posted 05-13-2003 07:41 PM           

Anyway a pup as young as yours will need to be let out for a bathroom break every 2-4 hrs. The crate training article goes into more detail but you will not want to leave your pup in there for more than 4 hrs at a time. You should be feeding your pup 3 times a day right now. I like giving them their meals at set times and not having food sit out all day. This way they are less fussy and I can monitor how much they eat. If you don't want your pup in some rooms close the door or get a baby gate.

Here are some articles to get you started:

Bringing home a new puppy or dog http://www.westieclubamerica.com/behavior/newdog.html

Crate Training http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/spt/SPT_Crate_Training_Info.htm http://www.petswarehouse.com/PuppyTraining.htm

posted 05-14-2003 04:41 AM         

The advice already given is very good. Re bathing, not too often, ie about every 2 weeks. Have you checked with the vet about when to worm it? And it will need flea preventive treatment later on.

Re the crate, I think 4 hrs is way too long for an active puppy.Personally I don't like frequent use of crates. Maybe give it an area which it can move freely in and protect it with a baby-guard or playpen. Also, if you can, find a puppy school to go to. The advice there will be invaluable for you and the dog. It is just the right age to learn the Sit, Stay and Come commands, and leash behaviour, all of which will help it to know what is right and wrong (and you ).

Give it plenty of toys to play with, particularly ones it can chew on, and each time it 'mouths' you, as puppies do, give it a chewy toy, or old sock .Play with it as much as you can yourself.