New Puppy (Newfoundland) Questions

[DMickey28]

Hi ... since I found a few Newfie owners on my pet insurance thread I thought I'd post a new thread!

I have done a bunch of research on the breed and am very excited to get our new baby next week. I am interested in first hand experiences in raising them as pups. I know they are bit of a lower energy breed but obviously a puppy is going to have an abundance of energy anyway!

How is housetraining? We are planning on crate training.

How are they in the summer? It's fairly warm here now and our family room and bedrooms are A/C'd but the rest of the house is not. We have a small pool for my DS and I am going to pick up a plastic kids pool for the pup! I know they love water!

Anything specific I should know about? I have read they are eager to please and very smart. We have a pink plastic bin with a bunch of toys for her in it .... We are getting a girl puppy and honestly with the stuff I have bought for her, she is replacing my lack of real female babies!! Kinda sad .... It's all pink!!! Hoping to train her to get her toys from the bin and replace any baby toys she picks up with toys of her own.

I am going to switch her from the breeder food to Blue Diamond after she gets settled so I have some of each for now ....

Training treats? What's best to not give her too many extra calories and empty junk ... ?

My current dog is an 8 year old hound rescue who gets up to go outside and eat. That's about it ... very well trained but very low energy so this is going to be a change ... YES with a 3 month old baby too. Fun times ahead!

 

[simba928]

I just wanted to tell you I am so glad you did your research! I really applaud you for that and for getting yourself ready ahead of time for your new addition! I work at a shelter and we are filled with dogs that are there purely because people did not know what they were getting into. You mean border collies need space to run? Great danes get big? Mini daschunds are too delicate for my very high energy kids? (And yes, I have had dogs come through for all of those reasons). Our new motto in the kennel has become "Research? What's that?" This is one lucky puppy to end up in a home that cares enough to plan and prepare for her! Can't wait to see pictures and good luck!

 

[Kailani6]

Hi ... since I found a few Newfie owners on my pet insurance thread I thought I'd post a new thread!

I have done a bunch of research on the breed and am very excited to get our new baby next week. I am interested in first hand experiences in raising them as pups. I know they are bit of a lower energy breed but obviously a puppy is going to have an abundance of energy anyway!

How is housetraining? We are planning on crate training.

How are they in the summer? It's fairly warm here now and our family room and bedrooms are A/C'd but the rest of the house is not. We have a small pool for my DS and I am going to pick up a plastic kids pool for the pup! I know they love water!

Anything specific I should know about? I have read they are eager to please and very smart. We have a pink plastic bin with a bunch of toys for her in it .... We are getting a girl puppy and honestly with the stuff I have bought for her, she is replacing my lack of real female babies!! Kinda sad .... It's all pink!!! Hoping to train her to get her toys from the bin and replace any baby toys she picks up with toys of her own.

I am going to switch her from the breeder food to Blue Diamond after she gets settled so I have some of each for now ....

Training treats? What's best to not give her too many extra calories and empty junk ... ?

My current dog is an 8 year old hound rescue who gets up to go outside and eat. That's about it ... very well trained but very low energy so this is going to be a change ... YES with a 3 month old baby too. Fun times ahead!

Ooh we are getting our Newf puppy July 31st! We are going to visit them this weekend

We have done a ton of research as well. At our library you can request books from other libraries in the state and I was able to get a ton of Newfoundland books. No one book popped out at me as being excelent but after reading about 10 books I feel like there is nothing left to know!

Our breeder is a raw feeder (prey model) so the puppies will be coming to us already eating raw and we are excited to try it (and a little scared)

One thing I did learn is that Newfs need a dog dryer. The model my breeder recomended was about $190. But they love the water and if they stay wet too long than they can get yeast infections and such. The dog dryer doesn't use heat like a regular dryer and is super fast.

Also on my list to buy is a good pair of thinning shears and a Dremel to file their nails.

