New puppy thread, where new puppy owners can come for help and advice and hopefully clever people like minimu, midori et al will check regularly (please) to help us...

[Happymm]

Exactly what it says on the tin really. Kings idea, that we have a thread where we can all come and ask for help, advice, support or just to vent and that the much more experienced people will come and help us out :)

Just wanted to pop my head around the door and say Hello. Our rescue pup arrived yesterday and so far so good. He cried a bit a night, but was good overall, no wee or poo in his crate but waited until I got up at 7.30 when he went in the flower bed! We've got lots to do with him yet, but are off to a good start.

clam - glad you had a good holiday and pup behaved

Tell me, how did you teach him not to go upstairs? The dogs aren't allowed upstairs. My retriever never went up and the lab doesn't go up at all.

But, the pup is a devil. I have a stairgate at the bottom of the stairs for my childminding and I now keep it closed as much as I can, but whenever the stairgate is left open he will be up the stairs, in the bins. We tell him off and make him go straight back downstairs.

I can't remember how we taught the other dogs they weren't allowed up stairs.

Well same here really. We didn't really teach him not to. First off, he was too small to manage them, plus we have had the stair gate. Then we noticed that he wouldn't try, even if we left the gate open, just sat at the bottom with his head and one paw on the bottom steplooking mournful, so we took it down. Started feeling smug, but since we got back from holiday he's clearly confused and we have caught him upstairs a couple of times. To add insult to injury he did a wee on the bathmat this morning!
So the gate is back on now!

Clam Your holiday sounds great! I am looking forward to when we can go away with pup.

DogMatic It sounds as if the start is going very well! Today our pup has done THREE wees on the floor! Arreggggg!!

I was a bad puppy owner yest as I left pup in crate whilst I went out for evening (DH away, DCs at in laws) to a wedding reception. I left frozen kong, chew toy etc and she was OK no mess in crate. I did spend some time with her when I got back in midnight - I did take a raincheck on a late nightcap so I think my hangover could have been horrendous if it wasn't for her!

So today has been spoil the puppy day. She has had a woodland walk with 2 border collies, both of which are old and not up for playing but she didn't hassle them and just ran aroundnlike a loon! She came back and didn't stray too far so I'm pleased she didn't lose her head too much

Hello all. Can someone talk me through toilet training?

Nights mainly.

In the day our Labrador puppy (7.5 weeks) is really good. We put him in the garden before and after meals, and regularly for wees. He is doing really well. Gets a big fuss when he toilets outside. One or two wee accidents inside, which we clean up no fuss.

Nights, he has a crate and a pen to contain him in a smaller area, but big mess in the morning. now it's kinda obvious to me that this area is too big.

Is crate training the way to go? How long can he hold it for at his age? And do we do it during the day too?

TIA

Hello Alow, crate training was the way forward for me, my puppy never messed her crate or bed but she was 10 weeks when I got her so a little bit older than yours, also I didn't put any paper in the crate, she did have space in there to wee/poo if she wanted but not loads. Midori (breeder) and Minimu (behaviourist) firmly believe that a puppy at 8 weeks can go through the night from 10-6 and they might mess their beds for a few nights but generally they really don't like doing that so will learn to hold on. I generally followed M&M's advice but I must admit I did waiver after about day five whereby my puppy cried at 1, 3, and 5am but everytime I took her outside to wee she didn't do anything so then I was convinced it was just attention she wanted and not the toilet. From then I ignored her and she started very quickly sleeping from about 10 - 5.00/5.30am. After another couple of weeks I realised that her crate wasn't dark enough and the morning light was waking her up so I made the crate very very dark and she has slept in till 7.00/7.30 since then. She got us up at 4.30am one morning last week but we think it was the torrential rain that gave her a fright as it was extremely unusual.

Alow, day training we put our crate in the room we were in and for first few days just let her go in there and sleep with the door open. Then started shutting door for a few minutes whilst we were in the room, gradually progressed to leaving the room for a while, then progressed to leaving the house for ten minutes etc. I used to put her in there whilst I went up and had a shower etc or if we had visitors and she was a bit hectic. I allways put nice treats in there for her, kongs, pigs ears etc.

We don't really need to use it now as she is fairly trustworthy on the housetraining so we only use it when we go out for the evening or shopping etc. She is fine when we are out (I listen at the door!) however she is now very indignant about going in if we are in the house, but as I say we don't really need to put her in there anymore anyway.

Thinking about getting a long line so we can let pup out in the garden with a bit more freedom than just on the short lead or the tie out cable (which is a bit heavy for her really). We have a large garden but its not secure and her recall isn't 100% yet.

I've had a quick look and there seems to be a choice of lengths, 5m or 10m (or some on ebay at 30foot).

We have an 11week cocker spaniel so which length would be best and does the make matter?

Thanks!

(Is it wrong that she likes having her morning nap on my lap? She seems to get hyper when overtired and seems to need cuddling to quieten her down, which then sends her to sleep and gives us a happy puppy when she wakes! Last night I cuddled her to sleepy and then popped her in her (open) crate and she settled down quickly so its not all the time.)

