New Puppy Mummies No. 4

[SallyBear]

Have we really got to a fourth thread already?! Wow.

Please feel free to join in.

I have Toby, who is a 7 month old foxy coloured Labrador.

Shhhhh!! We are making him paranoid.

At least we meet loads of dogs and so far,touch wood, he's as sociable as I want him to be ie will leave other dogs and come with me but is happy to play.
I won't feel guilty then, it's worse than when the children were small and I didn't take them to after school clubs.

Years ago, in the olden days there were no training classes and dogs still managed to get trained ok :) So enjoy your wine and your rest.

Just checking in briefly - funeral tomorrow so not really in puppy mode right now ...

Thoughts and prayers with you Basildon, I've been there and its not a nice place. Make sure you look after yourself first.

Basildon, sending much love and light your way.

Basildon, love to you x

I'll be thinking of you, Basildon x

Hi all I have a 6mo Rhodesian Ridgeback called Nala. January has not been a great month for us, Nala cut her paw deeply just below her dew claw, operation stitches and 2 weeks in a collar/sock and she was getting better, first decent walk off lead after that she took a chunk out a pad on her hind paw back at vets antibiotics but no stitches just to keep it clean and it will heal itself, it looks like it's getting there slowly.

She's in general a good dog, recall is fab, she's so affectionate etc still need to work on the jumping and counter surfing and stealing food.

We've switched from Burns puppy to Millie's Wolfheart and she is loving it, hoping it will put some weight on her.

Anyway away to watch the dog food programme

Great to have a new thread! We have a 6 month old english sheepdog who has hit teenage boisterousness just as we were recovering from puppyhood!

With the water spray - we have started using this when minty barks to get attention (obviously not when he barks to be let out or cos his water bowl is empty ). At our 9th training class the trainer asked if she could do it - I asked why was it being suggested now rather than weeks ago - she said all three trainers were slightly annoyed with it, that they'd assessed him as not being nervous or anxious and had assessed me as not being an overly precious owner! I'm taking that as a compliment by the way!!

So every time he barked (he barks throughout every class except when actually working/concentrating) she sprayed him using a water bottle. He backed away pretty quickly and was wary of her - and quiet. I am doing it at home - say I'm standing in the kitchen sending a text - minty will bark at me just becuase he wants attention - quick spray of water and he backs off and sulks away. It's working and I think I'm ok with it but not altogether sure I'd be recommending it yet as a training technique! Feels a bit last resort-ish to me.

What d'you think Moose? I was going to ask you your opinion as our resident dog training expert!

By the way it wasn't confrontational with our trainers - sounds a bit as though I was squaring up to them! They are lovely and hugely supportive so I can question why they're doing things without them being defensive!

I also love "wassis" - minty can just about hold his gaze on me when I'm saying this even if smallies walk past which is massive progress in few months!

I'd work on the 'good quiet' with a treat rather than a water spray. Toby only barks if he's surprised. We had a dog years ago that would bark if he heard a cat fart two streets away! So with our next dog we rewarded quiet behaviour and she was always quiet. It obviously had its disadvantages because she wouldn't woof if someone rang the doorbell! Toby does bark but only if its a doorbell or someone walking in unexpectedly.

Finn was driving us mad barking at everything, as we live on a main road it was constant. We taught a sharp 'quiet' followed by a 'sit' and treat. So far it's worked really well , he still barks to go out and at the doorbell but not at every other sound.

Yes I think I'm going to start a 'quiet' command as minty has started skulking away from me whenever he sees me with a water glass! I don't want him to start reducing his trust in me to be kind to him.

Kibble - I'm looking for a conversation, on this thread I think, about the best kibble if you want natural as possible but can't manage raw. Was Millie's Wolfheart rated by people? I have to change minty over as I am horrified by the ingredients in his Science Plan kibble - main ingred is maize. Can't go raw (just yet) as DH is not happy with salmonella risk and mess of it and we have no freezer space - but I'm working on him! In the meantime I need to change kibble but only want to change once to a good one - can't afford Lily's Kitchen though looks lovely.

