Page 37 | Puppy Survival Thread: surviving into 2022

LadyCatStark · 2022-01-12T16:18:09+00:00

The other thread is full and I can’t see a new one! Hope it’s OK to start one. I’m actually barely surviving puppyhood, actually teenagerhood, this week 🤬😡😭.

Blahblahblah40 · 25/02/2022 10:31

@Violentbeauregarde hello and welcome!
Blahpup has never done the poop eating thing so I can’t help with that, but my understanding is it can be for so many reasons. Watch out for any triggers at the time pup does it, is pup stressed by something or reacting to everyone giving attention when they eat it?

I found with Blahpup that separation worked best when he started the nipping and scratching with DD. So pick up and put out the door of the room for 20 secs or so. If they come back in and start again, repeat the process. (Bit like the naughty step). They need to understand that’s not how you play with human children. Also reward any good interactions with DC where they cuddle quietly or sit/give paw for them. I’ve also started doing things like stopping games with him if she needs something, letting her through doors first, having her feed him etc. so he starts to understand she is higher in the ‘pecking order’ than him. It’s definitely worked and he is so calm with her now 99% of the time. Also build DCs confidence with the pup by involving in training to sit etc, feeding, garden toilet visits on lead. I explained to my DD that if he is excited to just ignore him and walk ‘through’ him confidently if that makes sense? They want their attention but will soon learn if they don’t get it or only get it on DCs terms.

Oh @SirChenjins I forgot to mention the other day that the other thing I have been doing is no longer picking Blahpup up for a cuddle or cuddling with him on the couch. Always down with 4 paws on the floor and me giving him affection by sitting down on the floor for 5-10 mins with him for strokes and kisses/playtime then back up again. He’s obviously less comfortable on the floor so has essentially been separating himself by going to his bed on his own. Honestly life changing for me right now.

SirChenjins · 25/02/2022 11:03

Thanks @Blahblahblah40 , that’s really helpful.
I think the problem is that he has so many people fussing over him - me, DH, DD and her BF plus his family, DS1 & his GF and her family, DS2 - that he’s been thoroughly spoiled. I’m being a lot firmer with him but when I’m at work and he’s with one of them he’s getting away with a lot more. He sleeps on the floor in front of the radiator in the dining room which is beside me when I’m working from home, so he’s quite happy on the floor, but maybe we need to do less cuddles on the sofa. He’s sleeping there through the night quite happily and often takes himself off to other spots in the house during the day so he can do it - it’s just if I leave him he starts whining, barking and scratching at the door. I think he’s just acting up - he’s perfectly capable of being on his own.

Blahblahblah40 · 25/02/2022 11:09

The tough love is sooooo hard, I totally sympathise. Some people wouldn’t agree with it and say I’m hard, but last weekend was just so blinking difficult I had to do something. I’m lucky that my Parents have Blahpup when I need to go out and they are so good with him, much better than me. My Dad especially, so much so that Blahpup now just goes in and lies at his feet quietly for hours! 😩

SirChenjins · 25/02/2022 14:54

I know what you mean. I see so much advice about rewarding/praising all the time to help build their confidence - but ChenPup has become quite indulged I think, and seems to have figured out that if he squeaks he gets picked up and cuddled. I’m being a lot tougher on him and really working on the training, and need to make sure the rest of the family are doing the same - he’s a much wanted, much adored first dog for us all and he’s in danger of becoming spoiled if we don’t nip this in the bud.

cheeseisthebest · 25/02/2022 14:54

Had 2 nights away in bed and breakfast and cheesepup was so good, also now exhausted from a lot of walking and has a new liking for sausages and scones. Oops!

ABitBesotted · 25/02/2022 16:02

Very true re: positive reinforcement not always working. IME dogs tend to adore the family member who is strict with them

Autumn101 · 25/02/2022 16:12

I have noticed pup is far less jumpy with DH who is much stricter than me and also finds it much easier to just ignore him! I definitely need to get tougher…….

Like you Chen this is a much wanted and adored first dog but I am conscious I’m revolving our whole lives around him at the moment which is fine as he’s still little but I do need to get some boundaries put in place sooner rather than later

Mrsbmama · 25/02/2022 17:00

10 sleeps to go until buddy joins us... not that I'm counting 😂🐾!!!!!

Violentbeauregarde · 25/02/2022 17:09

Thanks all for tips. Will take note re the separation. There will be a mixture of me and DH during the week so hoping she doesn’t become fully attached to me. Will need to work on the leaving alone completely. I keep flipping between thinking we have loads of time to sort things and worrying about setting bad habits.

Re. the poo eating it’s every time she goes so no triggers as such that I can see. Will try and not get
too excited about it and hope she goes off it.

SirChenjins · 25/02/2022 18:20

@cheeseisthebest - that dog obviously has good taste!

@Mrsbmama - not long now! Remember and post a photo of your new pup

Which online dog trainers do you all follow? I normally go to Graham Hall’s stuff but a friend of mine has had dogs for ages and she can’t stand him. I also look at the Southend chap from time to time and the PDSA videos, but I’m sure there are some really good ones I’ve not seen yet.

Blahblahblah40 · 25/02/2022 23:46

@SirChenjins I’ve been watching some of Fenrir Canine’s videos on you tube this evening regarding pulling on the lead. Some good tips from those.

