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!

Absolutely gorgeeeeous puppy pics! I love them!

Off the the beach for us, will try and get a pic!

Oh funky Eddie is very very cute. Those ears

What kind of dog is he?

He's a cross. Mum was a westie. Dad was a schnauzer. He is definitely looking more schnauzery

My first thought was Westie so that's coming out too I think.

I'm off to buy puppy supples this weekend. I'll try not to get too carried away

Aw funky I thought schnauzer straight away!

Dotty, your pup is gorgeous too! So fluffy!

Here's my little guy. 11 weeks now.

Cute photos

I had to laugh this morning. Apparently my DH went investigating because it seemed 'quiet' and found DDog with his back paws sat on the chair and his front ones on the table with his head fully immersed in my cup drinking cold tea

Bitey that's so funny I can just picture it I also have a tea drinker. No mug is safe.

Here is my terror from the other week taken on his first day of puppy school
We are getting on well with him. Evening zoomies are still a challenge but he is ever so slightly (tiny tiny amount) less bitey so that's something. Training him to walk nicely on the lead is so frustrating because even a short walk can take forever!

😂bitey that is hilarious!

How long do the evening zoomies last?! Eddie has gone mental tonight. Thought he was calming down a bit but is now in his bed but under the cushion biting his own tail!

Oh my god these puppies are so cute I feel puppy broody even though I have my own in the other room! Monty never had a tiny really cute stage he was a heffalump from birth! I feel cheated.

House training getting a lot better. Puppy hasn't peed in his sleep for over a week.

Both dogs getting on so well I finally thought it was safe to leave them shut up together for an hour while I went out. Returned to find they had destroyed a bag of cheese and onion crisps, and were very pleased with themselves!

I'm sure First Dog would not have done that on his own. And Puppy couldn't do it by himself. They were definitely in cahoots. I shouted at puppy for the first time (he was oblivious as to what was wrong) but secretly I'm pleased that they have bonded

Oh Joey that is so funny!

Eddie managed a whole night alone. Came down early this morning at 5.30 and no accidents!

Ah I'm so pleased for you funky! Well done Eddie!

Joey, partners in crime

Not much happening here. People keep telling me lionpup has got bigger I want him to stay little forever but at the same time I can't wait for the nipping to stop. He's mostly forgotten about the carpet but has gone back to it a couple of times. Just a week and a half until he can go out. I can't wait!

Well done Eddie!!

I have a confession to make this week I have broken all the rules about ovwrwalking a puppy. I know I know it's supposed to be 5 mins per month (he's 4 months) but the offers of walks with friends and their dogs have been fab and his socialisation has come on leaps and bounds thanks to walking alongside calm, sensible dogs in a range of environments. That's got to be worth it, right? I've just loved having him out and about - touch wood he's an absolute dream to take on a walk at he minute. Recall is spot on, doesn't wander too far, doesn't bother the other dogs.

I guess it's all just a balance isn't it, althoufh perhaps that's just what I'm telling myself!! It's all been offlead and he hasn't stopped or seemed worn out so hopefully no long term damage done.

Plus you end up with this all evening!

Skeleton I had the best intentions initially of following the 5 mins rule. However, most of our walking is off lead and he runs around like a loon so does way more than what he 'should do'. I don't really understand this rule because they say free running in the garden is not counted but walking on lead is so figured off lead if it was too much he would stop himself.

My dog is skinny and all muscle and from the research I can find a lot of joint problems are generic and yes over exercise can exaggerate that but equally being overweight and under exercised can be just as bad. I have therefore decided that I am going to be led by my dog off lead and not worry about something that may or may not happen if he runs around for longer than the 'rule'. This may come back to bite me if he has problems later but then he might have had them anyway and he loves and I do means loves running around hunting in the forest.

Also the times he has injured himself is in the house and garden when he has run into furniture and other hard objects which I am sure does more damage to his legs than running on soft teraine in the forest.

*terrain

My understanding of the exercise rule is that off lead the dog tends to regulate his movement according to how tired he feels, so he can choose to lie down and relax a bit. On lead, especially at a brisk walk the dog has no choice but to follow and potentially strain himself. So overall it is better to do 3-4 fifteen minute walks per day than a one hour walk in one go,

Clearly both situations can be reversed. An off lead puppy may hurt himself if he goes completely bonkers. An on lead walk can be really slow and include a lot of rests.

Thanks for making me feel better guys! It's all just a balance isn't it - to me, the pros of socialising and walks as a pup with these calm, good influence dogs outweighs possible risks of overexercising when I feel the rest of the time he's not belting around. Plus it's all been on soft ground/sand so hopefully impact on joints won't be too bad.

Monty sleeping after his walk today!

Booboostwo I love it when they sleep in that position

Poor Monty, does he deserve no dignity?

Well it's one week until puppy day for me. I'm both excited and a little apprehensive. Partly because I still feel like I have so much still to do and buy. So glad I've been able to book puppy into puppy pre-school for less than a week after I get him. More for me than him I think

I've planned to set up the house with him restricted to the tiled area (kitchen and utility room) when I can't supervise him. Not sure if I'm going to go with crate training or not. My house isn't that big and not sure if I really want a big dog crate taking up a corner,

Skeleton Skins I assume it's a bit like when people have babies and read up on all the advice but when the baby actually comes they just do whatever works for them ( disclaimer, I've never actually had a baby. Or a puppy for that matter )

Ah loving the puppy pics! We are the same this week have struggled with the 5 mins rule! But its been fun and Bear has met loads of other doggies and discovered a love of sticks!!!!
Good luck Bluetongue exciting stuff!!!! :)