Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

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:
Thread gallery
56
LittleLongDog · 11/12/2018 08:04

Yay Chesty!

How did the rest of the night go sparkle? I stand next to LittlePup while he settles down for his big night time sleep. No playing or fuss but just sort of being near him until he starts nodding off then gradually moving further away. Could that help?

sparkle789 · 11/12/2018 08:25

Dh slept downstairs in the end. I will give your suggestion a try. We aren’t crate training he does have a bed in the kitchen. Do you think crate training might help? I’m feeling completely overwhelmed right now.

BiteyShark · 11/12/2018 09:08

sparkle789 BiteyDog did sleep in a crate until he was 1 year old. He now sleeps in a bed but I find that his bed has to be in a corner of the room 'tucked away'. He simply doesn't like sleeping out in the open so maybe think about where your puppies bed is. Can you make a little den somewhere the bed to make it more cosy?

Wolfiefan · 11/12/2018 09:12

I remember that feeling! There’s a great group on FB called dog training advice and support. They have brilliant files on starting with a new pup and toilet training etc.
They also have a file on crate training. The issue with that is you have to very slowly get them used to using a crate and can’t actually shut the door to start with!
I slept next to Wolfiepup for three weeks. At that point she started sleeping right through and settling fine. So I got to go back to bed. Unfortunately they’re all different!

sparkle789 · 11/12/2018 09:27

I’ve ordered a travel crate for vet trips so I’ll give crate training a go. His bed is in the kitchen it’s a bit tight on space but I’ll see if I can make it more den like. In the day he always sleeps in the front room on a blanket, I don’t know weather to move his bed in there so it’s where he is used to sleeping?
I’m in total puppy regret right now. I love him but it’s so relentless, also have an 18 month old so it’s very full on right now! I know it’ll be worth it in the end though.

Wolfiefan · 11/12/2018 09:28

I remember the puppy regret. I really do. It was relentless and such hard work.
Mine is now two. She got up, had breakfast and went back to sleep. I must wake her up for a walk at some stage! It gets easier.

DanielCraigsUnderpants · 11/12/2018 10:08

To be clear my puppy is crated in my bedroom with me unless I have to go to work.

Margomini · 11/12/2018 10:39

Hi Guys....completely disappeared for a few days...maybe in denial or tiredness...I'm not sure which!

We picked up Margomini dog on Friday, she was so good in the car coming home it was quite last when we got back so mainly just cuddles then bed time....she obviously hadn't had chance to get use to her crate and we decided to put the crate in our bedroom....oh sweet lord the noise and crying was the most painful thing in the world....she ended up in bed with us Blush didn't make a sound and was content sleeping till nearly 8am and Saturday night and Sunday night....

otherwise during the day she is doing so so well, we have been using pads in the kitchen as the weather here has been absolutely terrible! There is no way we could of taken outside this weekend we would of both blown away! she is getting the hang of pads and sunday settle herself in her bed and slept alone for a while...

We are trying to get her used to her crate but even with treats in there and toys, playing shes still not sure and still hasn't slept in there Sad but will sleep in a fluffy bedew have for her.

So....last night we tried to settle her in our room in HER bed...made it super comfy, next to radiator, heat pad under bed, blankets etc, dark and tv on dark and really low noise.
It took about 50 mins of her crying, mooching around, jumping at the bed and then when she went quite me putting her back in bed saying Margo bed..then she settled! I was full of false hope that she would then settle nicely...maybe waking a couple of times...she woke up every hour first few times she was easy to settle back down (stoking to she fell back asleep..

2am she woke and I knew she would probably want a wee...went downstairs in silence, wee and back up and then she just would go back in bed and settle took about an hour or whimpering, mooching and me putting her back in bed to get her to sleep again and then again awake every hour getting harder to settle back down each time. By 6.00am I slightly caved (but think she was cold) and laid with her on my chest in my dressing gown to settle her and then put her back in the bed wrapped in blankets...woke up 20mins later...

I'm in work today [santa] and my mum is at our house (all week, we ended up having to get her a week earlier than planned) I am exhausted Sad

Part of me desperately wants to cave but I want to keep trying....it will get better wont it? Please tell me it will????

Sorry this is such a rambling post! I just need to express to someone other than DP....who slept through all of it!! Envy

I have tried to attached a pic...to explain how she has under the thumb already with cute-ness!!

Puppy support
itcuddles · 11/12/2018 10:51

danielcraig we did all that, the first two nights she would sleep in the crate with the door open and me next to her on the sofa, but when we eventually closed it she went mental, not just whining but full pitch barking, biting the wires on the crate. Went on for over an hour before we had to let her out, as it was getting late and we were worried about complaints from the neighbours.

She's absolutely brilliant during the night anyway sleeping where she wants in the living room with only the odd accident, so we're happy with this. But we want her to be use to the crate for vet trips and the occasional time she needs to be left during the day.

itcuddles · 11/12/2018 10:54

margomini I can see how you caved, she is georgous!!

