New puppy coming home tomorrow. Advise?

Question

I'm bringing a puppy home tomorrow and wanted to see if anyone has any advise. I've never owned a dog before, so I'm not sure exactly what to expect.

And before anyone says that I shouldn't have bought a puppy if I wasn't prepared, this was not planned. A friend found a lost puppy in her neighborhood and took it home. She posted signs everywhere, but no one has come forward. It's been a couple of weeks and now her dog and the puppy are not getting along. So she needed to find it a new home fast. Also, this may be a temporary situation; if her owners come forward, I will be giving her back.

I don't know how old the puppy is. She is semi-housebroken and doesn't seem to be chewing on anything. She's a rat terrier. Anyone have experience with these dogs? Will she be ok if I leave her home all day while I'm at work, probably confined to one room? If there anything I should be aware of??

Answer 1

Oh Boy!!!...lol.
Do not make the mistake of leaving the puppy alone with access to your belonings while you are not at home, big mistake.
I know that you might have to give it up but go buy an exercise pen at the pet store for the dog to be in while you are away, and keep it outside.
This will save your furniture and keep you from having to clean up pee and poop.Terriers can be quite destuctive when left un-moniterd.
I would as well take the pup to the vet, you have no idea what shots it may or may not have ... actually take the pup to the vet first to see if it has been microchipped to be able to locate the owner.
I am a breeder and own my own kennel and I can tell you that not one of our puppies that we sell leave our place without 1st being microchipped with the new owners info as well as ours.
Most reputable breeders today microchip their dogs especially if it is a pure bred.
Good Luck
Floren DeWaard
Wiley Creek Kennels

Answer 2

Hi. Not trying to be harsh, but I don't think it's a good idea to get a dog if you work all day. I also don't think it's good for the dog to stay confined to a room all day. Dogs, especially puppies NEED attention and LOVE, not alone time, closed up in a room. I often ask myself, would I like to be closed up in a room all day? Or, would I like to be alone all day 5 days a week? The answer would be NO to both questions. Maybe you could find a better home for the dog, someone who has time to spend with him/her...who REALLY wants her, and will love her to pieces.

Answer 3

RTs can be a little hyper but all pups tend to be. It helps to "pup proof" the room, check for anything to easy to get hold of to chew. She needs some toys. Stuffed animals are great. Put food/water down. Maybe some newspapers in a corner as most like to "hide" their business. Hard for pup to hold all day!! Kitchen areas are good room to use.

Thank you for helping out with the pup. And every pet owner went thru a "first" pet at one time!! Browse the web for more info on the breed. If no one claims within a few weeks then it would be safe to keep her. You would want to find her a vet and get her all checked out of course. They are a great breed and never get too big. Should be on puppy chow, no canned foods! Too many brands have been recalled!

Keep a check on lost/found ads in local paper for next few weeks also.

Answer 4

Don't confine the dog to one room. It will feel imprisoned and likely try to destroy it. When we bought our lab, we taught him right off the bat that his cage was his "private" space, like a bedroom. Buy a cage for the puppy and try and teach her or him that it is not a punishment place, but somewhere that the puppy should spend time when the human is not home or when it wants to be alone.

Also, if you do install a cage for her, put a puppy training pad inside. This will help prevent the cage from smelling like piddle

Answer 5

get lots of newspapers down near the door. then make sure it goes on the papers, then start taking it for a walk when it goes over to the papers. a young dog needs to get walked alot so 8 hours at home is too much. get used to scooping up crap, hopefully you have tile. get some toys for the dog to chew on so it doesn't wreck your place. lastly, read a book, attend a class or watch a dvd about dog care, that way you'll know if it will last or to find him a new home.

Answer 6

what you should do is prepare your self for anting. prepare a place where she can play and sleep.

give her a place where she is comfortable and don't just leave her outside all alone.

if the owners come back give it to them. but if they don't treat the dog with T.L.C. and spend time with her and keep her comfortable.

and don't let her sleep on the floor give her "bed" and when your at work just make sure to lock the places where she might get hurt or where she could make a mess.

and feed her 2-3 times a day.

Answer 7

Well... What should i say? Be Prepared for everything!!! Make shure that it knows that you are its boss, he/she may be curious, afraid, or aggressive. Make him feel at home and secure.

Um... about that one room thing. Terrier's tend to be very active especially when they are young. how tall is he/she? Is he/she very active? How big is this room? Stuff like that should be taken in to consideration when confining you terrier to a small space. other than that I think that you are good! Good luck!!!

Answer 8

oh there cute! buy her some chewie toys or a raw hide bone too keep her occupied. or a kong its a toy you put doggie treats inside of and it takes them awhile to get them out .things that will keep her busy while your not home. and maybe you better get some doggie pads in case of an accident .there very smart little dogs shouldnt be too much of a problem good luck with you new doggie!oh yeah dont forget too give her fresh water everyday!

Answer 9

first of all lucky you, second spend all the time you can with it. my dog grew up way to fast . Just train it young so its not a problem when it older. and love it like a person.

Answer 10

Get a good vet. Ask friends or family to refer you to one.

It would be ideal if someone was home with her the first week, so she doesn't "get into anything," and doesn't feel abandoned.