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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

New Puppy Mummies, Part 3

999 replies

DharmaLovesDraco · 09/11/2013 21:30

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

OP posts:
NCISaddict · 18/01/2014 09:18

Going to stay with friend tonight and taking Finn, I'm a bit worried as although they have a dog who will be fine with him, they've never had a puppy and our previous dog was old and sedate when we started to stay with them. Don't think they realise just how noisy two dogs playing perfectly happily can be.
Am taking his crate and some bones so we can pop him in there with one while we eat or things are getting a little too excited.
Their daughter who is 14, has SN's and loves dogs so wants to hug them all the time which although Finn is happy to be cuddled I don't want any accidents with sharp claws etc. It's so easy to get a very young dog over excited and they then don't listen.

mintchocchick · 18/01/2014 10:07

NCIS - there is a great YouTube video for young kids to understand dog language - really aimed at pre-schoolers so might be too babyish for your friends daughter but my 8yr old loved it, sang it for a while and I think it actually reduced his head-cuddling which was the aim.

Can't do links but if you look on YouTube or Google it's "I speak doggie"

American and quite a fun, catchy time with good message

NCISaddict · 18/01/2014 10:39

Might try looking at that, although she's quite strong willed and obviously used to dogs but not puppies. The good thing is my DD is coming and she works with Children who have similar SN and is very good at managing things, not afraid to be firm with both children and dogs! Smile

Racerider · 18/01/2014 14:11

Help ! We are getting a puppy this weekend - an 8 week old beagle. I am totally inexperienced so any tips for the first few days gracefully received !
I had a dog many years ago and after 2 years he was still not properly house trained so we rehomed him. My kids were very young at the time and I hope the experience will be completely different ( easier !)this time.
My youngest DS is now 9 and he is a very responsible boy - hopefully the puppy will be nice company for him as his teenage siblings are living increasingly in their bedrooms...

basildonbond · 18/01/2014 14:57

Good luck - but tbh you've not given yourself an easy task by picking a beagle! Toilet training is down to you really - as long as you are consistent and patient your puppy will get the hang of it quickly - are you using a crate as that will make the process easier and quicker

Definitely book onto puppy training classes and read through this thread as there is heaps of useful info

Oh, and we like photos ..

needastrongone · 18/01/2014 15:57

I will read back later sorry to be rude!

Hector has landed and is just amazing, he's so good! No tears in the car on the way home. Curious, lively, interested. Loves playing, already seeing his bed as his safe haven.

Toileted only in the garden so far. Eaten and drank well. Even left him fast asleep to drop DD off at the farm, got delayed and came back to find him sat happily on a twirl next to his bed playing with a toy, nobody even there with him.

We've introduced the clicker with tiny bits of plain chicken, he's extremely good orientated! Had him trotting between myself and DD calling his name. Hasn't batted and eyelid at a collar.

Loves Harry! Harry is friendly but a little bit unsure so given him plenty of space and time, they've had a little play though and lots of sniffs.

Already he's far better at amusing himself.

I am totally and utterly smitten, can you tell.

Sorry for typos as on phone!

needastrongone · 18/01/2014 15:57

Towel!!

needastrongone · 18/01/2014 16:02

And he hasn't mouthed or nipped us once, just his toys, I luffs him!!

mintchocchick · 18/01/2014 16:52

Aww that's really sweet needa - sounds a delight !
Congratulations

moosemama · 18/01/2014 21:29

Grin Needa, I'm so pleased for you. He sounds perfect. Smile

Pip has had the shock of his life this weekend, as I've been out for a day and a half setting up and holding dd's birthday party at my Mum's house. I never go anywhere and me being gone for that long is unheard of. I'm hoping it will have done him some good to realise life goes on when I'm not around and he doesn't need me with him 24/7.

Dh says he's been a bit whiny but ok otherwise. He was very pleased to see me when I got back and is in a very deep sleep now, so I suspect he hasn't really settled all day.

I do think I should go out and leave him with dh more often if I can though, as I think it might make him less dependent on me.

