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Original poster

Wees, poos, sleepless night - anyone else got a new puppy?

138 replies

bella29 · 04/08/2008 09:22

Having kidnapped hatwoman's thread about boisterous young dogs I thought it was only fair that I set up my own! If anyone wants to share hints, tips or general crises with regard to their new puppy, please do so here! You are among friends who won't blanch at descriptions of bowel movements, chewed possessions or sleep deprivation...

OP posts:

newpup · 04/08/2008 10:52

Well done Bella. I too apologise hatwoman for stealing your thread . I hope I have just directed someone here with questions about her new puppy. We really should start dogsnet! One thing I have found hard to deal with is everyone elses negativity about us getting a puppy. If I had a pound for every time someone has said ' oh you will be tied to the house now' 'dogs are such a tie' 'oh why are you doing that'. I have really felt as if I have been defending our decision to all and sundry! To be fair, my parents ,as life long dog lovers have been great but everyone else is so negative. Rant over!

Sorry - just took DD's to an activity and was astounded at the negative reception they got when telling everyone about their new puppy! YOu would have thought we had bought home an alligator and two cobras for them to play with!

How was your night Bella?

clothhanky · 04/08/2008 10:59

I have a 14 month border collie and a 6 month jack russell, my biggest tip would be to get an indoor kennel/cage. These are recommended by Dogs Trust and imo invaluable. The pups soon start to feel safe in them and you can go out without having your best shoes knarled into a million pieces

hatwoman · 04/08/2008 11:20

oh blimey no need to apologise re other thread. it was nice to know others have got dogs of the same age.

My biggest "issue" is adults who smile and say "oh I don;t mind" and make a fuss of pupster when he jumps up and I am telling him to get down and asking them to ignore him until he's got down. (usually whole performing strange-low down collar-grabbing moves). you might not mind but I do, as does the two year curious toddler in the park and the old lady across the road and probably you in 6 months when he's twice the size...

newpup · 04/08/2008 13:26

Hello. Our cage is great clothhanky. I have to say that I was not keen at first as my parents have never had one for any of their dogs and the very word cage, filled me with dread. BUT I bought one second hand from a friend, who recommmended them and I am really glad we did. It is her safe place and at night and when I go out I know she is safe. We need to go out tomorrow and may be gone for 2 hours, do you think that is acceptable for her at this stage? (10 weeks old and been with us for a week) I can cancel but not sure if I am being silly, when she is older I will have to do this most days. Any opinions?

Hatwoman, am I right to be clamping down on any jumping up already? I am being very strict and encourage the children to do the same.

Stopfighting · 04/08/2008 13:29

Can I join in please?

We're getting a puppy after we come back from our holidays.

I'm very interested to know the ins and outs of using a cage.

FloriaTosca · 04/08/2008 13:35

newpup; 2 hrs should be fine if she is toileted before you go, has a supply of water and a chewtoy to occupy her...I used to leave the radio on for company too. and absolutely right to stop jumping up even now...it is hell to stop when they are boisterous teenagers.

FloriaTosca · 04/08/2008 13:46

stop fighting; there are no downsides to using a crate as far in my experience...it is a safe haven for them for life if you wish...we never lock our lad in anymore but it saved him untold dangers when he was a chewing adddict pup, let us sleep soundly knowing he was safe, saved our furniture from tooth marks and ourfloors from accidents and later was his place of security when we went on holiday (rented cottage)and especially when we moved house. Now it is his refuge from our 10mth old.
Just as long as you dont lock them in for hours on end or use it as a punishment it could be your dogs home/refuge for life.

newpup · 04/08/2008 14:00

Thanks Floria, just wanted another opinion. Our crate is fab stopfighting. It is pups safe place and at night and when we pop out we know she can not harm herself or demolish the kitchen! Also, it is supposed to help with housetraining as they do not like to 'go' in their den. I do not see it as forever thing, just until she is fully grown and housetrained and passed the chewing stage. Our pup seems to be doing quite well so far with one. I do have a friend who locks her spaniel in one for hours on end. It is cruel he spends more time in it then out but If used responsibly I think they are great.

Original poster

bella29 · 04/08/2008 16:39

Hello all!

Exciting day here, folks - popped out with the children for a few errands and a spot of lunch and got stuck in traffic on way home so didn't get back for 3 hours but the pup was fine!!!! 3 hours - 3 whole hours! In fact DH got back slightly before me and pup was still fast asleep in his crate . At this rate I may even be able to get a haircut!

Oh, dear, must try to calm down now! Welcome all, anyway, and newpup - yes, I've had a lot of negative reactions too but some people just don't seem to think dogs are worth the hassle, whereas we know better.

Also, hatwoman, I do agree about people letting your dog jump up - I've had that before with other dogs and, although I think people are just trying to be nice, it is hard to explain to them that you want to stop the dog doing it because other people/children might not be able to take it so well.

TTFN!

