New Puppy and Deep Snow

mainecoonpeg · February 22, 2008, 07:00:58 AM

I have a friend who picked up her 10 week old Doxie named Molly on Monday. She is a real cutie

All has been going well so far with settling in and basic training.

Today we have quite a bit of snow....over 6 inches. Molly is confused and there were some small accidents in the house today.

My friend did shovel a spot in the rear yard to expose the grass for Molly but she just stood there and yipped. My friend wants to do the very best to help Molly and not upset her at the same time.

Any suggestions or ideas?
Thank you in advance

Bridgett · February 22, 2008, 08:38:16 AM

Daisy had that problem last year and she is much bigger than a little doxie babe. All I can say is be patient. Not only is this little babe learning to go in the yard but she is also dealing with snow. Both concepts at the same time maybe hard for a little puppy to understand.

JustMe · February 22, 2008, 08:50:40 AM

I have trouble housebreaking in the winter. When we brought Tess home, she was 8 weeks old. Just our luck we had an ice storm, could barely walk in the yard, several inches of ice. Frigid weather, wind chill. Poor puppy didn't want to be out there. She'd cry and try to run back in the house. I wouldn't stay out there myself. This was a German Shepherd puppy. You have to remember, puppy is probably not used to being out in cold weather.

I have no suggestions as it took us months to housebreak her after that wintery start. Hope others have some ideas. All I can think of is bringing her household accident outside where you want her to poop (that has never really worked for me, even though I see it recommended all the time).

mainecoonpeg · February 22, 2008, 08:56:44 AM

Thank you Bridgett and JustMe. Molly is a little doll and my dopey friend is getting a little upset with her.
I will reiterate "patience" as she is just a little baby.
I also told my friend to put a little sweater on Molly because of the cold.
She thought that was "silly" "because she has a fur coat"

I am off to buy a little Molly sized sweater.

JustMe · February 22, 2008, 09:02:58 AM

Aww. Poor little puppy. brrrrrrrr

That's a big shock for puppy, going from a warm house to cold weather. Unless she came from an outdoor enclosure, she's not used to it. She's low to the ground, too. brrrr

Good luck, Peg.

Bridgett · February 22, 2008, 09:41:01 AM

Quote from: mainecoonpeg on February 22, 2008, 08:56:44 AM
Thank you Bridgett and JustMe. Molly is a little doll and my dopey friend is getting a little upset with her.
I will reiterate "patience" as she is just a little baby.
I also told my friend to put a little sweater on Molly because of the cold.
She thought that was "silly" "because she has a fur coat"

I am off to buy a little Molly sized sweater.

Please don't be offended but give your friend a smack upside the head for me. Fur coats don't cut it for little dogs. Small dogs, especially small dog puppies don't have enough body mass to stay warm. Mollie will probably always have to wear a sweater. Doxies don't really have a thick coat even in winter. And besides sweaters make them look even more dignified.

Patience, patience, patience. Some dogs catch on quick, others, like my Daisy take longer, yes, sometimes months. Patience and persistence.

Is your friend a stay at home mom or does she work away from home? Is she able to come home halfway through the day to let Mollie out. Puppy bladders are very small and leaky. They don' t the control of an adult dog.

And never, ever discipline her for making a mistake. She can't help it, she is just doing what her puppy bladder and instincts are tellling her to do. But praise her like she is the most wonder thing in fur, when she does it right!!!! Treats are excellent for this. Treats when she does good.

Post pics as soon as you can.

Bridgett · February 22, 2008, 09:44:52 AM

oops! MollY not Mollie.

lesliek · February 22, 2008, 10:32:54 AM

Peg- Some people have had good results with puppy pads. If there is a protected area put it there & move it to her normal spot when weather allows. Some dogs just get confused by it though.Tell your friend to get a big bottle of out or natures miracle.And to be really patient

.

nic7sheree · February 22, 2008, 05:19:24 PM

IN the winter (we live in Iowa) we get lots of snow, we also will shovel around the entire yard so our dog doesnt have to stand in knee deep snow. When we first got sammy we would actually go out with him and if he didnt go to the bathroom we would walk around the yard and he would ofcourse follow us and end up going to the bathroom. That might help with the puppy, if they have to really go and your out there walking around they will follow you.

JJ · February 22, 2008, 10:49:53 PM

My great niece has used a sweater and lil dog coats for her chihuwawa (phonetic) ever since she brought him home. The snow and rain throw off the scent of the grass/yard so it confuses the poor dog even more. A little patience until better weather comes then things will improve for little Molly. Can't to see pics of that lil cutie!

mainecoonpeg · February 23, 2008, 06:57:51 AM

My friend is mad at me.
She was "highly insulted" when I gave her Molly's new coat. I told her it was MY gift to her new puppy.
Molly's new coat is quilted with polartec fleece on the inside and the outside is a waterproof windproof nylon.
The coat my friend bought for Molly is a bright blue piece of plastic. No Joke. It's vinyl and unlined.

She could not understand why I bought this coat

Luckily, this morning I saw Molly out in her new coat.
This is amazing.......

Molly has also not received all her vaccines and I can not get my idiot friend to understand the importance of caution. I asked when Molly was due for the rest of her shots. The reply, "I don't know. The breeder gave her one before we left with her." "Did you take her to the vet yet?"....that was me....."Why?" guess who..........

aaarrrrggghhhhh

Me thinks that licenses should be issued to potential pet owners NOT the pets themselves $:-\$

JustMe · February 23, 2008, 07:13:43 AM

Quote from: mainecoonpeg on February 23, 2008, 06:57:51 AM
Me thinks that licenses should be issued to potential pet owners NOT the pets themselves $:-\$

Most definitely.

Well, she can't be that mad. She did put your coat on the puppy. Maybe she feels guilty.

Arlo · February 23, 2008, 08:49:03 AM

I really worry about this. I volunteer at a no-kill shelter in CT and find many Dachsie's are turned in because they are difficult to potty-train. Small dogs are not dolls or toys. I hope your friend understands they need a lot of care and time. They are sweet, but they need time.

lesliek · February 23, 2008, 10:02:47 AM

I have to agree with Arlo. Too many people think a small dog will be easier,& its usually the opposite.Remy[ our chi] lifted his leg on Daddy's kitchen chair last night. I was out & he went to bed. Apparently Remy was not happy to be up alone.You have to be a lot more careful with nutrition, housetraining & vaccinations. Sometimes you have to wait longer for spay/neuter because of weight concerns with the anesthesia.They also get hot & cold more easily & react more quickly to toxins,etc.I think it should be harder to get a pet,& a marriage license instead of the other way around.

mainecoonpeg · February 23, 2008, 11:34:33 AM

I thank you and I do understand your concerns.
I too am filled with them, purely for Molly of course.

My friend and I were just on the phone for over an hour and she is asking for help of all sorts, but it seems to me that she does not like all the answers I have. I am trying my best to be patient with her, purely for the sake of Molly. I truly would like to smack her in the head.

The food question came up and I was told what the breeder recommended. I did a little investigating on the breeder, as it surprised me that a breeder would let a purebred go at 10 weeks. There is some question as to whether or not this is a breeder or a puppy mill.

The food terrified me and I calmly suggested something else. My friend made a face, so I went and bought a small bag and Molly loves it. That made my friend happy and she decided to switch, especially since Molly was picking at what the breeder gave her. My friend's new puppy is costing me a fortune, but I am just trying to protect Molly.

Anyway, the next trip outdoors is soon, and I have been asked if I will help. I said yes.

Thank you all. Your help and suggestions are very valuable to me and I will do my very best for my friend and especially for Molly. Stay tuned...........
Peg