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The doghouse

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Original poster

Newboy arriving Saturday, some questions......

73 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 31/08/2021 07:27

Our new Labrador boypup is arriving on Saturday. As well as being extremely excited (kids), we’re also extremely worried about getting it right and change of lifestyle (me and DH).

A couple of questions for all you experts. I’m a complete dog newbie, only ever had cats. DH had a collie as a child.

  1. How do I know a good Pet Insurance company? What am I looking for?
  1. Although I work from home I would like to feel confident about eventually leaving him for a few hours. When do I start this process by leaving him for 10 minutes and then increasing gradually?
  1. What are the biggest mistakes new owners make and how do I avoid them?

Tia

OP posts:
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 01/09/2021 22:12

We haven't got a puppy playpen, just a crate.
I plan to sleep in the kitchen with him too.

OP posts:
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 02/09/2021 08:19

Thanks Ladyrattles

OP posts:
bluetongue · 02/09/2021 15:37

Such a cutie Smile

It was covered by a previous poster but my biggest training (or not training) regret is not training my boy to have his feet handled and nails trimmed as a puppy. In my defence he had separation anxiety so bigger things to worry about but it would make my life so much easier (and cheaper) if I didn’t have to his nails..

Also, try and train him to sit on a mat or his bed while you’re eating. I didn’t with mine and he’s terrible while people are eating and had stolen food from friends’ plates a few times Blush

Tinkerbellfluffyboots79 · 02/09/2021 15:44

Your life will never be the same in a good way, my 10 year old has just got home and is sitting cuddling Alfie something he couldn’t have done 6 months ago as he was a land shark but they change so much in a year, enjoy him and each stage passes.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 02/09/2021 22:46

Thanks all.
What is a land shark?
I told you I was a Dog Newbie!

OP posts:
Laaaaa · 03/09/2021 03:04

How's it going op?

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 03/09/2021 10:39

He’s coming tomorrow 😭😭😭

Just bought a stair gate.

Making the most of my last day of complete independence for a very long time!
DCs back to school today too.
Will appreciate my last proper lie-in tomorrow too 😃

OP posts:
MarleneDietrichsSmile · 03/09/2021 10:45

Don’t forget to just enjoy it

Some new dig owners can get so anxious to get it right they get stressed, and forget to just enjoy it.

Dogs are great companions and very loving. My pup sometimes pees himself with excitement when I come back home Grin.

It’s not make or break, you’ll get some things right and some things wrong. There will be minor disasters, some chewed items, some moments where you think you got everything wrong

But don’t forget to also just enjoy the cuteness snd cuddles and laughs (there will be lots of laughs, guaranteed)

tizwozliz · 03/09/2021 10:49

Our lab pup came home at the beginning of the July and my biggest regret is that i dumped a lot of stuff upstairs in the spare room in the quest to make the downstairs areas puppy proof and I still haven't found time to sort it out 2 months later!

InexperiencedDogOwner · 03/09/2021 12:11

@MarleneDietrichsSmile

Don’t forget to just enjoy it

Some new dig owners can get so anxious to get it right they get stressed, and forget to just enjoy it.

Dogs are great companions and very loving. My pup sometimes pees himself with excitement when I come back home Grin.

It’s not make or break, you’ll get some things right and some things wrong. There will be minor disasters, some chewed items, some moments where you think you got everything wrong

But don’t forget to also just enjoy the cuteness snd cuddles and laughs (there will be lots of laughs, guaranteed)

It's lovely to read this as I've had my 8 week old boy for 3 days now and I've been in tears most days wondering if I've made the wrong decision by getting him. Always second guessing myself whether I'm doing things right. Different opinions on how to do things everywhere. Just like having a newborn! Hopefully it will pass, I've always been a cat person before so everything is so new. Great to see so many tips on here though Smile
InexperiencedDogOwner · 03/09/2021 12:12

@BaconAndAvocado

Thanks all. What is a land shark? I told you I was a Dog Newbie!
My guess is he was a biter!!
MarleneDietrichsSmile · 03/09/2021 12:13

The first few weeks are hard OP

It gets better once you get to know eachother

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 03/09/2021 12:41

Thanks all.
Trying not to obsess over it and just enjoy!

InexperiencedDogOwner I too have only ever had cats so I may well be in the same position as you in a few days!

What's been the hardest thing so far?

OP posts:
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 03/09/2021 15:08

Re the kongs,, can you use any kind of peanut butter?

OP posts:
PermanentlyDizzy · 03/09/2021 15:11

@BaconAndAvocado

Re the kongs,, can you use any kind of peanut butter?
Check it doesn’t contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. You can get peanut butters that are literally just pureed peanuts, that’s the safest, although more expensive. You can buy dog friendly peanut butter in pet shops, but I would assume that’s probably really expensive too.
MarleneDietrichsSmile · 03/09/2021 15:16

I would not give a pup a kong stuffed with peanut butter, won’t that just give them the squits? Shock

PermanentlyDizzy · 03/09/2021 15:50

@MarleneDietrichsSmile

I would not give a pup a kong stuffed with peanut butter, won’t that just give them the squits? Shock
Good point, I just saw the last question and responded.

With my pups I use soaked kibble, mixed with sardines in kongs. Stinky, but they love it and it’s easy to digest. Only after they’ve had enough time to settle in and get used to whatever you are feeding them too.

Actually, my two Lurchers couldn’t tolerate peanut butter at all. The gaseous emissions afterwards were positively toxic!

PermanentlyDizzy · 03/09/2021 15:51

Doh! Emoticon fail!

longtompot · 03/09/2021 16:09

Gorgeous puppy!
I would say positive reinforcement all the way. Praise the good, ignore the bad. If he chews shoes, give him something you'd rather him chew.

Also, don't despair at the teenage months. You'll feel that all the training that he has been oh so good at has all gone out of the window. It's just hormones. Just go back a few steps and redo the training. You will get there.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 03/09/2021 17:32

@MarleneDietrichsSmile

I would not give a pup a kong stuffed with peanut butter, won’t that just give them the squits? Shock
Just remembered, I've bought some King mousse stuff!
OP posts:
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 03/09/2021 17:32

*kong

OP posts:
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 03/09/2021 17:33

Thank you longtompot

OP posts:
ruthieness · 03/09/2021 18:04

My advice is to ensure at first that someone is watching pup all the time they are not in the crate - they really will chew anything - even chairs!!
but cables are a nuisance to replace!! oh and any food will be snaffled - putting down plate to go get drink - all gone!!
its relentless!!

Also suggest you keep a very basic food log so if any allergies develop you have an idea of what pup has had - it is easy to buy something different because supermarket does not have regular brand in stock but worth keeping a note of what they have had.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 03/09/2021 18:54

ruthieness good point re food log.
Today I've tried to puppy proof our kitchen area. Nothing left at floor level.

OP posts:
bingohandjob · 03/09/2021 19:16

Something I really wish I'd done (totally as a self indulgence) was to take a weekly photo next to something you can use as a fixed 'scale' measure to look back see how quickly your pup grows - seeing him every day, I didn't really notice but my friends who'd see him weekly were BLOODY HELL, HE'S GROWN. A friend did this with their pup and it's so lovely to see the same pose next to same thing over the weeks.

Be prepared to totally feel overwhelmed with heartwarming love when pup snuggles into you and does one of those big Labrador sighs Smile