There is a great forum that I joined with tons of great info and they are very friendly. I don't know if I can post the link but it is (www newf net)

We were going to maybe join a water rescue club next year (I think they need to be around 1 year old) because they love it.

So for the summer I have heard of some people giving their pups a "summer cut" and to NEVER shave them because their heavy coat actually protects them from the heat.

What kind of toys did you get? I am so overwhelmed when I look at the millions of dog toys in the stores. And I know that when they are full grown some toys can choke them (tennis balls) because they are so big so I haven't bought anything yet.

You must be so excited I don't want to wait 5 more weeks!!!

_________
Farley

 

[poohlover]

Hi there! Owner of 4, yep 4 Newfies here. Absolutely the best dogs ever!

One of mine is trained as a pet therapy dog, we visit a group home each week.

Back to puppy time...they are puppys, big and growing quickly, take lOTS of pics they seem to grow overnight. As with any training, consistancy is key. Do you have a crate, or plan to crate train? Start right away if you do. As with any pup they play hard and then sleep. They bite and chew, though not as much as other dogs I've had. Mine do not tear toys apart, some do. They each have thier own temperment, but I do think they try harder to please people (as does any working dog). My oldest is now 8 years old and still has his first toy!

As working dogs they do like to have a job or they may get bored. If you are near water try swiming as she gets older. I have a cart I've tried with them, though to as much as I'd like to.

Talk with your breeder, they can give you a lot of good information. Take it slow changing any food on the pup, it can upset their stomachs (makes potty training harder). Get ready for lots of 'hairballs' floating around your floor, and slobber. As pups mine loved to turn over their water dish and sit in it!

Mine trained very well, again 15 minutes per day every day does a lot of good. Any habits you don't want them to have when they are 130 pounds or more, don't let them do as a pup. What seems cute as a 20 pound puppy is no longer cute when you add 100 pounds!

Hope that answers your questions. Ask if you have any more...I love to talk about my dogs!

Are you getting a black or a landseer?? We have 3 bloacks and 1 landseer (the landseer taught the black ALL thier bad tricks!)

 

[sunnyday123]

I am so excited for you!!

My Newf is 1 and still a big puppy. They are a lower energy breed, but there are some who fall out of the "Newf Norm" and have more energy. And of course, all puppys get the zoomies!! I wouldn't exercise either pup ( yay to both of you!) on concrete the first few weeks-a lot of breeders will tell you it can be damaging to their joints, and it very well may, so you don't want to take a chance. Walks are usually about 1 min for every week. It'll take some time to get used to a leash-don't force it! I let mine trail her leash outside in the yard so she got used to it. I also got her a harness so it didn't pull on her throat when she decided she didn't want to walk anymore. Don't go any farther than you're willing to carry them home!

Crate training is the way to go! Remember 8-12 week pups need to go out every few hours, so get ready to not sleep. Get a good enzyme cleaner for the house, and A LOT of paper towels! Start training the minute those little puppy feet hit your house. They are smart dogs, and it doesn't take long for them to learn anything.

Watch the toys you buy, they grow super fast and will outgrow any toys you get them initally in about a month. Don't even bother with tennis balls, and all those toys they say are "indestructable"? Not for a Newf! My girl's been through 2 kongs. A local pet store here sells a tire toy that so far has made it 3 months.

Heat. They cannot tolerate it. At. All. 70 degrees can be too much if it's humid. Keep an eye on your pup during the hot months. Heatstroke can be quick and fatal. Their tongues pretty don't stay in their mouths, but if it starts to get big at the end, ( kinda like a spoon ) they're really hot and you need to get them some place cool. Kiddie pools are good, they love water-mine likes to be out in the rain!

Start brushing right away, and play with their feet, ears, nose and tail. Nothing like wrestling a 100 + lb dog to the ground to clip their nails! I assume you know about them and their coat blowing ways?? But don't get them shaved, the undercoat that keeps them warm, also helps cool them. Getting their feathers trimmed and belly cut short during the summer keeps them a little cooler, and it's easier to rinse & brush after swimming. They do need to be brushed at least 3 times a week, but shoot for 4-6 times, they can mat very easily!

