Does anyone fancy a "puppy survival" thread part 2

[Soubriquet]

Here we are again

Just jump in and join us

Blue - I really hope you had a better day yesterday?

Can anyone offer some help? Daniel has gone totally backwards in his toilet training and is now pooing in 3 spots in the house. He'll be outside, nothing. Come in and poo.
He was like clockwork, eat, outside poo now he's pooing at ALL times.

I have made him a run in the garden as he keeps getting distracted with the idea he goes in, poops comes out and gets to play. He just sits staring at me. Since 6.30 this morning he's been outside, wee no poo, in his crate, outside, nothing, eaten his breakfast, outside nothing, in his crate, outside nothing, went for a walk, nothing, crate, outside nothing and now he's in his crate again.
I am going insane, the second I let him loose int he house I know he's going to poo - what can I do???!

Watch him like a hawk and when he squats to poo (have all doors open) pick him up even if it means poo dropping and run outside and then if he continues to poo outside then praise. Or sit him out so my dog will poo when he's been running about so if you have the time literally stay outside and make sure he is active so more likely that he 'has' to go then manically praise. Make sure you clean the area in the house thoroughly if you haven't already done so.

Thanks Bitey, still no poo from him but I did get a wee - admittedly outside the run but at least it wasn't inside!!
I'm just about to jump on a conference call so what's the betting now will be when he suddenly decided he needs to go?!

Oh yes he will definitely poo when you are on a conference call

Miss Lexa has unfortunately developed a very bad habit

Trying to teach the kids not to touch but if they try and touch her whilst she is asleep, Lexa snaps at them.

I don't blame her..I don't like being disturbed either, but it's not easy telling a 2 and 4 year old DONT TOUCH!!

Ok so the toilet area has failed, no poop at all as soon as I let him out to wonder the garden he went!!
The good news is it wasnt in the house. So I shall hone my innner hawk and watch him...may keep him out a few rooms until I think we've cracked it again.

Soubriquet That is a tricky one - I had a dog when my kids were really little and they knew if the dog was in the crate they were absolutely not allowed near, in the same way the dog wasnt allowed in their bedrooms - Might that work for them? That way Lexi will learn to go to the crate when she wants to avoid them?

Also, does she snap at you? I'm wondering if as well as the kids annoying her she's seeing them as less than her on the pecking order and trying to dominate them? In which case getting them back to 'Alpha' with you will help the snapping also

She only does it with the children

Never me or dh.

She sleeps in her crate at night but rarely goes in it during the day. At the moment, she's crashed out in the living room against the pouffe.

The youngest is at nursery, so I've only got the oldest. She has left alone this time. But as soon as she forgets she will probably try again.

So it just means really keeping a closer eye on everyone. When she's sleeping, keep the kids away. I would move her to her crate but I don't think she will stay there

Well recall is still pants but the method of walking off in the opposite direction to him all the time is starting to make a bit of a difference. He does still chase birds and deer but he is definitely looking back more to see where I am. Still too afraid to take him back in the forest yet.

He might be a pain in the arse when out walking but he makes me laugh at home, doing his wiggle dance when you come home and constantly sniffing the air when he can smell our dinner cooking.

Hope everyone is doing ok with their pups.

I'm feeling a bit better about Bluepuppy. I've decided I'm going to do everything to make this work. Worst case scenario is he gets rehomed through the breeder to a busier house with at least one other dog. He's very good with children and actually seems to thrive on noise and activity which is really not that whippet like. I'm a single person on the introverted side who likes the quiet life.

I realise that considering rehoming makes me a bit of a pariah on Mumsnet but I hate to think that living with me is making Bluepuppy miserable and my health needs to bo considered as well. In the meantime he will continue to be pampered.

Blue, I get how you feel like you're letting him down, at least you're aware you might be iyswim? its not easy when you have bad times or low days. I'm not sure how much I like our dog some days, and it doesn't make me feel very nice but I know I'm not a bad or uncaring person and the same goes for you. if I'm honest I will be glad when ours gets past this teething bitey stage as she is driving me nuts. She has also started this sort of snap type nip that she does near faces. my dd encourages her for licks or face kisses, which I don't like her doing to me, but she only does this nip thing to me and visitors. I shout but she just does it again.

Thanks thesun. It's hard because on paper it looks like I'm doing all the right things and when I'm with him he's adorable, sweet and gentle. It just breaks my heart that his current living situation might be making him unhappy.

There's a local facebook based Whippet club that's meeting up at the end of this month for a walk. I'm hoping they might have some whippet specific knowledge and possible solutions we can try. I also really need to get the courage up to contact his breeder and see if he has any ideas.

