potty your dog outdoors you can spread some of the used pellets in your designated area and the puppy will pick up the scent and get the picture! The pellets will disintegrate in the rain.
10. Nail Clippers and Brush
Your puppy is used to having his nails trimmed. I do this to reduce their angst down the
road. You can use a human nail clipper for now…the kind that clip from the side are good. Recently I also discovered these LED lit clippers that my daughter uses for our new grandson’s nails and I have to say I love it! Here is the link on Amazon:
https: //www.amazon.com/gp/product /B008DIYAE8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th= 1
Later you will need a regular dog nail trimmer.
I like pin brushes best for general grooming. Again, puppy is used to this and it is a good idea to continue to brush him 2-3 times a week just for a few minutes. When their coat is longer you may want to use a slicker brush but get the kind with tips that prevent the wires from scratching their skin.
11. 5-6” long Nylabones. Do not use rawhide chews for puppies and always supervise your puppy when he is chewing any kind of bones.
12. For potty accidents I recommend Natures Miracle spray. There are all kinds of sizes as well as special formulas for hardwood floors, laundry, etc. The best product I’ve found for removing urine odors and stains.
13. Bathing supplies should include shampoo, conditioner and detangler when their coat is longer. For the first two, I actually use Tresemee’ or Suave brands that you can find in most grocery and drug stores. For the detangler I use Christensen’s Ice on Ice Detangler which can be purchased online. There are several other brands available at pet stores.
14. Bottle of 3% Peroxide. It will come in handy if your puppy ingests any toxic substance.
15. Can of pumpkin (not pie filling!) for loose stools.
16. Jar of probiotic powder for healthy skin and tummy. This is very optional.
https: //www.amazon.com/PetVitalityPRO-Probiotics-Digestive-Diarrhea-Allergies/dp/B01G5CB4 42/ref=sr_1_24?crid=28UZISSL9SMU6&dchild=1&keywords=probiotics+for+dogs&qid=1592515 638&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=probiotics%2Caps%2C183&sr=1-24