Page 38 | 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 🤬😡😭.

Autumn101 · 26/02/2022 12:11

None at all with other dogs prior to his walks these last few days, hardly know anyone else with a dog! He’s had a few nice sniffs with other on lead dogs and is desperate to play

Blahblahblah40 · 26/02/2022 12:29

Bless him. Just wants a friend!! Here’s hoping the next encounter is 100x better.

Handsfullofholes · 26/02/2022 12:29

@ABitBesottedWithMyDog so cute! I know what you mean about them growing up quickly, our pup registered 10.5kg at the weigh in yesterday! Seems like only yesterday he was tiny…

@Autumn101 oh no! That sounds like an absolute nightmare poor puppy. Hopefully he won’t be too scared when you take him out later, it really frustrates me when people let their huge dogs come over and bounce on puppies. We had one woman who had the audacity to say “oh you don’t want them getting scared at this age” after her massive dog had made ours cry!

Are you going to/planning on going to puppy classes? We found that more than anything it helped with confidence and socialisation with other dogs - although we’ve had a few scares our pup now loves playing with other dogs! (A bit too much sometimes lol)

Autumn101 · 26/02/2022 13:00

Yes we’ve had one puppy class so far which was fab and all the other dogs were lovely - trainer didn’t let them have any off lead play but there was plenty of sniffs and wagging tails!

I’m taking him to a puppy socialisation group starting on 9th March too - it’s a fenced in area for puppies up to 6 months to have some off lead playing time. He’s such an active dog he needs it!!

Abitbesotted - she’s got so big and grown up looking! Gorgeous

GuyFawkesDay · 26/02/2022 14:19

Poor pups having a bad day xx

Mine is 9 month old this week!! Flipping heck!!!

He's been really good today, finally starting to see some reward for the hard work on lead walking and recall. We do a monthly village walk which raises funds for guide dogs. There's normally about 10 pooches who get to run off lead together and it's been really good for FawkesPup. Today he was SO much better than last time. Recalled back to me when I asked, came back for some check ins and played really well with the others (no humping today!!)

He's now flat out as he ran round like a total fool for about 20 minutes and then we did on lead bit getting to the walk.

Autumn101 · 26/02/2022 15:39

Happy to report pups was completely fine on our walk, saw a few dogs and he was unfazed and far more interested in zig zagging across the path and sniffing! Also his first view of the sea, was transfixed by the seagulls

Puppy Survival Thread: surviving into 2022

PugInTheHouse · 26/02/2022 16:13

We have a 1 yo dog and no idea why (we must be mad) but we are considering getting another puppy. He is only 3.5 weeks old at the moment but is an Alaskan Malamute/Wolf dog cross. Parents are the loveliest, gentlest dogs ever. So much to consider getting a bigger dog but I am in love. We made lots of mistakes first time round, definitely know what we would/wouldn't do this time if we go for it.

Obviously I have included a pic so you all understand why I am in love ...

ABitBesotted · 26/02/2022 16:36

I'd have that dog in a shot.

PugInTheHouse · 26/02/2022 16:54

I know, I feel like he is meant to be with us!!

ABitBesotted · 26/02/2022 17:00

allgreythings · 26/02/2022 17:04

Omg @PugInTheHouse you have to get that pup!!
Funnily enough we are considering another pup and our ddog is just coming up a year. We have learned so much that I think it would be easier second time round

PugInTheHouse · 26/02/2022 17:09

I just need to persuade DH. He hasn't said no!!

I think lots of the stuff will be easier (we have an amazing trainer also), but I am worried about the night times, we were so lucky with our other pup as he slept so well, only ever went for 1 wee about 4/5am. We had a really rocky patch a few weeks in with sleep as he was sleeping for so long at night but just at the wrong time, eg 8pm-5am but it sorted itself out quickly with lots of great advice on here.

cheeseisthebest · 26/02/2022 22:49

Omg that puppy is adorable. Mine is 9 months old tomorrow, how?!
He's been sleeping in my daughters bed past few nights, she loves him so much, possibly making rod for her own back though! She's 14 btw!

