Puppy Survival Thread - August

[MrsHerculePoirot]

Discussion of things puppy!

Old thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/4281840-Puppy-Survival-Thread-June-July?pg=1

Eeeeek!

UK.... It 'felt' like it might have been a tarantula...but possibly fuckinglargehouse tarantula version...

@MakeMeCleanTheHouse 😂😂 I know exactly what you mean

It definitely gets easier PoirotPup is six months now and generally a delight! Took him camping for a week last week and he was a superstar. If you search back my posts you’ll find the one that tries to reassure in detail someone who asked about it getting easier before - as I’m the OP might be easy to find it?

Would someone else like to start the next thread? I did this one and the last one so someone else can have a turn 🤣

Sorry for those of you struggling with settling and crates - when Sweet Dog was small, settle was the hardest to teach, because he got so excited by being rewarded (face palm)! The crate was easier, just because he seemed to trust us and still, just accepts where we put him! (But let's not talk about his recall!).

Our big advantage with Sweet Pup is that our bloody brilliant breeder had crates all over their living room, in addition to the whelping crate, and the pups just wandered in and out all day, so when he came home and saw a crate, he already knew that was a safe space and went straight in. We feed in the crate with the door open, and encourage him in if we need to open the front door, and he has the ultimate inducement - the cat likes to sleep there, and he lurves the cat!

Anyway I crashed at 8:30pm last night, so DH brought SP to bed. Made it to 4:10 am, then another sleep (for him) until 5:40. It's also tough if your other half isn't on side. My only complaint about DH is that he has to be reminded to do training when he's in charge as SP is generally quite chilled.

I've booked a field again this morning so we can have a good relaxed runaround. I've kept half of pup's breakfast allowance back for training whilst we're there so trying to keep her occupied for next half hour without her noticing she's only been fed half rations!

Spudpup had a better night last night and slept until 7, so we all had a better night too. He has had some of his breakfast from his snuffle mat, which I’m really pleased about as I made it from fabric scraps - he really liked it so I’ll give him some more food on it later. Post-op check today, I don’t know what they’re going to find under the dressing as he has not been staying calm at all, despite our best efforts 😬 He keeps jumping up! Hoping we’ll get the all-clear to go on holiday tomorrow and that perhaps Spudpup might be allowed short lead walks 🤞 Honestly, I don’t remember having to be quite this hardcore when Spuddog had his operation, although he was an adult dog.

Anyway, Lord Buckethead is currently in bed, so hopefully he’s snoozing and recovering.

Also, DH has booked an extra day off work, so he’s now off work until next Tuesday. I cried when he told me last night, I was so relieved not to have another day of trying to keep everyone quiet and split myself in half between DS and Spudpup!

@Spudlet Lord Buckrthead 😂 Good luck with the trip to the vet. I hope you get the all clear to go on holiday

For us it seemed to get easier and now that doggo is 15 months she's turned into a nut job again her trainer has said that this often happens during adolescence, likely not helped by the fact we have 10 week old DS. Hoping she calms down soon!

Does anyone have any tips/ wisdom to share on getting the right doggy daycare? I can't find anyone local local. They are all a bit of a drive and not all do pick ups and drop offs. Some only do until 4pm, some don't take large dogs, some are fully booked, some don't take young dogs either for insurance reasons or they have older dogs and don't want an energetic youngster. I can't seem to find a good fit! I don't know about sushipup but I know I am dreading the separation anxiety for myself!

Morning everyone,

I've had a cry this morning and generally feeling regret. I love him and we've bonded well but I'm exhausted. As I'm on my own I've resorted to ear plugs and the crate in the kitchen at night. Last night he cried whilst I brushed my teeth then zonked out. My DS woke him up at 6.30am! So that's a good step.

I've ordered him a puppy pen too so I can work and take my eyes off him.

@ilovesushi I can't find anyone either none will take either until they are spayed/neutered and most won't take an under 1 either!

