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Post by smilesbetter on Feb 23, 2014 13:10:33 GMT
Awesome SarahHound that makes me feel a lot better! Got some pics today I'll post up later, she's so cute! Our visiting cat Mieze has been watching her carefully all day haha, when Rosa was play in the living room outside her pen Mieze was staring through a gap in the slightly opened door watching her every move. Rosa has had a chance to sniff Carlotta too now (Carlotta was great and sniffed back). Slow progress but promising!
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Post by Pawsforthought on Feb 23, 2014 13:14:42 GMT
That's ridiculous of your breeder! You can't exercise a puppy for an hour until they're about a year! And to be taking them out before their vaccinations too. Vaccinations are done at different times because puppies don't respond to certain ones until a certain age, which means she would have had immunity to some things but not to others, rather than meaning she was immune to everything straight after her first lot. This is because pups gain some level of immunity from their mother's milk, so until the immunity from the milk is diminished enough, vaccinations don't have any effect (as the antibodies present fight the infection off.) And immunities to different diseases 'wear off' at different rates! After her second lot of vaccinations it is recommended she doesn't go out for, I think it is, 2 weeks, at least not in dog populated areas. You can discuss all this with your vet anyway. You can still take her to PUPPY training classes for the time being, usually the other puppies are in the same boat and haven't finished their vaccinations either! The argument that her being raw fed isn't valid, a raw diet helps her to have a better immune system but doesn't protect them from deadly diseases which, for the record, kill wild animals (who eat raw!) SarahHound - you're in Scotland, there's no one around you anyway That isn't to scare you, I'm sure she is absolutely fine and you're doing the right thing now, I'm just shocked and a bit annoyed at your breeder, and confused why they don't seem to know these things? You're doing the right thing taking advice from the likes of us lot Maybe it would be beneficial to her to be put on a joint supplement just to make sure the over-exercising doesn't cause any problems. It's often a good idea to put growing dogs on it anyway. This one is good, and well known. We had our dog on a free sample of it briefly and he improved (he has bad back legs) - www.arden-grange.de/shop/yumove-young-active_p353.html (and yes, that is in Deutschland.)
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Post by SarahHound on Feb 23, 2014 14:08:30 GMT
That's ridiculous of your breeder! You can't exercise a puppy for an hour until they're about a year! And to be taking them out before their vaccinations too. Vaccinations are done at different times because puppies don't respond to certain ones until a certain age, which means she would have had immunity to some things but not to others, rather than meaning she was immune to everything straight after her first lot. This is because pups gain some level of immunity from their mother's milk, so until the immunity from the milk is diminished enough, vaccinations don't have any effect (as the antibodies present fight the infection off.) And immunities to different diseases 'wear off' at different rates! After her second lot of vaccinations it is recommended she doesn't go out for, I think it is, 2 weeks, at least not in dog populated areas. You can discuss all this with your vet anyway. You can still take her to PUPPY training classes for the time being, usually the other puppies are in the same boat and haven't finished their vaccinations either! The argument that her being raw fed isn't valid, a raw diet helps her to have a better immune system but doesn't protect them from deadly diseases which, for the record, kill wild animals (who eat raw!) SarahHound - you're in Scotland, there's no one around you anyway That isn't to scare you, I'm sure she is absolutely fine and you're doing the right thing now, I'm just shocked and a bit annoyed at your breeder, and confused why they don't seem to know these things? You're doing the right thing taking advice from the likes of us lot Maybe it would be beneficial to her to be put on a joint supplement just to make sure the over-exercising doesn't cause any problems. It's often a good idea to put growing dogs on it anyway. This one is good, and well known. We had our dog on a free sample of it briefly and he improved (he has bad back legs) - www.arden-grange.de/shop/yumove-young-active_p353.html (and yes, that is in Deutschland.) Both Katy and Bobby have been exercised for over an hour as pups, it depends on the ground I was always told. Forced exercise should not be any longer than 5 minutes per month of age, or 1 minute per week of age, whatever feels best for you. But free exercise, on grass, I've always been told that can be unlimited. Bob regularly has been out running and playing in the garden and in the surrounding fields for over an hour with the girls, just like Katy was when she was young with Todd and Lucy. And just for the record, I do live in a village! There's around 200 people here, so its not completely remote He's been going out in the fields and meeting dogs I know are safe, which is what I was referring to as being OK before vaccinations, to the OP. Important in my opinion. Not trying to argue with you, just giving another opinion But I agree with you that the breeder doesn't seem to have been very knowledgeable.
