Puppy & Chicken Thread #497

[Texarkana]

There’s been a lot of puppy and chicken talk here lately. But I’m having a hard time containing my excitement for my own!

Our puppy comes home next Saturday. She’s a mutt from an “oops” litter from the young female owned by a longtime friend. This was her at 4 weeks when we picked her out:

I’ve been trying to foster or adopt from several rescues in my area and nothing was panning out. So when my well-meaning friend needed good homes for a litter they were never intending, I figured I may as well give one a home. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve had a puppy. Heck, it’s been a good 10 years since I had a dog.

In the meantime, one of my hens, Joey, went broody on me. After a week or so, it became apparent that she was committed to trying to hatch something. So I picked up four fertilized barnyard cross eggs from a neighbor just to see what happens. Raising chicks inside in a brooder in the house is an experience I can take or leave (I feel like I’m still finding dust from last time around), so I’m hoping Joey does all the work.

It’s an exciting month of May around here!

Anyone want to share their favorite puppy or chick tips?

[jvanrens]

No suggestions, but what a cute ball of fluff that pup is! Any idea on breeds involved?

Squee! Sorry, I’m in puppy love mode, my daughter just treated herself to a full sister to her just over a year old BC last week. Unfortunately she’s just moved 4 hours south of here, so I had minimal puppy love time in. I sort of think she’s crazy inflicting two BCs on herself, but she has her BF and BF’s father to chip in on the puppy raising she’ll be going through.

Good luck with the future chicks!

[Texarkana]

@jvanrens

No suggestions, but what a cute ball of fluff that pup is! Any idea on breeds involved?

This is going to garner some serious eye rolling, but my friend has a sweet bernedoodle who they were debating trying to breed for more doodles since they love her so much (I know). The neighbor has an intact, purebred GSD who hopped right over the fence into their yard. Lesson learned.

But what matters to me above all is that both parents are really good family pets. I got to meet both and while neither necessarily needs to be reproducing, they are both so darn nice. This wasn’t a planned litter, they aren’t trying to profit, they are just trying to get the pups in good homes.

I anticipate she’ll be pretty big. Slightly dreading the hair. Whatever kind of coat she inherits has the potential to not be fun. But I’m excited none the less.

My kid has named her Rainbow. We’ll see if it sticks.

[Texarkana]

I’ve been shopping like crazy. What am I missing? I have:

-Large crate with divider panel
-The dog food she is eating plus what I plan to transition her to
-An assortment of bowls
-Small collar; will decide what I really want for her when I get an idea of her current size
-Several leashes
-Poop bags for leashes
-Dog bed
-A variety of toys: kong, puppy teething nylabones, chew toys, balls
-One of those heart beat huggie pup stuffed animals
-Treats
-Clicker
-A variety of brushes (cheap kit off Amazon until I really get a feel for her coat)
-Nail clippers
-Small pack of puppy pads, which I don’t plan to use but want to have on hand
-Toothbrush and doggy toothpaste
-A vet appointment to begin her shots and parasite prevention
-A bunch of baby gates and play pens left over from my kid

Am I missing anything major? We already have enzymatic cleaner and stuff like that for our cats.

[Phaedra1]

A harness, because using a collar too much on a puppy or any dog can mess with their joints.

[bdj]

Tex, let me know if you need anything - I’m super close and have a 10 month old feral beast (aka puppy) of my own, so I’ve got plenty of puppy supplies!

[skydy]

Depending on the age of the kiddo maybe an educational children’s book about having your own puppy?

[Texarkana]

@Phaedra1 Yes! I want to wait until I see her current size to pick out a harness. Do you have a type you recommend?

@bdj That is so generous of you! What’s your 10 month old wild child?

@skydy That’s a good idea. Do you have any recommendations? He’s good with animals… but also terrible with them because they are all entirely too tolerant of him.

[skydy]

I don’t! I’m sorry, I just thought it would be a good idea.

I was given many books when I was young. Some very educational ones about taking care of your pony, that sort of thing, so I assume there must be books for kids about “Your First Puppy” or something similarly titled.

