Any tips?

hannah · Dec 8, 2015

So I am mentally preparing myself for our new babies arrival and was wondering if anyone has any tips for the first few days of her being home? 2 more sleeps! Thursday morning I drive my boyfriend to the air port at 4AM and then go pick them up at MIDNIGHT. Long day for him...

I took off a week from work because my boyfriend has exams so needs to get his sleep, so I will be able to set alarms and let her out every 3 hours to start with the potty training.

Since Banksy sleeps in our bed and we want to crate train her first like we did with him, do you think we should put the crate in our room beside our bed that way I can hear when she needs to be let out? Or should her crate be in the living room (that's what we did with Banksy)

We have the food prepared from what the breeder is currently feeding her, which we plan to slowly transition her off of.

Banksy can be pretty rough and annoy other dogs when hes playing so any tips with the introductions? In your experience do dogs tend to know when the other one is just a baby and play accordingly? She is going to be 8 weeks exactly so he needs to be careful with her!

Anything else you have to suggest other than the things I mentioned above.... feel free! I am nervous!

If someone would have told me at the start of this year that I would have 2 dogs by the time the year ended I would have said YOU ARE CRAZY! LOL!

2bullymama · Dec 8, 2015

too exciting..... I love the countdown --- 2 more sleeps

you have a great plan going.... as for the crate do what is best for you and her. Bedroom might be best for you to hear her but it might not work for the b/f to get his rest unless he wears earplugs or headphones :blink:

hannah · Dec 8, 2015

2bullymama said:
too exciting..... I love the countdown --- 2 more sleeps

you have a great plan going.... as for the crate do what is best for you and her. Bedroom might be best for you to hear her but it might not work for the b/f to get his rest unless he wears earplugs or headphones :blink:

he already wears ear plugs...apparently banksy and I disturb him lol

Jakeyjake · Dec 8, 2015

Sooooooo exciting! I'm telling you Frenchies are addicting and it is hard to just have one

You will do great. Just supervise time the puppy and Banksy play together in case it gets too rough. When we brought Stella home, it took about one day and she was barking, growling and charging at Jake biting his ears and jowls. We had to pull her off of him, all 4 lbs of her! She did like to cuddle with him in the same bed though. I was lazy at night though. I just put a crate in an exercise pen with the door open and put pee pads down. Then once they were old enough to hold it, the pen went away and the door was closed on the crate. Worked fine. Can't wait to see lots of pictures of your new baby!!!!!!

Alice Kable · Dec 8, 2015

Congratulations!!! You sound READY! My experience is that the older dog recognizes the baby and takes it easy when playing. If the baby lets out a little yelp the older dog backs off. We found we had to protect the older dog from the shark teeth of the pup, and make sure the adult has breaks from the playful puppy!

Chiana · Dec 9, 2015

Do you have x-pen? That might be handy during the introduction to allow them both sniff each other and get familiar through the gate.
We introduced ours through gate and it worked out great. Moses is also quite rough playmate so the gate also put our minds more at ease to start with

For the puppy all is new. We let oscar roam around the house by himself first to get to know the place and feel a bit more comfortable and then started the introduction.
For example, if your boyfriend could take Banksy for a walk while the baby gets settled. Is your boyfriend picking up the puppy? If so, then take Banksy for a loooong walk before they arrive. Introduction will be much more calm if Banksy is not overly energetic

Oh, and when they have had some time to familiarise through the gate, then lift the puppy and let Banksy sniff puppy's butt and vice versa.

Then keep Banksy leashed at the beginning, so you can control him better and see how he acts with the puppy before letting them run free.

So exciting times!!! I still vividly remember the excitement...we went through that only few weeks back.
Good Luck! It will work out just fine!
You have still no idea how wonderful your life will become when having two frenchies running around!

turbodave · Dec 9, 2015

The xpen idea was a good one. We stopped at our local petco on the way home from picking up our Olive. A smaller one that is 4'x4' and only 2' tall. worked perfect for the introduction. But we have a huge kitchen that can handle that large of a pen so we left it up with her crate inside and we got adult pee pads (puppy pee pads are rediculously high priced) for the pen and that's where she spent the nights.

Squishy Walnuts · Dec 9, 2015

I can't believe you will have your baby soon!!!!

Wally did not like being in a crate on the floor when he was a wee pup. I put his crate on a table beside my bed so he could see me and feel more secure. After a few weeks I put the crate on the floor in the corner of our bedroom beside Uma's bed.

Banksy is going to love having a baby sister!

hannah · Dec 9, 2015

Chiana said:
Do you have x-pen? That might be handy during the introduction to allow them both sniff each other and get familiar through the gate.
We introduced ours through gate and it worked out great. Moses is also quite rough playmate so the gate also put our minds more at ease to start with

For the puppy all is new. We let oscar roam around the house by himself first to get to know the place and feel a bit more comfortable and then started the introduction.
For example, if your boyfriend could take Banksy for a walk while the baby gets settled. Is your boyfriend picking up the puppy? If so, then take Banksy for a loooong walk before they arrive. Introduction will be much more calm if Banksy is not overly energetic

Oh, and when they have had some time to familiarise through the gate, then lift the puppy and let Banksy sniff puppy's butt and vice versa.

Then keep Banksy leashed at the beginning, so you can control him better and see how he acts with the puppy before letting them run free.

