# New puppy discussion thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 28, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065 "2010-05-28T13:16:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/21 "2010-05-29T03:38:06Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [A little while later, she pees.](http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/kalipees.jpg) “DUDE! I’m trying to pee! A little privacy, please?” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/22 "2010-06-01T12:55:10Z")
> [@gone2thedogs](#): > > please don’t spay her before 6 mos of age. it causes all kinds of problems later in life. if you want a full run down i can email you privately. I didn’t want to debate this topic, but lemme just say a few things. My vet has done thousands of prepubertal spays/neuters. When I asked about it, he made me copies of dozens of articles from peer reviewed journals that are on all sides of the issue. I read what he gave me, went back with some questions, and left with more to read. Bottom line, I am comfortable following his recommendation. [Here is Kali from the weekend. Bigger every day.](http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/kali8weeks.jpg)😃 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/23 "2010-06-01T13:00:26Z")
We’ve been hanging with Kali all weekend, trying to expose her to all the things our other two dogs love. [Here she takes her first step into a creek](http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/firststep.jpg). We aren’t rushing her into things. On teh first exposure to moving water she just got a foot wet. [Then later she was walking through the shallows.](http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/wettoes.jpg) [The other dogs generally have kept an eye out for Kali.](http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/regalella.jpg)[When they are sober, anyway.](http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/Lienie.jpg)😛 ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/24 "2010-06-01T13:11:51Z")
My god she’s adorable. This is almost as bad as people having babies after I decided I was done having kids. Must…resist…puppiness… ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/25 "2010-06-01T17:49:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [Here is Kali with her housemates.](http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/kalietal.jpg) > > [And a second picture of just Kali.](http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/kalifirstday.jpg) I make such weird noises looking at those pictures. Remember my trainer’s favorite expression: “To have the treat, you must leave the treat.” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/26 "2010-06-01T18:01:32Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Remember my trainer’s favorite expression: “To have the treat, you must leave the treat.” I used to know a local trainer who would admonish dog owners, “Are you _asking_ him to sit, or _telling_ him to sit?” ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/27 "2010-06-01T18:05:19Z")
She is soooo friggen adorable! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/28 "2010-06-01T20:08:04Z")
Don’t do this to me! I need a 5th dog like I need a hole in my head. Of course, I lost dog #5 about a month ago. 4 dogs is definitely easier. Ella and Leinie are beautiful, too. But puppy cuteness is so hard ot resist. It must be how they live to adulthood. My giant schnauzer pup is 10 months and she’s becoming a really nice dog, but I miss the really cute puppy. StG ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/29 "2010-06-01T21:40:01Z")
All your dogs are merely gorgeous. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/30 "2010-06-01T22:15:26Z")
Leinie looks almost like our dog (but ours doesn’t have white paws). And Kali is beautiful. Can you bottle up some eau de puppy for me? ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/31 "2010-06-01T22:23:12Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [Here is Kali from the weekend. Bigger every day.](http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/kali8weeks.jpg)😃 Up go the ears! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/32 "2010-06-02T12:40:19Z")
Thanks for all the kind words! The ear(s) came up like a shot. We’ve only had her a few days, and she has gone from 10 pounds to 14 pounds! If anyone is looking for good dog food, the stuff we are feeding is a bit pricey, but you can see results from it. Also, it is energy dense and a little goes a long way. I feed them [Innova and Evo dry foods and some California Natural canned food mixed all together.](http://www.naturapet.com/) We are working with Kali to teach her “sit”, “stay” and “come”. Our other dogs know these commands, and they really come in handy. She also is learning “go pee”. So far (knock on wood) she has only urinated/defecated outside! The Memorial Day weekend helped a bit, and I am bringing her to work with me. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/33 "2010-06-02T12:47:06Z")
That’s a quick growing pup. And she’s going to be stunning when she grows up. I wish that I could cuddle her. Another useful command is “drop”, as in “let go of whatever you have in your mouth”. My nephew and his wife raise and train Jack Russell terriers, and this is one of the first commands that they work on. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/34 "2010-06-02T13:28:12Z")
^Cool! “Drop” is one of my gf’s favorite commands to teach. Ella (big brown dog) could pick up a T-bone steak and would drop it immediately on “Ella, Drop”. My dog, (the black/tan dog) would drop the steak as well, but would immediately pick it up again. She is just a wee-bit bad.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/35 "2010-06-02T17:32:20Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Another useful command is “drop”, as in “let go of whatever you have in your mouth”. My nephew and his wife raise and train Jack Russell terriers, and this is one of the first commands that they work on. Yeah. We use the word “release” for the same action. The two “lifesaving” commands are the recall (whatever version of “come here” you prefer) and “leave it!” (“don’t put your mouth on that thing!”). The first because it has a chance of keeping a dog from running into traffic, the second to avoid poisoning and the like. But “release” or “drop” is also important. We use an emphatic “here!” instead of “come!” because the sound is less mumbly and feels slightly less likely to be used in ordinary conversation. My first trainer also taught dogs for film and TV work, and she combined gestures with verbal commands so she could stand just off-camera and command the dog silently. We now employ a distinctive gesture for every command because we feel that, used consistently, it makes it easier for the dog to grasp the association. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/36 "2010-06-02T17:57:11Z")
Cool! Any preferences out there for teething toys? Kali is currently gnawing [a nylabone soft teething toy.](http://www.nylabone.com/product-finder/by-product-type/puppy-rhino-teethe-n-tug.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/37 "2010-06-03T04:01:33Z")
[The Kong](http://www.kongcompany.com/) is absolutely essential for crate training. Put treats inside of it, or coat the opening with peanut butter and you can coax your puppy into pretty much anywhere. Plus they’re indestructible. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/38 "2010-06-03T12:55:19Z")
^SOLD! I forwarded the ad to my gf so she can pick one up tonight on her way home. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/39 "2010-06-03T14:26:57Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > [The Kong](http://www.kongcompany.com/) is absolutely essential for crate training. Put treats inside of it, or coat the opening with peanut butter and you can coax your puppy into pretty much anywhere. Plus they’re indestructible. Not really. My dog (a German Shepard mix that looks pretty much just like Lainie upthread) can chew through a Kong - they even have “super Kongs” - chews through that too. We don’t put any toys in the crate - following a dog around to make sure they poop out toys (which I’ve done) is no fun. Spending $3k on surgery for kitten who eats part of chewed up dog toys is no fun either (did that too). If Kali is an aggressive chewer, we’ve discovered nylabones or old fashioned marrow bones (the LONG ones so he never quite gets the marrow from the middle) are pretty much the only thing Murphy can’t chew through in a manner that will cause him or the cat intestinal issues when swallowed. We also let him have ropes, since rope thread is easy to poop out. But nothing but him in the kennel - as a puppy we even needed to take out his kennel padding because he’d eat it - and then have problems pooping. (We did break him of this by washing his kennel padding in a tabasco sauce rinse). Supervise her with toys. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065/40 "2010-06-03T15:01:21Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Supervise her with toys. Agree 100%. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-discussion-thread/541065.md?page=3)