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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just take my puppy to playgroup anyway??

120 replies

TheBadNeighbour · 07/08/2019 16:00

I have a 10 week old puppy who fell ill over the weekend. Long story short, vet took loads of bloods and samples ... found she was anaemic as well as something else that didn’t add up in the bloods. Gave her a strong wormer and antibiotics until results come back. - day after the wormer, she shat out worms and immediately returned back to her normal self. So much so that’s she’s driving me insane. She’s full of energy and she’s bored. She was due to start puppy playgroup on Monday night but vet said not to take her until we find out results of samples. It’s now Wednesday and the dog is driving me, my other dog and herself absolutely batshit crazy. There is nothing wrong with her anymore. Even the wet said it was likely just down to the worms.

Results are still not back. AIBU to just take her to playgroup tonight anyway?? She’s 10 weeks and needs socialising ASAP

OP posts:
vasya · 07/08/2019 16:25

Don't risk the health of anyone else's puppy just because yours is bouncy! You will get the results soon enough. It won't ruin her to wait a week.

Where did you get her from? If it was a breeder you should report them. If she was that wormy I would be very concerned it was a puppy mill.

rubyroot · 07/08/2019 16:31

Well you asked for advice and it seems like a resounding no, but still you want to take her. Then why ask?
It wouldn't be nice if the other puppies caight something and you really should be cautious and wait for results. Take your puppy out in the garden or the park with some treats and do some training with her. An hour at 'puppy playgroup' is hardly an elixir fir a hyperactive puppy. Sounds like training might be a better idea.

KnickersandGnomes · 07/08/2019 16:34

I am - well used to be before ill health (Lyme Disease) a professional dog trainer and I would strongly advise waiting for the full results.

She is very young and it is great that she is now bursting with energy but the facts are that she seemed really poorly and it would be unlikely that even a large worm burden would bring her so low at such a young age.

Years ago I lost an 11 week old puppy that had had her first vaccination to Parvo, she was bouncing about one day then dead 48 hours later and I am still not over it tbh.

Also, no puppy just falls over from worms unless the puppy already has another health issue.

Also, you need to say which breed and how you came to own her. You make no mention of consulting her breeder which should be every new puppy owner's 'go to' regardless and especially if the puppy is poorly.

If I found out that you brought a puppy with a veterinary question mark over it's health anywhere near my dogs I would be consulting with my solicitor before your dog so much as passed wind the wrong way!

Rosehip10 · 07/08/2019 16:38

Staffie?

Original poster
TheBadNeighbour · 07/08/2019 16:41

I’m not taking her. I’m just stressed out and feel so guilty that she’s bored like this.
I’ve done the walk on the lead in the garden, done training with treats ... I’ve spent all day with her and she’s still climbing the walls. She’s bored of the training and is now not listening. She’s bored of the garden, I think she’s bored of my voice. The only thing she wants to do is play with my older dog who is now worn out by her.

Breeder is aware.

OP posts:
LolaSmiles · 07/08/2019 16:41

Your puppy can't be through her vaccinations yet and you've been given instructions by the vet.

Why would you consider risking the health of every other puppy for your own convenience?

mussolini9 · 07/08/2019 16:42

but vet said not to take her until we find out results of samples.

OK ... so you paid an expert who has undergone 5 or 6 years training in order to practice, & who has however-many years experience, to give you an opinion.

Now that you don't like the opinion, you are asking random strangers on an internet forum to give you permission to ignore the vet? WTF?

She’s full of energy and she’s bored
Then play with her. Do little training games with her. Spend 10 minutes petting her. She's your puppy & you are responsible for her wellbeing - both physical & mental.

She’s 10 weeks and needs socialising ASAP
You have until 13 weeks old before the 'socialisation window' closes.
That's still 3 weeks left to get the all-clear from the vet & get her mixing with others at class.

Aridane · 07/08/2019 16:43

I thought this was going to be about taking a [puppy to a children's playgroup!!

rubyroot · 07/08/2019 16:46

That's what it's like having a puppy I'm afraid! Not like a baby that you can pit down in a crib!

Sweetpotatoaddict · 07/08/2019 16:46

I thought you were taking a puppy to a children’s playgroup! Grin

rubyroot · 07/08/2019 16:46

We used to crate ours if we really needed a break.

TheoriginalLEM · 07/08/2019 16:47

Your vet has asked you not to attend. Wtf would you? Vet nurse here - if you turned up to my socialization group you'd be asked to leave

Mouldiwarp1 · 07/08/2019 16:48

As everyone else has said, don’t take her. She’s ten weeks old and you still have plenty of time to socialise her. Around here (in the sticks) there are loads of puppy play groups so there are bound to be more opportunities. I’d be inclined to agree with a previous poster though, I’m not sure how useful they actually are. The couple we went to were a bit mad tbh. She’s already socialising with your older dog, which is great. I know what you mean by toddlers though - puppies are faster, have sharper teeth and don’t wear nappies!