So exciting times!!! I still vividly remember the excitement...we went through that only few weeks back.
Good Luck! It will work out just fine!
You have still no idea how wonderful your life will become when having two frenchies running around!

Yes we do have an x-pen! I am so glad you mentioned the big walk beforehand! I will for sure be postponing his walk for tomorrow until before bed time.

Yes my boyfriend is picking him up. His flight leaves at 6am and then he arrives back in town at MIDNIGHT!!! 18 hours of travel!! So I will be going to pick them up so late :whew:

I will have the crate and x-pen and everything set up ahead of time.

YAY

hannah · Dec 9, 2015

Squishy Walnuts said:
I can't believe you will have your baby soon!!!!

Wally did not like being in a crate on the floor when they were wee pups. I put his crate on a table beside my bed so he could see me and feel more secure. After a few weeks I put the crate on the floor in the corner of our bedroom beside Uma's bed.

Banksy is going to love having a baby sister!

Banksy doesn't even go in his crate anymore, so his crate will be her crate!!

I hope he loves her! I can't believe it's tomorrow.

- - - Updated - - -

turbodave said:
The xpen idea was a good one. We stopped at our local petco on the way home from picking up our Olive. A smaller one that is 4'x4' and only 2' tall. worked perfect for the introduction. But we have a huge kitchen that can handle that large of a pen so we left it up with her crate inside and we got adult pee pads (puppy pee pads are rediculously high priced) for the pen and that's where she spent the nights.

I know they are so expensive hey! We still have a large bag of puppy pads from when Banksy was potty training.
When we run out maybe we can get the ones you are talking about? Where do you get them? A pharmacy?

Mavis · Dec 9, 2015

I'd get a crate for downstairs and your bedroom. They are so people-centric that they need to be with their pack. Plus having Banksy on the bed and the little one in the crate will reinforce your hierarchy. I would just keep an eye out for too rough play. I'm sure he will be fine and will bond to his new family immediately. So excited for you!

hannah · Dec 10, 2015

Thanks everyone. Feeling stressed out. Banksy seems to have another eye infection. It's worse than the first one. Taking him to the vet in the morning after they open. Ugh

Chiana · Dec 10, 2015

Oh no

why now, just before the newcomer is arriving

poor Banksy. I hope he will get good meds and feeling better soon :heart:

turbodave · Dec 10, 2015

hannah said:
Banksy doesn't even go in his crate anymore, so his crate will be her crate!!

I hope he loves her! I can't believe it's tomorrow.

- - - Updated - - -

I know they are so expensive hey! We still have a large bag of puppy pads from when Banksy was potty training.
When we run out maybe we can get the ones you are talking about? Where do you get them? A pharmacy?

We got ours from Walmart, and grocery stores also sell them, but cheapest at walmart.

hannah · Dec 10, 2015

Chiana said:
Oh no why now, just before the newcomer is arriving poor Banksy. I hope he will get good meds and feeling better soon :heart:

I know. My thoughts exactly.
Vet doesn't know what's wrong with his eye.
Eye drops. Anti inflammatory medication. In a week if it's not better we see an opthemologist . Such bad timing

On a brighter note. My boyfriend just boarded the plane with our pup and they're on the way back to Canada. ☺

blushy · Dec 10, 2015

hannah said:
I know. My thoughts exactly.
Vet doesn't know what's wrong with his eye.
Eye drops. Anti inflammatory medication. In a week if it's not better we see an opthemologist . Such bad timing

On a brighter note. My boyfriend just boarded the plane with our pup and they're on the way back to Canada. ☺

Isabelle saw an opthamologist as soon as she got cherry eye. I felt it was really beneficial! But I hope that his eye clears up without needing a specialist!

I can't wait for you to post pictures of your new little girl!

Mavis · Dec 11, 2015

Good luck, hannah. I hope Banksy is better soon. Can't wait to see your little boy!

davidh · Dec 12, 2015

Congrats on your new pup, and hope Banksy gets better soon. I would put the crate in your bedroom so she will be with you at night. An X-pen for the living room or kitchen, where you spend most of your time. Just watch when they play and ifBanksy gets too rough, just stop the play for awhile. Just remember, a pup that young needs plenty of rest do frequent naps during the day is needed. Can't wait to see your pup.

Mavis · Dec 13, 2015

[MENTION=1276]hannah[/MENTION], did I miss a thread? How's your new little!? How's Banksy doing?

hannah · Dec 13, 2015

Ohhhh
Myyyyy
Goodness

She is very adorable and very feisty.. she can be a little brat but she's so cute and she has so much to learn. What a difference between male and female.. its so interesting. Things have been going well. I took a week off work so I could be at home with the dogs. Banksy ... I have never seen him so excited. A little too excited lol might need to neuter him sooner than planned. He is setteling down and baby girl doesn't take any of his crap. Haha she is so funny. She barks... which we hope doesn't stick. Banksy is silent and we really appreciate that haha. Anyway things are going well. Banksy eye is better. She loves her kennel. We have the kennel in the x pen. Shes been going outside and on pads... a few messes so far but not lots. Puppy is napping lots... eat sleep poop repeat. And by the way her name is AIKO! I'll explain why in the name game thread ☺ thank you for asking [MENTION=1070]Mavis[/MENTION]