[bdj]

He’s an Eskie - don’t let the derpy expression fool you, he’s just tired bc its been a busy day😆

[pony_baloney]

When he is full size, look at the Tre Ponti harness. I have one for my tiny dog but it’s a different design for larger ones. It’s simple and very comfortable for the dog. Pricey, but I found mine on Amazon in an ugly pink color. She’s a mystery Chi-X (maybe Minpin?) https://trepontiusa.com/collections/large-dog-harnesses-by-tre-ponti

[luvmyhackney]

That is a darling little fur ball of a puppy! I’m so happy for you.

Lots of chew toys and if you can get a round puppy pen or baby gates to contain in a safe area. Makes it easier when you have multiple areas in the house to have a puppy safe space.

Get a nice harness that adjusts and you can use it for a while. For the first few, I’d look at dollar tree. Then a nicer harness when closer to full size.

[Texarkana]

@bdj

He’s an Eskie - don’t let the derpy expression fool you, he’s just tired bc its been a busy day😆

OMG he’s adorable!

[Texarkana]

@pony_baloney

When he is full size, look at the Tre Ponti harness. I have one for my tiny dog but it’s a different design for larger ones. It’s simple and very comfortable for the dog. Pricey, but I found mine on Amazon in an ugly pink color. She’s a mystery Chi-X (maybe Minpin?) https://trepontiusa.com/collections/large-dog-harnesses-by-tre-ponti

Adorable girl! And thanks for the suggestion!

[Texarkana]

@luvmyhackney

Get a nice harness that adjusts and you can use it for a while. For the first few, I’d look at dollar tree. Then a nicer harness when closer to full size.

They have harnesses? Great idea for something “temporary.”

We have plenty of playpens and baby gates. I’m still not quite sure what chew toys she will like, so I picked up some basics to get her started.

[S1969]

Yes go to dollar store - but also ask your local friends. I’m getting ready to move my house and I literally have a Rubbermaid tote full of leashes, collars and harnesses - many of which are for puppies and they outgrow them so fast. And yet I feel compelled to buy them because they are so adorable. And then 4 weeks later are useless.

Honestly, borrow anything you can. I have said this several times recently but my puppies never chewed on Kongs, nylabones, or any kind of hard/rubber toy. They were pretty minimalist with toys in general. And because I show my dogs, they often give out toys to all exhibitors in puppy classes, plus toys to winners in many classes - so I accumulated dog toys for years. A while back a friend got a puppy and I asked him how he felt about gently used toys. I washed them and gave him a trash bag full of nearly new stuff.

Don’t buy too much until you know what you really need!

[Bay_Toby]

I posted not long ago asking for things I needed for Kate Boxer. Everything on your list is good! I would add a Go Dog toy (Kate has a pink dragon). After spending way too much on toys, her favorite is an empty plastic Diet Coke bottle that she bangs into the walls while she runs around like a maniac!

[Texarkana]

Thanks @Bay_Toby and @S1969.

I just found a good deal on a Go Dog toy and hit the “buy now” button.

In sadder news, I candled my eggs last night and it looks like only one is developing. I could be wrong, since this is my first time doing this. I’ll check them again in a day or two. If they are all duds, I might try to pick up a couple newly hatched chicks and stick them under her.

[MunchingonHay]

The only thing I would add is to create and keep to a schedule. Potty breaks, naps, feeding, repeat. I thing a structured outline to follow helps everyone.

It sounds like you have a great list and ready to tackle anything that comes your way!

[quote=“Bay_Toby, post:17, topic:795707”]
I would add a Go Dog toy (Kate has a pink dragon)
[/quote] because they are THE BEST!

I too am elbow deep in puppy rearing. I have an 8 month old oops.

[Phaedra1]

I don’t use any specific harnesses, but like Luvmyhackney said, use a cheap one, then get one you like, and that fits the puppy once she is grown up.

@luvmyhackney

Get a nice harness that adjusts and you can use it for a while. For the first few, I’d look at dollar tree. Then a nicer harness when closer to full size.