Mrsbmama · 26/02/2022 06:55

[quote SirChenjins]@cheeseisthebest - that dog obviously has good taste!

@Mrsbmama - not long now! Remember and post a photo of your new pup

Which online dog trainers do you all follow? I normally go to Graham Hall’s stuff but a friend of mine has had dogs for ages and she can’t stand him. I also look at the Southend chap from time to time and the PDSA videos, but I’m sure there are some really good ones I’ve not seen yet.[/quote]
He is 7wks tomorrow and going for his first vacc/health check microchip with breeder on Monday. Coming home next Sunday 🥰

Puppy Survival Thread: surviving into 2022

GuyFawkesDay · 26/02/2022 07:12

You know what, I think some of the Graeme Hall stuff is a bit on an online witch hunt. I have read his book and listened to his podcast and it's absolutely common sense. He gets compared to Cesar Milan and it's unfair comparison.

The "never tell a dog off" extreme positive method people I am sure have 24:7 dog training time and no kids or other things to do. A d I have seen enough pups and dogs to know the adults very definitely do tell the puppies off to teach them to behave!

SirChenjins · 26/02/2022 08:39

@Mrsbmama - he’s absolutely gorgeous!! You must be so excited 😊

Thanks for the suggestion of Fenrir Canine @Blahblahblah40, I’ll take a look.

@GuyFawkesDay I agree, Graham Hall seems to make a lot of common sense. We’ve tried a couple of things from his programme and they’ve worked - surely he wouldn’t be as popular as he is if his training didn’t work? I suppose it’s like Super Nanny and other child rearing programmes - so many different theories and approaches that there’s always going to be differences of opinions from others working in the field.

Mrsbmama · 26/02/2022 08:45

@SirChenjins he is absolutely beautiful and I cannot wait lol! I've been watching alot of McCann dogs on YouTube

Handsfullofholes · 26/02/2022 08:52

@Mrsbmama he is absolutely gorgeous. I want to cuddle him so badly! Enjoy!

Autumn101 · 26/02/2022 08:56

Mrsbmama - he is delicious!! Won’t be long until you have lovely puppy snuggles

We had a bit of a horrible experience this morning. Took pup out for a walk and a much bigger older dog raced over and went for him, totally unprovoked. It was just noise so physically he’s fine but he was terrified, really cried and wet himself. Had to carry him home shaking. I’m so upset by it, he’s loved his walks the last few days and been so confident and I’d hate this to set him back…

SirChenjins · 26/02/2022 09:06

Oh no @Autumn101 that’s just awful - your poor wee pup You must have both had a terrible shock from that. How is your pup now? I hope he’s ok and not too traumatised by it. And what on Earth was the other dog owner thinking?? I hope they apologised profusely and put their dog on a lead immediately.

Mrsbmama · 26/02/2022 09:15

Thank you all

@Autumn101 I'm sorry that happened that would have got my nerves on edge!! He is OK now?

Autumn101 · 26/02/2022 09:17

He seems fine now we’re home, playing and had a few treats etc so I’m just hoping when we go out later he’s ok. It was just so sudden and I wish I’d been looking more at the surroundings and maybe I’d have seen it coming. The owner gave a half hearted apology and just kept saying their dog had never done that before, I wasn’t too gracious I have to admit!

ABitBesotted · 26/02/2022 09:25

Autumn101 poor baby! I would have been totally livid. Cuddles and dreams of chopped liver to your poor puppy. x

mrsbmama- want!

SirChenjins · 26/02/2022 09:29

That’s good he’s feeling a bit better now after a play and some treats, and fingers crossed he’s ok later - let us know how you get on? How are you feeling?

Autumn101 · 26/02/2022 09:33

I still feel a bit shaky, just the thought of him being hurt made me feel sick. At least I know for sure I love the little monkey anyway 😂

DH and DC will be with me later so plenty of hands and eyes to keep him safe. And I’ve put a nice bottle of wine in the fridge for tonight ha

ABitBesotted · 26/02/2022 11:13

Jess had a good walk. She playfought a Westie, a Jack Russell and a pug and is now very pleased with herself. On the street bit (to and from park, a minute or so) she's on a short lead and she walks better with DC. Her reactivity to cars seems to be lessening, too.

of course she just ripped a Hermes package shoved through the letterbox to shreds, so she's in disgrace again.😁

15 weeks old. Where did my tiny bundle go? 💔

Blahblahblah40 · 26/02/2022 11:56

@Mrsbmama what a stunner 😍

@ABitBesottedWithMyDog Agree re: behaviour. Blahpup isn’t food driven at all so after a few treats he gives up. He seems to need structure. I’ve ordered a halti training lead for walks because he’s just too crazy and pulls on a loose lead. Dad took him out yesterday and said he was fine!! 🤯🤯🤯

@Autumn101 oh no, poor pup… has he had much socialisation with other dogs prior to walks? This exact thing happened to Blahpup a few weeks back with an off lead dog who thought he wanted his ball (probably did) but he coped well as had been “put in his place” by a friends older dog who he had been around prior to walking out. She is very gentle so nothing physical but had barked/growled at him when he took it too far. You’d think people would know if their dog likes puppies or not and lead up if they see you in the distance!!