| Carina, here the paper probably could be shredded based on what they have to say. Mostly nothing!
Chris, crate, crate and crate. You may just want to go ahead and get a full size crate that will work through maturity. My pup went in a full size crate the day she came home at 8 weeks. We partitioned it off so she didn't have the whole use of it. I was lucky that Chelsea only cried the first two nights. Every dog is different. Definitely have the crate where you sleep. Maybe you could use the smaller crate in other rooms when you can't be watching her. Puppies love anything with your scent on them, that is why they go for the shoes, socks, undies. Try sticking one of the new toys (nylabone etc) in a shoe before she gets it. This may encourage her to chew on the toy not the other things.
Puppy classes are great. We learned bit inhibition. And you want them to learn it before their jaws have developed their strength. Socialization is also important and you will get that in class. One of the benefits of leaving the pups with their mums anywhere from 8-12 weeks is they learn some manners. The bitch teaches them what is allowed and not allowed. That is one of the reasons the breeder has you wait until they are 8 weeks.
Don't leave your furkid unattended for long periods of time, (like out in the yard). Teach it to go pottie on command, and that will quickly speed up the house breaking process. Basically with housebreaking it is: they wake up, they go outside to go pottie, they eat, they go pottie, they drink they go pottie, they play they go pottie.... Get my drift? You will have to be diligent with them until they develop some control of their bodily functions.
Rotties are such loves, they are wonderful family dogs. Your heart is going to melt when you go to pick him/her up! Do you have a name picked out? Keep us posted on the big event and the best of luck to you!  |