Puppy Survival Thread - June/July

[MrsHerculePoirot]

Discussion of all things puppy...

Old thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/4234193-puppy-survival-thread-may?msgid=108567452

@MorningInspiration Another thing I wish we had done earlier was go off lead from the start. As a novice puppy owner I thought you had to get recall nailed before letting them off the lead. It is a little heart in your mouth when you unclip the lead, but they get to exercise and explore properly. It is hard to get her back when there are other dogs about but otherwise she keeps half an eye on us and doesn't stray far. Someone upthread recommended the Stoney Dennis videos on youtube and they really chimed with me. He has a lot to say on puppies and exercise.

The hotdog recommendations are making me think this could help us crack recall with distractions!

@ilovesushi hot dogs are good for recall but really tiny pieces and don't over do it as my pup got a runny tummy after too much lol! Same happens with cheese too and both are firm favourites!

Our pup is developing an annoying habit of snapping at our hands sometime when we go to pat her. It’s not aggressive really there is no ladder of aggression at all not baring teeth or growling. It’s almost a playful snap. Often times it’s when she is fixated on something else. Say you have a ball ready to throw for her and you go to pat her and say good dog she snaps as if it say “stop it I am busy” never makes contact at all. Does anyone else have this? It’s difficult to know how to manage it other than Try and be good and predicting what she is thinking as I don’t want to reinforce the habit as it isn’t ideal.

Peanut butter is also excellent, but check the ingredients list - some contain an ingredient called xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs. Primula cheese is another good thing to have - it’s a bit less messy to carry around than sausages and also means that your fingers are safely clear of nippy teeth! Primula was dear old Spuddog’s dog crack - he would do just about anything for it, bless him.

Guys I really don’t know what to do. My adult dog (2 year old shihtzu) really doesn’t like pup and has spent three days under the sofa. I manage to get her out for food and then out for a wee but then she is straight back under the sofa. I feel so bad for her. She is obviously miserable. Earlier, after she had eaten her breakfast i sat on the kitchen floor and stroked her whilst pup wandered around the room. She seemed ok with this until pup came near and then she dived under the sofa again :( I don’t know what to do

@Turquoisesol have you taught her "gently"? That should help every time she does it say gently. Also where are you approaching her for a pat? If it's top/back of her head/ears maybe she doesn't like being touched there? Mines not massively keen on being stroked there, she loves under the chin and chest rubs though!

@CleverQuacks that sounds really hard poor dog. I think it's quite a common reaction so maybe just need to give it more time... puppies can be a nuisance to adult dogs as they are bouncey and in their face etc

Just been on a spendathon on my pets at home VIP discount. Got some free kibble to use for training treats, puppy Kongs and toys, collar, brush & stinky puppy spray etc. Just got a tag and harness really to sort stuff wise.

Got lots of good advice from a relative who breeds and has working dogs. Especially the build the bond. Then when you insist on baths, grooms, they may protest at first but they won't not love you. She also gave me a good crate, pen, loads of puppy bits & bobs on loan which has saved loads of money.

Got the kids the way squeezy kids dog training book so they're reading away. We are ready to go. So excited!!!

I just feel really bad for big dog. She is usually so laid back and chilled so I didn’t predict this happening. I want to get her out and give her a big cuddle but I think that will stress her more

Thanks aria20 no we havent taught gently. I need to do that maybe. Although not really sure how, I need to look up some methods. It does probably happen when we stroke her on her back. We do tend to stick to chest and under chin as much as possible. Whenever it happens we just immediately stop trying to stroke her so I think she has learnt it is an effective way of saying no I don’t want to be stroked just now. I mean you could say let the dog choose when to be stroked and let them approach you. But even when we do this we still seem to occasionally read her mood wrong and it happens! I must say she is very loving, and it never happens with strangers or visitors only family !

@CleverQuacks did you bring anything with pup's scent on before you go it? Big dog may just be taking time to adjust? It's a small squeaky interloper and once they get used to it being in the pack, I'm sure it'll be ok.

@CleverQuacks the DTAS fb group has some guides on introducing puppy. I think the gist is to keep them separated via a pen or gate initially and build it from there. If there are two of you to take one dog each at a time for attention etc… and basically slow, small steps. Good luck, it’s early days and hopefully will get better soon.

Thank you I will have a read.

Feeling really down today and anxious that I have made a big mistake. I know it’s normal to feel overwhelmed with a new puppy but didn’t factor in big dogs reaction.

Sorry to hear you are having a difficult time cleverquacks. I haven’t really any advice as I am not very knowledgeable. But I know how stressful early days are with puppy so I feel for you. Most problems just take time and effort to figure out how to resolve, I am sure there will be a way to figure it out.