@ilovesushi I found someone on Facebook. It's someone who is licensed by the council to look after 3 dogs in her home. I've been to visit her and it looks nice. I found that the large commercial places were too strict in terms of timings, age, size, breed, behaviour. It was just too difficult to make it work. Maybe try posting on local Facebook group? Or ask in your local pet shop if they know anyone? Or even look at local notice boards? A lot of people around here advertise that way.

I found a lady I sort of knew/friend of a friend who does walks and in home care. I'd seen how she cared for her own dog and other dogs she was looking after. She met pup and he loved her straight away. She's not necessarily the most professionally qualified dog sitter in the area (she is licensed and registered) I was more interested in whether she would love him than whether she would cut his toenails. It was a lot like choosing a nursery to be honest. That said I don't need her all day every day although I'm sure she would have him if I wanted that.

I can't remember whether it was this thread or a previous one where someone was talking about drying coats. Any recommendations? I've seen the ruff and tumble ones mentioned but they're quite expensive compared to others. Don't mind spending the money and selling on when she outgrows if they're really worth it over cheaper ones.

I have no idea what this chew is. Might be a beef bladder twist. But it stinks (not envy)

We've had goats ears to try - I'm not a fan, definitely more smelly than the other chews we've had. Luckily she stayed outside with it mostly, but I won't be getting them again until next summer. They came in the 12 week JR pack we got.

Lord Buckethead is now the All Because The Lady Loves Milk Tray pup - although the bucket is back on at the moment as before he settled to nap he was trying to groom under the suit and I panicked a bit. Anyway, he’s asleep now.

The vet was pretty downbeat about us going away so not sure what to do for the best really. I need to speak to DH when he gets home so we can decide together. Feeing pretty fed up at the moment tbh.

@tizwozliz the ruff and tumble ones are fantastic. Really good for staying on and getting them dry quickly. Worth every penny. We''ve got a water baby who always comes back from a walk soaking wet.

Aww look at Spudpup's face. Not being able to go away is pants....hugs.

FawkesPup is redeeming himself after yesterday's pissathon. He's toileted outside all morning. Asleep in his crate at the mo too, voluntarily. Small wins.

Still struggling to settle him after his early morning poo though. He whines and unless I come downstairs and sleep on the sofa will not shush. I've tried chews, one hand in crate, music....nothing helps other than he wants to cuddle up. I might end up letting him Shout it out as he's absolutely got nothing he wants other than to sleep on me. Argh!!

Wondering whether to try the crate inside the pen again soon. Reintroduced the pen yesterday and he's been happy as Larry in there whilst we eat, cleaned hamster out etc.

Both Dog and Pup are big fans of rabbit ears - but only the fluffy ones, not the striped kind. They don't last long and the crunching is , but, they've done wonders for Sweet Dog's plaque build up, and the fur is supposed to be good against worm infestation and they don't smell (although they are both wormed monthly anyway). SD loves trachea - but they are very oily to touch so only good for in the garden. My 'favourite' for a good satisfying crunch is dried beef lung, it actually smells like high cocoa solid chocolate. SD also likes dried tripe, but it worries him unless I cut it into smaller pieces (weird dog)

Did I mention I'm 32 years a vegetarian?

And I can't remember who suggested buffalo horn was a good distraction from stones ? I think it was you @Aria20? Anyway, whoever it was, YOU ARE MY HERO! (apart from when SP drops it on the floor) He loves it, and carries it around like he is blowing an alpine horn (determined to get a picture), and we haven't had any stone chewing. On the other hand, the Yakkers have completely disappeared, I have no idea what SD has done with them, he doesn't want them, but apparently they are too good for the pup!

I've had the Ruff & Tumble recommended too as excellent, and they can double up as cooler coats in summer (they posted how to on the website).

I've got a cheap microfiber hoody drying thing from b&m for baths whilst he's small, he can have the real deal for Xmas!

Big, un-Mumsnetty hugs. I totally get how you're feeling. I loved SweetDog completely, he was my saviour from a very bad bout of depression, but he nearly broke me as a puppy, I cried A LOT. I perservered and so pleased I did, but in the first six months of owning him, I was offered three other spaniel puppies by people who felt they couldn't cope - I hope they perservered and came out the other side.

That was for @Heretherenow