Puppy Survival Thread - December

[Hellin301]

Day 5 of new puppy and I’m wondering what possessed me to go through all this he’s a little devil at times, most of the time actually with odd moments of cuteness

She should be a beauty then blowinahoolie

@puppygalore I meant to say about the harnesses, have you looked at Perfect Fit harnesses? They clip around the body so the dog doesn't have to have it over their head. I've heard a lot of good things about them but want to wait till Happypup is his adult size before I buy yet another harness .

Can't wait to see the St. Bernard pup - how lovely!

Happy new year to you all and your pups!

I have a quick question, how often are you feeding these days? GeorgiePup is 14 weeks now and is a 4kg cockapoo. We were feeding him 4 times a day as instructed and some sites say from 3 months they can move to 3 meals but he just isn’t taking to it. He’s not eating all of the slightly larger meals and then gets hungry before it’s time for the next. Not sure what to do. It’s no problem to us to feed him 4 times but wondered if there was a developmental reason why we shouldn’t.

Thanks.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat I think it's quite puppy dependant but I think 4 meals is generally recommended till around 4 months. We've been on 3 since before then but only because Happypup had major food issues (just didn't want to eat) and we found 3 meals just easier as it chimed in with ours and he seemed to be happier eating when we were.

Thank you, we’ll stick with the 4 then which is what we’ve done. He’s happy, eating, pooing, weeing, sleeping (albeit a very early riser! 😴)

We had an early riser too @GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat - ours (lab) was waking up at 5.30 every day. We’d go down to him so as not to wake the kids up. In the end after speaking to the trainer we decided to stop rewarding by going down to him and left him until we were ready to get up at just before 7. It took one or two nights of a couple of barkings at the time we would have previously gone to him. He’s now waking at 6.45 each day. His clock has been re set. He’s a bit older than yours though so that might make a difference - he’s now 20 weeks.

@puppygalore - same here with our cats. We have a boy and a girl and the girl hates the dog, spits and runs away. The boy isn’t much better. We’ve had our lab 3 months now and I’d hoped they’d be better by now but not really. Doesn’t help that the dog tries to eat their food (and succeeds sometimes) all the time ! And chases them around. I keep hoping it’ll get better but maybe I need to do something more active to help them get along. Cats now live upstairs and dog downstairs!!

Just checking in to say Happy New Year! I was on the previous survival threads to this as muckandnettles in May through to September I think, when my pup (now 9 months) was just making me despair. He's now so much better, just little by little, so that he is now in a routine, sleeps through and can be trusted in the nice room finally. He's an enormous Golden Retriever and we can now cuddle him without fear of biting and he walks 75% of the time without trying to dislocate our shoulders. Just wanted to say hang in there if you are struggling with a little bitey shark and hello if there is anyone else from earlier last year!

Puppy picture alert🥰

Pugpup is doing well with most things, he also eats 4 times a day @GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat but we were thinking it may be hindering him a bit sleeping in though, if we could feed him a bigger meal in the evening it may help? It may not though as it could mean he needs to poo more!

Last night he slept from 830pm downstairs, we woke him just after midnight for a quick wee/poo just as we were going to bed, he then slept till 7am. He generally only has one wee in the night, sometimes not at all but he has been stirring a few times, the first night I took him for a wee when he sat up at both 415 and 615 but he didn't need to go and clearly just wanted to sleep. The next night the same. Last night he stirred at 415 but I sshhed him and he just laid down, I was confident to do that as I knew he wouldn't wee in the crate after 4 hrs but when its been over 6 I am paranoid.

Since he has been out for walks this week he has had really soft poos. Otherwise seems really well, active and eating well. Should I be worried? We literally can't stop him eating everything off the floor!

Hi everyone, just wondering how much everyone has puppy-proofed their gardens? Pup has only been on our lawn on his lead so far as garden isn't secure yet (waiting for fence for arrive) but I'm also wondering about possibly poisonous plants. The Dogs Trust list of toxic plants mentions nearly everything in our garden so am considering removing a lot of things as he's a very keen eater and digger so far. I've already dug up foxgloves and am thinking daffodils, bluebells and azalea might be next. Am I overthinking?

Happy new year everyone. Frenchpup saw the new year in with a 7am wake-up, which is so much nicer than 5:30!