Make sure the protein in their food is around 23-24% ( double check with your breeder ) and the calcium/phosphate ratio is 1-1.2 ( double check that too) You really, really don't want them to grow too fast-it's bad on those growing joints. Also, wait on the spaying/neutering. Has something to do with the joints as well.

Any basic training treat will work, again, just make sure you start training the day you get them! At 12 weeks my pup knew sit, down and leave it.
Get ready for the teenage phase. That really smart 6 month old that knows sit, down, leave it and come? Yea, she's gonna test you. Mine decided at 10 months she needed to jump on everyone. You'll be bruised and battered, but be consistent. Especially with little kids, they need to know from day one to be gentle.

Oh, I love to talk Newfie!! Look at me ramble!

 

[DISdreamin']

One thing I did learn is that Newfs need a dog dryer. The model my breeder recomended was about $190. But they love the water and if they stay wet too long than they can get yeast infections and such. The dog dryer doesn't use heat like a regular dryer and is super fast.

Super-fast being relative to NEVER drying, of course.

Congrats on your Newfies! them, but DH is a GSD guy all the way.

 

[sunnyday123]

Fast being relative to NEVER drying, of course.

Congrats on your Newfies! them, but DH is a GSD guy all the way.

Lol!! Takes about 2 hours as opposed to 2 DAYS!!! And then you need to blow all the hair off of yourself! You can also use it to blow dirt/debris off them inbetween bathing.


Word of caution: Never, ever brush or use the blow dryer in the house. Ever.

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks!!

She is black with white on her paws and a little on her chest.

We do plan on crate training. I just bought an x-largy 48" wire crate for the family room and using a friend's large travel crate for our bedroom to begin with. As she grows I will get another wire crate, probably the one specifically for giant breeds unless she will fit in the 48" once grown!

I have a few random toys from petco etc. The loofa thing in pink comes to mind, a few of the hard rubber balls/bones ... those HARD HARD rubber ones. A kong. I bought her the cutest collar and leash ... it's light blue nylon with pink fabric sewn on with blue lobsters embrodiered on it ... she has a matching lead!!! My hound has a matching one in bright blue and green!

I have some pink baby blankets I bought on clearance for her crate too along with the bed. I was thinking of getting her a black stuffed puppy, maybe to make her feel more at home those first few nights with something to snuggle up to in the crate????

I never thought of the dog dryer ... good point. I'll have to look into that. I have a dremel for our hound, he has black nails and I hate cutting those. Her nails are white (white paws) so I might be able to clip them better. I do need a good pair of cutting scissors ... the difference between a well groomed newf and a messy one is amazing!

So excited .....

 

[DMickey28]

Wanted to add her name is Maggie.

I signed up to newf.net. I belong at bigdogsporch.com

 

[sunnyday123]

Thanks!!

She is black with white on her paws and a little on her chest.

We do plan on crate training. I just bought an x-largy 48" wire crate for the family room and using a friend's large travel crate for our bedroom to begin with. As she grows I will get another wire crate, probably the one specifically for giant breeds unless she will fit in the 48" once grown!

I have a few random toys from petco etc. The loofa thing in pink comes to mind, a few of the hard rubber balls/bones ... those HARD HARD rubber ones. A kong. I bought her the cutest collar and leash ... it's light blue nylon with pink fabric sewn on with blue lobsters embrodiered on it ... she has a matching lead!!! My hound has a matching one in bright blue and green!

I have some pink baby blankets I bought on clearance for her crate too along with the bed. I was thinking of getting her a black stuffed puppy, maybe to make her feel more at home those first few nights with something to snuggle up to in the crate????

