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

[WomblingKnobhead]

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

@Handsfullofholes 9 weeks is still tiny don't worry about recall in garden yet once they learn their name they'll get it. If they don't come straight in put them on soft lead so you can guide back in lol rather than having to catch them as that becomes a game and they are fast! Also good practice for lead walking getting them used to it before they can even go for walks.

@Aria20 it’s not so much his feet as his winter fur which collects black muddy water that you can’t see and he the shakes all over the walls in the hallway 🙈.

Mine is the same, the black floof hides the grot. Especially the grim puddle grot which he walks through on the field tracks. Those "super absorbent" door mats LIE. They definitely do not contain all the muddy water, or worse when he walks through his own pee and then comes inside.

We’ve got a waterproof coat with legs for Freddy but I haven’t inflicted it on him yet, I’m worried the other neighbourhood dogs will laugh at him, and he’s a newbie on these streets.

@LadyCatStark oh no!! I guess hazard of him loving to swim... mine isn't fussed about swimming but my god her underbelly fur gets wet/muddy from the dew on the fields in the morning! Considering getting her one of those all in one suits with full arms and legs covered but she'd prob hate it!

@SirChenjins lol at the dogs laughing at each other... I've seen some horrendous dog outfits on some litter terriers and chihuahuas, also seen greyhounds and boxers with coats on this week. Mine has a rain jacket but it's useless as only covers her back so not the underbelly or legs! Wish I hadn't wasted the money on it she's only worn it once!

I've seen some awful dog outfits around too. We won't bother with clothing for AwesomePup, I can't see him ever sitting still for me to wrangle him into a full waterproof, so parts of him will still get wet in anything, so no point.

Does anyone have any recommendations for robust light up collars? We've had one from Amazon which he managed to lose in the woods because the clasp was too flimsy. One from a local pet shop, which he caught on a bush and snapped. One from B&M, which seemed good, but it fell apart this morning, and I don't even think pup did anything to it. I'm loathe to spend any more money on something that's going to break in a couple of weeks. So I'm on the lookout for something robust!!! During the week it has to be walks in the dark and if he doesn't have a flash light attached I can't let him off lead at all, which is a very boring walk for the poor boy.

@MsAwesomeDragon I have this one or very similar, in orange and it's comfortable and seems durable! Few different light settings so can have static, slow or fast flashing!

@Aria20 his favourite walking spot is a marsh by the sea which has lots of channels that are left behind by the tide that are full of water. He loves to run along the channel, turn around and run the other way over and over again. Every time I think he’s not that dirty, and every time I’m wrong! He does enjoy swimming but not in the sea as he doesn’t like the waves 😂 which is unfortunate since we live by the sea but he will paddle.

There’s a whippet that he plays with that wears a knitted snood as well as a coat. Obviously whippets need it though as they’re so skinny and short haired. A coat would only weigh Billy down 😂.

Thanks @Aria20. I'll give that one a go. If that one fails I'll strap a bloody head torch to his harness and blind anyone who gets close.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074G4DJ4Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

We have this. I don't think I'd describe it as robust tbh but it works really well. Occasionally the plastic tubing parts from the connector as its only push in but you could either super glue it or gaffer tape for extra confidence. I have also run his collar through lit collar just in case it slipped over his head.

He loves to run along the channel, turn around and run the other way over and over again. Every time I think he’s not that dirty, and every time I’m wrong! That's what AwesomePup does in the streams in the woods, or the best day ever was when we had enough rain to turn half the football field into one long puddle. He spent a good half hour just running full pelt up the puddles then back again, ignoring anything else around for the sheer joy of puddle running.
He also looks relatively ok then spreads wet muddy footprints around the whole house.

We've had 2 similar to that @WomblingKnobhead, and he can't keep them whole for longer than a week. It's when he investigates under bushes and things that he catches it and the tubing comes apart from the plastic, pulling the lights with it. Even with duck tape.

Haha @MsAwesomeDragon we also had a massive puddle on the field next to our house after we had some flooding, every day he ended up in that when he had the whole rest of the field to run around in 🙄.

Talking of puddles why does mine keep weeing on the carpet!
So had two calm evenings then tonight was crap again but I haven't done as much with him today and also he ate the rest of his dinner at 8. Dog behaviourist told me to remove his dinner at half 6 which I did past two nights and today I forgot. Interesting!

Hi all, Essie and I join!
She's a cross Jack Russell and Shih Tzu: Jack Sh*t (apparently it's a Jack Tzu!) however the parcels she keeps leaving everywhere tell a different story!
12 weeks old very lovely natured, bit opened mouth bitey with socks and toes and loves food x

Oh so cute! Nice to have another shih tzu!

@cheeseisthebest that's interesting about taking the dinner away earlier, do you think he's getting extra energy after snacking on his dinner later?

@Mumsieof5 lol at Jack sh*t...lovely colour pup.

Mumsieof5 Essie is gorgeous! Lol at the Jack Sh*t

Freddy is in the huff with me. The vet has put him on a bland diet of boiled chilcken and rice to try and settle his tum as his 💩 are pretty grim with a bit of blood which was shocking to see, but the vet isn’t unduly worried as he doesn’t have a temperature, pain, etc, and is eating, drinking and acting like a perfectly normal puppy (although we’re keeping a close eye on things obviously). He is NOT impressed by this diet and keeps whining at the cupboard where his lovely meaty treats are kept.

The channels and ditches - oh yes. Very messy and god knows what's lurking in there. Can dogs get Weil's disease?

Lovely pup, @Mumsieof5 I'd definitely go with Jack Shit when people ask you what breed she is. Watch their faces :)

We have had recall success today in a familiar enclosed field. It seems new field - disaster, familiar field ok. I guess this is what this proofing business is about. Thing is, I don't know how you move on from the familiar places where it works, to the unfamiliar places where it doesn't without making your recall cue redundant. I really need to go back to my total recall book but I just want to watch netflix, I'm knackered

That’s good to hear about the recall. We are booked in for puppy training in January which in quite excited about.

This mornings fun surprise was working out that the lovely big soft plushie bed is full of stuffing

I really need to go back to my total recall book but I just want to watch netflix, I'm knackered

Can relate to that, although sleep greatly improved we have so much homework to do from training class, and as well as new things to learn you have to keep on top of the basics too or they go out the window. Doesn't feel like there are enough hours in the day.

but @Handsfullofholes your pup is so cute :)

He is very cute, especially when sleeping - it’s sooooooo hard not to pick him up and snuggle him

DH lost Merli today 😵

Took him for walk with terrier who regularly goes off in the woods, out of sight and comes back 'eventually' She just pops out somewhere along the path and keeps circling but usually gone for what I'd describe as an uncomfortable length of time. I keep Merli closer by recalling him and not letting him follow. Suspect DH is more relaxed....

Earlier DD says I can hear barking and we open door to find Merli on the front door step, soaking wet and alone. Meanwhile we later discover DH is running around the woods panicking knowing if he doesn't find him I will divorce him

He crossed a busy road to get home and walked about 1/3 of a mile to come home alone. 😲 But we at least know he knows where he lives, clever dog!!!!