Should I use puppy pads?

[CowboysDad]

Hello all,

I'm bringing Cowboy home Dec. 28th and he'll be 9 wks old. I live in an urban environment in the N.E. So I have 3 concerns: the freezing cold weather, exposure to disease, and the frequency at which young pups need to pee. Pads would solve all of these...but am I just making more work for myself in the long run? I'm worried that transitioning from pads to outside will be really difficult, since I'll have taught him for 2 months that it's okay to go inside. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

[ashley1135]

I'm in the same situation you are in. I got Sulley a few weeks ago at the age of 8 wks. He was too young to go outside anyway not to mention it's freezing and I'm in an apartment in an urban area. Out of necessity, Sulley is using a doggie litter tray indoors (I started by putting the pads in it) and is doing well. I know I am making more work for myself in the long run, even my vet confirms this because, as you mentioned, I'm teaching him that it's ok to go inside. Plus at some point he'll start lifting his leg, then I'm really going to be sorry. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to get by.

If you have any option of taking him outside, do it....but I don't have that luxury right now. Just be aware that the whole housetraining process will practically start over once you decide to ditch the puppy pads. I have created sort of a confined area for the litter tray in a corner w/ a little wall since Sulley prefers his privacy to do his business. I think a well defined area for the puppy pads makes sense since the dog then has an actual "place" to go, instead of a pad thrown in the middle of a big room. Near the door you will eventually take him out might be good. I'll be anxious to hear how you and Cowboy get along once he arrives. Having Sulley has been a complete lifestyle change and very stressful, but we're working through it. Good luck to you!

[CowboysDad]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm gonna need to think about it more and talk with the fam. Pads are just such a tempting solution, but I recognize that it's best to start training to go outside from the start. We'll see. Thanks!

[franp]

Unfortunately , your dog is way too young to go outside... Not until he is finished with his shots...By taking him outside in an Urban envirnment you are putting him at GREAT risk...

Here in NYC for example; Giardia is rampant.. My Dari got HGE in the dead of winter (as an adult) and almost died..There is NO safe place on a city sidewalk....

So, for the first while, puppy pads are what you will need to do..This is one reason why IMO (and most of the breeders I know) a pup should NOT come home before at least two sets of shots are completed..

[franp]

HGE is Hemolytic Gastoenteritis. An infection of the G I tract..bloody diarhea that strikes with frightening suddeness..

Supportive therapy of intravenous fluids and hospitalization..

Dari was admitted to the hospital at 9AM.She was the FOURTH dog that morning to be admitted..She was lethargic the day before ;not drinking or eating..Had I waited 12 hours more; she would have been dead..

Vets still are at a loss as to what causes this disease.They do know that once they see one case;they will see many..More often than not,it seems to strike in the winter..

Dehydration is a major factor..something puppies can not deal with..

Dari was in the hospital for 2 nights and three of the longest days of my life..
I would never risk a pup on a city street without shots...

[CowboysDad]

Unfortunately , your dog is way too young to go outside... Not until he is finished with his shots...By taking him outside in an Urban envirnment you are putting him at GREAT risk...

So, for the first while, puppy pads are what you will need to do..This is one reason why IMO (and most of the breeders I know) a pup should NOT come home before at least two sets of shots are completed..

Thanks Fran, yes that was a big concern of mine. However, Cowboy's breeder actually won't have vaccinated him at all before he comes home, and I don't plan to vaccinate either. I've decided to use Nosodes and have already gotten them in from a wonderful company called Natrual Rearing. I'm also starting him on BARF as soon as he gets home, so that's the way I prefer to protect him. Still, never can be too careful. And I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with HGE. Thank God it was a happy ending.

Congrats on your new addition Jessica! We'll have to compare house breaking notes....though if you have just as easy a time with the new pup as you did with Clem, then this world truly isn't fair:lol: Or maybe your just THAT good! Wanna come train Cowboy for a few weeks?

[franp]

[QUOTE=CowboysDad]Thanks Fran, yes that was a big concern of mine. However, Cowboy's breeder actually won't have vaccinated him at all before he comes home, and I don't plan to vaccinate either. I've decided to use Nosodes


I am not an advocate of overvaccinating.. In fact if you read back, you will see that I am a great advocate of Dr Jean Dodds..Have you read her articles/research?Dari's medical treatment has followed her protocol,no shots since she was a year old..

But it is my opinion that a dog should have the full set of puppy shots..no more , no less.. Good luck in your choice...

[franp]

[QUOTE=ClemsMom]Yikes, that's horrible Fran.:( Poor Dari. What is up with all the outbreaks and worse cases of canine diseases in NYC starting over on the East Side?

Actually Jess,Dari was just about the only dog at the time from the east side at our Vet..We go to the dr over by you...

Now, there are several Frenchies that we have referred from other parts of the city at our dr..

[Chris&Eti]

Cowboys dad-
I went through housebreaking under similar urban circumstances-and did puppy pads. Yes, there is a period of readjustment, but its really not that bad. Eti went outside only after about 10 days of returning to a stricter crating schedule.

[cookiesmug]

Good luck, can't wait to see pictures of your little guy. Hey, I just realized we will be going through this process together! We are picking up Clementine's new little brother on January 5.:)

Congratulations Jessica! It's less than 3 weeks away, you must be so excited with the new addition! What color is he? Do you have a name picked out yet? I wonder what goes well with Clememtine... :)