Puppy Survival Thread - May

[Doje]

Starting May off! If someone could link I'd appreciate it....

@Sparkle79 mine keeps jumping up and ripping my coat..... I'm not sure what's worse!

Plantpup has suddenly decided she’s absolutely terrified of her harness. She has worn it almost every day since she was 9 weeks old. She always has a couple of treats on the floor and will potter over and let me put it on no fuss. But the last couple of days she runs away as soon as I get it out for no apparent reason. Has anyone had this happen with their pup and has any suggestions!? She has to wear it to daycare so there’s not really the option of just not wearing it for a while

ddog doesnt like putting on his harness, once its on he's fine and loves walkies but doesn't like the harness so runs away when he sees it. sorry not helpful as I haven't found a solution!

@Plantlover23 pugpup started doing that a couple of months ago, no idea why, he doesn't seem scared he just runs away. I then just catch him and get him to 'wait' and put it on, some days he is more obedient twith that commands than others. I am not sure if he thinks its a game or that he would rather not wear it.

Sparkle79 I feel exact same as you. I was wondering how you are getting on as I think we are having a similar journey. I am feeling so overwhelmed by all the things I need to teach pup. And the inherent desire to chase things is going to be a constant battle. I just spent ages reading a book by carol something can’t remember her name. Collie expert. It’s actually a fairly depressing book as it outlines how to overcome all the typical collie problems. And it made me realise just how difficult dogs they can be in an urban setting. And I am just not sure I am up to the job 😕 however it is a very good book and I do feel empowered by knowledge. I am thinking about going to an agility expert for some training. The last trainer I went to seemed a bit overwhelmed herself by what needs to be taught by a collie to fit the urban life.

Sparkle79 have you joined bordecollieownersuk Facebook page? There are lots of people on there loving life with collies. I find it quite uplifting

Yeah I’m pretty sure leg lifting is so they’ve got better aim for scentmarking, but I’ve known bitches to do it too and I can’t see it improving their aim tbh, lol

He’s 7 months, my last puppy did it at 16 weeks and the dog before that was about 2, I thought he just wasn’t going to, I mean he’d already been neutered and everything and then suddenly he started, rofl.

So yeah it’s just all different ages.

Sparkle79 these are a few things I have found out recently that may or may not help you.
Don’t play tug of war with collies as it is not good for their bite inhibition training and is too overwhelming for them
I click and treat whenever a bike or car goes past to try and prevent chasing.
If pup is biting ankles and trying to herd you in the house. Open dooor slightly as if to let them through then close and wait for them to sit (without saying anything) eventually they get the message and wait for you to go through door first. This helps with them not herding you. Good to do this with kids too. I got this from carol price book

@Sparkle79 I can totally relate to how you feel. We have so many good times, and then he'll become a puppy again, with the biting (to be fair to him he's not actually biting, just swinging his teeth around) and ignoring recalls, only now he's twice the size. Most days he's a dream dog in the morning, but an arse 3pm to 5pm. And then oh my goodness the questioning yourself! Is he too tired, have I exercised him too much? Or not enough and he's bored?! If I take him out now is it too much / too early?! Should I wait for another walk.

@Doje ha ha ha I hear you! He's restless, I haven't done enough, he's sleeping an hour longer than usual, I've done too much, he's bored, he's overstimulated, he's a great dog, he's the devil dog, this is the best idea I ever had, this is the worst idea I ever had! I've never overthought something so much in my life 🤣🤣🤣

@familychallenge exactly! It's exhausting all of this over-thinking!

Sushipup's ankle biting is wearing really thin. It doesn't work to ignore her as she just keeps on attacking with great determination. It seems to happen in the evenings. She is just big enough for very short walks and is doing one in the morning and one lunchtime then I am usually trapped on zoom calls and meetings until the evening while she naps close to me on the floor. I could try fitting in a walk in the evening. I don't know if she is under stimulated/ over stimulated/ tired/ not tired enough. Not feeling I am a natural with dogs. Can read a cat no problems.

Ilovesushi lots of ankle biting here too and it is exhausting us all. Do they naturally grow out of it eventually? Nothing we do seems to make any difference

@ilovesushi. Almost certainly tired/over stimulated. Can you put her in her crate /pen with a chew or lick mat or something ?

They definitely grow out of it. I remember despairing when she was launching herself growling at me or ds but she’s fab now. Still forgets herself occasionally but def no more ankle biting!

Ok that’s reassuring at least

@Turquoisesol all the advice I've looked up makes sense but doesn't work in reality - at least not for us. Have tried distraction with a tug toy, tried doing a series of sits with treats to get her focus back. She does the sits, then is back to the ankles. No interest in chews or tug toys with ankles around. I put her out in the garden to blow off steam but when I let her in again she went straight for my ankles, then started jumping up as well. She is now out for the count, so it was tiredness. Not fun!

Yes that sounds exactly like us here ilovesushi.
I actually go in the garden and sit in the kids climbing frame for a break

@petalpup Literally ordering a lickmat now! I wasn't sure about putting her in the pen when she was so hyped up. If I had done it straight away I think that could have worked. Thank you!

@Turquoisesol I need a climbing frame. I could maybe get on the shed roof!

Maybe you should add ‘climbing frame’ to the ‘what do I need for new puppy?’ thread
I do remember shouting ‘feet uuuup’ at kids a lot when they were sitting on the sofa and she was in bitey mode

I wonder when it typically stops. I have a collie and I thought it was particularly a problem in the breed but maybe it’s a universal puppy thing

We have a lab. I think they are known for being chewy. Didn't know about the bitey aspect. Really hope it stops soon!!

What age are you now ilovesushi? We are 14.5 weeks

Hi, I wonder if you can given us some advice?

We (DD, her partner and i) are All experienced dog owners, but our current dog is the first puppy we've had (all our others were older rescuse).

She mainly a lovely girl, ten months old Jack Russel. She's not come into season yet (going to vets next week to check we haven't missed it), and vet says she doesn't want sterilizing until she's had her first season.

Here's the problem. She gets two long walks and runs a day and ,weather willing, she spends up to four/ five hours at our allotment. When she comes home from exercise, she gets the "zoomys". She runs from our hall to my sitting room, once round my foot stool, back into the my lounge, and on it goes. This is fine, but then she tried to bite the trousers of whoever's around, usually me. It causes problems because I'm not very steady on my feet and if I'm stood,it's quite dangerous for both of us. We've tried closing my door, but she cries to come in.

I think she she's me as the person who does not play with her (I cannot because of my physical disabilities), but who gives her treats and ear rubs, neither of which distract her when she's zooming.

She also jumps at me (more so when she's not been allowed into my room).

She's very bright, picks up commands quickly, but nothing works when she's zooming. I think we may be over tireing/stimulating her.

Thoughts?