That 5-minutes-per-month rule with puppies...

[Elibean]

...two questions, please!

a. Does that mean 5 mins per month of pavement walking? Does sniffing around tree off the lead, playing with other dogs, mooching around in woods/commons count? If so, I think we're in trouble

b. At what age does it stop applying, if ever?

Our 6 month old lab cross really enjoys his off-lead time, pottering around, playing, snaffling treats doing a bit of training...the actual walk we do takes 20 minutes if I do it alone, but with him its more like an hour!

Don't forget your CPD is tax deductible southerncross I'm self employed too. Best £927 plus VAT I've spent this year.

I am another one for buying lots of toys - so what if they rip the pieces out of them, at least they are having fun, amusing themselves and not ripping the pieces out of your shoes or your furniture! We regularly have to buy our pup another hedgehog, squirrel, elephant etc and the pleasure she gets from a 50p toy is well worth it.

Agree with Daisy about the letting them get on with it. Mine is a bit nervous and can cower behind my legs and as a little dog it would be easy to soothe and pat on the head, however I treat her like I do my daughter - get on with it you will be fine!!. In the early days as soon as I saw a dog coming I would put her on her lead but realised this was the wrong thing to do so now let her roam freely, the other dog soon tells you enough is enough and luckily Maggie is wary enough to read the signs of another dog on the lead and stay clear. We have had lots of dogs over, been visiting other dogs, have tried to meet as many as possible on our walks, in fact some days I try to go specifically to places where she will meet dogs just to interact as where we live you can walk for miles and miles and not meet anyone.

Lol, I don't make enough to justify spending £1000 on CPD :(
maybe in about a decade..

Would a puppy be ok with a toy aimed at a child over 3? Dog toys are really expensive, and the charity shop would be a good source of toys, but am a bit worried about him eating the eyes of some teddy bear, or the stuffing...
I suppose I could cut the eyes out... might make us look a bit mad to have tortured eyeless teddies lying around though