Sigh ... I'm back on happy tabs. the pup is fine, kids are fine, it's DH ... Sad. he's resentful that pup always looks to me for direction. he listens to me, not DH. then when I laid out the truth, he really got angry. I understand, he has a stressful job. I get it. I sympathize. his working allows me to be able to stay home with the kids and puppy. yesterday, he took every opportunity to steal away into the basement ... It's not that big of a deal really .. I do this on my own during the week ... But it would be nice to have a little break on the weekends. I walk the dog, take him to training with the kids... He'll feed him and take him potty after crate time. and I'm horrible because while pup is laying on the floor napping, I can tap on my iPad ... That made him furious! oh the things he said when I calmly pointed out that the reason pup looks to me is because he hides in the basement when he's home. So last night, I was banished from feeding him and taking him for his evening walk, which I always do with one of the kids .. He won't because he can't handle it ... Much like taking the kids to training ... He can't handle it. Now I wouldn't mind really but his attitude was so angry and mean about it. how all I do is tap on my iPad all day ... uh, yea, after the dinner dishes are put away and the kitchen is clean .. Among other things I do during the course of the day and evening.
I got zero sleep last night ... I took half a tab when I showered at 4:30 ... After he slammed the door to take pup for a walk. i went back to bed at6:30. Wanted to put pup in the crate so DH could chill out ... Got mad again ... Started in on the "you told me I never spend time with him" .. But then pup saw me climb into bed and he wanted to go in his crate! he stormed off to work. but now the tab has worn off, so I'm back to feeling like there's a war in my gut and I can't eat anything.

I can't drive if I take a whole one, so I'm going to gut it out until tonight and hopefully get some sleep.

Thanks for reading ... Can't believe this is happening. DH is the one who wanted this pup ... Even moreso than the kids.

Stressedpuppymom I've been following your story and it sounds like it's been tough. Could your dh go to training with you? We haven't started yet, but I noticed that our group allows two trainers per pup. When my dcs were babies I couldn't get dh to read any parenting books and he's been the same with the puppy so was getting all his information via me. I think it could be interpreted as me being dictatorial could that be what's happening in your house? Dh and I watched a tv programme about dogs this weekend and that helped hugely.

My question for those of you who are ahead of me is about a nighttime routine. Our pup cried and cried last night my goodness it was hard. What kind of routine could I be implementing to help him settle?

We've got our first puppy class tomorrow - and they have said to bring both the kids with me (and pup - kids are 6y and 8.5y) and would be happy DH coming too as they have said that consistency is the key and that its important we are all saying the same thing.

Am expecting a totally hyper pup tomorrow evening who will completely show me up , wee all over the church hall and not respond to any of my 'requests'. If I think the worst, its got to be better right...

DogMatic We're not shutting pup in her crate yet - she has an open crate one end of the porch (which has been made puppy safe and has washable floors). First few nights she tried to wriggle through the door as I was closing it. Now I say "back, wait" and she stands there and waits while I shut the door then trots off to her crate. I sometimes put a sprinkle of food in her crate which helps keep her there and occupied for a few secs whilst I get to the door.

We've had her 2 weeks now and are getting there slowly! Some mornings we have a puddle on the floor - others it is dry (we think she sometimes wets her bedding but as we have a 6y old son still struggling with this, I can't get cross with an 11week old puppy). No poos overnight at all - just an accident this morning in the kitchen whilst I was showering and the kids weren't quick enough to take her out (she had already done one outside so I thought they'd be safe).

Pisky, that happened to me once pup went out and poo'd ate her breakfast and immediately did another one on the dining room floor! She also did this every morning after her breakfast but I was quick enough to get her out thankfully!

Interestingly I then changed her food and she went from 5/6 poos a day to 3 and I allways know when they are due which has made life a lot lot easier.

Mine wee'd on the carpet again today...irritating as we keep thinking she has got there, she goes days and days of being good but then does one somewhere! Never mind she is so adorable I don't really care

Thank you spamspamspam

Evening all, back from a few slightly stressful days away at my parents' in laws cottage. WOuld have been lovely EXCEPT we were planning to pick up a second crate from someone on gumtree and when we were ALMOST at her house, she texted to say it was no longer on sale and as we were at that point more than halfway to the cottage, didn't go home. SO annoying. As a result, didn't have a crate and my goodness what a difference it made not having one. SHe's been quite naughty actually, biting, pooping inside which she doesn't normally do (we think the nice carpets in the cottage remind her of grass, so she goes on that instead. Not good). Lots of growling and barking at DH and me, nipping at feet again, just when we thought we were getting someone. We were so worried that she was going to trash the cottage that we came home early. I'm tired, DH and I are stroppy with each other, puppy is being a terror and generally worried that she's going to be a horrid nippy terrier of the kind that I never thought I'd have. Agh. She'll be 9 week tomorrow and I really hope that the past few days were just her being a bit unsettled in a new place and that it'll wear off. We're being rather shouty tonight which I don't like doing, but nothing else is getting through with the biting and chewing feet etc. Sorry for long post, feeling bit down about it all.

