[Burnout]

Meet... Burnout!
She's 11 weeks, and needed a new home... one which I was happy to provide!





This is my first puppy, as well as my first pitbull... so take it easy on me.

Have a couple questions,
1) The lady I got her from said it already had it's first round of shots so I'm assuming sometime within the next week or so I should take her to the vet, and they will determine what shots she will need? Does she really need all those shots? Some websites mention it's bad to over vaccinate. But anyways, how much do you pay on a general vet visit (like a good price?) to get shots for your puppy... share your experiences.

2) I have been seeing advertisements and reviews for a type of food called Iams® ProActive Health Puppy? I am going to start her on that, and someone mentioned if I put an egg over top over her food (like french toast style, so to speak) it will give her a shiner and healthier coat? true?

3) When can I start taking her for walks? and is it good to bring her around all my friends, I'm trying to aim for a really friendly pit bull, one that will help spread the good name of the breed.

4) During the day I have a place in the house, with many blankets and a pillow for her to stay on... I'm usually gone from 9AM to 4PM, is she gonna be alright? Any tips? I would like to know what I could do about the whining too, she was doing that tonight but I told her, NO in a firm voice and she just laid down on my bed and went to sleep.... just wanna work on this the right way.

5) As far as house traning, she's pretty smart so far.... she squats, should I spank her and then take her outside? Let her finish inside then take her out? or what?

Please share your advice... I'd like my puppy, to be the best ever but I'm also a college student on a budget.
Don't worry though it'll get the best care, just trying to make informed decisions.

& Sorry for so many questions but rather be informed, than uninformed and another worthless owner that doesn't take care of their dog the right, and proper way.

Thanks in advance.

[CelticKarma]

Hi welcome to the forum....Cute puppy

1) The lady I got her from said it already had it's first round of shots so I'm assuming sometime within the next week or so I should take her to the vet, and they will determine what shots she will need? Does she really need all those shots? Some websites mention it's bad to over vaccinate. But anyways, how much do you pay on a general vet visit (like a good price?) to get shots for your puppy... share your experiences.

Yes, you should get all her shots and also wormer, if she has had her first set she will need at least two more rounds. They get shots three to four weeks in between rounds. She will also need to be started on a heart worm prevention soon.
I hope the lady you got her from gave you her shot records if she did not most vets will not just take your word for it. It can be expensive expect to pay 80.00 to 120.00 every three weeks. We have a wellness clinic in our area that is cheaper, you could check into that.

2) I have been seeing advertisements and reviews for a type of food called Iams® ProActive Health Puppy? I am going to start her on that, and someone mentioned if I put an egg over top over her food (like french toast style, so to speak) it will give her a shiner and healthier coat? true?

Iams is not a good food. You can see foods and there ratings here...http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/

3) When can I start taking her for walks? and is it good to bring her around all my friends, I'm trying to aim for a really friendly pit bull, one that will help spread the good name of the breed.

I would suggest not doing this untill she has had three rounds of shots. Then when you do start do it slow, puppies do better on very short walks. My puppy gets what I call drive way walks It is very important to socialize her so feel free to have her around all kinds of people, I would just keep her away from other dogs until three rounds of shots have been given.

4) During the day I have a place in the house, with many blankets and a pillow for her to stay on... I'm usually gone from 9AM to 4PM, is she gonna be alright? Any tips? I would like to know what I could do about the whining too, she was doing that tonight but I told her, NO in a firm voice and she just laid down on my bed and went to sleep.... just wanna work on this the right way.

I would suggest a crate, and being left for that amount of time expect accidents. Young puppies can not hold it for long periods of time. As far as the crying she is a pup that is what pups do. I would not yell at her. I would just assure her you were there. She will soon grow out of this.

5) As far as house traning, she's pretty smart so far.... she squats, should I spank her and then take her outside? Let her finish inside then take her out? or what?

NOOOOOOOO never spank her for peeing in the house! http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=2076

Here are some other good reads for a new puppy....

http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=12372

http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=1571

http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=5681

http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=3012

Good luck

[working class hero]

Good answer. I take any dog i get to the vet within a week of them comming to the house, just to be on the safe side.

[dragonshade]

Beautiful little girl, welcome to the wonderful world of the Pitbull. You are in for such a treat. All the above is the perfect info for you. Read, read, read and learn as much as you can.

Crate training is the best move for you asap. Both for the peeing inside, AND leaving her safely unattended. May well help some with the whining/barking when you are not there as she will feel more secure.

[screamin'eagle]

Cute pup, and I agree with most of what Celtic Karma said. Iams is over priced junk, but to answer the rest of that supplementing with egg will improve the coat. Often though if you use the right amount of a quality feed there is no need for this supplementation.

Do get a vet check up and a fecal exam done. Internal parasites (worms and coccidia) are easy to treat, but if left undetected could severly injury and even kill your dog. The internal parasites will tax the immune system and leave him/her susceptible to other issues (such as parvo).

11 weeks is old enough to leash break, and I would start taking her for short walks around the block. That is good advice about vacciations...I'd venture on the side of socialization in short bursts avoiding older dogs, poo piles, etc (both of which will spread coccidia). Most vaccination schedules are complete at 16 weeks.

Do crate train. It will save you frustration in the long run. She is still young so if you can let her out during lunch, or get someone else to that will be better.

As for potty training...all I've ever done is correct when I catch the dog in the act. Trying to correct (dont spank) is counter productive. Always supervise her in the house, if she goes potty then make a loud No correction then pick her up and take her outside where you want her to go. This with her natural aversion to messing in her crate will make house training go faster. Soon you'll be asking at the door, or just holding it until you let her out. Another important aspect of this is properly controlling her water intake. Too much water in = too much pee out. I know that's a know brainer, but many people don't realize that.

Either way...she is a cute pup, good luck.

[jeoestreich]

I agree with all the advice that was given. Save your money and do not buy Iams. You can get a better quality food for cheaper or the same price.

She is a cutie.