Does anyone fancy a 'puppy survival' thread?

[SkeletonSkins]

Just wondering whether anyone else has got a puppy recently and in the same boat as us? Interested to hear how how others are getting on.

We've had our 8 week old puppy for a few days now and things are okay... he's a complete cross of lots of different breeds so enjoying trying to work out what in him!

House training seems to go great and then at night he just sits there in the middle of the grass not wanting to even walk around! Never mind wee!

Our older dog isn't particularly impressed but has been good with him so far. Just looking forward to him sleeping through the night without needing a wee. Completely forgot how having a puppy completely takes over your life for a little while!

Thanks for the advice BiteyShark and CornflakeHomunculus! Looks like I'm in for a few months of problems...

Can't help with the two puppies issue except that I've heard it's very hard work having the two of them and you have to walk them, train them separately a lot as they just prefer each other otherwise.

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine! About to take my two out for a run and then it's puppy class later!

We had a month off with our pup and then after that it was back to work. Would you consider a small pen (we used a guinea pig run at first!) Funky to give him space to play a bit etc? Might mean a few more accidents but less cramped than several hours in a crate.

Skeleton I bought a playpen. Left him in it last week one morning when I took kids to school as a test (gone 20 mins) little bugger climbed out of it so it is currently being used to bock off a bit is the lounge as its only in the corners he can climb it

Well little pup did well today considering. One accident for me to mop up when I came home at lunch and no accidents for DP to clean up when he got home just after 4. Had a lovely interview at lunch with trainer from the dog walking company we plan to use and she has really given me the confidence to give proper crate training another go. So since he sleeps downstairs in his crate anyway the door will be shut tonight and slowly building up to crating him for a few hours at a time whilst I'm working. She pointed out hazards in what I thought was my safe kitchen that I hadn't even considered!
Hoping you all had good days with your pups. I'll say again this thread is a god send

FlibbertigibbetArmadillo hope the crate training goes well. I would not be without mine although it takes up a huge amount of space as we have an XL one for a small cocker spaniel but I know he is safe in it and he always takes himself in it when he wants to sleep and be left alone.

PMC I honestly do not mean to sound unpleasant but you are in for years of problems. Please read the link above. I have seen a lot of puppies and a lot of owners overcoming a variety of issues, but on the rare occasions where a family has taken on two puppies at the same time it has been a disaster. Recall is very tough, as the puppies have each other for a security blanket and just piss off, training in general is difficult as they distract each other and don't properly bond with their humans, separation anxiety is a real problem and learning doggy manners and boundaries is almost impossible. Please reconsider and see if it is possible to rehome the younger pup.

PMC1985 how did you come into getting two young puppies? Was it a conscious decision or thrust on you? Is your home setup one where you could divide and conquer e.g. Do you have one adult that could walk and train one whilst another concentrated on training the other?

Above all please post on this thread or your own thread so hopefully other people can help advise on how best to manage two puppies. All the best

Hi all
Newbie reading all this, and signing in for your hints and tips: we saw our soon-to-be-ours pup this weekend (second visit and the poor thing is only just over 5 weeks!) The kids came so now it's properly official and I can start shopping in earnest - other than all the obvious stuff, anything you'd suggest that you maybe didn't think of at first but has been helpful...?? Our first family pup although both dh and I grew up with dogs. It's only taken me about 3 years to persuade him to take the plunge!

Oh, and one proper 'formal' question. I'm trying to get booked on a puppy training course (that's not the right phrase is it? You know what I mean!) - one I really like the look of is focused on understanding behaviour rather than obedience tasks per se. So more about understanding then using the dogs natural tendencies to guide behaviour iykwim. But she is saying it's fine for pup to come along before he has his final jabs as it's all based inside, but that's made me twitchy: but then I guess it's the same as puppy socialisation classes...?? The other classes I contacted all said after jabs/incubation period.

towel welcome and exciting news about your pup! What breed are you going for?

As you've got time until your puppy arrives, could you go along to one of the classes to watch and see what it's like? In all honesty I don't think my dogs natural tendencies are all that compatible with daily life so a more obedience based approach suits us more.

Saying that, we certainly were not perfectly behaved at puppy class tonight! We have discovered that playing with other dogs is more fun. I think my mistake was feeding him his tea a couple of hours before we went - I don't normally but he was looking really skinny! Ah well, see how next week goes!

We have a mini schnauzer coming: like Lionpup I think? But ours is black and silver rather than pure black ;-)

I may be over-egging the 'natural instincts' thing: but she just sounds a bit more behaviourists/about understanding where the dog is coming from too. She's recommended on the Facebook behaviourist page everyone loves, so I'm guessing she's reasonably legit! I've got a number for a more classic class too, so will give both of them a call tomorrow to get a bit more info. So much to think about!

Hmm wouldn't it depend on whether all the dogs in the training school are vaccined rather than whether or not they are indoors?
Maybe ask your vet when they go for their first check up/jabs?