Still have both boys covered in spots, but starting to dry up now. Think they'll both be off school until at least Wednesday and can't wait for them to go back so I can get back to some lovely daylight walks.

mintchocchick · 18/01/2014 22:17

Sounds as though it's been good for you both Moose! Hope you enjoyed your DDs party!

Quiet time here, minty who is very fond of chewing slippers (and wrecking them) came into the sitting room with DS1s slipper in his mouth. Before I roused myself to get it off him he flopped down and went off to sleep with his head on the slipper! He seems to really adore DS1 and I wonder if he sort of senses that they're both newly teenage and exploring the world on a different way!

sweetkitty · 18/01/2014 22:25

More new puppies Grin

Met a 12 week old Jack Russell puppy, so adorable, it was trying to hump Nala's ankle. Nala was sick for the first time today, she had Advocate for the first time yesterday so don't know if the two are connected??? She seems fine now though, wandering about with her sock on.

Pufflemum · 19/01/2014 09:25

We survived our first day and night with Willow! She slept in her crate but I had to move it next to me , I was on a blow up bed in the dining room. She woke about very 2.5 hours and we went out to the garden and she did her business. She has also had a poo out there this morning with DH. He is already totally smitten and despite telling me that the children and I needed to look after her he has already offered to sleep downstairs tonight and said he is looking forward to taking her for walks in the evenings after work. So all round a success ( well apart for the cat who is totally freaked). God she is so cute.

needastrongone · 19/01/2014 10:31

Yes, we were downstairs once last night for toileting, fair enough really at 8 weeks, but still no accidents in the house, this is my timing I think rather than being toilet trained iyswim?

Hector is adorable, so easy, he's got sit already (will do cartwheels for tiny bits of chicken, very food orientated) and much better at playing with his toys by himself than Harry ever has been. He's just so friendly and takes everything in his stride. And we are very chilled too!

Wondering what to do about crate training, as we have a utility and Harry! Hector loves his bed, and very much sees it at the safe haven (although he's asleep in Harry's bed and Harry in his bed at present, but earlier, they were both in this tiny puppy bed together!). Thing is, he doesn't choose to go to his bed if I put it in the crate at all. He's only chewed his toys and not nipped at all so I am tempted to just stick them both in the utility as we did last night.

He's very good at not bothering Harry, which would be my only concern, he tries to initiate play, gets nothing from Harry, so goes off to do his own thing or have a cuddle with us. Not sure, what do you think moose? Not desperately bothered about a few accidents in the utility or even a chewed cupboard door, the kitchen folk left two spare in the garage anyway when the house was built.

Harry seems depressed!! Ignores the puppy in the main, although sniffs him a lot and happy to share a bed, but won't play at all, just once initially in the garden. Giving him lots of time and space and walks and training too etc, he did come straight in from his walk and greet Hector. But mainly ignores him. Hoping this will change as his worlds been turned upside down. Is that normal moose? He hasn't been unfriendly at all or show any signs of aggression, even over food.

Honestly think that you need to do this more often moose, it must have done you tons of good! I know the pox has restricted you, plus the SA, but gently extracting yourself from Pip occasionally will give you some space and time too, much as you are committed to him.

Beagles are not the easiest breed I don't think, especially over recall and being stubborn? Puppies take over your life and I didn't appreciate this with Ddog1, I have cleared the decks for this one for a week and don't expect to get stuff done. As basildon says, get Life Skills for Puppies from Amazon or other, clicker training is great fun, expect choas and mess and use this thread for info and questions.

Perhaps sleep with your puppy initially to help her feel secure, either downstairs or in your room. Consistency and frequency are best for toilet training, you could use a command word to help. It's hard work!!

picnicinthewoods · 19/01/2014 12:58

I liked that book needastringone, the puppy life skills one, its good.

Sorry I haven't had a chance to read everyones news but hope all is ok.