OP posts:

hatwoman · 04/08/2008 18:25

the first time A was left alone for 3 hours it was pure necessity. he was actually only about 10 weeks old and it was dd's sports day. We haven;t got a crate (after much umming and ahhing) but the kitchen is pretty dog proof - but i was still worried about the poor thing - he was fine. no mess. no contraband chewing. do any of you use kongs? with the fowl looking goo squirted into them? A loves his and tends to get it if we're out for a bit - I do think it makes a difference. also I try to remember to leave the radio on. in my heart I want a little friend for him...

newpup · 04/08/2008 19:29

Sorry, what is a kong? Sounds rather rude A little friend?? Will we be hearing the sound of little paws again soon?

hatwoman · 04/08/2008 20:33

kongs indestructible rubber toys of interesting shape that you can put biscuits or strange (edible) kong goo in. and lots of pics of nice labs too

hatwoman · 04/08/2008 20:40

this is the one we have he goes mad for the goo but watching him try to get biscuits out of it is too much!

Original poster

bella29 · 04/08/2008 21:07

Yes, I use kongs - with peanut butter smeared inside. My pup's nearly 13 weeks now but it was still a bit scary when I realised I was going to be late back today... He does seem to sleep most of the day though, in between short energetic bursts of play fighting with my other dog. Have just read that you should ideally have 2-3 different toys per day of the week (i.e. 14-21 toys) and rotate them religiously so that they are never bored of their toys and go for flip flops, table lamps etc. I think I have about eight toys max - am I a bad puppy mother?!

OP posts:

hatwoman · 04/08/2008 22:38

well, if I count 3 tennis balls as 3 different toys, then we could probably get to 8...

Original poster

bella29 · 05/08/2008 08:17

You're so resourceful, hatwoman! Does make me feel better though!
I did want to ask you, hatwoman: should I limit the amount of commands I teach my pup when he's so young? He can do come, sit, wee (!) and is learning down, but I don't want to overwhelm him, even though he is very eager to please. Thanks!

OP posts:

newpup · 05/08/2008 09:20

Morning Bella. I am only working on; coming to her name, sit, down(when she jumps)and bed. Thought any more might be confusing. Hoping to get her signed up for puppy classes when I take her for her vaccination on Thursday. that might help. Do you go to any?

newpup · 05/08/2008 09:24

Not such a good night, last night. She was quiet all night but had weed and pooed all over her cage when I got down at 6am. Has not done that since the second night we had her. I put her outside while I cleaned it up and then let her back in as it was pouring with rain. She came in and peed on the floor straight away So back out she went, straight away for 10 mins in the rain, while I cleaned up again. Thought I was getting away quite lightly, so far!!

hatwoman · 05/08/2008 09:46

do we need sparkley tickers on this thread so we can keep track of how old each others is...?

I'm really not sure about the teaching too much thing. I've wondered it myself. We've done quite a lot - with varying success - sit, come, down (as in stop jumping up), stay, and paws (useless but couldn't resist) he's pretty good at (apart from down with strangers ). Lie down, and on your bed (as in get out from under my feet while I'm cooking you fool) not so great. walking to heel medium. We've got our first class on Wednesday - if I get chance I'll ask.

newpup · 05/08/2008 11:09

Sounds like your pup is doing well Hatwoman! I do paws too, it is just so cute Let us know how the classes go.

1wish · 05/08/2008 17:21

Hi all
Can i join this thread too please? (And just wanted to thank everyone again for their advise on my "is 6 weeks to young" thread)

Just like to report said pup is now 7 weeks old now and doing fine.

I also have just taught her to sit and lay down on command in one afternoon, and she's 100% perfect at it ((preen)) i'm very proud

memoo · 05/08/2008 21:24

hello, we got our pup on saturday, she is 10 weeks old and i'm a bit lost as to what i'm doing with her behaviour.

whats the best way of training her not to jump up and to bite. she trys to bite anything and anyone she can. Each time i say "no" and gentley push her away, not sure its working though.

Also when she wees/poo's in the house I say "no!" and take her straight outside.

Because she is my first dog i'm not sure if what i am doing is right, would really welcome any advice.

That 'Kong' looks fab, where can i get one?

hatwoman · 05/08/2008 23:33

memoo - I really can't recommend this book enough. if you can get it from amazon now - the sooner you start using it the better. as well as saying no stop doing whatever it was you were doing - make sure the push away doesn't turn into a game. any attention he gets will be like a reward to him. re weeing - try to pre-empt if you can - take her outside every hour or so, say something to encourage her to wee (I used "do wee") and she should start to associate it with weeing. what kind of dog is she?

Original poster

bella29 · 06/08/2008 08:11

Hi all & welcome new people (& puppies!).
Having a mad morning with wee & poo all over so will post later.
Have a good day, everyone!

OP posts:

memoo · 06/08/2008 09:04

hi, got up at half 5 expecting the usual kitchen full of wee and poo but she'd only weed once on the mat by the door!!!

thhanks for the book recommendation hatwoman, i'm going to order it now, need all the help i can at the mo

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