5 week old puppy

senior chef

senior chef

Senior Member
A few minutes ago, someone gave me a 5 week old puppy. breed unknown but it is NOT expected to get quite medium size.
I have had dogs but never one this young and those I have had were already house trained. So, exactly how do I go about starting house training ? Right this minute he is in a smallish box with a soft towel and enough room to stand up, turn around and to lie down.
I just took him outside and he did piddle a tiny amount. he does not seem to care for the box. he is crying. I'm hoping to get him to think of that box as his "cave".
any advice gratefully received.
thank you
edit to add: I spoke too soon, he gave up crying and is now sleeping.
 

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Wow 5 weeks old, way to young to be removed from its mother.

Too young yet to understand house training..

Don't put him in small box with only room to stand and turn around! Where is he going to potty at in that box??? In the towel because he has no room to get off that towel.

A bigger box, a puppy pad to potty on and a towel or whatever to lay on.
 
You need to go to your local major pet supply store asap and ask questions. Seriously.

The pup might need to be bottle fed. You certainly want canned food for puppies, not dry dry food for older dogs. Do what Becky 1951 said, for sure. And you're gonna have to hold the little thing pretty often. That pup should have had 5 more weeks with its mother.
 
Becky1951 said:
Wow 5 weeks old, way to young to be removed from its mother.

Too young yet to understand house training..

Don't put him in small box with only room to stand and turn around! Where is he going to potty at in that box??? In the towel because he has no room to get off that towel.

A bigger box, a puppy pad to potty on and a towel or whatever to lay on.
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Perhaps I made that box sound smaller than it actually is. He is about 10 inches long and the box is 20 X 20 inches.
Yes he has a nice soft towel to sleep on.
Is it ok to give him some milk as well as water ? Yes, I fed him some tiny, tiny bits of my steak sandwich. Tonight I'll offer him some puppy chow mixed with a tad of warm water. we have been together only a few hours
 
You're going to have a little bundle to raise, Mom, you are one now.
Yes, 5 weeks....far too young to be without mom.....usually 10 to 12 weeks.
NO MILK........ the milk we drink is totally different.
Do you have a breast pump......you could pump some.....lol....lol.
A bigger box would be good.
Do you have clock to set with him, one that ticks, it's calming.
At nite, have him in the same room as you,
A thought of attention, physical contact......holding, petting, sitted on your lap.....he'll need to feel warmth from from a body, from Mom.
And......you're MOM
Potty training may be challenging because he is so young....be gentle....keep reward treats handy.
Moist food as well as kibble..........IMO......try not to start giving him people food unless a tid bit for a treat.
Dog foods have all the vitamins, and nutrients puppy needs.

Moist of all, now, Love, Cuddle.

CONGRATULATIONS.......You have a BUNDLE of JOY........MOM.
 

Puppy Vaccinations: When to Get Them and Why | PetSmart​

https://www.petsmart.com › learning-center › dog-care



A typical puppy vaccination schedule — First vaccination: 6 to 8 weeks – DHP · Second vaccination: 9 to 11 weeks – DHP · Third vaccination: 12 to 15 weeks – ...
‎Puppy Training Tips · ‎What Should I Feed My Puppy?

Esbilac puppy formula is what I always used, I raised AKC registered Tracking and Champion blood lined bloodhounds for several years until I had health issues.

Bloodhounds have large litters so I always supplement fed the pups.
 
Why have you got the pup in a box I wonder ? I’d be rushing out to buy it a little soft bed from cheap store that can be machine washed .

We don’t have pets but when we did we always made up a bed in the laundry with newspaper around incase the pup had an accident it’s easy to pick up the newspaper and dispose of any mess.

My daughters dog had pups in February and she kept them until they were 12 weeks old before allowing them to go to their new homes
 
Kadee46 said:
Why have you got the pup in a box I wonder ? I’d be rushing out to buy it a little soft bed from cheap store that can be machine washed .

We don’t have pets but when we did we always made up a bed in the laundry with newspaper around incase the pup had an accident it’s easy to pick up the newspaper and dispose of any mess.

My daughters dog had pups in February and she kept them until they were 12 weeks old before allowing them to go to their new homes
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I put him in an open top box because I have health issues that limit my abilities to run around town. At this stage, he is MUCH more interested in exploring than being in bed. He is in the box mainly to introduce him to his cave. The sooner he gets used to being crated, the better. After all, he will be sleeping next to my bed in his cave. Also, he has a nice soft bath towel to sleep on.
 
Y
Butterfly said:
Yes. I've always heard that 8 weeks is the youngest to be separated from the mother.
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Yes, I understand that 5 weeks is too young to be separated from his mother BUT I can't just give him back. My neighbor went out of his way to get me a dog, and if I now said, "No, take him back", that would be rude. So, for better or worse, I must be the puppy's mom.
One very good thing is that he seems to really enjoy semi-solid food. I put some 'puppy chow' in a blender and then added warm water. He gobbled it right down without hesitation.
 
senior chef said:
Yes, I understand that 5 weeks is too young to be separated from his mother BUT I can't just give him back. My neighbor went out of his way to get me a dog, and if I now said, "No, take him back", that would be rude. So, for better or worse, I must be the puppy's mom.
One very good thing is that he seems to really enjoy semi-solid food. I put some 'puppy chow' in a blender and then added warm water. He gobbled it right down without hesitation.
Click to expand...
When my kids were young I was given a tiny pup that couldn't have been more than 6 weeks old. No, you can't give them back to someone who didn't know enough to keep them with their mothers longer.

During the day I took "Lacy" outside on the lawn about every 2 hours. Even that young she usually went potty...sometimes just a dribble. She liked exploring a little bit, too, but I didn't keep her out very long; 20 minutes tops. By the time she was 3 mo old, she'd sit by the door when she needed to go potty.

I have no idea what breed(s) she was. She grew to mid-size, trim with long, slender legs, shorthair, sharp snout but floppy ears, brown brindle coat. Smart, pretty, such a good girl.
 

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