Awesome pup and looks like he's settling into your lives nicely. Welcome Scout!
Welcome what a cutie look forward to lots of pictures
Antho (04-06-2017)
This makes sense. We are also going to take him for a good walk before dinner to make sure he is worn out. I would hate to create a bad habit on my part. Thank you
Congrats on your puppy! Just a word of caution about leash walking a little guy of this age, forced exercise in excess to "wear out" the puppy can have a negative impact on their growing joints. Free play is great, and appropriate walking, but you can do damage to a young Lab with too much too soon. Also, IMO you have to balance socializing out in the world vs. the odds of contracting things like parvo before the puppy has all his shots.
You can find tons of puppy exercise recommendations. This is just an example: EXERCISE CHART
The below photo has been making the rounds on social media and blogs. You can see in this puppy x-ray that the joints are far from developed and growth plates are wide open. Too much inappropriate exercise at the wrong time can lead to dysplastic joints.
Along with physical activity, a good way to tire a puppy out is to challenge their minds. Quick (2-3 minute) intense training sessions, or brain games, can wear out a busy puppy also.
Welcome! He's adorable! I love him!
I would second others here, in that I would not play with him after evening potty breaks. We would pick Hoku up, carry her downstairs, collar / leash on, quick pee, pick her back up, carry upstairs, collar / leash off, back in crate. No talking at all other than "go potty" (when outside) and then "good girl!" (when she had).
The first night is hard, and they are a bit confused, but I think in the long run it's a lot better to help them learn that nighttime is not playtime.
I will also second the above comment on leash walking. Your pup hasn't been vaccinated fully, so be very careful w/ placing him on any ground outside of your yard. It is good for him to get used to the leash, but you can do this by letting him leash-drag in the back yard or even house (only ever while being observed, of course). In terms of tiring him out, he's so wee, he'll tire out quickly—and yet probably won't really know how to "play" with a human yet. Just letting him walk around out in a safe fenced yard with you should be enough. And as above, early leash walks are very hard on growing bones and joints. I wouldn't do it.
When Hoku came home to us, she was 7.5 weeks and 18 lbs. It was a very hot and dry August, and she just wanted to spend all of her time outside. In the dirt. Under the deck stairs. And so... that's what we did, for nearly a month. And at night, I'd put an outdoor blanket out in the yard, and lie there with her until it was time for bed. Enjoy the early days!
Hidden Content Hokule'a ("Hoku") / b. 06.08.15
Antho (04-06-2017)
Thank you all for the great tips. We where borrowing a small kennel until his came in today. His new kennel is much larger and his bed fits in it Perfectly. Last night was the 1st night in his new kennel and he slept all night! He seems to be very comfortable in it and even went and laid in it by himself and napped a bit this afternoon.
Last edited by Antho; 04-06-2017 at 11:41 PM.
Here is Scout and our son both crashed out on the way to T-Ball. We will be getting a harness for the rides in the truck. Any recommendations?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Oh, good boy, Scout....great pictures.
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