Lunafortheloveogod · 07/08/2019 16:49

What about making her a diy agility course or something to tire her out? I know you can buy set ups but obviously they’re expensive if you don’t plan to go down that route later.

Has breeder had, or was willing to say about, any other litters/litter mates with issues? Could obviously help with diagnosis.

PuffsMummie · 07/08/2019 16:49

Do not take her, it's putting lots of other puppies at risk. You would not appreciate this if it was another potentially sick puppy attending the group.

Play with her at home or in the garden, get her some new, really engaging toys, anything to tire her out. Puppies do go nutty for periods during the day, then they calm down and nap a bit. She needs stimulating, thats all.

Good luck

KnickersandGnomes · 07/08/2019 16:50

Actually, thinking more about this, the puppy should still have been with her mum and brothers and sisters until maximum two weeks ago so why the panic?

Why the "She’s 10 weeks and needs socialising ASAP"

I know it's tough to face up to but if the puppy is too much for you now it would be a kindness to the little dog to hand her back to her breeder (if reputable) or to contact a rescue specific to her breed and sign her over.

Breed Rescue would much rather have a non fucked up puppy to rehome than a pissed about with and failed year old dog that has to be re trained because the owner tried to struggle on for months.

WiddlinDiddlin · 07/08/2019 16:51

Ask the trainer running the class.

In that situation if your puppy has been free of the runs/any vomiting for 48 hours and is bright eyed etc, I'd say yes but I'd not permit free play, but she'd still benefit from coming and watching and doing stuff.

Don't decide without informing the trainer though, it needs to be their choice ultimately.

TheTitOfTheIceberg · 07/08/2019 16:54

OP so what can you do outside the house? It doesn't have to be either/or - puppy playgroup or own home and nothing in between. Plus if the playgroup is only for an hour on Monday, you were always going to have to find ways to stimulate and entertain her the rest of the time.

Is she fully socialised to the hoover, the car, traffic noise? Has she met horses, cats, small furries (safely in their cages)? If she's still small enough to carry, has she been on a bus? Get creative and get her outside in your arms.

Original poster
TheBadNeighbour · 07/08/2019 16:55

I Expected her to be hard work which is why I booked all this stuff for her. Trading classes, Socialization class etc ... she was supposed to be having her 2nd injection tonight so should have been allowed out for walks next week ... not vet won’t give her it until next week so that’s another week without walking. I’ve wanted this dog for so long and now it’s all going wrong. I could cry. I was so determined to get her out and about as soon as she was able and every day she’s getting bigger and bigger and I feel like we’re missing the opportunities. She’s going to be a big dog, I wanted to do it right from the start.

I wouldn’t have taken her tonight, it was just a moment of madness that passed my mind. I am autistic, dogs are my world. I can’t handle the fact that it’s all going wrong.

OP posts:
MsJRMEsq · 07/08/2019 16:55

If the vet said don't take her then don't take her, it's hardly rocket science to understand it's a bad idea is it?!

TheTitOfTheIceberg · 07/08/2019 16:59

She’s 10 weeks and needs socialising ASAP

Because the socialisation window closes at 12/13 weeks of age and anything a dog has not experienced by that age is likely to be something that makes them anxious/cautious rather than inspire confidence. Under-socialisation can lead to serious behavioural issues (e.g. it's the primary cause of fear-aggressive dogs who can't mix well with other canines) and therefore is directly responsible for too many dogs having to be PTS before their time.

MaxNormal · 07/08/2019 17:05

Honestly, deep breathe, it's not all going wrong. I'm sure you're doing great, you're just stressed out because she was ill and now she's full-on.
Fellow autistic so I know how these things can spiral mentally!

forestdweller11 · 07/08/2019 17:10

I'm another one saying get her out and about in your arms looking at stuff.

rubyroot · 07/08/2019 17:12

It's not all going wrong!
Next week you can walk her. Until then you'll just have to entertain the little fellow. As I said if you need a bit of time out for half an hour or so then crate her for a bit. We used to just let ours go nuts in the crate.

Pigletpoglet · 07/08/2019 17:12

If you can possibly contain the wiggles, then take her out for a walk in a bag or baby carrier. Go and find lots of unusual things to watch - we found the skate park a great place for getting dpup used to weird noises and objects. People will want to pet her - make sure that you warn them that she might be infectious.