New Puppy Mummies, Part 3

[DharmaLovesDraco]

New thread, because quite frankly I can't do without you all :)

Aw, don't you're making me broody! Their paws are so deliciously soft and squidgy when they're tiny aren't they.

Can I join yet? I'm becoming mum to an adorable black Scottie boy on December 21st.
We had a Scottie dog for many years and lost him 2 years ago to liver disease. He left behind a lovely Westie who by then was too old really to tolerate a pup.
Bob (the westie) was very much loved and spoiled after Jack passed and I was devastated to lose Bob 2 weeks ago, quite suddenly aged 14.

I've spent the most awful 2 weeks without Bob. For the first time in 14 years our home is empty and I can't begin to describe how horrible it's been. DH had nagged a bit, I said no, can't do it again. Then I caved in...

And bought one of these little loves

He's currently nameless as our DD(16) knows nothing about this at all and it will be a huge surprise for her on the day we go and collect him. She was devastated when Bob died as she was only 2 when we had him so they had been together for most of her life.

I shall be keeping an eye on this thread for tips and counting down the days until he's home!

Welcome JuiceOrtiz. So sorry to hear of your loss. We lost Oldgirl earlier this year and even though we still had Lurcherboy the house seemed so empty without her.

I was also in the 'I can't go through this again.' camp, but Lurcherboy had other ideas and was lost without Oldgirl to keep, so here we are with Pip who is now 6 months old and bigger than Lurcherboy!

How could you possibly resist those cute puppies, they're gorgeous!

Sorry for your loss too moose, even when they are an old dog I don't think you are ever ready to accept it. Bob never looked like a 14 year old dog either which I think made it all the more difficult.
This photo was taken a month before he died. He still looks like the puppy we brought home!

I think I felt it more because my work hours are a bit sporadic (I can work for a week a month 10 - 2 then nothing for 2 months) so it's always been me and the old man at home. He was company for me and I've lost count of the times this last week I've spoken to him. Even saved him the crusts from my sandwich the other day .

I did say 'never again' to two though so you are brave moose Our second was Jack the scottie who very quickly took over the house and ruled, despite me following all advice to make Bob 'top dog'. I don't think Bob cared tbh, he was happy to sit back and watch Jack get into trouble.

I am excited, I'm also still a bit sad but I know this fella won't replace Bob and he has some big paws to fill.

My girl was 14 too and still very much an oversized puppy right up to a few weeks before we lost her.

I had three originally, so two seems easy by comparison!

Pip is definitely going to be top dog over Lurcherboy, but that suits them both. In fact we were originally advised to get a mature bitch, because Lurcherboy is a big old wuss prefers not to push himself forward and was heavily reliant on my two girls to lead the way. I don't think we can make one dog top dog over another really, they sort it out themselves and it's never that simple as in reality it changes constantly according to resources etc.

cute puppies juiceortiz. Im getting mine the same day. Can't wait. Its 20 years since I have had a dog but I used to look after my brothers more recently.

I'm skim reading lots of puppy books people leant me but they are all keen on pack theory but I read on here that that has all been disproved.

reup, if you want to read a good puppy book go for Life Skills for Puppies.

Pack theory has indeed been disproved and training is moving towards totally non-punitive, reward-based methods only.

Checkout Kikopup videos on her website dogmantics and her YouTube channel for lots of useful totally force free training methods.

Sorry for your loss Juice - but eeeeeeek to those puppies and their dear little triangular ears!

Moose I just want to say, as a puppy owner who's been on these threads since the beginning, your knowledge and experience have been invaluable. You astound me with the patience you've shown with Pip's separation anxiety; I'd have thrown in the towel months ago. The love you have for your dogs shines through, Pip and Lurcherboy are lucky dogs indeed to have you as their owner.

Thanks. I think you mentioned that. I downloaded a sample on my kindle and liked it but couldnt dedcide whether to get it in real form or electronic. I was skimming the others first! In the ian Dunbar one the puppies seem to spend huge amounts of time in the crate.

Ive had a look at the videos.they are great. And got my dh too. He seems way too swayed by his colleagues pack theory views so I wanted to get him on board. I keep remembering with my first child all his females colleagues kept telling him the baby needed top ups of formula as he was so big. I hope rthge first few weeks aren't quite so fraught!

Moosemama - my brothers dog was called pip. Really lovely bouncy dog.

TMB, you are too kind. You'd be just the same if it was your dog with the SA, everyone on this thread is a caring owner who really loves their dog/s.

Having Pip has been a learning curve for me too. I was really rusty and quite out of date when he arrived. It's been good though, I've done some reading up and learned so much. I already thought my training was non-punitive, but the whole concept has been taken a lot further since I last studied dog training and I'm so glad I had this opportunity to bring myself up to date with current research and thinking.