We are on 3 meals a day, never really got on with 4 as she hasn't been a good eater, but I use lots of treats when training so she's really getting 5-6 meals I suppose. We have changed food again and have now found something she loves which meets our quality/price reauirements so that's a big improements. She is finally wolfing down her meals.

In terms of the garden, Frenchpup is our second dog and we never really did anything to change the garden for our old Ddog so not done anything this time either. Ddog ate so many things in her lifetime which were supposedly bad for dogs, including an entire tin of quality street once, and never had any problems so we are fairly relaxed about that side of things. I'm more concered about her eating things in the house she shouldn't, my phone case is today's destruction (thankfully phone is ok).

The german shepherd dog we were looking after for the holidays went home yesterday thank goodness. Training dpup has been very difficult with an extra dog around. At least it got her some socialisation. By the end they were getting on pretty well, though I was watching like a hawk as the GSD could have snapped Frenchpup in 2 with one bite.

@PugInTheHouse your pup sounds so similar to mine in constitution. Remember I said to you there was something about starting walks that seems to shift their poos! We often call our pup his name then Four Shits because his walks always give him softer poos (they start hard then get softer!). He is also hoovering up leaves and horse poo (which definitely makes his poo soft) though we attempt to stop him before he does!

@HappyThursdays yes I remember, they definitely sound similar but I was worried about the soft poos, they are the same, they get softer and softerbut everywhere online says to worry if their poo changes.

We try and stop him but he is a nightmare in the garden too, we are constantly taking stuff out of his mouth. He is always eating cat litter where the cats have tracked it round the kitchen, leaves, stones, twigs!! We have been super careful with any food so I don't think it's that, I think it is literally the crap he eats outside!

We've always been on 3 meals a day. He started off a bit fussy, so I tried 4 meals and it didn't go any better so went back to three meals. If anyone is interested, I soaked his kibble which has made him snaffle it all up and he now finishes most meals.

For garden puppy proofing, we bought some wire fencing from B&Q, approx 20 quid a roll I think. We fenced off the holes under the hedge to next door and some flower beds with daffodil bulbs hidden. He spends a lot of time out there, and it just made it a bit less stressful, especially as it's dark for so much of the time at the moment!!

@Doje @Frenchfancy thanks for the garden input, I think fencing off or digging up the bulbs will make me less worried! I've already plugged the gaps under the fence and am getting another fence replaced.

Sorry for the TMI here but I’m desperate for suggestions

This is C4pup’s feeding schedule, feeding step up to naturals wet and dry mixed together.

8am - wake up and breakfast
12-1pm - lunch
4-5pm - dinner

Now here’s the problem, he will only have 2 poos during the day at most, but I can guarantee I will come downstairs to at least 2 poos the next morning from during the night. Today it was 3

Am I doing the feeding schedule wrong? I’m not sure whether the last meal should be a bit later...

Also any ideas when puppy should be able to hold it through the night? I’m expected to be going back to working in the office at Easter and I’d ideally like to not have to factor in mopping the floor into my pre-work routine. Not so bad whilst I’m working at home!

He’ll be 4 months old next weekend, but only a miniature dachshund so I’m aware it might take longer for a smaller dog

Thanks in advance!

@C4itl

Sorry for the TMI here but I’m desperate for suggestions

This is C4pup’s feeding schedule, feeding step up to naturals wet and dry mixed together.

8am - wake up and breakfast
12-1pm - lunch
4-5pm - dinner

Now here’s the problem, he will only have 2 poos during the day at most, but I can guarantee I will come downstairs to at least 2 poos the next morning from during the night. Today it was 3

Am I doing the feeding schedule wrong? I’m not sure whether the last meal should be a bit later...

Also any ideas when puppy should be able to hold it through the night? I’m expected to be going back to working in the office at Easter and I’d ideally like to not have to factor in mopping the floor into my pre-work routine. Not so bad whilst I’m working at home!

He’ll be 4 months old next weekend, but only a miniature dachshund so I’m aware it might take longer for a smaller dog

Thanks in advance!

I worked on the general principal that they could hold off toileting at night around 1 hour per month of age plus 1 so for your puppies age just under 5 hours. Also if they are able to wander about then this might increase the chances of needing to toilet because movement can trigger that.

At 4 months of age I was still getting up in the night to enable mine to toilet as he needed to go and it sounds like yours does as well.