Legend (GR 7 months) has hit puberty! He has started cocking his leg today for the first time and he was also completely uncontrollable on my walk with him this morning! What's happened to my dog?!!! I know he needs this testosterone for his fear behaviours and we won't be getting him neutered until he's fully grown on the advice of the behaviourist. Wow though, I wasn't expecting this overnight change, it's hit him like a tonne of bricks. Seriously I had one lady clinging to a tree whilst I tried to catch him, he is so, so bouncy & mental! On the plus side the confidence should help with his fear problems!

picnicinthewoods · 19/01/2014 12:59

Just a bit worried about how big he's going to get now that he's got so strong!

moosemama · 19/01/2014 13:26

Needa, it sounds like you/he are doing really well.

If you have somewhere safe and secure that you are happy to leave him and he's not relentlessly annoying Harry there is absolutely no need for a crate.

As for Harry's reaction to Hector, I'd say it's fairly typical. Lurcherboy did the whole 'What puppy? I can't see a puppy?" thing for a couple of days. He just totally ignored him, even when Pip was jumping on his head. Then after a couple of days he started to play with him in the garden (although we had to put a stop to that due to the size difference and Lurcherboy getting a little bit too excited and OTT). Then it was back to pretty much ignoring him. He was also in a bit of a grump with us and mostly took to his bed for a while. These days he still ignores Pip most of the time in the house, but absolutely loves going for walks and playing chase with him and they always seem to have some sort of bodily contact - even if it's just touching a paw - when they sleep at our feet of an evening. Being a Lurcher, he's a bit of a lazy lump when he's at home, so still doesn't bother with Pip much when we're in, although they do have a very occasional loopy half hour together - usually just after we put the dcs to bed Hmm which is interesting in a house of this size! Grin

I think you're doing the right thing, sticking to Harry's normal walk and training routine and giving him plenty of individual attention. He'll probably come round when he realises life is still the same, just with the addition of someone to play with if/when he wants to.

You're right about me needing to go out when dh is home more often. My dsis is moving back locally this week, after living away for the past 25+ years, so I will have more opportunities to go out and about with her at the weekends. It's about time I start to grab back some me-time, as it's not just the dogs - ds1 has ASD and is a full-time job in himself (and he's only been at school for 3 days since the second week in December due to long indie school holidays and catching cp as soon as he went back Hmm). I know I handle him, well all of them really, so much better when I've had a break, but never seem to get the chance. So yes, you're right, I really must make the time to take proper breaks.

Pip has been really quiet today. I think he's just relieved to have me home. I'm totally wiped out after being on my feet for two days straight and my bad foot has flared up and is currently swollen to twice it's normal size, so no lovely long walk for us today - dh has taking them out instead.

I will still have my two spotty boys home for the first couple of days this week, but after that things should settle down and we might get a touch of normality - whatever that is! Grin

moosemama · 19/01/2014 13:31

Picnic, what are you walking him on at the moment - or was he off-lead when he decided to play up? If he was on-lead and managed to escape you could try the two lead method and have him attached both at his collar and onto a front-clip harness. Then if he manages to slip one, you still have hold of the other.

Don't panic, he won't be like that for every walk and as long as you're consistent with your rules and training methods he'll come round. He's just testing his boundaries and once he sees they're still in the same places he'll have a little go and pushing them then realise it's more rewarding to behave himself. The good thing about dogs is that they go through the teenage phase much quicker than dcs do! Grin

needastrongone · 19/01/2014 14:52

Thanks moose, I appreciate the reply. I think I am going to try the utility rather than the crate. He really doesn't pester Harry, and Harry tolerates him with a bit of disdain thrown in for good measure.

The breeder has just called to see if we are ok and said the same thing as you Smile, especially given no aggression whatsoever. I will stick to Harry's routine as much as possible. Breeder said he would have Hector back at any point anyway if it really didn't work, but that's not going to happen. It's only been 24 hours and his whole world has changed. Breeder is a bit tougher, given his dogs work I think so less 'tolerant', if that's the right word.

I think you need to take time for yourself moose, you give so much to your family and dogs, but you are important too Smile. And you've had a tough time recently.

