Puppy survival thread. Nov. Read this and buy a hamster instead

[WomblingKnobhead]

Or a rabbit, or a goldfish, or a cuddly toy.

@MsAwesomeDragon that sounds awful!

No idea what the couple with the bitch on heat are thinking, they seem like a sensible, older couple but walking through the park at lunch time is not sensible! Hopefully she’s coming to the end of it now as we saw them again today from a distance and Billy didn’t seem to notice.

It was really scary. I really didn't have a clue what to do once his collar came off and I was left holding a lead and collar while my dog cried on the floor. He is intact and the other dog is neutered so maybe it is that. I'm not going to get him neutered yet though, as he's still growing. I've been advised to leave him till he's about 18 months as he'll still be growing til then

Ada found something in the garden earlier, saw her pick it up and went to check what it was and it appeared to be a chicken breast, eaten before I could even think about exchanging it (not that I think that would have happened). Now worried about where it's come from and whether we need to treat it as though it could be poisoned...

@MsAwesomeDragon I agree you should have to neuter your puppy just because of other peoples dogs. I had no idea about this sort of thing until becoming a dog owner! I guess swings and roundabouts again with having boy or girl dogs different set of worries!

@tizwozliz how strange! Do you have disgruntled neighbours who might do that? When I was a kid we had a German shepherd and the neighbours who backed on to us hated us/the dog and used to do stuff like throw dodgy meat or bones or chocolates etc over fence it was a nightmare and was one of the reasons our dog went to live with my uncle in the end!

No disgruntled neighbours that we're aware of. Our gardens are long (25m) and layout and where it was seems highly unlikely that it would have been thrown in. The one set of neighbours who could possibly throw something in have been out all day, I have one of their parcels in the hall so have been keeping an eye out. I did see a load of seagulls (we're a good 70 miles from the sea!) over earlier and wondered if it could have been scavenged from somewhere and dropped by a bird?

Puppy recently had 2nd jab..get said I could take him out 2 days later..I'm nervous though as everything online says at least a week. Is 2 days normal now?

@tizwozliz ah yes prob dropped by a bird then or possibly a fox if you get foxes?! Could have nabbed one out of someone's rubbish!

@allthingsred all vets say different. Ours said next day could go out on pavement walks, 1 week for parks/fields and 2 weeks for anywhere with rivers/lakes. Enjoy getting out and about!

@MsAwesomeDragon just saw my reply to you... was meant to say you shouldn't have to neuter your dog due to others lol!

[quote LostFrog]@Didiplanthis so beautiful! What is he like with the chasing smaller dogs/cats/etc? I have heard they have insane prey drives and the only whippets/greyhounds I see around here are always on the lead so am intrigued. What chews are you using - we are entering teething territory and they all seem so expensive (the edible ones anyway)![/quote]
She is not too bad. We have been careful with the cats and they have free access to upstairs and she doesn't. She still finds them exciting but in a play not kill kind of way. She is intrigued by the chickens and guinea pigs but they have massive puppy proof runs. I wouldn't trust her off lead out and about but no more than any other dog I have had at this age..she goes off lead in the field and doesn't chase but its not rabbit season yet so... she has seen deer in the next door fields and not tried to go after them.

Can I ask how you started clever people started loose lead walking? Dpup is just 4 months and pulls a bit but it’s been a mix but has this week turned into a nightmare of pulling or stopping - just feels like stubbornness.

Worst thing is jumping up at the lead when, and only when we’re crossing the road. The first road is busy with a zebra crossing so there are always cars stopped. So they get to witness a lovely sit and wait followed by her jumping across the road like a bloody loon. All four feet off the ground! FFS.

Another thing to add the training list…bloody hell it’s a long list isn’t it…

We were told to focus on the "watch" command (hold treat between your eyes to lure at first) then build that up to 10 seconds.

Then you lure them to your side and ask for watch. Then walk and ask for watch, mark and reward as soon as they do it. Rewarding on the go is harder, the Arden Grange liver paste or primula is handy for reward n go.

Practice in the house and garden without distractions and then do a bit every day.

@GuyFawkesDay thanks! She is very good motivated which is good but easily distracted!

[quote Aria20]@MsAwesomeDragon just saw my reply to you... was meant to say you shouldn't have to neuter your dog due to others lol![/quote]
I assumed that's what you meant lol.

Oh my word this dog is sending me grey, he's woken up and won't put much weight on one paw. I am going to assume it's a pulled muscle, it's got better as the morning has worn on. Got a video vet appointment shortly. Fine in himself but clearly very stiff and sore this morning. Possibly from tazzing about the park with his mate yesterday?!

Oh I hope so @GuyFawkesDay. Have you had your vet appointment?

We managed a nice long lead walk with some good recall today. And some bits where I was standing right behind her and she was ignoring me. Aaargh!!!

Taking photos of dog while she’s asleep to remind myself that at least she’s cute.

Oh she's lovely!! What a gorgeous pup 💕

He's ok this afternoon, a little stiff but nothing you'd notice unless he's been lying down. He limps on getting up and then it wears off again.

Video vet really helpful, says he needs a physical and go from there. So he's on restricted exercise and is therefore being an absolute tit

Note to self: do not google around intermittent lameness in cocker spaniels.

Some scary stuff comes up

Oh guyfawkes just a worry you didn't need! Who was it thar wanted to know abiut chemical castration?

It was me, I am considering it for FawkesPup.

Apparently there's a condition cockers can get involving their elbow joint and it sounds very like what he has. So now I clearly have jumped to that conclusion 🙈

@GuyFawkesDay did you read another thread on here about that? I'm sure in your case it's not that and hopefully nothing serious x

Whst did you want to know?

@cheeseisthebest is it helping settle down the crazies? I feel very conflicted about neutering, I didn't until I read up more!

Yes @Aria20 and then I ended up looking at supervet Noel Fitzpatrick's website about a condition which causes lameness on waking and after exercise which is what FawkesPup has. Mooching about the house he's ok. When he wakes he's very sore. Doesn't help he insists on sleeping on the hard wood floor 🙄

I'm not sure tbh, he only had it done 3 weeks ago and meant to take 6 weeks to take full effect. I was unsure about neutering so this seemed a good way to trial it.
He isn't humping anymore, isn't cocking his legs constantly. He is still very keen on girl dogs so will see if that changes over the next few weeks!
If decide not to neuter then it runs out after 6 months with no longer lasting effects.