Puppy support

[ChestyNut]

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

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?

[Sarahmoore0510]

Just had my friend bring her 4mth old puppy over as read socialising is important. She barely barked didn’t growl, just wanted to play. My puppy was barking like crazy and growling - although the other dog didn’t seem to mind! What’s normal puppy play behaviour - I’m worried he’s going to be a savage! Is it just an age/experience thing?! 😬

[ChestyNut]

Mine is seriously in the bad books. Biting legs as I walk and has drawn blood

I know it’s a puppy thing and she doesn’t mean it but right now I don’t like her at all

[BiteyShark]

You all need or or . I am STILL trying to get rid of the excess pounds I put on during puppyhood. I was joking to my doctor that I had hoped to lose weight with a dog but he said they are good for your health in other ways but he clearly he hadn't had a puppy

[Wolfiefan]

I lost loads of weight in the early weeks through not eating due to stress. I’ve since put it all back on and more too.

[DonegalGhirl]

Hi, can I join in? First time dog owner and picked up our gorgeous working cocker spaniel 2 weeks ago, he’s 11 weeks old tomorrow and I’m still in shock .

Good bits: He’s sleeping in his cage from 10.00pm - 7.00am with one of us in the room with him on the sofa bed. His poos are solid. He knows sit. Fetch & drop are a hit & miss as are stop and down. He’s lovely & cuddly when he’s calm or napping. He can go walks in 9 days time but must avoid puddles & water. (Had L4 vac at 10 weeks & will have 2nd at 14 weeks).

Not so good: Toilet training, we live in an upper villa, garden isn’t puppy proof so he needs to be on a lead when we take him out, we can be out for 20-30 mins and nothing, and 5 minutes after coming back inside he’s peeing or pooing. Has mad periods when he runs around mental, bites his bed or us, I try to calm him down but it’s hard. Doesn’t want to be left in a room on his own & starts crying. By mid January, puppy will need to be left on his own for up to 2.5 hours so we need to work on this.

We’ve signed up for puppy training classes but they don’t start until January.

It’s reassuring to read we’re not the only ones struggling with toilet & biting, but I do worry we’re going to end up with a delinquent dog (had same worries with our daughter and she’s turning into a wonderful young lady so here’s hoping) .

[Sarahmoore0510]

@DonegalGhirl sounds like you are doing a great job! Last night our pup slept from 11-5.30 so we are getting there, he can sit and almost got ‘down’ but hit and miss!

Toiletting outside going well, mostly goes to the back door if he needs to go - although if it’s too dark or windy sometimes wees on the towel we keep by the back door to dry him off!

Barking is an issue, at the tap, the mop, for no reason!! Anyone got any tips to stop mindless barking?!

I’ve taken to give him a kong stuffed with cooked chicken when j get up as drinking my coffee in peace was impossible with a puppy hanging off my dressing gown 😂

Also finding gin helpful 🙌🏻

I’ve decided it’s not actually the puppy that’s stressful, it’s kids and a puppy...might re-home the kids tbh 😆

[LittleLongDog]

He’s here and we survived the night!

I didn’t sleep a wink listening out for him needing a wee but he actually woke far less than I thought.

He’s not a big fan of going outside for a wee (would prefer to stay in the warm) but he’s done a few outside so a good enough start.

[ChestyNut]

Little photo please

ChestyPuppy isn’t keen on going out today as the wind is howling!
No poop in the kitchen this morning

[Cotonrafa]

Well a peaceful night 12-8am! Welcomed like a long lost friend had breakfast out for a pee fine came in two poos on the floor! Now lying like a wee angel sleeping soundly although I know when he wakens he will turn in to Bitey McBite face again! Will try again today to say NO and distract but have ordered some apple stuff and Kong toys from Amazon! Great to hear from everyone and once I find out how this works I can mention you by name and communicate. Might even post a photo if I ever find out how to do that!

[LittleLongDog]

Here is Little. He’s just done his first poo outside. To me he looks absolutely freezing when he’s out, but he sniffs and runs about very happily so I guess he must be ok!

[ChestyNut]

We’re all booked in for puppy boot camp

coton it’s so cold out as well, teeth are chattering waiting for her to toilet!

