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Original poster

Tell me everything you wish you’d known!

32 replies

PerfectPuppy · 19/10/2021 21:31

Picking up our newest addition next weekend, 1st generation sprocker puppy.
We have done lots of research but what do you wish you’d known?

I’m under no illusion this will be hard work but we can’t wait for her to arrive!

We plan to use a local trainer to help too but any tips and advice welcomed Smile

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/10/2021 21:34

Dog training advice and support on FB. Bloody awesome advice.

Original poster
PerfectPuppy · 19/10/2021 21:39

Thank you! Off to have a look

OP posts:
Justcannotbearsed · 19/10/2021 21:42

That FB group and the happy puppy book.

Wolfiefan · 19/10/2021 21:42

It’s brilliant. Files on first night. Toilet training. Lead walking. Socialisation. Separation anxiety. It really helped me with my first.
Guessing you have the torch, wellies, poo bags all ready! Grin

LordoftheDanceSaidHe · 19/10/2021 21:54

Don't forget to enjoy your dog as well as training and ticking everything off the list for socialisation.
Go at your dog's pace and develop your bond.

It's really tough at times and it's ok to feel that. It gets easier.

Ylvamoon · 19/10/2021 23:10

If puppies is 8 weeks old, then they tend to follow you around use this to practise walking to heel by tapping your leg andgive command (unless it's THAT lazy sod I just brought home!)
Every time your puppy is doing tirs business outside praise and say good boy / girl "toilet" before long they go on command!

Eeeeeps · 20/10/2021 00:13

@LordoftheDanceSaidHe

Don't forget to enjoy your dog as well as training and ticking everything off the list for socialisation. Go at your dog's pace and develop your bond.

It's really tough at times and it's ok to feel that. It gets easier.

Completely agree with this! I got so stressed about ticking off the list of things I “must do” before the socialisation window ends, trying to train her etc. that I didn’t enjoy her as much as I could. Remember to have fun, play, enjoy the puppy stage as much as you can and don’t beat yourself up if things don’t click right away (or click and then regress!).
icedcoffees · 20/10/2021 07:25

@LordoftheDanceSaidHe

Don't forget to enjoy your dog as well as training and ticking everything off the list for socialisation. Go at your dog's pace and develop your bond.

It's really tough at times and it's ok to feel that. It gets easier.

This, 1000%.

Puppies are bloody hard work and it's so easy to get bogged down in the training and forget to enjoy them.

Justcannotbearsed · 20/10/2021 07:27

Yes, play with her lots. The bitey stage isn’t easy but it’s best to take yourself out of the situation. Leave the room close the door for just 30 seconds, it resets them.

If very bitey and zooming , it means they are knackered. Try and get them to sleep. They need to sleep way more than they think.

Puppy proof the house, it’s your fault if they chew something TT hey shouldn’t. You can leave shoes etc back out at about 6 months. Torch and big fleecy dressing gown and umbrella for night time wees.

NotQuiteUsual · 20/10/2021 08:12

Waterproof trousers!!! Early morning walks in the autumn are so much better with them.

Claudia84 · 20/10/2021 08:22

That you're not a failure if he doesn't like the crate, and actually having a puppy/ dog in the bed is pretty awesome and not something to be avoided at all costs.
And the Facebook group already mentioned. Make sure you join the right one - there is another with the same name but you want the one that says est. 2012 on it.

I have a Sprocker - they're mad and you'll probably wonder what you've done for a good few weeks, then just go with the flow...

Simonjt · 20/10/2021 08:37

Don’t leave treats in your shorts pockets, they will be fished out of the washing bin and get eaten.

It is okay to dislike them during the bitey puppy phase.

Dog hair is now a fashion accessory, either embrace it or never wear black again.

Anything your dog can access is a dog toy.

BaconAndAvocado · 20/10/2021 09:29

That you will be VERY limited in the early months re not being able to go out.

This is one of the things I'm finding hardest.
Our pup is 15 weeks and I'm leaving him for 30 minutes on his own and will build it up hopefully!

dustofneptune · 20/10/2021 09:50

What I wish I'd known is that no amount of knowledge and preparation will stop things going wrong Grin

Your pup might not want to sleep in a crate / separate room. Mine didn't and now he sleeps in my bed with me (and it's actually awesome).

Basically, just be flexible and responsive! When things don't go to plan, figure out another plan.

One thing that surprised me was how much of a short fuse I have! Oh my god! I thought I'd be this singing, whistling, peaceful, super-positive Snow White character; but apparently I'm also impatient, grumpy, frustrated, snappy, and quick to seethe under my breath when doggo is chewing yet another new duvet, ignoring what I'm saying, or biting me because he's in loopy mode.

Original poster
PerfectPuppy · 20/10/2021 09:54

Thank you for all the great tips
Smile

We are hoping to crate train overnight, hoping she will be used to it as she’s crated at night now although with her siblings. But we are flexible and have a lovely comfy sofa to sleep on or happy to have her in our room.
The breeder has some toys at theirs and a blanket we will pick up when we collect her so she will have something that smells of mum/siblings

We are so excited but I’m sure there will be some what have we done moments

OP posts:
Floristry382 · 20/10/2021 19:37

That sometimes all you need is time. So much just falls into place as they mature. Our boy was a nightmare as a puppy, I'd love to say that hours of dedicated training turning him into a good dog but he really just did it himself. That's not to say that we did no training, we did but a lot of the behaviour does just sort itself out as the calm down and remember that they do mature quickly.

PhoboPhobia · 20/10/2021 19:44

Toilet train outside straight away. I got some great advice on here. Did away with puppy pads and now he’s almost completely inside accident free.

MrsEricBana · 20/10/2021 19:49

Depending on the dog, having your boy next to / on your bed is so lovely.

Grumpyosaurus · 20/10/2021 20:22

Respect your dog's genetics. If your pup is working lines, there is going to be prey drive. Decide how to channel that so you don't spend hours awaiting your dog's return from the rabbit warren the other side of the woods.

cheeseisthebest · 20/10/2021 20:42

Have a pen area around the crate if you can. Good to put them in if they are bitey too.
Try and leave them before it becomes an issue.
Be strong at night! I'm still on sofa with my 21 week old puppy! Can't leave him alone either.

Original poster
PerfectPuppy · 21/10/2021 13:45

Thank you for all the great tips so far!

Has anyone used a sling at all to take puppy out and see things ahead of 2nd jab?

OP posts:
PhoboPhobia · 22/10/2021 09:25

I took him out in the sling to walk around the shops (not in them) just so he was around traffic, people etc. I don’t know if it helped but he’s certainly very calm now out walking.

BrilloPaddy · 22/10/2021 09:43

Lots of chew toys (deer antlers esp the split ones, kongs, yak milk chews), and babyproof the house because everything in it will be fair game to mouthe when they're teething. Our sprocker ate the kickboards in the kitchen, the skirting boards, and chewed through the phone cable. Cables are a nightmare so get cable guards for rooms where you need them, and tape them high up out of reach! DD's springer puppy was shut in the kitchen and chewed through the cable to the storage heater....... we still don't know how he survived..........

BaggingAria · 23/10/2021 20:25

start to slowly introduce the basic idea of grooming/tooth brushing/nail clipping as soon as it's safe to do so - much easier than persuading a suspicious fully-grown dog with knots/manky teeth.

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 24/10/2021 08:16

@PerfectPuppy I used a sling loads in the early days.