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Post by Pawsforthought on Feb 23, 2014 14:24:47 GMT
Well I think with regards to joints it's better safe than sorry, and your guys have very light frames! I've seen the results of not being careful, ie. Monty's bestie, a friend's lab, was allowed to exercise nonstop (on grass) and can barely walk at the age of 5 for arthritis his owner just didn't know. A lot of sighthounds have been blessed with a history of more responsible (in terms of physical wellbeing, at least) breeding, just for the fact that they are bred for (racing) speed and so probably taking physical health more into consideration (ie. racing greyhounds wouldn't be bred from if they had bad hips) and are in general a healthier size and shape than some other breeds. Labs, for example, are quite prone to hips and knees being bad, especially the stockier show types. I've seen show collies have quite bad hips too.
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Post by smilesbetter on Feb 23, 2014 17:38:00 GMT
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Post by Pawsforthought on Feb 23, 2014 17:53:13 GMT
Yeah stairs are pretty bad for growing pups! Might be best to take shifts with your OH carrying her down while she's still young, and a joint supplement would definitely be a good idea - it can't hurt to be safe. It's great you are taking her out and carrying her to where she can experience lots that will be very good for her in later life. Is there anywhere you can take her (a bench on a road or a car park, for example) where she can watch and hear lots of cars? I've known soo many border collies have the classic fear-associated car chasing habit, my grandparents' collie included, and I've known her from puppyhood. One of the most important things is socialisation and you seem to be off to a great start most people have their first puppy and realise they didn't do enough when it's too late (although obviously, it's never really 'too late,' it's just easier to socialise them to avoid problems arising in the first place) She is soooo gorgeous and definitely has a bit of a naughty look about her I bet she's a little character!
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Post by tonib on Feb 23, 2014 18:09:25 GMT
Great pictures of Rosa
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Post by smilesbetter on Feb 23, 2014 18:17:01 GMT
Awesome, I'll look into the joint supplement then, as don't want her getting poorly joints from going up and down the stairs, but I know worth at she's gonna grow to beep pretty big. She's the biggest in the litter and the father was quite a big border collie haha. The breeders took her out in a car every day for at least two weeks including without her mother and siblings, and she sees loooooads of cars where we live and doesn't seem to be bothered by them at all thankfully. She also sees a lot of bikes as they are one of the most prevalent transport options around her so hopefully will never get into a chasing habit haha. I'm actually hoping to train her to run alongside my bike when she's older and lead trained (you can get poles to attach the lead to the bike) so that when she can go off the lead I can cycle round the parks with her and things. I'm well aware of how much energy sheepdogs can have haha Any ideas on things to start socialising her would be great if anyone has any! Trying to get her used to as much things as possible! There is regular lightening in Berlin during Summer (ARGHHH) and also the fireworks at new year here (which hopefully I can bring her back to Scotland for as I find it terrifying) are mental, so would like to find a way to get her used to that type of thing ASAP as I'm scared of them myself and don't want her to get that too. Thanks!! She's super cute, beginning to get to see her character more and more now too haha, she's a fun wee thing
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Post by Pawsforthought on Feb 23, 2014 18:31:07 GMT
You could use desensitisation CD - something like this? This one sounds especially good because of the "Calming" CD used to reduce stress (e.g. separation anxiety, excitement, etc.) Might even consider getting them for Finn! (our noise phobic Setter) positively.com/products/cnp/You usually begin with the CD on a very low volume and only raise the volume when your dog no longer pays any attention to the sounds. Some people use them on a low volume while the dog has it's dinner. Gradually you can move to playing the CD in different rooms and situations and even outside.
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Post by McCuddles on Feb 23, 2014 23:10:36 GMT
Hi, your Rosa is absolutely adorable, she looks like she's gonna grow up to be a big girl! I'll be honest though I had to Google Icelandic sheepdog as I'd never heard of them before, stunning dogs. Sounds like you are doing a fab job already with her socialising and getting her used to the weird and wonderful sights and noises of the world. As a border collie owner myself I would second getting her used to traffic, bikes and runners as soon as possible though it sounds like she is okay so far (but then so was my Dotty when she was really young, and it wasn't until she was 9 months we decided to get a professional behaviourist in). I would also start her on yumove young and active for her joints, especially if she has been given a lot of exercise already by her breeder and you have sets of stairs to your flat. Dotty has been on these since she was one as I'd like to think that I've done everything I can to help prevent any future joint problems. She's just gorgeous though and I look forward to seeing lots of pics of her as she grows up!
