[turnforthenurse]

Hey everyone,

My husband and I will be making an addition to our family - a female black and tan coonhound. She'll be coming home during the last week of April when she will be 8 weeks old. My husband and I both had dogs growing up - I grew up with a lab mix and my husband had a shepherd mix. This will be the first dog on our own, though! We fell in love with the black and tan breed and love the personality and since we are both active I think the dog would be perfect for us. We don't have intentions on hunting or breeding but my husband likes to run so he can take the dog running with him (on a leash, of course, I know hounds can take off to follow their nose!) and we can take her on trail walks/hikes, take her to explore at state parks or go to the beach I might get her involved in some scent work, as well. Other than hunting has anybody ever had experience with this?

Our breeder is located about 4 hours away from us. Has anybody here ever traveled a long distance to get their pup? Any tips or suggestions for us?

Is it safe to take the dog outside in public places before having all of her vaccinations? Or can we take her outside but just avoid other dogs until she is up to date on everything?

Does anybody have any other tips or suggestions, especially for B&T coonhound owners? We already have some of the basics like a crate that she can grow into, food, food/water dishes, collars/leashes, etc. Thanks, everyone!

 

[icemaiden]

Puppies should not have a problem with a 4 hours car journey. Hopefully, the breeder has already got them used to the car and short journeys. But I would definitely stop after 2 hours, for toilet break, for everyone to stretch their legs, cup of coffee, water and play for the puppy - but away from areas where other dogs may have been. No food for the puppy perhaps 2 hours before the journey.

Before your puppy is protected by vaccination (ask your vet about the time scale) don't let her walk where other dogs go. For socialisation you can carry her or wheel her around in a doggy buggy or similar.

Have you found a nice positive reinforcement puppy training class? I don't mean a so called puppy party where puppies of all sizes and confidence are let off lead and run riot...confident puppies bullying the less confident. Puppy classes need to be structured so all puppies and owners can learn unhindered and in their own time.

Microchip your puppy if not done already. Find a nice friendly veterinary surgery. Look into dog insurance.

No e-collars of any kind please. No choke or prong collars. Nice flat leather or webbing collar and a comfortable harness. Short lead for walks. Long lines for training (attached to harness only not to collars) and freedom before you get a perfect recall.

Plenty of time and determination to get it right and not be discouraged if things are not going at the pace or direction you would like.

Good luck and have fun. Dogs are young for such a short period. Some people find puppyhood and adolescence stressful, but it needn't be if handled correctly.

 

[SchnauzerGirl8810]

Both of my boys came from a breeder about 3 hours away. Each time we picked them up (they are about 4 years apart), we brought their crate with a nice comfy bed. I brought a couple small soft treats to give the pup periodically. They both did just fine. I didn't risk putting him down anywhere.

One thing I did with my second pup that I will always do with all future pups is mail a blanket and a small soft toy to the breeder a week or two in advance of the pick up date. Ask the breeder to put the blanket and toy in with the litter (be aware it may be a little dirty/stinky when you pick up---that's ok!). Our pup really loved that blanket and stuffed toy. He would snuggle into the blanket. In the mornings, he would drag the blanket out of his crate. He eventually out grew it but for several weeks he LOVED his blanket and toy. I think he found it really comforting. I was happy that even though his whole world had changed, he had one familiar thing.

 

[Jamals3]

Can someone please help me out i purchased a 11week old german shepherd puppy a few days ago and when ever i leave him or put him in his room he crys and whines for hours is this normal or should i be worried and is there a solution?

 

[turnforthenurse]

Puppies should not have a problem with a 4 hours car journey. Hopefully, the breeder has already got them used to the car and short journeys. But I would definitely stop after 2 hours, for toilet break, for everyone to stretch their legs, cup of coffee, water and play for the puppy - but away from areas where other dogs may have been. No food for the puppy perhaps 2 hours before the journey.

Do you recommend any feeding when we stop? Or just water?

Have you found a nice positive reinforcement puppy training class? I don't mean a so called puppy party where puppies of all sizes and confidence are let off lead and run riot...confident puppies bullying the less confident. Puppy classes need to be structured so all puppies and owners can learn unhindered and in their own time.

I've been looking into some classes but I haven't chosen one yet. I'm definitely into the positive reinforcement training, though

Microchip your puppy if not done already. Find a nice friendly veterinary surgery. Look into dog insurance.

