Hey everyone! I just joined the site yesterday after finding it a couple of days ago in my obsessive hunting around the web for info on training...what to expect with new puppies....breed info....ya know all the good stuff.  Needless to say I am highly impressed and thankful that I found your threads....I have been reading and reading a bunch of different threads and also put a little message in the New Member info forum with some pics of my new girl!  Her name is Stella and I bring her home in about 3 1/2 weeks.  I am completely thrilled and am in anticipation of the day I get to hold her for the first time!  Sorry....off on a tangent.....I found all of the info on training and behavior very helpful but I have a couple of questions...regarding bringing her home.  I have taken that week off of work to help her acclimate to her new surroundings.  Is it good to immediately start in on the crate training and all of that the first day? Or do I need to let her "take it all in" so to speak before I start in?  My other question is pertaining to her vaccinations...she will only have her first set when I bring her home...how careful do I have to be about walking her around my neighborhood and bringing her around other dogs that I know?  Thanks again for all of the great info! I look forward to getting to know all of you wonderful people! 

I started Button getting used to her crate right away.   I wanted her to get used to thinking of the crate as HER place, safe from harm, and I wanted her to know a closed door on the crate is not punishment.

1.  I'd sit in the recliner holding her at night until she'd drop off asleep. 

2. As soon as she fell asleep, I'd gently scoop her up and lay her in the crate on her towel with a clock tucked under the corner.  The noise of the clock calms/sooths puppies in a new, scary place.  They think it is the heartbeat of a littermate or their mom sleeping beside them. 

3.Then I'd quietly latch it so as not to wake her. 

4. I made sure there was little water available in the crate (helps with the bladder training.  

5. Keep one safe-while-unsupervised (rubber) chew toy in the crate at all times. 

6.  The minute they wake up, you need to get them outside to potty and right back in to go back to sleep.  I had the crate near enough to our bedroom if I left the bedroom door open, I could hear her wake up most times, as she'd whimper when she got bored with her toy.  She'd pee pretty quick if you didn't get to her right away.

There's a lengthy Crate Training thread at the top of the Training Forum and also an in-depth potty training post on the blue menu bar.  Click the Rat Terrier 101 link.

Dumb me!  I forgot to welcome you to the forum!  Your soon-to-be new dog is just adorable! You'll love this website.  Some really nice folks here and lots of good stories and advice on raising your new rattie.

Your new baby-to-be is absolutely adorable!!! How exciting Can't wait until you've got her and we can see more!!

I, too, would advise crate training immediately. Read all you can. There is likely to be some crying/whining to get out. But stick to it! It is, in my opinion, one of the most worthwhile thing you will ever do.

As for other dogs, I would not have her visit with any who you are not absolutely positive are completely up-to-date on their own shots. I would also caution you against having her outside in any area where other, strange dogs may have frequented. Parvo can be a deadly disease to young puppies without their complete set of vaccinations. Talk to your vet and he/she can explain to you what you should be doing.

Good luck and keep us posted. Feel free to keep asking questions to prepare.

Hi there and welcome to the site!!!  Where did you post pictures of your new rattie baby?  I must be missing it - darn it!  Can't wait to see lots of pictures and hear stories of her crazy antics as she grows!

Well I have always been fond of JRT's....I have done the big big dog thing before.....I owned a beautiful Wiemaraner pup until somebody decided to steal him from my own yard....long story....anyway I live in the city ( Seattle) and I felt the need for a puppy to bring up on my own.  I started researching the JRT and found them very interesting but I thought I might want something even a little smaller....my sister recommended I look at Ratties....I started researching.......found a lot of great info and they are just irresistable.....so I looked up breeders in my state and came across one up north of me about 2 hours....so while I could make the trip to visit.....I havent found the time yet.....plus it is a bit of a drive. I started corresponding with the breeder who was just about to have a litter.....she had one lone blue colored female who was the runt.....she sent me pics of the litter and I fell in love immediately!  So I came up with her name and I have been getting my weekly pic and health updates and it just seems like the day will never come! lol I am completely excited  and have been picking out her crate and blanket and preparing for new baby to come home!

Oh and pertaining to her food.....I have not researched this as much as I should yet....I am aware that they tend to have very sensitive skin....especially when of the blue coloring variety I understand....so I want to make the transition as smooth and easy as possible for my little fur baby....any good suggestions?  I believe she is being fed a lamb and rice puppy food now

OMG!!!  Stella looks like a real cutie.  I can't wait to see more pics.

Welcome! And what a precious little angel Can't wait to see more pics.

I ditto on the same advice as the others and you have picked a wonderful breed. There are just too many great things about ratties to list here!

Please keep us updated and look forward to hearing more from you.

Oh - I just went and found the pictures - Stella is just a little DOLL!  Too cute!  Can't wait till she's in your arms and we can get updatedc pictures.  :-)

Hello Corey   Welcome to the site.  Stella is adorable   We all love pics of the little babies.  Can't wait to see how she grows   They are alot of fun, and very very smart.  Congratulations and again welcome

Thanks for the welcome! I actually just moved across the water back into Seattle from Kirkland a few months ago....I lived in Downtown Kirkland a few blocks up from the lake.