Reup, I've met a few Pip's since we named our boy. Dh and the dcs chose his name, back when he was a tiny, poorly, emaciated pup. We've got used to it, so it seems to suit him, but I do see people pull a funny face when I first introduce my hulking great Lurcher them - he's a proper lanky boy now, having already grown taller than my adult Lurcher.

He is a bouncy boyu though - has us in stitches when he's doing his kangaroo impression and leaping around the garden like a loon! He can hurdle Lurcherboy (23" to the shoulder and part Deerhound) in one leap - always gets a good reaction in the park that one!

Well at the moment my love for Stanley is diminishing rapidly - he's being an utter arse

We've got a teeny tiny yorkie, he only weighs 2kg and is the skinniest thing ever. He's 12 years old and has very few teeth left bless him. Stanley has tried to play with him since we got him, Wig's really not interested, and keeps trying to tell him in no uncertain terms. Unfortunately Stanley's got size and weight on his side and just pins poor Wig down. It didn't use to be so bad when Stanley couldn't get onto the sofa - unfortunately he can now, so Wig has no place to hide. I've spent all evening pulling Stanley off him. Grrrr.

(Although I do have to stifle a laugh when Stanley bounds over to Wig when he's peeing, knocking him over!)

I've just found a local puppy training class so I think as soon as pup can go out I'll sign up for those. 10 weeks for £75, worth it for the socialisation if nothing else, and I'm probably very out of date with my training as well.

Am currently reading 'The Perfect Puppy' surreptitiously, every time DD walks in the room I turn off my Nook

Its only 6 classes for £75 near me!

Re vaccinations. I did ask the vets but is it 8 wks, 10 wks and then only a week after that you can take them out?

Congratulations juice and reup, lovely to have some new babies! My 5 month old seems sooo grown up now - I had a full day working away so my mum had minty - when she pulled up in the car tonight and he bounded out, I couldn't believe how much he'd grown- in 10hrs!! Obviously he hadn't really grown but he just seemed massive.

He was overjoyed to see me, totally loopy and my heart nearly burst! I've been snuggling and telling him how much I love him all evening. I got strange sideways glance from DH as DS1 on sofa next to me devoid of affection from me so maybe I need to calm down a bit. It reminded me of when DS2 was born and we'd be calm and normal with him while DS1 was around, then as soon as DS1 went to bed, we'd both go gooey and adoring over our cute baby!

I love your advanced kong stuffing technique Moose - pure dedication! Especially as you don't eat such things yourself that real commitment. I only ever do kibble and peanut butter plug so will try diversifying!

Puppy training isn't going well for us unfortunately. Rox is a nightmare on her lead and drags me here and there.

Did have a funny moment when the poor love got tangled in her first ever tunnel and run off but luckily she bolted back to me when I called her name. I was so relieved and didn't feel like the mum of the naughty one at toddler group like I normally do.

I'm not enjoying walks either. People keep crossing the road with their dogs to avoid us she is a bg pup and does look heavy but she is as soppy as any other 6 month old.

I'm going to do the kong treat mentioned up thread and stick with the achy arm walks...

Re vaccinations, it depends on the vet I think - Fitz had his at 9 weeks, 13 weeks and then was supposed to wait a full two weeks after that before going out - we didn't make it to the end of the two weeks though as he was getting too heavy to carry and I was keen for him not to miss any more of his socialisation window

Fitz is going to go to puppy day care once a week so that I can cram as much work as possible into one day and I also need some puppy care on standby as my mum is desperately ill and and at some point in the next few weeks things are going to go horribly wrong :(

InTheRedCorner, people cross the road when I walk Lurcherboy too, even moreso when I have the two of them. Lurcherboy isn't even that big really, he just looks quite wolfy - only with floppy ears. Sadly I think a lot of people are just prejudiced about certain breeds of dogs, including Rotties and Lurchers.

What sort of collar/harness have you got Roxy on? With a big girl like her I'd recommend the Perfect Fit harness with front D ring (the front ring turns her towards you when she starts to pull, instead of her being able to use the harness to drag you along) and possibly one of the Ezydog shock absorbing leads as well for sudden jolts.

Basildon, so sorry to hear about your mum. At least with Fitz in puppy day care you know he'll be well looked after and you don't need to worry about him.

We have the second lead in your second link although not in pink

trainers at puppy school have said she needs a lead more like a rope but I really like your first link and think I will give that a go. Thank you.

She does calm down during the walk but that first few roads is a struggle but I'm wondering if it's because I don't do same time same route and I'm over exciting her, she is so lovely.

