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Original poster

Puppy support

656 replies

ChestyNut · 05/12/2018 17:07

Not sure if there’s is a current thread for support for new puppy owners, would anyone be interested?

ChestyPuppy arrived on Saturday and is 10 weeks old.
Finding it tough as forgot how brutal the early days are. Our Chestydog died after 12 years earlier this year, he was my best friend Sad

Highlights of today have been...
Standing in the pouring rain in pjs and a coat shouting “do wee wees”

Dealing with a puppy pad snow storm from her shredding during the night.

Turning into a bitey hyperactive monster during a visit from my friends

Please tell me it gets better?Grin

OP posts:
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56
Cromercrab · 20/12/2018 09:10

XXstatic - well, the deposit is paid, the equipment is bought, the name has been given, so it's too late! We wanted a puppy precisely because we wanted to be the ones to socialise and train rather than potentially take on problems of someone else's creation. The books and videos make it sound very, very achievable, and I'm assuming this is realistic or else why would people repeat the experience? Another way of looking at a midwinter start is that it can only get better! (You can tell I'm an optimist by nature...)

BiteyShark · 20/12/2018 09:46

Cromercrab I had a winter puppy.

Whilst it is easier to toilet train in the summer I was glad I got it over with in the winter. First is that my puppy learned to dash out and toilet very quickly in torrential rain to get it over with. But the biggest advantage for me personally was that as a puppy he would try and destroy the garden, digging holes, eating stones and plants. Staying in the garden was not pleasurable at all. By the time summer came along he had grown out of those behaviours and we could sit out with him and enjoy the long summer evenings without all that stress.

So it's swings and roundabouts for winter and summer puppies.

Wolfiefan · 20/12/2018 10:02

TBH I waited so long for a wolfhound puppy that I couldn’t care less whether it was summer or winter. The toilet training wasn’t hugely fun. But by the time the weather was nicer she was actually old enough to get out and about with us.

LittleLongDog · 20/12/2018 10:20

I’m finding the same as BiteyShark; LittlePup doesn’t enjoy being in the cold and wet so he goes out, does a wee/poo and dashes back in.

CatnissEverdene · 20/12/2018 11:53

Yay we had a lie in today... went from 10.30pm to 6.30am with one tiny wee on the floor and a massive wee when she went out but no crying. I've got our old baby monitor in the kitchen which DH is rolling his eyes at.

Just wish the little tinker would eat more..... but we're only on day 6 with her so am sure that will come. I gave her some lactol in desperation yesterday as she'd only had a few mouthfuls.

Margomini · 20/12/2018 15:57

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't been present and I am only coming back on here now to have a virtual (and physical) cry...well sob really as I really don't know if I have done the right thing getting this puppy...

I literally thought I had thought of every things/eventuality and possibility but it has really knocked me for six. I am naturally an overthinking/anxious person (no actual anxiety disorders) and all I seem to be doing is worrying, stressing and sobbing my eyes out. I am not enjoying the experience at all and I feel so completely overwhelmed. Sad

Generally she is a great pup, still pissing and shitting everywhere...wees are getting better though but I cant have a seconds piece without her being there even at night we haven't managed to get her out the bed and she insists on sleeping up near my face even with me constantly moving her down she works her way back up. I am exhausted and have lost all control of my emotions...I sat crying uncontrollably for hours last night...my DP is being amazing and helping as much as humanly possible but this puppy was my idea and now he's seeing me so upset and stressed as much as he has grown to love her...he's now worrying.

I am not giving up on her....I would never do that. I am just really really struggling to cope and hope someone can stay there is light???

BiteyShark · 20/12/2018 16:37

Margomini it does get better. You are where I was (and where many others have been) about 2 years ago. I wanted my own dog for many years and finally the time came. I was fully prepared and had researched everything but the exhaustion and responsibility threw me completely. I never even really liked my puppy until he started to show his adult personality and the love definitely took a long time to surface.

Puppy blues are real and the problem is other than online no one really talks about it as all you get is 'awww isn't he/her cute'.

I now have a bloody lovely mostly Grin adult dog who I adore and miss him so much when I am not with him. However, those early months were really rough and I just suggest you keep putting one foot in front of the other. Try not to worry about messing her up and actually give yourself a break and perhaps just do something fun together and forget training and everything else you think you should be doing for a bit.

Wolfiefan · 20/12/2018 16:54

I can say there is light. I was exactly where you are about two years ago. Sobbing on the kitchen floor that if I “didn’t bloody love you so much you’d be going back” Blush I waited over 20 years for my pup and did so much research.
It was bloody hard. I was chewed, sleep deprived, constantly cleaning up or trying to prevent accidents. And did I mention the chewing? I never had a second to myself and felt like I was on code red puppy alert the whole time.
She’s now my best friend. (I know I’m sad!) My constant companion and a complete joy to have around.
Just like you i am anxious and pup was my idea not DH’s.

LittleLongDog · 20/12/2018 18:16

Margomini that sounds so so tough. Especially not getting proper stints of sleep at night. Could your DP or a friend or family member come over and watch her in the day for a few hours so you can catch up on some sleep? I bet you’ll feel a whole lot better for it.

Original poster
ChestyNut · 20/12/2018 19:50

Margomini I feel your pain, literally! I’ve cried more tears in the last few weeks than I have all year. I’m still not sure that if the breeder asked for her back I wouldn’t be in the car on my way Grin

It’s just relentless, but it’s our 2nd dog so it must get easier I just can’t remember when!

