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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Does anyone fancy a puppy survival thread part 3

975 replies

BiteyShark · 14/07/2017 10:28

Continuation of the support thread.... anyone is welcome whether they have new or older puppies, just want a chat or are battling with ongoing puppy problems.

I thought I would start this thread off as I am hoping it might be the last one I need support from as BiteyPup is now 9.5 months old and we have survived the early puppy months and his teenage antics seem to be subsiding. Still working on our relationship and recall but it's getting better and can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel (fingers crossed) Wine

OP posts:
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Original poster
BiteyShark · 27/07/2017 20:28

Have you asked the vets closer whether they would be prepared to order the same vaccination in. If not what would it mean if they had to start again?

I chose my vets on distance (which is good because we seem to be there a lot). They also have a couple of branches (one where they do all the surgery) and had all their prices and services on their website which I liked.

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SkeletonSkins · 27/07/2017 20:31

Worth a look to see whether the further away vets does the yearly vacc or every 3 years as that would make a difference anyway.

I go to our vets as it's cheap and knowledgable but my god they run late every single appointment!!!

TheAntiBoop · 27/07/2017 20:34

They won't buy it in unfortunately.

They said they would have to give him the first jab again and then the second two weeks later which doesn't sit right with me and would also delay when we can start taking him out.

which ones last three years?

TheAntiBoop · 27/07/2017 20:35

The close vets are expensive and prices are not displayed! The further vet is more reasonable

BestIsWest · 27/07/2017 20:44

Anyone watching 10 Puppies on BBC 2? Big dog is riveted. Puppy is sleeping.

Wolfiefan · 27/07/2017 20:45

My only concern would be if you had an emergency and had to rush in. Our local vet is close and also a hospital. There's also a mobile vet!

SkeletonSkins · 27/07/2017 20:46

Getting the pup out is the most important thing so I'd go with whichever option allows for that. We only had two weeks between vacs and think that's fairly common and we did first vac at 8 weeks.

Any one watching 10 puppies and Us on channel 2? Cringing a little bit at the family who have designated one particular corner of the garden for dog toileting! Not sure the puppy will pay any attention to that!!

SkeletonSkins · 27/07/2017 20:47

Sorry Best cross post!!

TheAntiBoop · 27/07/2017 20:51

Will switch on now!!

Maybe we will stick with far vet (really not that far) and see how we like them

Also need to look at insurance!!

SkeletonSkins · 27/07/2017 20:54

I'm big into bargains but honestly think petplan insurance is the only insurance worth having. They're the only ones that most vets will apply for the money directly from - the rest you have to pay upfront and then claim it back as they're so eager to avoid paying out!!

Original poster
BiteyShark · 27/07/2017 20:55

Try and get insurance sorted asap. Mine had a 2 week period where we were not covered for illness (injury fees were covered immediately) so the sooner we started it the sooner we were covered for everything.

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SkeletonSkins · 27/07/2017 20:55

The golden puppy is absolutely gorgeous but seems a bit nervy bless it. Loving naughty Pedro and his name lol.

TheAntiBoop · 27/07/2017 20:59

We have four weeks from the breeder so will make sure I get onto it!

Has anyone used helpucover?

I am just starting to watch - the toilet area is funny!

Did they really need subtitles for the salon owner? I thought she was quite clear!

SkeletonSkins · 27/07/2017 21:06

I know! A little bit rude!!

Awwww feeling for Pedros owners and their night time issues. Been there and ended up with the same solution.

TheAntiBoop · 27/07/2017 21:10

This is really helpful to watch!!

TheAntiBoop · 27/07/2017 21:12

Loving the chihuahuas - so cute but I feel for the older one!!

SkeletonSkins · 27/07/2017 21:32

Absolutely loving the training of the search and rescue dog. She's a brilliant dog and goes to show how even a border collie out on the hills all day is still full of beans at night! Feel for the golden owners - around 12 weeks is such a tough stage and seems like she's doing it alone. Where's the husband??

