10 days

Published on September 15, 2004 By dharmagrl In Pets & Nature

I get my new baby boy in 10 days' time. Henry the miniature dacshund will be coming home on the 25th.

I have his crate alll ready for him. I found a small piece of shearling that is the perfect size for the floor of his kennel, so he'll have somehting soft to lay on. I've bought him toys - he has a rubber squeaky monster-looking-thing, a small squeaky teddy bear, and a bigger bear that has rope for arms and legs...good for gnawing and chewing on. I have puppy chow, treats for behaviour training, a collar, and a leash....I think we're just about kitted out for his arrival.

I need some advice though. I've potty trained a few dogs, and the best method I have found thus far is the 'input-output' plan. I feed them at set times, 4 times a day to start with, and once they're done eating, we go outside so they can take care of business. That works well with number 2's, but I've run into problems in the past with the pee factor. I don't want to deprive the puppy of water...but is it ok to pick up their water bowl after 9 pm? I'm thinking that until he 'gets' the idea that he needs to go out to pee this would be the best way. Anyone else have a better idea?

Oh, and one more thing - Henry needs a middle name. He's named after my paternal grandfather, but i can't come up with a middle name, or a kennel name for him. Got any ideas for that?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions, guys....

Comments

InfoGeek

on Sep 15, 2004

His middle name could be David.

Then when you call him to play fetch you can say: "Henry David, Thoreau"

IG

InfoGeek

on Sep 15, 2004

On a serious note, his middle name could be "Hap" or Arnold after: Henry Harly "Hap" Arnold.

See Link: Link

IG

chiprj

on Sep 15, 2004

I don't think that there will be a problem with picking up the water at night. Our dogs sleep in the bed and can't jump down (well, they could, but they are both too scared to) so they don't get any water at night. We just make sure to give them a fresh bowl first thing in the morning.

We have a habit of making them pee one last time before bed. Our girls are indoor dogs, though, so we have those puppy pads down all the time. They've developed the habit of getting one last drink and then a pee and then getting up on the bed. This usually works pretty well, except, in some cases when we are especially tired and don't insure that they both pee. Our older (mama) dog is good about holding it through the night, but Umji (the 3 legged dog) will sometimes have accidents while she sleeps. So, we have to be extra careful to make sure she goes before bed.

As for names, well, the first name that came to mind when I thought Henry was Irons. Don't know if you'll like it or not, but that's what sprung into my head.

chiprj

on Sep 15, 2004

Then when you call him to play fetch you can say: "Henry David, Thoreau"

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

dharmagrl

on Sep 15, 2004

Thanks, chip and IG......

I'll think about it.....I do like 'Hap'......

citahellion

on Sep 15, 2004

I've always liked "Ignatius" or "Poindexter" for small dogs.

Of course, that's largely because I don't like the small dogs themselves.

Janders

on Sep 15, 2004

I am now racking my brain for names. Maybe you can pick a name that symbolizes overcoming the last year. Like Thule, or somthing.

dharmagrl

on Sep 16, 2004

'Henry Ignatius'..that has a ring to it. Hmmm...I'll sleep on that one.

As for his kennel name..I'm coming up blank on that one. All I have been able to manage thus far is "Dharma's Dandy Daschund" and that's pretty lame. I want to incorporate his being born when Dave came home from Greenland - 'Arctic Redeemer' comes to mind, but I want to add more to it than that.

I'm going to peruse my dictionary and thesarus to see if I can get any inspiration from there.

SSG Geezer

on Sep 16, 2004

How's about "Thomas"?
Cage train him to make the transition to outdoor potty training.
Cage him at night and when you will be out. reduces stress related chewing also.

dharmagrl

on Sep 16, 2004

Hey Geezer, long time no talk!

Thomas...that was my great uncles name....I'll think about that one too!

So, I should crate train him first, then teach him to go outside?

I was going to crate him at night and when no-one's home; we learned from our last dog what destruction separation-anxiety induced chewing can cause. Hmm...I feel a blog coming on about that one......

LadyCleve

on Sep 17, 2004

My hubby believes that cats should have pretentious names, hence our male cat being named Euripides after the Greek playwright. Mayhaps the same rule could apply to Henry since he is a small dog?

dharmagrl

on Sep 17, 2004

Mayhaps the same rule could apply to Henry since he is a small dog?

Yes, i was thinking so too. Henry Ignatius is probably going to be the winner here.....and I'm going all out with soemthing totally over the top for his kennel name. Got any ideas?

KarmaGirl

on Sep 17, 2004

So, I should crate train him first, then teach him to go outside?

Crate training *is* housebreaking. Have you crate trained before? I have 4 dogs, all are crate trained. For the little guys it seems best, and they feel safe. People think it's cruel to crate a dog, but my dogs go into the crate themselves when they get tired. It's a "safe" place for them. And, when you are gone, you know that they are safe and not eating things that they shouldn't. It also makes housebreaking easier.

What kind of crate do you have? Do you have one of the expandable ones so that you can confine as a puppy then enlarge as they grow?

There is big debate over taking away water at night. I never have, and have easily housebroke all 4 of my dogs. The trick is not letting them go too long. Dogs don't like to mess where they sleep. So, if you get them in the habit of not messing in the pen, you are half way there.

If you want full details, drop me an email since it's long

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