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!

Lots of toys to chew on helps! Handing a toy every time she bites, it definitely does lessen over time! Mine love some old knotted up tights to chew, plastic milk bottles and cardboard boxes (as well as his proper dog toys!!)

Yeah she's got two stuffed teddies, one becoring chewy toy and a sock with a knot in it.

When she starts mouthing, I replace my hand with a toy and if she gets me, I yelp loudly.

She's finally having a nap now

Carrying her favourite teddy which is almost as big as her

I'm feeling like he's training me rather than the other way round - I know when he wants to go out but that's the only time he goes....not on walks or anything :-(

What a sweet little girl Soubriquet

Puppy school tonight was interesting. I was the only person that put their hand up when the trainer asked if any of the puppies were toilet trained yet. I asI had the only puppi that managed to run into a pole when they were allowed to play together. Picture a small lawned area with cavaliers and small white fluffies romping around while a brindle blur of a whippet puppy launches over their head. The other puppy owners almost had their jaw on the floor when they saw how fast Blue puppy is already

Please tell me both of us will survive whippet puppyhood. Hopefully once we can go out and about it will help wear him out a bit more.

sounds fun!

You'll survive whippet puppy hood barely

blue you will survive puppy hood but just wait for the teenage months (wanders back over to the teenage survival thread for wine)

Having a whippet puppy sometimes feels like having a very small thoroughbred racehorse on a lead. I guess that's appropriate since I used to own horses and rude

Ride no rude!!

So we tried something different last night, we had chase in bed with us, no crate. Slept the whole night with no accidents. Went straight out this morning did a wee and poo in the garden.

Only had 1 accident indoors yesterday too!

Who knew one good night could feel this good!

Ahhh sounds like brilliant progress with Chase!! Sleeping for the entire night does feel so much better, and you lasted longer than we did!

Yay for Chase sleeping through

Well the chewing has started and there have been some casualties this week. Firstly I went to charge my phone and nothing happened. Weird I thought until I saw it had been chewed. This charger is in my bedroom which is off li its to Bluepuppy apart from nighti e.

The second incident happened today. It was a lovely morning so I decided to relax and read while Bluepuppy played outside. I had a lovely 10 minutes or so until the foldable camping chair I wad sitting in collapsed and I ended up on the ground. Closer inspection revealed damage to the clips that hold the chair together. Probably from puppy chewing. Bluepuppy was also chewing on branches and sticks while outside despite the fact he was surrounded by toys and I was out there with him.

I'm thinking maybe Turkey necks might be good for him to chew on and eat. Are there any bones that are safe for puppies? No doubt he'll bring them inside through the dog door but that's the lesser of two evils. Good thing he's cute.

bluetongue Chase has started chewing absolutely everything too! We've been trying to make sure every time he chews/bites we have one of his toys to try and distract his attention to. Doesn't seem to be working yet though 😂

He slept through again last night, have a feeling he isn't too fond of the crate, may be because he was so young when we got him. Yet he will go in to get/play with his toys. Strange pup x

Oh and I've also had to replace a phone charger too! bluetongue

What is it with shoes??? 20 different chew toys and pup still prefers shoes!!!

And any suggestions how to stuff a kong so that he's interested? He takes the top but off then can't be bothered (or isn't able) to get the rest!

Bluepuppy doesn't care for stuffed kongs either. I even lovingly melted peanut butter in the microwave, layered it with kibble and froze it. No interest. In the end it was up to me to clean out the sticky mess from Inside after he didn't eat it

At least he plays with it if I throw it for him.

All the shoes in my house are in a puppy free room. He can't be trusted!

The good news is that his socialisation is paying off. As much as doggy day care is a bit of a risk as he hasn't had all his needles, I think the friends he's making there and the chance to burn off some extra energy is worth it. He's gone from being the shyest on his day to being recruited to help show a new nervous nelly the ropes

Have any of you done puppy classes? If so would you recommend? X

Hi Mrs W, we are a couple of weeks into ours and finding it helpful. It's another chance for pup to be around other dogs in a controlled way as well. Also helpful tips to learn and usually some time to ask questions x

I'm finding puppy classes useful mostly because bluepuppy is my first dog and I don't have many friends or family members to socialise my puppy with.

This is the little scoundrel doing what he does best when he isn't chewing household items or running around like a lunatic.

I meant to say I don't have many friends or family members with dogs!

Agreed that puppy class is a chance to meet other dogs and people, teach recall etc. Would recommend definitely even just for socialisation. Try to avoid ones where it's just a free for all play time though as I think it teaches bad habits.

Our sofa cushions were the main victims of the chewing phase. How do they do it when you're watching them all the time?!

My pup is running up and down the living room with a roll of selotape which he thinks is GREAT. Why do I even bother buying him toys?

Morning all... I've been reading the thread for the last couple of months whilst we wait on our arrival.

We collect our Sprocker puppy on Thursday, I'm a mix of utterly terrified and very excited.

Few things I can't get my head around but I'm sure will be fine once she is here is the missing with our 2 cats and the having to pop out.

I work from home and I'm taking a week off and then it's half term week so will be here with her too.

But I will have to pop out for school runs but it's 10-15 mins away max.

I have bought a lot (I have slight organising issues in that I have run through every option and eventuality in my head and purchased appropriate things!)

We have a crate for the house and car and various beds and blankets. More toys that pets at home bowls, collar, harness, 2 leads, name tags... and various other things.

Stair gate is up and pet gate across the kitchen (with integrated cat flap!!!)

So now I just need her here!! I've run through 101 scenarios for the first couple of days of sleeping and toilet training but it's all 'in theory' and all likely to go tits up!

I'll be back, probably at 2am Friday morning when my puppy settling in plan has fallen apart and I'm rocking in corner of kitchen willing her to sleep

totallyliterally I did so much reading it was unbelievable before getting my cocker.
Putting theory into practice sometimes didn't work but the best thing I found in the end was not to worry and either be more patient or try something else

Agree with bitey. Reading and knowledge is good (especially when it comes to socialisation and toilet training) but be prepared to do what suits your puppy and think outside the square a bit.

You sound very organised so I'm sure you'll be fine. Remember to enjoy puppy as well

We've finally worked out a solution for Lexa when we go out.

Lock her in her crate and she whines, howls and destroys the crate.

Leave her loose but shut the living room door, she curls up on the carpet and goes to sleep