There was some research to say that the poo of dogs fed on kibble has a higher level of salmonella in it than those fed on raw. I'll see if I can find a link to it.
I feed Natural Instinct which is complete raw and there's no mess, not sure I could manage to do carcass raw myself.
There are some grain free kibble manufacturers but I can't remember the name.

Mint, I'd have to agree with Sally and say it's far better to work on a 'quiet' cue. I'm very surprised trainers would suggest going straight to correction without even attempting to train the behaviour out first.

As you've already discovered, negative correction can cause trust issues, whereas training is a win-win - you get the behaviour you want and he gets rewarded and something new to think about.

I like for teaching it. You teach bark first, then quiet as the paired cue.

Kibble/diet. A manufactured raw, pouch or tray food would do what you want, if dh would go for it, the one NCIS uses is good and I really like the look of Nutriment Wolf Tucker looks good Nature's Menu is popular as well, but have a look on Which Dog Food and see which one you like the look of.

Millie's Wolfheart is a good one. Mine are on Canagan, but it's £57.00 a 12kg bag and that only lasts us just over 3 weeks with two large dogs.

I've just asked Natural Instinct and they confirm that their meat is tested for salmonella amongst other bacteria but you do need a spare freezer tray.

thank you moose for the link to kikopup - she is brilliant! and barbarian that's a good way to teach Leave. Plenty of food for thought.

talking of food, I am now worried about my pup's food! I'm giving him Hills Vet Essentials, which I switched to from wet food (nature diet) on the vet's advice because pup had a slight infection at the side of his mouth. The mouth has since got better and I put it down to the food. However I'm now worried having read what is in kibble!

Nutriment and Nature's Menu are good starting points, but if you join Raw Feeding UK FB group, they have a huge file with all the advice you need plus a huge list of suppliers all around the country. Even if you don't decide to go raw, it's a good source of info to consider before making your choice.

Nalas been on Millie's Wolfheart for just over a week is far very impressed I think it's one of the better kibbles and is grain free. I would love to feed raw but she would need a kilo a day jugs and don't have the space for it.

Hello all,

Our lurcher pup Roo is almost 6 months now, she has been with us for 3 weeks.

So far so good! But wonder if we are in "honeymoon stage" and am keeping an eye out for future trouble!

Am not sure we will join puppy classes.

I have read some good books, read up on forums, and try to use "common sense". Wonder if I (she) am missing out though? She meets lots if other dogs on walks, some she plays with. Kids come to our house and she is getting used to that . ( Dss friends). I walk her past the local primary at pick-up time twice a week to teach her not to run up to children/prams. She seems very responsive to my tone, and hates doing something wrong. I mainly do rewards for good behaviour and saying "no" and removing from situation if undesirable behaviour. But is that too simple?

No fiscal, I reckon that you are spot on. I think that if you are willing to invest the time and make the commitment, most positive methods will work. I have two puppies, so I don't know about 'issues' though

Good luck, I hope you continue to enjoy Roo.

I feed raw in the main, but both my two much prefer the crunch/challenge of the non minced stuff. I did buy Hector some natural instinct puppy food, which he does eat but it seems no more exciting than a bowl of kibble to them. Give them a chicken wing etc and it's heaven in a bowl

That said, have just ordered some Millie's wolfheart, as Taste of the Wild (our kibble 'standby'), although very high quality, does seem to make Harry loose. And, the former is cheaper for excellent quality.

Must admit, I am a bit 'dogged' out today being on my own with the boys all week and trying to manage the puppy and ensure Harry gets my time too, I don't really feel like training etc

Meg is in her crate again.
How long do you crate your dogs for?
She has had a wet hour long walk, training, frozen kongs and antlers but once again she will not settle for two minutes. There is no entirely puppy proof room in the house- if nothing else she will take off the skirting boards. Wiring, furniture, are not safe. I have to work. Once in her crate she seems to chew and doze. She'll get more training and playing today, and another walk but I still feel bad. I didn't expect to have to use the crate this long. Never had one at all with previous BC. Any advice?

Barb. I put Toby in the crate when I leave the house. As much for his safety as well as protecting the house. He sleeps in it when DH is working from home as it's in the study. He's quite happy in it. Meg sounds like a lively and bright girl who may benefit from Agility Training to help her focus her mind. Is she old enough for those classes??