OP posts:
CatnissEverdene · 20/12/2018 19:57

I've already got a 5 year old dog Margomini and it's hard going. I can't imagine how I'd be coping if it was just the puppy. Ours have now thankfully bonded and puppy sleeps with him now and has the run of the kitchen at night so we're getting good nights at least.

I'd put your puppies bed on yours so they get used to sleeping on it, then move it to the floor when it's familiar. My older dog is my best friend, we are truly inseparable and I'm a long way from feeling that love and affection towards the pup even though she's adorable. That bond will grow with time and trust on both sides.

LittleLongDog · 20/12/2018 20:06

Could you let her fall asleep on you but then move her to her bed next to you when she’s already asleep?

purplegoat · 21/12/2018 13:53

Thank Whosranium, we have a high sided pen with purplepup's crate in which is in a different room to where our older dog sleeps so she gets plenty of respite overnight and obviously she's getting daily walks. We've started taking him back to his pen and sitting in there with him and playing a little after he's been out in the garden which seems to get the high energy bit out of him and stops him running full speed across the lounge and jumping at adult dog (who unsurprisingly growls when he does this).
He's now pretty much mastered "sit" and is mastering "wait" He hates going out in the garden to wee. We sprayed his lead with anti chew spray which seems to have stopped him nibbling his lead. I've also noticed that he is starting to use his paws to investigate things now rather than his mouth (he's still nibbling a lot but not with as much enthusiasm -pain- as before).
A new low on Thursday morning found me stood in the garden in my dressing gown and trainers in the rain at 4.45am waiting for him to poo but the upside was that he had cried to be let out.
No such luck this morning - we've set up a Nest camera in his room now. he managed to go from 11pm-6.10am last night. My husband was up and just throwing some clothes on to run down and take him out but too late, he didn't make any sounds either but he did really well to hold it for that long.
2nd jab booked for 27th. Can't wait to take him out into the world! And I love him so much.

How's everyone else getting on?

wheelwarrior · 21/12/2018 15:22

It gets better when got my boy as a puppy I didon't lot of wtf have I done dreamed about giving him away .Was so tired

By 5 months was better and by time was 14 months so much easier could see adult dog.

Now at 4 he is my best friend and enjoy him. Though maybe not so much when out in pouring rain (a lab so he not care what the weather is wants his walks

wheelwarrior · 21/12/2018 15:40

What helped was couple of 1-1 sessions with dog trainer and also finding a good dog walker /home boarder /day care

Maxdoggy · 21/12/2018 15:57

Can I join ? We got our beautiful miniature daschund Max 5 days ago (he’s nearly 11 weeks now). We are first time puppy owners and finding it tough - I hate hearing him cry!
He really likes being on our laps and falls asleep there- in theory ok (and very cosy!) but sometimes wakes up and cries for ages when I put him in his own bed. It is often difficult to get him to settle when he’s put straight into his own bed ...

LittleLongDog · 21/12/2018 16:05

@Maxdoggy I’ve got a mini dachshund (11 weeks) who also prefers a lap to sleep on. What worked for us was standing in his bed (where he’d settle on our feet instead) and then moving away.

Then we were able to stand next to his bed while he settled, then further away, etc.

Overall he’d still much prefer a lap though. 😂

LittleLongDog · 22/12/2018 07:58

Second night in a row of a big long sleep. So nice!

But OMG the nipping is still driving me insane. He’ll be absolutely fine and lovely for hours and hours and hours and then BAM: crazy crocodile time. Angry

Original poster
ChestyNut · 22/12/2018 08:04

Little we’ve renamed Chestypup, Baby shark! It’s like she’s possessed a few times a day Grin

First day of the holidays here so laid in until 7:15, wee on the floor and shredded puppy pad. 6 am is obviously her limit for now.

4 days to walk day! Friend is bringing her dog around today for some socialisation, I’m very worried she’ll eat him!

First puppy boot camp today, owners only for the first one.

Can I see any updated photos? Chestypup has grown so much!

Puppy support
OP posts:
Cotonshaded · 22/12/2018 08:53

Hi all, can I join? I'm getting a Coton in January at around the 10 week mark (breeder is flexible on when we pick up) so I'm a little behind everyone else but I'm trying to get prepared - am at home 5 days a week and the other two days my DH is going to start wfh so we have someone constantly in the house for the first few weeks. Does anyone have a puppy playpen rather than a crate? Is the advantage of a crate that pups feel more secure in them as smaller? Also we have an indoor cat, does anyone have any tips about successfully introducing them? Cat currently double the size of pup!

Maxdoggy · 22/12/2018 11:11

LittleLongDog we got a heat pad from pets at home and put it in his bed for sleeping. Day 2 at it seems to make a big difference- much less fuss staying in his bed ! Hurray!
Now to sort the chewing....

Maxdoggy · 22/12/2018 11:13

We have a puppy playpen with a cat bed (pup is tiny and we wanted something with a roof as he’s a burrowing breed!)- he seems happy enough and always sleeps in the bed !

NewYoiker · 22/12/2018 12:44

Hello :) can I join? Just brought home this bundle of joy ❤️ she's so so quiet not heard her cry yet. Our dog keeps licking her but I keep stopping him!

Puppy support
Original poster
ChestyNut · 23/12/2018 08:15

Welcome new how’s she doing?

Chestypup hates the rain! Stood in the garden while she sits at the step refusing to go! And I have an awful cold Sad

Meeting with friends dog went really well yesterday and she slept for ages after so we’re off to puppy play today Grin

OP posts:
DanielCraigsUnderpants · 23/12/2018 10:19

Dan dog at 13 weeks.

Only up once in the night now. I'm hoping that will phase out soon but even if it doesn't I can live with that

Puppy support
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