Puppy survival thread! July 2020

[Juiceey]

Roll up roll up... I'm a day late but here we are.

Latest update: Juiceypup is obsessed with DS's feet, who is now starting to get upset by it. He doesn't do it to anyone else, only him, and we don't know why. DS goes stock still as instructed but we have to prise his mouth open to get him off his toe. Has brought him to tears a few times.

[OwlInAnOakTree]

@pleasecaffeinateme can't imagine how hard it is with a toddler. My DS is 7 so at least he can spend time in other rooms on his own. I really couldn't cope with him and pup in the same room all day. I hope your partner starts pulling his weight! It's hard work on your own.

@GingerAndTheBiscuits have you made a definite decision about rehoming? Sorry, it must be a really hard decision to make. I'm a student myself so on summer holiday, so no work to do thankfully. These pups are all consuming. I barely get to eat or go to the toilet some days! The thought of fitting work in around them...!

Re biting, I've been trying the 20 seconds in crate (did I read that here or on the BC forum?). But bitey pup is so bloody quick and getting so big, it's virtually impossible to get hold of the bugger, and he thinks it's all part of the game me chasing him about so it's completely ineffectual anyway! I've added loads of sausage value to the word 'no' so a 'no' can stop him biting me if it's just him having a bit of a bite whilst sat near me. If he's full on manic bitey playful mode, then it doesn't work. Similar with 'sit'. None of it works when it's my son he's trying to bite because he's always too excited by that point.

He's currently sat on my legs on the sofa chewing away on his pizzle. Stink of pizzle aside, moments like this are lovely. And they're definitely increasing.

[midnightstar66]

The trouble is, as with many things, there's loads of bad advice out there even from supposed experts. I've found the dog training and advice page on Facebook invaluable. They have units on puppies, rescues, pretty much any issue you can think of and if you still need help you can post for 1:1 advice. One of the units explains why to never use the word 'no' in training. It's such a high frequency word that your dog is going to hear it all the time day in and day out and only sometimes with rewards or consequences. Dpup will not differentiate between you saying no to dc or the telesales person or to him so it's inconsistent. And definitely don't get in to a game of chase. There are points on how to avoid this too. Also for those with young dc a puppy pen is a necessity so pup and child can be kept separate when you can't fully supervise.

[OliveButler]

Hi all
Oliverpup slept from 9 until 7 and so I am feeling more human. Sleep deprivation makes everything seem bleaker.
Also, with biting, I saw something on YouTube that really made sense to me. It seems to be working here and pup is very receptive

in case the link doesn't work it's the Simpawtico Dog Training channel.
*@GingerAndTheBiscuits* that's tough. You have to make the right call for you and your family and it's better to do it sooner rather than later before the puppy gets too attached.

[muckandnettles]

@GingerAndTheBiscuits I'm so sorry you've had to make that decision as I know how hard this has been for you. You absolutely have to make the decision for your family, but I can imagine it's so difficult.

@OliveButler I love that Simpawtico guy! I've found very little has worked for me at all, but I still watch. I like his attitude to the pups particularly and I think the only thing I've taken on board is the idea of saying a command only once and then it's either yes you've done it (reward) or nope (no reward). And leave time for the pup to work out what to do. I've been amazed how many times that has worked and pup has actually finally worked out what was needed.

The only useful thing I can offer you all is this - when pup gets really out of control in the house, put a light lead on them. I did that in desperation last night as pup just kept jumping up at dh while he was eating and wouldn't come away. So I put a little lead on him, just a very light one (Poundland), not the usual one, and pulled him away and made him sit with me. Gave treats for sitting with me, kept him there. Then I left the lead on him for a while, just trailing round. I took it off after a while but then did the same this morning when he was jumping up. It worked brilliantly so just wanted to tell you all. I'd seen McCann dog training say they always do that and I'd decided that wasn't for me, but it was good for that mad jumping and bitey time of night just to get some control.

[DoorbellsSleighbellsSchnitzel]

Can I join you all? Our puppy is 10 weeks old today and been with us just short of two weeks! We were on the breeder's wait list for about two years - we had to pass on a litter this time last year due to various medical issues.

He's gorgeous, and also very hard work 😄. The biting is the worst bit, but I'm aware that it's normal, and we're trying to work with it. Poor DD10 seems to get the worst of it.

Gave him his first bath yesterday, which went okay - lickimat and then lots of chicken during the drying process! He's going to have long hair so need to get him used to a dryer and brush.

We've had lots of garden visitors this week in an effort to start socialisation. 2nd Vaccinations this Thursday. Looking forward to when we can get out and about more. Also have a trainer coming over for a 121 session this week in lieu of any classes running at the moment.

[muckandnettles]

Cute puppy!!

[OwlInAnOakTree]

Aww, he's lovely.

[OwlInAnOakTree]

Yeah, I've read all about not using 'no' midnightstar. Problem is, it's the first thing that comes out when I'm telling someone/something not to do something...so I went with it. I say 'OwlPup no' in a particular tone, it distracts him from what he's doing, he looks at me, he gets a treat for looking/listening, then he gets given appropriate toy/chew/whatever. It works well for us despite using the despised 'no'. He also responds to 'OwlPup sausage!' when I want to really distract him from something. So I guess I could switch to that. But that'll backfire very quickly if I only give him kibble when he comes running over...