@C4itl we are first time owners so don't really have any experience at all but our 13 week old pup has last meal at 730/8pm. He usually goes to bed in his downstairs crate about 830ish. He usually poos after dinner. We then wake him when we go upstairs approx 10/11pm so he can have a wee/poo (always has a wee sometimes not a poo). He will go approx 7 hrs without a wee, if he goes up to bed at 10pm we do usually have to take him for a wee at 5/6am but he will go back to sleep till 7.

Last night he went from 11pm till 7am which is his current wake up time. I think it is because he is hungry though, not because he needs a wee.

We don't remove water before bed, in fact he quite often has a huge drink when we wake him for his wee, it doesn't seem to make any difference either way.

I noticed a little mark in the crease between pugpups tummy and back leg today, it is slightly pink and looks like what it would do if our skin rubbed together. Has anyone got any ideas what it is? Its only small and doesn't seem to be bothering him but I noticed it when he was laying on his back.

So much to catch up on!

For cats - we were told to be careful not to allow chasing...which is incredibly hard when the cat insists on sitting in the middle of the lawn just when VacationPup wants to play. Both cats are hissing but one seems to be exerting authority and telling pup not to get too boisterous. The other is very much I HATE you.

We are thinking a doggy daycare to help lockdown socialisation (and to ease the WFH puppy/child burden). Any thoughts on on the impact on training?

Toilet training- was going great until fireworks. VacationPup then decided the hall was better than the garden for wees and we had first indoor poo. Hoping we can reverse this quickly!

One thing we are struggling with is practicing lead walking. VacationPup is not at all keen. We are thinking about a harness but don’t know what to get for 10 week old who is growing fast. Any thoughts anyone?

Oh, and VacationPup is a bit of a stinker. Not sure if a bath is a good idea. Haven’t tried one yet

@blowinahoolie what a stunner!!! She is beautiful!

PolePup has been on three meal a day since not long after we got him, he is not at all food motivated, but he will actually eat three meals, rather than just pick at them when he had four meals.

PolePups schedule is similar, <strong>*@C4itl</strong>* and hes a Mini Poodle cross, so also a small dog.
I go to bed at around 11:30pm, take him out then he goes to bed, I get up at 2:30 am, he sometimes goes out then (other times looks at me with a no way look!) and I get up at 5am, and we go for a walk then, so he goes then.
I have always been up in the middle of the night, regardless of dogs, and Ive always been up early, so it isnt a big deal for me. Would be a killer for DH though as he needs more sleep!

Some dogs need to go out in the middle of the night for longer, it might be an idea to set an alarm for 2am, and take him out then. If when you get up theres an accident, set your alarm for 1:45 am the next night, and keep setting it earlier until you get to when there hasnt been an accident yet, and then keep getting up at that time.

Dogs are usually fairly regular time wise with toileting, four months is still so young for a pup, he will get it in time, just keep at it, and maybe buy some shares in a coffee plantation

@PugInTheHouse do you have a photo of it? My first thoughts would be chaffing or ringworm, but I have never had or fostered a Pug, so I`m not too hot on skin issues. Does it bother him at all when you gently touch it? Do make sure to do it with a gloved hand and was hands thoroughly afterwards in case it is ringworm!

@Onvacation Ive never taken any of my dogs or fosters to daycare, a dog sitter or a dog walker, and I dont ever leave my dogs with another unless DH or I are there, our brilliant vet and her staff aside.
I am a suspicious individual though, and here there are so, so many irresponsible owners that I will not risk injury or trauma to my dogs by letting them mixed with untrained hooligan dogs, unvaccinated dogs and/or dogs not on a regular flea/worm schedule.
I am also very particular with how train my dogs and fosters, and I do not want to disrupt their training.
So, I wouldn`t, but a lot of people do are are pleased with their experiences.

What is it in particular about lead walking that VacationPup doesnt like? I have personally always sworn by a tip a trainer gave me years ago. Have a baby food jar (dog appropriate flavour or empty it out and fill with liquidised wet dog food) and freeze it. The every few paces let pup have a lick, and gradually phase it back until only a lick when walking nicely to heel. It has worked for me with dogs who hate leads, want to make a game out of biting and fighting leads, dogs who pull like trains and anxious dogs. Its also good a it doesnt fill them up with treats so they are still getting their proper nutrition from their actual meals, but is a high value treat nonetheless.