Hector zonked in Harry's bed, I took him socialising in my arms earlier and he met a myriad of folk, then 'clickered' the crate for ages!

barbarianoftheuniverse · 19/01/2014 15:09

Meg(border collie, seven months) is now three days post spaying and supposed to be on minimum exercise- 5 minute lead walks 2 or 3 times a day. We have found this impossible- she is leaping furniture and stairs the moment she is out of her crate, too hyper for training. Very difficult. Have just had her out in the sun for a quietish walk and she is in Buster collar because cone drove her frantic, but any advice anyone? Her stitches look fine, but I am worried about the internal ones- she can't possibly have healed yet but she seems to feel no pain.

moosemama · 19/01/2014 15:43

Barbarian, do you have any arnica. It's great for reducing swelling/inflammation and speeding post op healing.

If she's not showing any sign of pain and there's not outward sign of a problem I wouldn't worry. She's very young and they do tend to bounce back even after major surgery at this age. (Unless they're my Wheaten girl, who milked it for all it was worth and had me sleeping downstairs with her for days I was so worried about her being all depressed and apparently in pain. I was worried enough to take her back to the vet for a check up and the little so and so then leaped up, threw a whole bunch of heelwork to music moves at me the minute I picked up her lead, then jumped into the back of the car when I opened the door. This was after convincing me she couldn't get on our very low futon/sofa thing by herself and I'd been lifting her on and off it. Hmm She was far too clever for me that dog! Grin)

The vets will have given her a pain relieving injection that would last at least the first 24 hours. Did they give you anything else for her?

Can you try giving her some particularly difficult or frozen kongs throughout the day in place of her meals to keep her busy and quiet in her crate?

If you really think she is being too energetic and is at risk of doing herself a damage, then you may have to enforce some cage rest on her whether she likes it or not. It's only for a couple of days, then she can go back to decent walks, so it's not a big issue if you have no other way of keeping her quiet.

barbarianoftheuniverse · 19/01/2014 16:37

Moose, thank you, you are kind to reply so quickly. I haven't any arnica but there is no swelling or sign of inflammation at all. I am more worried about inside the outside. I have already been back to vet for advice- Meg is on daily pain meds and I wondered about stopping it just so that she might self-limit any damage she might do. But vet said no, as she needs the anti inflammatory side. She is in her crate now after a half hour (I know!) lead walk. The only thing that keeps her happy at the moment is the game of hide-the-ticking-kitchen-timer game (tied up in an old sock). She has to stop bouncing to listen for the ticks. She is getting very good at it. (I wonder if Kong would like to market a Ticking Kong- perhaps I could sell the idea and make my fortune!).
I did sleep with her the first night and woke up to find her eating my hair.
I will go and freeze a kong, thanks for the idea, and a split tennis ball too. To think I went out and bought a new soft post surgery bed and put a stair gate across the stairs. She buries her toys under the bed and leapt the stairgate while I measured out her pain meds.

I've just looked at your picture of adorable Pip. Let me know if you want to swop for MadMegsonlegs.

moosemama · 19/01/2014 17:25

Hide the ticking timer sounds like a fantastic game!

Sorry, been there-done that with a Border Collie, love 'em loads but am sticking with my loopy Lurchers from now on. Wink

... that's not what I was saying as I was retrieving the contents of the recycling bin from the lawn for the third time today! Grin

barbarianoftheuniverse · 19/01/2014 18:13

Oh well, worth a try. And no dogs are perfect. (My friend's just did as it liked with a full bag of flour for 2 hours. Spectacular!)
How do your dogs eat frozen kongs? Meg is throwing hers high over her shoulder in the hope of shattering out the contents. Don't think she has got the idea at all.

moosemama · 19/01/2014 18:59

Shock at bag of flour. Ds1 exploded one of those squishy-head stress toys that are filled with cornflower once and that covered the whole living room - dread to think what a whole bag of flour would do.

Mine hold the frozen one between their front paws and repeatedly lick and gnaw at them. Neither of them has managed to suss you need to toss them around and chew on them to get the filling out once it's soft and Pip scares me to death jamming his lower jaw in the hole to try and scrape out the contents. I've had to buy bigger and bigger sizes so that they're too big for him to get his jaw stuck, but there's only one size left about the size he has now. He has such a skinny/pointy lower jaw and it's proving to be a real problem with the kongs.

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