Stressed Me and DH are the same. I do all the work and research whilst he just ignores it all and gets in a huff....I even got a trainer round to the house to almost shove it in his face and he forgot what the guy said!!!!

Our pup is 17 weeks now and for everyone with younger pups it really honestly truthfully gets easier! not just because you get used to it but because the pups learn and listen! With nipping and jumping I have holey leggings, jeans and trackie bottoms from the razor teeth but can now wear shorts and not come away mauled at the end of the day!

I took pup to a puppy party/socialisation thing on Sunday. It was very scary as it was a basic free for all. But my 17week old springer spaniel told an 8 month oldgerman shepherd (who was HuGE) to leave her alone She didn't bark or bite buy just stood up for herself! That's given me lots of confidence to see how she deals with other dogs.

She did seem to make friends with a beagle pup and they were rolling around chasing each others tail! Some digs she sniffed and left alone but others she played with. Interesting if not also slightly terrifying when a big dog is chasing yours around the hall.

Shut pup in his crate all night (10.45-7) and... No poo!

After getting up and letting him out in the garden, at 12. And then listening all night for him crying, he was quiet and only had one wee accident. Woohoo no cleaning up poo this morning.
so very proud of my little pup.

Also going to be just a little a lot of I told you so, to DH when he gets up.

Great news alow!

Our pup left us a huge mess the first few nights of having her but after a few days it pretty much stopped.

I decided that I would prefer a big crate where she could get up and poop rather than mess in her bed.

Alp, he left us lots of mess the first 2 nights, which I why I confined him to his crate.

Is this normal for the first few days? Our pup doesn't seem to want to do much except sleep (preferably on my lap) and doesn't really play much. He has got some toys that he occasionally chews/plays with although not for long, when we are in the garden he isn't really interested in playing. Am I right in thinking that he's just adjusting? He's not very bouncy, but is quite well hasn't attempted to chew anything other than his toys/chews which is great (while it lasts).

Also any tips for separation anxiety? I'm trying to leave the room for a few minutes at a time and then come back, which worked well yesterday but today we are back to square one again.

DogMatic Our pup wanted lots of cuddles the first few days - I couldn't do anything or go anywhere else in the house without leaving DD with her.

2 weeks on she has started taking herself off to her crate for day sleeps and coming to find me when she wakes. Much easier although I'm still sticking around nearby just in case!

Dog - my puppy is like this at 22 weeks it might be that he is still adjusting but my puppy has allways slept all day long - they really need a lot of sleep in the early days so let him sleep as much as he needs to. She gets a bit crazy in the evening but usually she has her walk and then a play in the garden and this is enough for her. If I take her out at lunch or in the morning then she needs a good play in the garden in the evening but other than that she zzzzz's on someone's lap, or by herself in the house somewhere or even snoozes in the sun.

I did a lot more with her in the early days thinking she was bored but I soon found that I was making a rod for my own back and was actually over stimulating her. If she wants a play we have one but keep it fairly short. She has never chewed anything in the house, is never up to mischief so I think we have the balance right for her.

Yesterday, DH was all apologetic, I'm sorry, I'll stop acting that way .... Blah blah blah. Then last night, after an hour of him being ok, he gets angry because the dog won't listen to him! it's like he's looking for an excuse to sod off and leave me with the dog 24-7. This morning, I went into the garden when they were there and pup got excited to see me and the anger came back ... I rather harshly reminded him that HE was the one who wanted the dog, not me and if he's going to act like this, I'll call the breeder and give him back ... I NEVER wanted a dog.

Ugh!!!!

So now he calls to tell me that he spoke to a work collegue about the issue and he said that their dog is more attached to his wife than him. he asked if their dog ever listens to him and he said that she does. So what does DH say ... He implies that it's my fault that pup doesn't listen and that he'll never listen, therefore I am horrible.

I get it, pup is with me more than him and it's only going to get worse as his travel schedule ramps up. And I get it that he's frustrated with the dog. but he's projecting his frustration onto ME, which is WRONG!!!!!

He sounds like more of a child than your children and the dog!

I feel sorry for all of you having to put up with that. Do you children witness his childish tantrums? And most likely the dog doesn't want to go near a moody miserable angry person, why on earth would he think the dog would want to be with him?

Get him on the valium not you!

It's a dog. It's not personal! Of course he's pleased to see you when you appear in the garden, he's a puppy. It's in their job description. Ours is terribly excited when a random stranger knocks at the front door. Doesn't mean he likes him better than us.
Sorry, but I think your DH needs to grow up.
For the record, I'm not sure who our dog views as being main boss. We tried to work it out recently and couldn't decide. He responds to whichever of us is on the scene at the time. But it's not a big issue to us - as long as he comes when he's called (in my dreams) and follows other basic commands we give him, who cares?