JenTheSprtacusPuppy · 28/07/2017 00:01

Missed the BBC programme, am hoping it will be on i player.
RE insurance, it's best to get it two weeks before the four weeks from vet runs out as most policies have clauses where you're not covered for first two weeks.

It also might be worth getting lifetime cover, its pricier but worth it. If your dog should be unlucky to become ill and require lkngterm treatment, it makes getting insurance renewed easier. Our previous lab had cancer in his leg when he was about three and took a good 18 months of various treatments and physio etc to recover, if we hadn't taken a lifetime policy we would have really struggled to insure him the second year into treatment.

It's also worth checking cashback sites, cashback wouldn't sway my decision, but if there's a deal with the company I plan to use then it's a plus. I got £40 cashback for applying for my insurance through quidco :)

GooodMythicalMorning · 28/07/2017 07:52

Ours will definitely be life time cover as bulldogs are notorious for problems unfortunately

Soubriquet · 28/07/2017 09:00

What wet food do you feed your dogs?

Lexa is so fussy at the moment but she's teething really badly.

She was on nature diet but she's refused to eat it for 3 days, so I caved and got some encore. Bloody expensive food. But she wolfed it down that fast she threw it up again Hmm

Wolfiefan · 28/07/2017 09:22

Mine did that Soubriquet when I put sardines on her dried food. Switching to raw. First ever natures menu this am. Chicken and tripe. She's just not a big eater. They reckon 840g per meal. I gave her 750 but she left 125. She inhaled it though. I had to put a bit at a time in her bowl to slow her down. Long term I have a cheaper option but can't get any just yet.

isthismummy · 28/07/2017 09:25

Hi all,

Could do with some advice regarding my new Shih Tzu puppy. We've had her five days and she'll be nine weeks tomorrow.

Overall she's an absolute delight. Sleeps through the night, chills out on sofa with us in evening. I'm besotted❤️ Only issue is that if we put her in her playpen or crate when we are busy she howls the place down none stop. Both DH and I were occupied for about half an hour this morning getting ready and she just screamed and screamed. Her pen is in the kitchen as it's too large for our living room. I tried leaving her crate in it at first, but crate is now in living room as she totally freaks out when I leave it in kitchen. She'll go straight to sleep in crate when she's tired, but if not then forget it!

Any tips as to how we can get her to see the playpen/crate are her chill out spaces for when we are busy? I know she's only a tiny baby and I don't want to scare her! DH complaining of the noise this morning and I could have happily flung him out of the window!Angry

SkeletonSkins · 28/07/2017 09:30

Have you tried leaving her with a kong stuffed with delicious food? Or a carrot?

Our puppy was like this with the pen and this helped. We also leave him now where he is happiest, which is our front room, although obviously that requires a certain degree of trust with toilet training!

Original poster
BiteyShark · 28/07/2017 09:31

This is what I did but a lot of people do not advocate letting a puppy cry at all so others can and will advise differently. When he had to be in the crate or playpen to keep him safe and he cried we ignored him. As soon as he was quiet I rewarded him with a little treat. If he cried again he got ignored but again when he was quiet he got a little treat. The times he was quiet got longer and I continued the rewarding etc until he was happy to just chill as soon as he went in there.

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ButFirstTea · 28/07/2017 09:35

We spent some time with him while he was in his pen and we were treating through the bars for good behaviour. We also played with him through the pen, throwing toys in for him etc. If he whined at first we would just walk around the pen for a minute, not really engaging with him but just distracting him (he would follow us walking) and reassuring him we were there. As soon as he was quiet we would treat and praise.

He still whines sometimes, we'll pop him in his pen while we eat for example, but he settles after a minute. I don't think he'd do this if we hadn't worked on it first though, it's helped for him to see the pen is somewhere he can have his toys and entertain himself for a while if we're busy.