Dottiepup · 11/12/2018 11:27

Yay for no pees or poo 😬

Dottie slept 9.30-5, I couldn’t stay awake any longer 😣 She cried for 5mins or so then settled for the night in her crate. Interestingly she only cries when I put her to bed, not when DH does 😕

Anyway, does anyone have any tips on the biting? She’s getting out of hand with my boys 😣 She just will not stop biting & scratching at them & they’re getting quite upset about it now. She drew blood on one of them this morning 😑 They no to stand still, but still she goes at them.

I’m seriously regretting getting her now, it’s all so overwhelming (I wouldn’t rehome her) 😔 it was me who pushed for another dog, so I’m doing 99% of it alone & im exhausted. Dh isn’t a dog person at all, so I can’t expect him to help more. She is a lovely puppy, I’m just at my wits end. She can’t go out walking until next Tuesday & her energy levels are sky rocketing. I play fetch, tug toys, training. But it just isn’t enough for her. Xx

LittleLongDog · 11/12/2018 11:59

sparkle he’s not crate trained yet (he’s having his kong in there). But like BiteyDog his bed is tucked away in a corner. And it’s his only bed (unless you count the number of times he falls asleep in our arms!).

margomini she’s gorgeous! It’s hard work isn’t it? Can you share the nights with your DH? Me and DP have been doing shifts and even though it’s crazy hard, I guess it’s only half as hard when you get a stint of ‘off duty’ sleep in your own bed.

Today we’re having so many more wees in the kitchen than outside. I need to be more on the ball this afternoon!

Margomini · 11/12/2018 12:17

littlelongdog

It is so so hard! To be fair on the whole she is very good and is settling well, we just need to crack these nights! DP isn't really an animal person though happy for us to get a puppy but when we discussed it I always said that I would do night times, as much as he does love her now she's here if he had got his way we would have a dog/puppy.

So we are sticking to own bed again tonight, she is currently in our room, do you think it might be easier to get her to settle downstairs with me on the sofa? Or do you think that would be more confusing now? …I just don't know what to do for the best! Confused

Sounds like you are doing really well though!

Dottiepup I can understand that feeling...im not there yet but was very tired and disheartened this morning..I hate hearing her upset but also need at least a tiny bit of personal space!

Original poster
ChestyNut · 11/12/2018 12:40

So I put her back in crate this morning where she sleeps all night with door open and went to work and 90 mins later when DM got up she had peeled all the wallpaper off part of the kitchen wall and chewed the wall AngrySad

I so wish we’d never got her it’s just relentless and can’t have her destroying the house Sad

Help Sad SadSadSad

OP posts:
LittleLongDog · 11/12/2018 12:55

Sounds like you are doing really well though! Oh god please don’t think that! He has just eaten a cotton bud. Having a panic!

BiteyShark · 11/12/2018 13:02

ChestyNut apologies if you have already said this as I am only dipping in and out of this thread for moral support. Have you tried the crate door closed when you leave the house? You can get cheap cameras that stream to your phone so you can see and hear what happens when you are out.

Original poster
ChestyNut · 11/12/2018 13:24

Bitey I’ve closed it for 10 mins whilst I’m in kitchen. I wanted her to like cage.
She’s only 11 weeks today, is it ok to leave her with door closed?

OP posts:
itcuddles · 11/12/2018 13:36

Oh dear Chesty that's exactly what I'm worried about. What did you do with her this morning before you left? Did you try and tire her out with play/training?

I popped out for an hour this morning and left itdoesntcuddle pup on the sofa sleeping, fortunately nothing destroyed and she seemed chilled and happy when I got back. Even just managed to lock her in her crate while she enjoyed a tripe stick! Stinky but worth the small moment of peace and quiet.

BiteyShark · 11/12/2018 13:36

Chesty I spent the first month getting my puppy used to be left, gradually increasing the time.

If you have no choice in leaving your puppy I think you need to think about how to puppy proof an area that won't get destroyed as it's not just about the destruction but also you don't want them eating anything that could cause them harm. Maybe get a camera and see how your puppy reacts to the door being closed.

LittleLongDog · 11/12/2018 13:45

Oh help! I’ve searched for any remains of the cotton bud and can’t find a thing: I’m positive he ate it.

The internet says wait for him to pass it and in the meantime look of for symptoms of it causing trouble.

I think it was in at least two bits - But he’s so so tiny, what if it hurts him? It’s essentially a pokey stick - what if it punctures something?!

He doesn’t seem at all phased. But what if?!?

BiteyShark · 11/12/2018 13:52

LittleLongDog if you are at all worried you can always give your vet a quick call and they can advise you on what to look out for or whether they would want to see you.

Fashionista101 · 11/12/2018 14:13

@itcuddles oh my god 🥰😍🥰😍

Fashionista101 · 11/12/2018 14:20

@FrangipaniBlue a bully 😍😍😍

Fashionista101 · 11/12/2018 14:21

Can you tell I like this thread?

Margomini · 11/12/2018 14:38

littlelongdog ohh no!! Try not to panic...just give your vet a call if you are worried it should hopefully put your mind at ease!

Just keep an eye on how he seems...hopefully it will pass no trouble!

It is amazing the weird little bits and pieces they manage to find!!