So shattered, not quite sure how something that's only awake 5 hours a day can be so tiring!

@Turquoisesol our pup doesn't like strokes either (have to wait until he's sleepy to get a stroke or when he is eating from a bowl weirdly enough). Like previous people have said it is linked to timing and area. E.g. as a person, I would be annoyed if someone stroked me on the head when on a conference call but may enjoy a massage when chilling. I am also hoping when morningpups mellow with age into an adult lab he will love them. Sorry this doesn't help much but know you're not alone with 'no petting' pup

Ours bites during witching hour and in non-witching hour will occasionally lick my partners legs (often when sleepy). We used the impromptu licks to start teaching 'Kisses'. We are hoping the combination of leaving him in the pen when he bites and rewarding kisses, he will pick up on we prefer a kiss (!?) I would also like to learn gentle and didn't think of it until I read it here, as some times when he takes a treat he gets my hand instead

@CleverQuacks I am sorry I don't know much about this but hope to have 2 dogs after morningpup get to 1 year old +. My gut tells me that it will take time and it is early days yet. My sister hated me when I was born and did try to get rid of me Like a younger sibling, your pup suddenly has to share your attention and put up with a yappy/silly puppy. If you feel really low and only if you can afford it, I would seek a 1-2-1 trainer/behaviourist who has dealt with this to come round. Sometimes having someone who has seen it 1000x times before gives you reassurance and confidence to break through puppy blues. However this has a cost attached and I would only do it if I could afford/budgeted for it (particularly as we are easing towards payday and I know my budget has gone on hidden puppy costs!).

@tizwozliz it is isn't it albeit pretty sure mine is up more than 5 hours

Morninginspiration thanks that does make me feel better! The dc adore her and want to give affection but I feel like I am constantly telling them to leave her alone in case she gets annoyed. She does like petting but needs to be absolutely on her terms and it’s hard to read the signs especially for a child. If we have a visitor here she wants the visitor to give her some love. And if we try to pet her too she will tell us to stop by air snapping our hands then go back to pestering visitor! She often affectionately licks the dcs hands. And they like that (not sure if it’s something I should encourage but I figure pick my battles!). My youngest started offering his hands to let her lick and he is careful to let her decide he doesn’t smother her at all. Mostly she will lick them and initiate petting. Then the next time she will air snap at his hands to tell him to go away, so it’s a bit confusing ! I wondered if perhaps we should go back to the rules we had with puppy biting where we all leave the room and ignore her if she does it.

@Turquoisesol and @MorningInspiration puppy school taught us to hold a high value treat in a closed fist in front of the puppy's nose and say "gently" wait for them to stop sniffing/licking/pawing at your hand trying to get the treat. The second they stop say good and give them the treat. Keep doing it and they should get the hang of it really quickly and as soon as you say gently they know to just wait until you open your fist and eat it gently. You can then progress to holding the treat just in between your thumb and index finger and say gently - obv don't do this if they haven't reliably mastered the closed fist or they might nip your finger tips!!

Thanks aria20 I will definitely try that. I wonder if she will generalise to gently when playing as well as when receiving a treat?

Thanks for the support guys. Feeling a little bit better this evening. Big dog came out from under the sofa and sat with me for a bit (she is now back under the sofa) so it’s a little bit of progress.

In good news pup has really taken to her crate. She has slept in there (with the door open) for every sleep. Taking herself in there. She was just whining at me because she wanted to go in there and the door was closed.

That’s great cleverquacks. Everything should be easier if they like their crate

@Turquoisesol ohhhh I so relate. New face at the door - 'LOVE ME/DO ANYTHING YOU WANT'; my boring old self 'no petting'. They definitely don't know who is buying the kibble/treats Though to be fair he will go for an excitement nip after a bit for said visitor so....

Picking your battles is key - goodness knows there are so many to have with a pup and a child. In the future you may need to decide whether you encourage 'kisses' or 'gentle' via training or go cold turkey with the biting, if it gets worse or teeth-skin contact is made. I think continuing your no biting (and any puppy) lessons is a good thing - particularly keeping it going in prep for the dreaded teenage months.

Oh @Aria20 that is genius - thank you so much! I am such a wimp that sometimes I close my eyes to stop the auto-flinch haha. I have always had a thing about losing digits. The thumb and index finger trick sends shivers down my spine (or maybe finger tips!)

How old is your pup morninginspiration? Turquoisepup is 6 months

Thanks so much to everyone. Not sure what I would do without this thread

Yes perhaps I could teach “kisses” so when the dc show her their hands she knows she is to kiss them. Or maybe we will end up with an overly licky puppy then !!