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Post by smilesbetter on Feb 24, 2014 7:59:55 GMT
Awesome, thanks, I'll get her started on the desensitisation CD ASAP then, don't want her turning into a wimp like me! After all, I'll need her to sit with me in the hall (there's no windows there) and be the brave one quite a lot during the lightning storms this summer! And thanks, I wanna give her as much new experiences as possible and get her off to a great start. There is a free "mini zoo" thing near us, and while I don't approve of zoos particularly, I think I'll take her for a carry around there to get her used to seeing different animals and people. She's not great at being carried for longer periods yet though so will have to work on that a bit first haha. Yeah she's gonna be quite big! She's growing very fast, she's already 5.1kg and the rest of her litter are only just this week into low 4kg's haha. The breeders have their weekly weights on their website haha, she's definitely the giant of the family! Awesome, I'll definitely get her on a joint supplement then! Is there any time best to start or is it okay to just start giving her it straight away?
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Post by smilesbetter on Feb 24, 2014 8:03:35 GMT
Oh, and I had to google Icelandic Sheepdogs too haha! Rosa has gained the trait of having two dew claws on her back toes from the Icelandic Sheepdog side of her, although we are gonna ask the vet about the outside ones as the breeders pointed out that certainly one of them is growing a bit funny and causes her done irritation. I think the nail curls into her skin. She's already used to having it clipped though so maybe it will be okay, but will ask the vets opinion in any case.
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Post by smilesbetter on Feb 24, 2014 11:04:38 GMT
Okay so, sorry I'm gonna have tons of questions over the next few weeks! Once she's a bit older I know fine well what I'm doing haha but right now new things keep popping up all the time. She has started chewing on the wall a little where it sticks out at the perfect angle for her to nibble. All the things I've looked up online encourage punishment as a way to stop this behaviour but I don't wanna do that. I've been teaching her that when I say "no!" With a pointed finger and she stops what she's doing, she gets done sort of reward, but that's the closest to "negative" reinforcement that I plan on using. Anyway is there anything I can put on the wall that she wouldn't like the taste of but which wouldn't be harmful to her, to deter her from chewing it? Like how cats hate the scent of lemons. She has chew toys in her pen and doesn't appear to be bored or anxious or anything when she does it, she just wants something to chew and doesn't use her toys much unless I start a game with them. Also I know it's mostly her personal preference, but is there any way I can get her more into playing with her toys? She only uses the one without me, and even then only for a bit after I've been playing with her with it. She's more into cuddles haha. Cheers and sorry for all the constant questions!!
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Post by lotsofcats on Feb 24, 2014 11:15:00 GMT
Rosa is a lovely puppy. A nice surprise for you having her earlier than anticipated - you can enjoy a few more weeks of her as a puppy and get her well socialised - you've got it all planned out, well done. I hope that she loves the cats.
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Post by SarahHound on Feb 24, 2014 14:05:07 GMT
Okay so, sorry I'm gonna have tons of questions over the next few weeks! Once she's a bit older I know fine well what I'm doing haha but right now new things keep popping up all the time. She has started chewing on the wall a little where it sticks out at the perfect angle for her to nibble. All the things I've looked up online encourage punishment as a way to stop this behaviour but I don't wanna do that. I've been teaching her that when I say "no!" With a pointed finger and she stops what she's doing, she gets done sort of reward, but that's the closest to "negative" reinforcement that I plan on using. Anyway is there anything I can put on the wall that she wouldn't like the taste of but which wouldn't be harmful to her, to deter her from chewing it? Like how cats hate the scent of lemons. She has chew toys in her pen and doesn't appear to be bored or anxious or anything when she does it, she just wants something to chew and doesn't use her toys much unless I start a game with them. Also I know it's mostly her personal preference, but is there any way I can get her more into playing with her toys? She only uses the one without me, and even then only for a bit after I've been playing with her with it. She's more into cuddles haha. Cheers and sorry for all the constant questions!! A lot fo dogs hate citrus as well, so wiping a lemon or orange on the area might help, but some love the taste, so it can backfire! You'll just have to see how she reacts. There is several training type sprays, the only one I have used is 'Bitter Apple Spray', but it didn't do anything for the 3 dogs I tried it on. They still chewed the places I'd sprayed it with.
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