Puppy and cold weather

[Lustopher]

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[Zande]

First of all, welcome to the Forum ! May we know the registered name of your puppy and his parents ?

At 8 weeks he may need to pee quite often through the night but you will find he soon learns to hold it. When you say 'take him out' do you mean just popping him outside the door and letting him straight back in ? That way he will soon learn to pee quickly, rather than have to stay out in the cold ! But I think possibly he is a bit young. 8 weeks is VERY young to leave Mom and siblings. Mine only ever went away at 9 weeks and many breeders keep them for longer.

If you can get a litter tray - @tanza will advise you on that. I have never had any luck with litter. I used newspaper and Sherleys 'Swiftie'.
But a litter tray moved ever nearer to the door you take him out through in the daytime and he will soon learn.

Get him used to 'key words' - Mine reacted to 'Be quick, be clean' - and knew what was expected of them when they heard it. Others have different things to encourage the puppy !

Good luck !

[tanza]

@lustopher - Welcome and congrats on your new baby. As you pointed out he was used to wire crate, I have always used wire crate, but at night they were in our bedroom close to the bed. Covered with a blanket with the front mostly open. That way you can reach in with your fingers and let him know you are close. 8 weeks is a bit early (in my opinion) as I don't send pups to their new homes till between 10 and 12 weeks. As Zande said, I litter train all my litters starting at 2 or 3 wks. They catch on pretty quick. I use something like Large All-Purpose Mixing Tub (found on Amazon). It is deep enough to just put the litter down on the bottom and the sides are high enough that it doesn't scatter all over. If the pup has been brought up on newspaper, you can tear up some and mix in with the litter. I use pellet litter, something like this https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/puppy-go-potty-natural-paper-fiber-dog-litter. Wake up the pup at night, put in the litter box and over and over say "go potty".... then praise after and back in the kennel. Try at night to catch him before he wakes up, much easier if they are half asleep.... Also I did take mine out at 10wks to potty outside... but I always go with them. And it is safe, again if they are mostly half asleep, the natural thing is to pee immediately! Hope this helps.

[Lustopher]

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[senjisilly]

There is a Facebook group you might want to join, Basenji România - https://www.facebook.com/groups/257157405978955/

It appears from the comments that several Breeders belong. It could be worthwhile to ask questions of other owners who experience the same weather and climate as you.

[tanza]

@lustopher - If you are home honestly there is no reason to close them in the crate... they really want to be with their human family...

[Lustopher]

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[Zande]

@lustopher I have messaged you privately ! I know the breeders of your dog's parents, but have been trying to get a contact with the couple who bred your boy. You can be a tremendous help with the database

www.pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com/

I have added your boy already and he will appear there by this evening when I have caught up with entering all today's new dogs.

Please can you let me know his birthday ?

[Lustopher]

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[tanza]

@lustopher - Remember that at 8 weeks if still with the litter and Mom, Mom's will stimulate them to potty... so you need keep taking him outside or a potty box... and keep telling him to go potty...

[Lustopher]

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[senjisilly]

@lustopher
Do you have any outdoor puppy clothes for him to wear? Your outside temperatures are too cold for a thin coated puppy.

[tanza]

@lustopher - Well, when you see him sniffing around the house, pick him up and take him out... and tell him to go potty... you might want to try if it is really that cold and the ground is cold, get a bale of straw and put that on the ground.... might encourage him to pee there... same with pooping, when he starts to run around take him out to the straw area... might help..

[Lustopher]

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