I already have plans to microchip, especially since we're getting a hound! Any advice on choosing dog insurance?

Thanks for your input!

 

[turnforthenurse]

One thing I did with my second pup that I will always do with all future pups is mail a blanket and a small soft toy to the breeder a week or two in advance of the pick up date. Ask the breeder to put the blanket and toy in with the litter (be aware it may be a little dirty/stinky when you pick up---that's ok!). Our pup really loved that blanket and stuffed toy. He would snuggle into the blanket. In the mornings, he would drag the blanket out of his crate. He eventually out grew it but for several weeks he LOVED his blanket and toy. I think he found it really comforting. I was happy that even though his whole world had changed, he had one familiar thing.

That is such a great idea, thank you for the suggestion!

 

[icemaiden]

I would offer only water when you stop. Some puppies are ok with tummies full of food, other might bring it all up again.

Re insurance - if you were in the UK I would recommend PetPlan, but I don't think you are. The best I can do is to give you a few suggestions.

Go for lifetime cover - so check if your prospective insurer covers lifelong illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis etc - anything that needs regular check ups, treatments, meds for the rest of the dog's life

Do not go for the cheapest - there are too many pitfalls. One of the favourite tricks of cheap insurance is - putting up the premium after a claim is made eventually making it not worth having the insurance. Please check with the insurer.

Are your vets happy to deal with that insurer? Will they claim directly so you don't have pay the bill first and then claim?

How much excess (I think in some countries it's called a deductible) do you have to pay towards each claim.

Get your puppy insured asap - before anything happens otherwise that could be classified as pre-existing condition and excluded, possibly for the rest of the dog's life.

There is insurance in the US/Canada that seems to be very good, was mentioned on this forum, I can't remember the name. Search this forum's thread for insurance and it will come up.

Good luck with your pup, hope you have more fun than stress .

 

[turnforthenurse]

I would offer only water when you stop. Some puppies are ok with tummies full of food, other might bring it all up again.

Re insurance - if you were in the UK I would recommend PetPlan, but I don't think you are. The best I can do is to give you a few suggestions.

Go for lifetime cover - so check if your prospective insurer covers lifelong illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis etc - anything that needs regular check ups, treatments, meds for the rest of the dog's life

Do not go for the cheapest - there are too many pitfalls. One of the favourite tricks of cheap insurance is - putting up the premium after a claim is made eventually making it not worth having the insurance. Please check with the insurer.

Are your vets happy to deal with that insurer? Will they claim directly so you don't have pay the bill first and then claim?

How much excess (I think in some countries it's called a deductible) do you have to pay towards each claim.

Get your puppy insured asap - before anything happens otherwise that could be classified as pre-existing condition and excluded, possibly for the rest of the dog's life.

There is insurance in the US/Canada that seems to be very good, was mentioned on this forum, I can't remember the name. Search this forum's thread for insurance and it will come up.

Good luck with your pup, hope you have more fun than stress .

Thank you so much for your input! This was very helpful

 

[BrittaS]

...
There is insurance in the US/Canada that seems to be very good, was mentioned on this forum, I can't remember the name. Search this forum's thread for insurance and it will come up.
...

I believe you mean HealthyPaws.
No annual or lifetime cap, 3 different deductibles and 3 different coverage % to choose from. Pre-existing is not covered and anything related to hips only after 12 months of coverage.
I got it last month for my, now 8 months old, puppy and when comparing it is not the cheapest out there, but reasonable and I couldn't find any pitfalls.

@turnforthenurse : Congratulations to your soon to be home puppy!

 

[icemaiden]

I believe you mean HealthyPaws.
No annual or lifetime cap, 3 different deductibles and 3 different coverage % to choose from. Pre-existing is not covered and anything related to hips only after 12 months of coverage.
I got it last month for my, now 8 months old, puppy and when comparing it is not the cheapest out there, but reasonable and I couldn't find any pitfalls.

@turnforthenurse : Congratulations to your soon to be home puppy!

I think you're right, thanks.

 

[Dawnben]

Can someone please help me out i purchased a 11week old german shepherd puppy a few days ago and when ever i leave him or put him in his room he crys and whines for hours is this normal or should i be worried and is there a solution?

If you want your question answered you need to start your own thread. It is not polite to hijack other peoples post.