Just thought I'd start the new thread!
Toby (foxy coloured yellow Labrador) is now 13 weeks old. Long, lean and lanky. Still wonderfully tempered and is sleeping through and no longer messing in the house.
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The doghouse
New Puppy Mummies Part 2
991 replies
SallyBear · 24/09/2013 13:16
OP posts:
SallyBear ·
09/11/2013 08:18
Yay its Stanley!! He's very cute. Big doleful eyes. My DD's best friend adores pugs. I shall show her today. 
OP posts:
moosemama ·
09/11/2013 12:09
Gosh Sally, Toby is looking so grown up now. What a handsome boy he is though. He has such beautiful eyes and love how lithe he is compared to all the huge fat labs we have round here.
Lorelies, Stanley is really cute - another one working the big sad eye look. It's amazing how quickly they learn that one! 
Our friends have a black mini pug and he's the cutest - but naughtiest - little dog. Can't help laugh at his antics though.
moosemama ·
09/11/2013 12:28
I am so sad that some of you are feeling so down about your pup's behaviour. Yes, there probably are some things you can do to help - and given that you are here and keen to look for the best possible advice re raising your pups you will do it - but some of it is most probably not you're fault, so please don't give yourselves a hard time about it.
Think of it like parenting. Children all have good and bad points, different activity levels and attention spans. Some potty/toilet train young, others take years, some are chilled and relaxed, others over-sensitive or have a tendency towards tantrums. It's just the same with dogs - only they have the whole breed-trait thing thrown into the mix as well. Same as with parenting, just try to keep as calm and consistent as possible and remember they will all grow up to be adult dogs eventually. One day you will be one of the people you are envious of when you see them out and about with their adult dogs, wondering when your puppy will be like that - I promise.
Over the years, even my toughest dogs have all turned out to be delightful adults in the end. It just takes time, patience, consistency and a bit of faith.
If it feels too much, take a day off - take several off if you need to. Pups don't need 24 hour attention, training and walking and we all fall into the trap of being weighed down by the responsibility sometimes. All they need some days is just supervision and redirection. If you need some time out - take some - it will benefit not only you, but also your pup. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed he/she will pick up on it and that's when things start to spiral and feel impossible.
Yesterday it was peeing it down here and I had a horrible migraine, then it was the local firework display. So, neither of my guys got walked and they are absolutely fine. They snoozed, played with toys, asked to go out in the garden a bazillion times and whilst they would have enjoyed a walk, it hasn't done them any long term damage because they didn't go for one day. Sometimes we need to take a step back and get things into perspective and I say that because I was on another thread last night, bashing myself for not walking my guys. It was only when I read the post back that I realised how ridiculous I sounded.
Remember, all of us are only fretting because we are good dog owners, who genuinely care about our pups. There are so many dogs out there that never get any socialisation, aren't taught a single cue or any manners around people or dogs and whose owners would rather dump them on a rescue centre (or worse) and get a newer model than approach a suitably qualified person for help, advice and support.
All our dogs are getting everything they need and their futures are bright, as happy, much loved family pets. We will all get there in the end, just in our - and our pups' - own time.
Keep it up folks, you are all doing an awesome job.
mintchocchick ·
09/11/2013 12:49
That's a lovely post Moose - thanks
for you!
Dharma - sorry to hear that. I'm listening to Moose - we will get there eventually and look back at this time as a small snapshot of our life with our puppy - OK it's the hardest, but it's only one small part. At times my heart melts with minty when he's sitting on his bed looking at me adoringly, I make a funny kissing noise say and he tilts his head to the side as if trying to understand me! Priceless and I only hope those memories stick in my mind in 10 years time not the shrieking cos he's bitten my leg memories!
moosemama ·
09/11/2013 14:02
Stop thanking me! 
I'm only saying what you all know, but have been too overwhelmed to remember. Pip is my 7th puppy - so I'm just lucky enough to have the benefit of hindsight.
You're all such genuinely lovely, caring dog owners - I'm just reminding you of that. 
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