HELP!! another crate question

[elaineszoo]

I got my puppy last night at 8:30pm. She is a very special girl-- she was 2oz when she was born! She was fed 4 DROPS of formula every two hours for a while. She is 12 weeks today. The breeders I got her from are older and completely babied her. She is PAPER trained. aagh. HOW IN THE WORLD AM GOING TO TRANSITION TO CRATE TRAINING? Until last night at 9:30 this puppy had never touched the grass... The breeder would prefer that I not allow her to touch the gound until 16 weeks and final shots but I can't do that. She literally waits till she is in the crate to go potty and then she will lay right in it. I have only had the dog 15 hrs so there is hope! But I need to start NOW to fix this! help me help me help me! You guys have been SUPER GREAT! Thanks in advance for your answers!

 

[Biff]

:eek: Was the breeder so overprotective because she was so small at birth? She's not made things easy for you IMO :(

Only advice I can give it to start from scratch with the potty training, forget the paper. Take note of her potty habits, and get her outside at the appropriate times, and praise like billyo when she "goes".

Good luck! and Congratulations on the new baby!

What's her name?

 

[ELubas]

She does sound like a special little girl Congrats! I agree-forget the paper, accept she will be confused for awhile, and show her the way. You will need to get her outside a lot in the beginning until she understands. Try picking a spot for her and take her to that spot all the time-it will be marked with her scent and she will eventually use it all the time. Until she gets it I would take her out on lead and to her spot and keep her on lead until she "produces". Then praise and play time! Good luck-she must be adorable!

 

[Slobberchops]

Congratulations on your puppyappicon
She sounds gorgeous.Haven't anything to add to the advice already given.
What's her name???

 

[elaineszoo]

Her name is Sophie. She is still small- about 7 lbs at 12 weeks, but she has grown already in the three days we have had her! The breeder's husband was especially protective of her since he was the one getting up every two hours to feed her with a tylenol dropper. One night he finally decided to "let her go" and the next morning she perked right up! I am discovering other "issues" as we go along that stem from his spoiling... Sit down for this one: For the first day and a half I could only get her to eat if I FED HER FROM A SPOON. No joke! I called to see what type of dish she had used there thinking my bowl was inferior (haha) and I explained my dilema... The other end of the line was silent. He admitted sheepishly that he had been spoon feeding to "coax" her to eat! We have moved on I think after day three.... I will keep you posted!

 

[Indy's mom]

Wow! Only spoon fed! Are you in for some ribbing down the road. Sophie is one lucky girl to have you in her life now. It definitely sounds like you have got the love, patience and devotion that it's going to take to get her going in the right direction.

I can't add anything to the advice others have given you regarding potty training. I think they were exactly right. As far as feeding...well, lose the spoon! But I think you know that already.

Continued good luck with your wonderful, special girl. You're doing great!