I never thought of the dog dryer ... good point. I'll have to look into that. I have a dremel for our hound, he has black nails and I hate cutting those. Her nails are white (white paws) so I might be able to clip them better. I do need a good pair of cutting scissors ... the difference between a well groomed newf and a messy one is amazing!

So excited .....

Didja keep the receipts for those blankets?? Lol...they don't like anything warm, mine prefers the cold tile floor. She'll eat the stuffed puppy more than likely. If you can, take a towel when you visit her and either leave it there or rub it all over Mama Dog when you take her home so she'll have something that smells like home, at her new home.

LOVE the little girl leashes-I will proudly admit my Newf has quite the array of bows for her ears!

 

[piglet too]

I would love to own a Newfie some day. My lab destroys toys, but this http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4050042 seems to hold up to her. A big plus is there is no stuffing in it.

 

[DMickey28]

Well the pink blankets can also be used to wipe drool and stuff like that! Kinda like the blue recieving blankets I keep around for DS's spit up! I plan on taking one to rub on the Mom and put in her crate.

The tenative plan for the night is for me to take her out before I go to bed around 9pm or so, then when DH goes to bed he will take her out one more time (she'll be crated when I go to bed) and then we get up with the baby around 1 and 4/5am so after feeding him we'll take her out at that point as well, at least for the first few weeks until she starts to show signs of being able to hold it longer.

I know it's a bit crazy to take on a puppy with a 3 month old (a high needs one at that!!) but you know a month or two of crazy ... I can handle that. I think ... if you don't hear from me for a while I might be committed! Newfs are also hard to come by in this area and it was either now or who knows when anyway ...

 

[DMickey28]

I have one of those huge Bistro water dispensers for the dogs water. Hopefully she won't be able to overturn that, at least as a puppy!! It's on a large protective plastic cover and another waterproof pad on that ... I have been prepping for her for over a month physically so my older dog is used to the new water set up, the new bowls, etc.

I was planning on having her sleep up in a crate in our room, at least in the beginning. Our older dog sleeps up there, though not crated, as did our previous crate trained dog. I figure once she is older she can choose where to sleep if she wants ... (hallway by the kids doors, etc). Sammie - the hound, chooses to sleep where we are. If company is over and stays on the pullout in the play room he usually stays down there with them!

 

[sunnyday123]

I have one of those huge Bistro water dispensers for the dogs water. Hopefully she won't be able to overturn that, at least as a puppy!! It's on a large protective plastic cover and another waterproof pad on that ... I have been prepping for her for over a month physically so my older dog is used to the new water set up, the new bowls, etc.

I was planning on having her sleep up in a crate in our room, at least in the beginning. Our older dog sleeps up there, though not crated, as did our previous crate trained dog. I figure once she is older she can choose where to sleep if she wants ... (hallway by the kids doors, etc). Sammie - the hound, chooses to sleep where we are. If company is over and stays on the pullout in the play room he usually stays down there with them!

That should work. Eventually you'll want to get big stainless steel bowls-they are easy to clean, and a boot tray to put the water bowl on. They are messy drinkers. Some of them really like to play in their water bowls too!

And yes, keep the blankets for drool towels!! You'll find you have one everywhere, just in case. I had a man run up to me saying, "Miss, there's a string wrapped around your dogs face!" I looked and said, "Oh, thats just a flooger!" You never want to be in flinging distance of one.


If you and your husband tag-team the night-time pottys you should be fine. And you have a baby, so you're used to being tired! I didn't notice for a few weeks our 2am outside breaks were just to chase moths, I was so tired! Try hanging a bell on your primary outside door to so she can ring it when she has to go out. When you go to the door, ring it for her and say "outside"-she'll get what it means pretty quick.
And...oooooh! An Irish Spotted!! LOVE them!

 

[hereyago]

Congrats on the new pup!!!!!!!! We wants pics!!!!!!!!

I did what you are doing about 12 years ago. DD was 2 months old, our German Shepard had cancer, was 13 and had to be put to sleep.