Little he is very cute ! Is he tiny?

[WillnRosiesmum]

Hi we have a wonderful mini labradoodle aged 4. He's our first dog and has brought so much love to our family. We are now planning to add to our family with another non shedding puppy, possibly January/February. Any words of advice for integrating newbie? Sherlock isn't particularly territorial and happily let's the cat snooze in his bed ( in fairness we are all a little scared of Ginger Whinger though 😐) All advice welcome, bitch, pup, leaving them alone, first introduction etc.

[LittleLongDog]

Puppy Boot Camp sounds just what he needs chesty!

He’s 9weeks, nearly 10. He looks a little bit more sturdy when he’s running around 😂.

We definitely need a photo Coton and DonegalGhirl.

Sarah I don’t know if this will work but I read to teach them ‘speak’ and then after that ‘quiet’.

[sparkle789]

Hi can I join you all? We picked up our lab pup today he’s 8weeks.
It’s gone ok but I’m feeling very overwhelmed about what’s to come.

I’ve been reading about toilet training and it says if they wee inside and you catch them doing it to take them straight outside but won’t you end up getting wee through the house?

[LittleLongDog]

Congrats sparkle. Photo please!

I thought that same thing about toilet training. I haven’t picked Little up mid wee but most of the time you can tell if he’s about to wee as he starts sniffing the ground - and then we quickly take him out. Watching out for that sniffing all the time is another matter.

[ChestyNut]

You have to constantly watch them don’t you Little

First day back to work tomorrow so Chestypup with DM all day who’s recovering from the flu

[sparkle789]

I’ve been looking out for him sniffing the ground and managed to get him out for a wee a couple of times. More in than out though but it’s only day 2.

[DonegalGhirl]

Hi, meet DonegalPup, he’s great sleeping all night in his crate & is lots of fun most of the time, except when he’s mimicking a shark & hanging off our trousers, slippers etc & using the word stop, distracting him with something else to chew on, turning our back on him or smacking rolled up newspaper loudly off a surface don’t work. Although it’s not for everyone, we’ve now decided to say ‘bad bad bad’ and if that doesn’t work he’s straight in his cage to calm down. Will let u all know how it goes.

We’re also firming up with the toilet training & have done well today with pees, had him out in the back garden for an hour this morning and again for 1hr 15mins just now but still no poo (he done one first thing 2mins after coming in).

He’s had 2 weeks settling in which mostly is going great but it’s time for tough love, more routine with feeds & trips outside.

It’s great seeing photos of the other puppy’s and learning what’s working / not working for others.

[ChestyNut]

sparkle we go out and shout wee wees after sleep, after food, if she plays after around 20 mins and if she’s sniffing around.....exhausting!

Donegal he’s very cute! We also have baby crocodile like behaviour! 4:30 seems to be crazy time here!

[FrangipaniBlue]

FrangipaniPup arrived 9 days ago after losing 15yr old FrangipaniDoggo in April.

OMG how I had forgotten, I think my brain must've blocked the memories as a coping mechanism!!!

Pros: he was 12wks when we got him and had a lot of learned good behaviours from the 3 adult dogs and 2 pups the breeder had kept, so he is pretty much toilet trained, knows how to sit and stay and with a bit of extra encouragement from us is now fully crate trained.

Cons: the biting!!!! My hands and forearms are black and blue he's stubborn, oh god he's stubborn, and apparently prefers my Christmas decorations to his own toys!!!

Currently snoring on my knee looking like butter wouldn't melt.

[Cotonrafa]

Frangipanipup sounds just like ours he arrrived last Sunday at 12 weeks goes out mist times to toilet and can sit, but oh my gosh the biting! We try a stern no, but having heard on here about bitter apple spray have now ordered some of that anyone know if you can use it on your fingers and socks?

[Cotonrafa]

Trying to add photo have it in file but d9nt know what to do next😕

[Cotonrafa]

It worked!

[ChestyNut]

Cute coton

Chestypup has just discovered her squeaky bark! Barking at me from her bed as I’m ignoring her

Frang were 10 weeks here, not very reliable toilet wise unless you watch her at all times and she’s like a baby crocodile