If it's separation anxiety blue then a busier home or one with other dogs won't help. The solution is not to leave him for longer than he is happy with. With our baby pup that was literally walking out of the door and coming straight back in. Nearly nine months now and if I walk her in the morning I can then leave her for up to 4 hours. But it's taken a long time.
If you leave him and let him cry the behaviour becomes more deeply engrained.
Apologies if it isn't separation anxiety and I've misunderstood.
Big girl and I went to a show today. Not the best result ever but the best behaviour and calmest she had ever been. Proud of her.

thesunwillout in the early days my dog used to do the snapping when I tried to do anything like wipe his eyes (needed to remove gunk) or when he was in a bitey mood and I was stopping him. I used a firm 'no' (I know people don't like using the word but he does now associate it with stop doing that). He has grown out of the snapping now.

blue I realise that with your depression and being on your own things will seem 10x worse. I can only judge what you have written but it sounds like bluepup is very happy and is just missing you when you leave. Obviously if you have to rehome because of your health then that is ok but bluepup could be left alone with another household as you can never guarantee being with them 24/7 for years and years and he is whining because he loves being with you. My dog loves people, dogs and children but our household is just me and DH and very quiet. I sometimes wonder if he is bored when it's just me and him but he gets the best of both worlds, excitement and other dogs/people at daycare like yours does then time to simply relax and chill when back at home. I just remind myself of that when I look at him and wonder if he is happy.

Did you try leaving him just inside?

Wow Wolfie where do you find all these shows? I must admit I haven't specifically looked for them but didn't realise there were that many.

Thanks Bitey you're right the depression does make everything seem dark and hopeless even though he's actually a lovely dog and hopefully fixable.

He's got an appointment with the vet next weekend and I'm going to be asked to get referred to an animal behaviourist. The behaviourist is about an hour from where Ilive but luckily he's good in the car

My mum will hopefully come with me and Bluepuppy to the behaviourist. Her and my dad are retired, live nearby and are going to help me with Bliuepuppy until he's better. He can go their place part of the time during the week when he's not at daycare. They are rather attached to the little guy and I'm very greatful for their help.

Well it was quiet this morning so I risked a walk in the forest. For the first half he kept looking back and didn't venture very far into the woods. Then of course he got cocky and started running off so I couldn't see him . Looks like we are back to walking in open land, maybe in a years time I might be able to take him through the forest again where we live without wondering if I will ever see him again .

The upside is that he ran so much he will be sleeping for the rest of the morning

Well at least it sounds like he had fun Bitey

I haven't had a chance to try leaving Bluepuppy inside without outside access yet. I feel bad for him at the moment and don't really feel like leaving him unless I have to. I even took him with me to get takeaway dinner drive through

blue when he was very young I used to go through the drive through with him in the back. I did feel sorry for him having to smell the food whilst I ate it

I think if I did drive through I would lose the food!!
There is a site called dog show central that lets you know what's coming up. There have also been a few local fun shows advertised on FB and through dog training.
Plus there's an Irish Wolfhound club and also a society that arranges shows.
Pup thinks shows are parties where she gets liver cake and cuddles.

Lexa had her first pigs ear today

She bloody loved it

Kept nomming on it till it was all gone. Took about 90 minutes but she did it.

Dh was at how quick she ate it. So am I. My JRT would make it last a month. You would find it buried all over the house

Soubriquet we have to have cows ears as they are gentler on DDogs stomach but he can munch them now so quickly. I have to buy them in bulk as they are his go to treat when he has been good.

I don't think my pet shop sells cows ears.... but in so glad she likes pigs ears

I don't think I've met a dog who doesn't like them

Have had a couple of busy days so haven't managed to check on the thread. Hope we are all okay.

bluepuppy it definitely sounds like you're doing all the right things - sometimes things just take time for pup to get used to. Think of all the people who put so little effort into caring for their dogs - your pup is definitely lucky to have you!

The weather has been awful today and as pup won't go out in the rain he's been BORED. Did lots of training and we finally got our first roll over for puppy class! It's only taken two weeks of daily practice

Cows ears, tripe sticks, fish braids yum!
Bitey , we did open field walks, around the village lanes and park walks with lots of recall and impulse training, I avoided the woods for a while same as you. We went back in to several successful woods walks (don't let them rehearse the bad) and then a bad one disappearing. Eventually got her back, clipped on lead without comment took her home and then straight back out again on long line. Again on long line the following evening after a successful walk elsewhere in the morning and again the next day. Then a short off lead in the woods, longer the n ext day...then other walks for a few days, all successes. Then gradually back in the woods which she loves. Naughty, no wood walk for a few days. Seems to have worked. I do use a ball for distraction away from deer, rabbits etc and find it games with treats and find getting her to focus on me works well. ''Tis hard work and some walks are a pleasure and relaxing, others on edge...but more a pleasure each and every week.

Hi all, just checking in. Bear is now just over 5 months and settling down in lots of ways (much less bitey, better sleep routine) but in others getting worse! (Stealing things off the dining table and running off, the odd wee accident even with door wide open). Tell me this is normal!!! I know I can't complain because he is such a good boy in loads of other ways, his recall is good and he learns fast. Is this teenage age yet? On the whole thou we are definitely feeling like he is a part of the family which is lovely :). It's good to read about everyone's pups, really helps! Xx