A week later, my now exdh got a puppy, a handsome rottie/husky mix and I had 2 babies. it was crazy at times, they both were teething, one was in diapers and the other was being housebroken. They were about a month apart.

One could jump the baby gate and was trying to teach the other how to do it and couldn't figure why the other couldn't do it, so he rammed it.

But you know what? they were sooo close. sadly my big boy had to be put to sleep almost 2 years ago, cancer struck again.

Good luck with the new pup.

 

[yoopermom]

I think we need lots of Newfie pix to go with this thread! And I'm soooo glad you did your research and got what you wanted!!

Pictures, pictures, pictures

Terri

 

[Kailani6]

Lol!! Takes about 2 hours as opposed to 2 DAYS!!! And then you need to blow all the hair off of yourself! You can also use it to blow dirt/debris off them inbetween bathing.
Word of caution: Never, ever brush or use the blow dryer in the house. Ever.

Aahh! 2 hours! I was under the impression that it was faster than that. So everytime he/she gets wet I have to dry them for 2 hours? Or can you let them dry a little on their own and finish it up later? There goes the buying of the kiddie pool!
I heard about not using the dryer in the house but you wouldn’t brush either? My concern is in the winter I don’t want to be stuck out in the freezing garage every time I want to groom him.

Wanted to add her name is Maggie.
I signed up to newf.net. I belong at bigdogsporch.com

Ooh I didn’t know about the bigdogsporch, I’ll have to check it out.

I know it's a bit crazy to take on a puppy with a 3 month old (a high needs one at that!!) but you know a month or two of crazy ... I can handle that. I think ... if you don't hear from me for a while I might be committed! Newfs are also hard to come by in this area and it was either now or who knows when anyway ...

I admire you. I am pretty nervous of when we take ours home and I only have a DD10. I guess you might as well do it now since you won’t be getting a lot of sleep anyway!
I know what you mean about having a hard time finding a Newf. We looked for a long time and none of the breeders would even return my calls or emails until I finally came across my current breeder who is incredible so I’m glad we waited.

 

[sunnyday123]

Aahh! 2 hours! I was under the impression that it was faster than that. So everytime he/she gets wet I have to dry them for 2 hours? Or can you let them dry a little on their own and finish it up later? There goes the buying of the kiddie pool!
I heard about not using the dryer in the house but you wouldn’t brush either? My concern is in the winter I don’t want to be stuck out in the freezing garage every time I want to groom him.

Lol! It doesn't take 2 hours, really. I actually let mine air dry outside a bit when she's in her pool, and then just rub her down with a towel before she comes in, and she stays in the kitchen till she's dry. I'm also quite fond of the local do-it-yourself dog wash. I just slink out the door when I'm done.

And I was watching tv one night, and thought, "Hey, I'll brush the dog while I'm doing this" you know, kill two birds with one stone? Big mistake. The best thing I can tell you is, bundle up and do a quick brush through every night outside. Then ignore the hair when it floats to your neighbors yards.

Google "how much does a Newf shed?" And see what you find!

 

[DMickey28]

I have honestly never heard about the dog dryer until this thread. Despite talk to a few different breeders and reading a ton of books. Interesting ...

I was brushing my short haired hound today and produced enough hair for a small cat!

I love the idea of going to the dog was place. I was reading a lot about grooming last night and I love the look of the more trimmed Newf. I plan on hitting up the store tomorrow to fill in the gaps of my grooming arsanal.

There is one breeder, I believe in Maine that I am still in touch with that just had a litter. Her bloodlines are amazing and she still has some pups available.

 

[Normangirls]

Yea for your Newf puppy! We have one right now (just found a home for a male rescue) named after our favorite thing -- Tivo. She is awesome, and sweet, and thinks she is people. She is great playing with the kids, but just as happy sitting next to me when we're outside. To me, they are the sweetest dogs out there.