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The doghouse

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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

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56
Janjango · 16/01/2019 10:36

Just wondering, how often and how much ye feed yer puppies?
I feed 80g at 7am which she finishes, then 60g at 2pm and again at 5.
But for the last couple of nights shes been barking at her bag of kibble at about 9pm.
Because shes crated at night, I really dont want to give her anymore any later than 5pm.
She does her last wee and poo at 10.30, then goes to bed, sleeping till approx 6.30am.
Breeder told me to give her 60g twice a day.
Shes 11 weeks old.

BiteyShark · 16/01/2019 10:54

Janjango how much depends on the actual food. You need to look up the feeding guide for your brand and type of food because they will vary greatly. As they grow typically they need more then when they reach adulthood the quantities reduce again so not only do you need to look up your brand but also make sure you check the quantities for the age of the dog.

BiteyShark · 16/01/2019 11:03

Also forgot to say when looking at guides typically start at the lower end on what they say then adjust according to activity and what their poos are like. Really hard suggests underfeeding whereas soft suggests over feeding.

For food allaboutdogfood.co.uk is a good website for comparing brands, quality and price. Sometimes a better quality brand doesn't cost more than those that have low meat content and high fillers because you typically feed less of it.

Janjango · 16/01/2019 11:28

Thanks @BiteyShark

Babadeo · 16/01/2019 11:28

My pup is 5 months old now and tho he's getting better training wise im still having lots of moments i wish he wasnt here :( i feel guilty tho. Life is just so different. Hope this feeling passes and things get better because right now i feel so down

BiteyShark · 16/01/2019 11:34

Babadeo it does get better. Only a few days ago my DH commented that when BiteyDog was first here he thought he was the worst thing we had bought into our life but now he is the best thing and brings us so much joy.

LittleLongDog · 16/01/2019 11:57

Babadeo is there anything in particular that your finding tough at the moment or is just the general ‘omg I have a puppy’-ness of it?

sparkle789 · 16/01/2019 12:16

Babedo- I have the same sometimes I’m so happy we have him but I’m still mostly regretting it. I’m just focusing on when he’s older it’ll be worth it. It’s the jumping up that stresses me most but we start training classes tonight so hopefully that will improve soon.

Babadeo · 16/01/2019 12:21

Just that we've tied our self down. We have children but they go to thier dads at weekend. Meaning me and my other half enjoy a lie in except now 6.30-7.00am we woken to loud barking. We let him out and feed him then put him back in crate which he doesn't like so we end up getting up early then we are both knackered. He still bites which is really annoying. The house is messy from his dirty paws and we can't do things we used to like weekends away. We went away to lake district recently and was able to take him which was nice but we still tied down. Just so fed up Sad

Babadeo · 16/01/2019 12:24

Yes sparkle789. He thinks its acceptable to jump all over us..more so my 6yr old. He needs putting in place which we do. I just find im thinking of him as 'that dog ' rather than something i love right now. People said dont get a dog. They are hard work and time consuming but i didn't listen. Wish i had

Babadeo · 16/01/2019 12:27

What breeds of dogs does everyone have?

BiteyShark · 16/01/2019 12:27

Babadeo they are definitely a tie so if that's something that you are struggling with could you afford the occasional daycare or boarding?

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 16/01/2019 12:29

Babadeo hopefully you will find that as he gets older and settles down, you will find that what you most enjoy is doing stuff WITH him, so you won't feel tied down.
You plan spare time activities, weekends away, holidays etc that are inclusive of your dog, because he's part of the family and it will be fun to spend time together.
That's why it is so much more enjoyable when dogs are older and well-trained, because it's easier to incorporate them into everyday life.

sparkle789 · 16/01/2019 12:50

Ihavent- that’s what I’m hoping!

We have a Labrador. A very excitable Labrador!

Janjango · 16/01/2019 12:59

We have a golden retriever x cocker. No idea what size she will be.

Babadeo · 16/01/2019 13:04

Thanks everyone. Amazing how talking to others who have same thoughts helps. Everyone is being so nice Smile

Babadeo · 16/01/2019 13:06

Biteyshark. I could afford that now and again but that's like a short fix Confused i want to enjoy having him but its not happened yet :(

BiteyShark · 16/01/2019 13:15

It took until my dog started to show his adult personality to enjoy him. In fact we had a trial at a boarders for a couple of days around that time and it was amazing how much DH and I missed him. Ironically it took his absence to realise how much we did love him.

LittleLongDog · 16/01/2019 14:09

Babadeo could he come up to bed with you when you let him out in the morning so you don’t have to be ‘up’ up? Or could you take it in turns having a lie in?

Maybe a bit of training will help with reigniting the bonding too. Think of some things he could learn?

werideatdawn · 16/01/2019 14:19

Babadeo I would really recommend finding something you both enjoy. My Lab is now 7 months and we both absolutely love training classes. We are working towards our bronze good citizen award so there's a goal we're focused on and I've met so many people through dog training, it's become a whole social scene for me. When she is 1 we are going to try agility too.
She still does annoying puppy things like trashing the odd shoe or jumping up at people but for the majority of the time I just love being around her. It is really overwhelming to come to the realisation that you are now tied to a dog that depends on you completely but there are so many positives, you just to find what makes you both tick.

Original poster
ChestyNut · 18/01/2019 06:45

babadeo we have a Staffordshire bull terrier.
I totally get the tied down feeling, my ChestyDog died aged 12 last year and he was so independent compared to pup.
He was happy with a good walk and to be left snoozing on the sofa so we could do things....Chestypup ate my wall last time I left her uncrated Hmm

And he didn’t poop and pee in the house or
turn into Bitey baby shark every evening!

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Babadeo · 18/01/2019 09:23

Aww sorry to hear about your poor dog chesty nut. We had a little yorkie who died age 17. He was lovely. Think we all compare at times like this. My current dog is not all bad. But he does annoy me so much at times. Confused i keep telling myself it will get easier as i know i couldn't part with him plus the kids love him even tho he has put holes in their clothes Hmm hopefully your dog will chill out soon too lol. Its nice to talk to others in same position. Makes you feel less alone

Pringle89 · 18/01/2019 09:30

We have a 15 week old pup and though things are MUCH better than they were a few weeks ago I totally get the tied down feeling.

He’s great at night and toilet training, but I feel like we may never be able to go out and leave him - he isn’t impressed at being left, although fine at night in his crate.

It will be totally worth it but I miss going out for a few hours with kids and not having to stress about the dog, will be much easier when he’s happy to be left for a 2/3 hours!

Having said that I adore him and I know it will be so worth it 🥰

LittleLongDog · 18/01/2019 10:40

OMG LittlePup woke me up for a wee in the night instead of weeing on the kitchen floor.

I mean... a spider ran over my bare foot in the garden at 4am.

But still: good news overall.

Original poster
ChestyNut · 18/01/2019 11:37

Babadeo ours must think her name is a swear word she’s naughty so often Grin

Clever pup Little Smile

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