Puppy Survival Thread Part 5!

[GooodMythicalMorning]

Continuing Bitey's thread once more

The thread to be, where puppies grow and we meet new doggie parenting challenges every day.

I've just left BiteyDog at the groomers. First he refused to go in then he was shaking with fear because I think the table reminded him of the vets

He used to be such a confident dog. I really hope we never have to leave him at the vets again

Can you pop into the vets now and again to weigh and maybe get a treat off the receptionist? Helped nervous pup here!

That's the thing we have been back a few times to the vets and he's been ok. I just think he saw something he didn't like as he pulled my arm off getting to the groomer but then saw something that just put the fear in him

He was being cuddled and fed and was calmer when I left but I just wish I had my brave BiteyDog back as he clearly has a few issues now

Could be as simple as they use the same cleaner? The smell could take him back.
I'm sure he will relax in time.

He's back and seems fine . Glad to have the hair trimmed around his paws as I can see his claws now to grind them down

Got Elfpup back too. He was OK it seems. Very pleased to see me and absolutely shattered. Slept all the way home which is just as well as that Ezydog seatbelt is hopeless in my car. He has no freedom of movement at all - can't even move from sitting to lying. The search continues.

Sorry to bring a downer to this thread but I’ve had a big setback with Bluepuppy I finally decided to take some video of him alone when I’m out. He goes to settle on the sofa but then will hear a noise or a car and probably thinking it’s me and starts crying and goes to the front door. He realises it’s not me and goes back. Only for it to happen again not long after.

I’m devastated. He sees a special vet and is on two different types of medication, goes to daycare twice a week, my parents have spent hours at my place dog sitting, home trainers etc. My heart is breaking because I’ve persevered and kept him long enough to get attached. He really is a very lovely, sweet boy but I’m worried that he’s broken and can’t be fixed.

I could send him back to the breeder but what would happen after that? Problem is I can’t spend the next ten years or so living like this either. I have my own mental health struggles and it’s like he’s me in dog form. Is this even a fair way for a dog to live? I just wish I could go back in time and never get him

Sorry for the rambling post but I’m stressed out and sleep deprived from work and it all feels like Avery dark place at the moment.

blue I am going through something similar at the moment but this is a recent thing so I haven't had to deal with it as long as you have. If he sees something in the garden he is up but I have stopped that by putting a film over the window which obscures the view. I also see him get off the sofa if he hears a car several times. I have put a radio on for him to help drown out the sounds but I think it's a bit too quiet at the moment and I need to up the volume a bit (or maybe try a white noise machine).

Now I know this opinion is not going to go down well with some people but whilst I am trying to minimise his distress at the end of the day he is loved, fed and cared for and has access to medical treatment, exercise, training etc which is more than some dogs. Yes he is lonely for a few hours in the week and is upset (I hear some low level whimpering if he thinks someone has arrived and they haven't) but it's a hell of a good life compared to some dogs and a million times better than being in kennels so it's just something he is going to have to put up with.

Feel free to vent as much as you like blue but you are doing a good job and it is obvious bluepup is well cared for.

Thanks Bitey it’s so hard isn’t it? I’ve wanted a dog for years and made sure the house I bought was dog friendly. Other people I know buy whippet puppies off Gumtree and don’t have any issues but I did loads of research yet this still happens.

As he is my first dog I feel like this has been my chance, I’ve failed and I’ll never be able to get another dog if I don’t keep him

Yes I could poke people in the eye when they tell me they had no issues with their puppies .

It's so hard to not focus on the negatives because it's what you are dealing with day in and day out. I have watched BiteyDog for around 2.5 hours today as I have a live stream with audio and yes he is constantly listening and up if he thinks someone has come and when he cries it breaks your heart. However, I do believe even though he is lonely and is upset his life is pretty good (even if he doesn't realise it ). It sounds like bluepup is also lonely when you are gone but I bet if he had a choice of being with you and a bit lonely for some of the time compared with going back to the breeder he would pick you without a doubt. Bluepups still young and I have seen BiteyDog go through periods of clinginess and independence.

Now I know you have had a hard time and I would not judge whatever you do but I think you might be being hard on yourself as you are doing a good job and have minimised bluepups distress really well. Even if you rehomed to someone who was in all day a dogs life is many years and no one can guarantee to be there for them 100% as circumstances change.

Well I just took another lot of video and he was still pretty vigilant but only a very small amount of very soft whimpering. On top of this when I try and ‘spy’ on him through the front window before I come in he’s almost always on the sofa. My parents also tell me they listen before coming in and never hear him cry anymore. Think some more video for longer periods is needed.

Of course in the midst of all this my work is a madhouse and I only got three hours sleep last night due to worry about not being able to keep up there. I do wonder if he’s picking up on my stress.

Really hope I can sort all this out. I do like having a dog, meeting people and getting out in the fresh air more. He’s actually great out and about and really good in the car.

Still wonder if he’ll do better with another dog for company. It seems pretty common with whippets that they don’t do as well being an only dog. What could possibly go wrong if I got a second one

blue I have a cheap camera off amazon that you can use to view live footage on your smart phone. Would something like that be useful then you can get a good picture of what he is like overall rather than a small snapshot? You can also follow them around as you can control it using your phone

I'm seriously considering medicating myself for the mostly puppy induced anxiety!

Yes, that would useful Bitey. It May be that I got a small snapshot of Bluepuppy at his most restless time of day. It’s a shame Australia doesn’t have ‘proper’ Amazon but I’m sure I can find something similar.

Can you even call her a puppy now Wolfie? I saw the photo of her you posted the other day. She’s more small Shetland pony size now

She is indeed. At the moment she's more dickhead dog than puppy. Last night she ate most of a slipper sock I put on to stop her chewing the foot. She has been wearing one every night and never bothered it.

Oh. And for size? Im about 5 ft 7 to give you an idea of scale!

No one can be with a dog 100% of the time 24/7/365/15 . It's just not possible. Elfpup is lucky in that he is rarely left because my routine allows for that. He has however just been home alone for the last hour as I had a dental appointment. You can only do the best you can.

I pretty much haven't left the house without the dog for about 6 weeks.

Wolfie you made me laugh dickhead dog

What you need is a dog equivalent of a onesie so she can't chew her sock off.

She would just eat that!
Yes. I would change her name but not sure the KC would include the word dickhead on a pedigree.
She IS a dickhead. But she's my dickhead! It's a good bloody job I love her.

I totally agree with bitey here Blue! Think about how far pup has come! Your doing a great job!

If I could just have one kitchen cloth, sponge and perhaps my oven glove 🧤 in peace I would be very happy

Counter surfing in the household is baaaad

So having eaten the sock! Last night she ate a small part of her foot. Really been licking it and clearly chewing now. Waiting for vets to open.

Oh no poor WolfieDog

We have left BiteyDogs collar off today as his sore looks ok ish but monitoring it as he does keep having a good lick so hoping that doesn’t irritate it.

I could cry. Shall phone vet, get child to school and then sob!