BB - very sorry about your mum, sounds like a very sad time for you. Helpful to get Fitz settled into daycare now.

Red corner - we used the perfect fit harness for our puppy and it really helped reduce pulling. But I found he still pulled during the most exciting times, like beginning of walk, way home and whenever there were children around! Our dog trainer helped me use the harness at classes for a few weeks before saying the pulling was so bad that she thought we needed to up the discipline and use a gentle leader.

They fit around the muzzle and pull their head into you. It has helped and I can now walk without the straining arms. I hate it though as minty has fluffy white hair around his muzzle so the black strap really stands out. Might be camouflaged on a rottie though!

The most aggressive dog we encounter regularly is a little wheaten terrier who lunges, snarls and barks at minty. Although she's small I'm very glad she's always on-lead as she could do real damage with her teeth and that attitude!

We struggle a bit off lead with dealing with joggers - we walk home from school drop through woods which are busy with dogs, joggers, odd bike & horse. Minty likes to run after the joggers whichever way they're going and tries to catch them. I thought it was really funny at first but very quickly realised it's not funny at all for the jogger - 18 kilos of muddy, exuberant dog about to leap up at you.

So I now recall, treat and hold collar till they're well away but it happens so frequently on a 30 min walk that I had back ache last time from the slight bend & hold. I might try clipping on lead quickly each time.

Hope that you are feeling a little better today Moose.

Hi juice, I am sorry about your elderly dog but the puppies are cute

Vaccinations - we had one at 8 weeks, then 2 weeks wait, then another, then a week wait.

BB - I am sorry to hear about your Mum.

Re pulling on the lead, I think this has been the very hardest thing to train out of Needadog, and the thing that needs the most reinforcement even now, so I understand the need for additional measures with a larger dog than a Springer.

Do be aware though, that if any of you guys do the KC programme, using walking 'aids' isn't allowed. Our trainer has never let us use anything, but devoted the most time to this aspect of training, using lots of exciting, positive, methods for the dog.

I am not making a judgement, Ddog can still pull (when he needs a poo on a morning!), and is only a light dog, completely understand how you would need to use something in addition to a collar and lead.

mint - your walk is probably a bloody pain at the moment, but, honestly, I bet it will pay dividends in the future. We are very rural, so when Ddog was little, I used to take him a couple of times a week to this large public open space, with kids and pushchairs and joggers and cyclists and millions of other dogs. I used to dread it to be honest, but now he ignores the distractions.

The only thing I can't crack is him jumping up a fellow dog walkers that have treats in pockets.

I feel rubbish this morning - thumping headache and feeling sick, thankfully Fitz seems to realise I'm not on top form as he's just curled up on his bed next to the sofa. He will need to go out for a walk at some point though when I can rouse myself to get dressed - bleurgh ...

BB sorry about your mum. It's really really hard.

Have been reading lots about kongs etc so thank you for sharing your recipes though they do make me feel queazy.

Does anyone use sterilised bones?

Thanks needastrongone, bug seems to have evolved into a full on head cold now, but am feeling less sick ... which is nice. Had to miss training today though. I'm so shaky I didn't think I'd last the hour and I'm on my own with the dcs today as dh is working away, so need to conserve my strength.

Basil, sounds like you've got something similar to the bug ds1 and I have. There are so many nasty bugs around at the moment. I have to admit, Pip missed his walk earlier this week because I simply couldn't manage it and dh was out till very late. I did manage some clicker training and sitting on a chair in the garden throwing a ball for him and he and Lurcherboy did a good job of wearing each other out chasing each other round the garden. Still felt guilty though.

Re loose lead walking, I do think training aids should be just that. Used while the dog is learning and you have good control and then phased out. How long that takes really depends on how much training you do and also the individual dog. I've had dogs, like Pip that seem to just get it from a very young age and others that haven't managed to learn to walk nicely on a consistent basis until they're mature.

I'm not planning to do the KC thing this time around. I just want my guys to be well mannered pets that I am able to control. I will undoubtedly teach them some extras, but don't really enjoy attending dog club, although will do it for as long as necessary to make sure Pip is totally over his fear of other dogs.

Lurcherboy is poorly today. I thought he didn't seem himself yesterday. He just had a mournful look about him and seemed less tolerant and more grumbly with Pip than usual. Then last night he kept half-coughing, half-sneezing whenever he rolled on his back (which is unusual for him) and this morning he threw up (again very unusual for him). He's eating normally though and still wants to go on walks etc, so am keeping a close eye on him and will pop him across the road to the vets if he gets any worse or he's no better by tomorrow.