I really like the Simpawtico guy too. Lovely manner. What he says about bite inhibition makes perfect sense, but my pup's biting tends to come in slightly manic frenzied episodes, rather than when he's sat quietly and calmly playing on my knee like the puppy in that particular Simpawtico video. I wonder if the lead idea is something I could try muckandnettles for when DS walks into the room, which puts pup in an immediate state of high excitement?

[muckandnettles]

@OwlInAnOakTree I'd say it's worth a go. Muckypup went along with it, though wasn't happy at suddenly being under control in the middle of some fun. I also did the same in the garden just now when he was going a bit too crazy and digging near some pipes by the house. He's not impressed at all with me tonight!

[DangerCake]

Taking yourself away from the puppy is what I read and it works.if they are biting it takes to long to put in a crate so put yourself the other side of a door for just 5 or 10 seconds it works. And if they are being manic they are probably tired.

@pleasecaffeinateme I remember that stage, I’d have happily given her back to the breeder. It passes.

[muckandnettles]

@DangerCake definitely take yourself away if at all possible, yes! It's just if you're in the middle of breakfast and keep getting jumped on each time you sit down it's not that easy! When we first got muckypup my time out was a little cry on the stairs before I went back!

[OwlInAnOakTree]

I don't think I could make that work because I can't get out of the room without pup making an escape for it. Even going to the toilet is quite a task!

[Polkadotpjs]

I tried the shouting out ow but when latched on, his terrier instinct says don't let go 😩. I like the idea of reducing bite pressure gradually as my mum did that with our dogs so you could put your hands in their mouths without fear and they were very gentle

[Polkadotpjs]

Anyone else panic if the pup takes them self to bed at this time. I'm thinking no!!! It's too early to go to bed! I want him to sleep. But if he's knackered...🤨

[smilingthroughgrittedteeth]

@Polkadotpjs pup likes to settle down at 9pm i keep him awake until as close to 10 as he can manage

[Polkadotpjs]

I got him up!! Had a wee then a play then I cuddled him. He sighed and went back to bed!

[Polkadotpjs]

@smilingthroughgrittedteeth I am fearful but thinking I'll go to be soon to get as many hours in as possible 🤣. The biting has been better this afternoon - some moments grabbing and snarling at my ankle and not letting go but DH has stepped right up and helped me with distractions and treats and has been very patiently sitting rewarding calm. I can see in the good moments the lovely dog he could become. Hang in there!!

[lovely123]

Hi
Just bought home our 8 week old golden retriever but she’s literally slept all day, I’ve heard it’s normal but the little time she was awake she wanted no interaction, is this normal? It’s really upsetting the children as they think she doesn’t like them.

[DangerCake]

@lovely123. Give her time. Ours was a bit timid at first it’s their first time away from siblings and mum in a brand new place with new people.

Her appetite didn’t appear for a couple of days either. And they sleep way more then you could think is possible.

Make sure she’s got a safe Quiet place to retreat to away from the kids And they now not to disturb her there.

If she carries on not interacting ring the vets as that wouldn’t be normal.

[pistachioicecream]

Just had our first night with a 10 week old Lagotto romagnolo. She slept in her crate beautifully from about 10-5. But when I got her out this morning her bed was all wet :-(. So much for not toiletting where they sleep! Help!

Do other people wake their puppies up in the middle of the night to take them for a wee?

The blanket that came home from the breeder with her mum’s scent on is a bit wet too. Whilst her bed is in the washing machine currently I haven’t put that in yet but I’m going to have to. But what about her mum’s scent? Is it going to make her stressed if that’s gone? How long does it last for normally?

She basically slept most of yesterday too which I guess was a reaction to everything that happened. She played for a bit last night before bed and we’ve just played together now. She’s zonked out on my lap now but was definitely more awake and playful this morning so hopefully that means she’s feeling more settled?

[BiteyShark]

Just had our first night with a 10 week old Lagotto romagnolo. She slept in her crate beautifully from about 10-5. But when I got her out this morning her bed was all wet :-(. So much for not toiletting where they sleep! Help!

They won't toilet where they sleep if they can help it but at that age they typically can't last very long so would have been forced to pee.

Some people use puppy pads next to the bed at night but I didn't want to encourage peeing inside at all so I used an alarm and took mine out in the night. At first that was twice in the night but gradually that got reduced.

[pistachioicecream]

Oh no I feel terrible. I slept in the room on a sofa bed next to her and she didn’t make a peep so I assumed she was just asleep and ok. :-(.

[BiteyShark]

Oh no I feel terrible. I slept in the room on a sofa bed next to her and she didn’t make a peep so I assumed she was just asleep and ok.

Don't worry my puppy was forced to pee once when I slept through my alarm .

They might not find their voice for a little while given it's a new and scary environment.

[pistachioicecream]

didn't make a peep - I meant any noise that would make me think she wanted to come out. I barely slept at all as was so worried about her. She made lots of snuffly, snoring noises and every time I peered in she was stretched out asleep. So assumed all was ok.

What should I do about her mum’s blanket. Will she be ok without the scent once I wash it do you think?

Thanks for your reply.

[pistachioicecream]

She seems pretty chilled without it at the moment!