Our puppy hadn't had any needles when we got her, and the vet was not happy with her size/weight so we had to wait a while before jabs. As we were becoming impatient to walk her we asked when it was possible? Vet said before her final jab she can be walked on concrete but not grass, she needed her final jab before field walks.

If you're ever in doubt just ask your vet x

towelpintpeanuts If you are not going to let your pre vaccinated puppy interact with any other dogs and it cannot come into contact with other dogs poo etc then you would be ok. Personally I would not risk it but I was cautious until his second set of vaccinations.

As for the training just find one that you are happy with. I am on my third and stayed on that because he is a working dog and they train working dogs so understand his behaviour far more than general dog trainers. Saying that it is 100% obedience training but tailored for my breed of dog which to be honest had different needs to a lot of other dogs, for example they explain why spaniels will not walk in a straight line and why waking spaniels hours a day will not tire them out etc. So as long as you are happy with the training then go for it.

Yay towel, another mini schnauzer! we've been up for over an hour already this morning. DS was ill all of last week and now it's DDs turn. Thank goodness lionpup has been sleeping through the night as getting up multiple times will ill DC and early mornings with the dog have been killing me!

Lion pup has now discovered that he can climb the stairs. He gets half way, sticks his head through the banisters and whines for someone to come and get him down

Also progress with meeting people. On the school run yesterday he let my friend hold him and plenty of kids stroke him. Wasn't keen on the rubbish truck we met on the way though so will be taking him out to watch it from a distance next week.

I work Sundays and a few evenings a week so that lionpup always has someone at home but work want me to do one extra day during the week which would mean me being out of the house from 8.30-2.30. it's such bad timing as even with a dog sitter for an hour in the middle, it's too long for him to be left. We live rurally and there's only one doggy day care which charges £25 for half a day!

PMC you are very brave! Keep posting though and let us know how you are getting on. Agree with everyone else about keeping the two pups separate at the moment. Do you have someone to help you?

Interesting to hear about the pigs ears not agreeing with some of the puppies. Lionpup loves his although he doesn't actually mange to get much off. He just enjoys biting them. He loves his dried sprats too unfortunately. I can't get the smell off my hands

Sorry for the massive post! I'll restrain myself next time

Sorry! I have one more question. When you're taking your precious vaccinated puppy out, how do they toilet? We don't use puppy pads so I'm not sure what to do?

Pre vaccinated! Sorry I promise no more posts!

- thanks for the advice guys, that's really useful. I think I'll try and call the vet today anyway, and see if they have some advice - as well as talking to both the class ladies.

I love hearing that Lionpup is a good sleeper - clearly a schnauzer trait (ever hopeful!).

I work from home - and equally typically, have also just got a fast turnaround project with long meetings the second week after the pup will arrive: poor dh is suddenly having to work at home more than he planned!

towel in answer to your question your username reminded me I need to go buy some more cheap towels as we are getting through loads now he is out for muddy walks and I don't want to keep using my fluffy bath towels on the grotty little monster. I'd also recommend more blankets and dog bedding than you think you need. Our pup is slowly overcoming car sickness and with that and toilet training I'm running the washing machine constantly

Lionpup we never took him out long enough that he'd be desperate pre vaccinations so he just waited until we got home. Even now that he can go on the floor he still won't wee when out and about! He cris all the way home because he's so desperate!

LionSock I was never out long enough pre vaccination for my puppy to toilet but I think I read somewhere that you would need to find a spot on the ground where you were sure no other dogs and I guess foxes etc had toileted, presumably avoid grassy areas where you cant tell if that is the case so maybe concrete clean areas for toileting (or hope puppy holds it until you get back )

Yes towel I agree it has to be a schnauzer trait. Only because we eventually want to get a second do you have any pictures?

During the week is fine as I don't drive so everything is walking distance but at the weekend, because of where we live, everything is at least a half an hour drive so just with traveling, that's at least an hour. When we took him out Saturday, we were out for 4 hours and he held it in but was desperate by the time we got home. Aw skins, bless him! Does he think he's only allowed to go in your garden?

A different approach here but all my pups are out at 8 weeks with first vaccines. I avoid areas with unknown dogs but otherwise it's a risk I am willing to take as I have seen too many poorly socialised dogs and the socialisation window is so short.

It does sound behavioural from what you say, but if it were me I would have a small doubt at the back of my mind in case there was a physical cause.

It's also worth considering that if you could not longer keep him and wanted to sell him on, you would be honest about the rearing and he would be unsellable.

Booboo I have been taking my puppy out everyday, just not putting him on the floor as apart from mine, family and friends gardens, there will be unknown dogs everywhere surely?

Was your last post for me too re the growling? I have intention of rehoming him. (his breeder would want him back anyway) he has since let my friend hold him and hasn't growled at anyone since so I think it was just a case of him being frightened with being picked up unexpectedly from someone he had never met before.