Blahblahblah40 · 27/02/2022 07:38

Morning all. How do you all go about fitting training in? I know some of you go to puppy classes which is great, but outside of that when do you practice what you’ve learnt? I’m really struggling to find time atm to fit in any kind of training with Blahpup outside of the usual sit, wait etc. Life is just so blinking busy right now with DC, work, the house and I really feel as though I’m letting him down. Needing to find time to work on recall and getting his attention, walking nicely, not jumping up. Feel like my brain is about to explode there is so much in my head!!

GuyFawkesDay · 27/02/2022 07:50

I do lots out on walks tbh as he needs to do sit, wait, recall then, not in the house. We've been working on manners at field gates too as he has been trying to rush at them (he's a bit unsure of them) but when he's on lead it's a nightmare. Settle we teach at our mealtimes or when I am trying to work. He is finally starting to "get" settle down and I've got some chews for him so when we go to cafes etc he can have one under the table.

I do go to classes with him weekly though and it reminds me to keep on it with him. He's too cheeky and smart by far, I have to be one step ahead.

Still trying to fix bloody counter surfing 🙄

Suzbug · 27/02/2022 08:50

@PugInTheHouse

I just need to persuade DH. He hasn't said no!!

I think lots of the stuff will be easier (we have an amazing trainer also), but I am worried about the night times, we were so lucky with our other pup as he slept so well, only ever went for 1 wee about 4/5am. We had a really rocky patch a few weeks in with sleep as he was sleeping for so long at night but just at the wrong time, eg 8pm-5am but it sorted itself out quickly with lots of great advice on here.

My pup (10 weeks) naps right before bed time! Any tips to keep him awake around 8-9pm? We put him in his crate for bed at 10pm. If we can keep him up longer I'm hoping he'd sleep through later!

sandwiches77 · 27/02/2022 09:16

Not sure which is harder, DH or Ddog......

tizwozliz · 27/02/2022 09:46

@Suzbug - I personally would never try to keep a tired pup awake. At 10 weeks they're likely to be waking overnight whatever you do.

@Blahblahblah40 With training I do lots of little bits here and there and try and do some exercises on our walks. There's lots you can do to build the foundations for training without needing loads of time. e.g. when we introduced a whistle for recall we started off indoors. Blowing a whistle when pup is beside you and then feeding super high value treats. I'd just do this at random points throughout the day, e.g. when making a cup of tea.

Aria20 · 27/02/2022 10:05

@tizwozliz my 4yo dd ruined whistle training by finding the whistle and just blowing it constantly so now it means nothing to my dog

I agree with doing 5 mins here and there. It's easier to do it this way when they are little as it's not too much for them. Also when they are bit older doing some while you are out on walks - I need to do this more now that she is 1 and seems to have forgotten herself!

Autumn101 · 27/02/2022 11:15

Suzbug - I wouldn’t try and keep them up either, overtired puppies frankly are little nightmares!! We’ve found naturally ours (13 weeks) has started to be a lot calmer from 7.30/8pm and dozes on and off until bedtime at 10pm so I don’t worry about naps close to bedtime anymore. Have also found the better he naps during the day the better his nighttime sleep is!

Blahblahblah40 · 27/02/2022 11:17

Thanks both. I will start doing things just randomly throughout the day. We play fetch up the hallway every night once DC is in bed to practice his “drop” command. Last night he actually brought me a toy when I came back downstairs which was very sweet.
Just been out for morning walk and was a bit better today. Took some tiny cheese cubes with me and we worked on walking nicely. Out of the 20 mins we were out I’d say he listened and walked nicely for about 5 of it. Massive progress from what he has been like. I’m happy with that given he’s only 16 weeks but am dizzy from all the direction changes and 100% sick of the sound of my own voice saying “let’s go!” 😂

Blahblahblah40 · 27/02/2022 11:20

@suzbug completely agree with everyone saying not to keep pup awake. They should be dozing on and off in the evening if you’ve tired them out enough. The end is in sight though, by 13 weeks Blahpup was sleeping until about 4am then back until 6:30, now at 16 weeks he can do 10:30/11pm to 6:30/7am without getting up at all.

Suzbug · 27/02/2022 11:54

@Blahblahblah40 That's good news! We haven't been waking him so far, just wondered if there were any tricks I was missing! Fingers crossed for some longer sleeping stints in the coming weeks then!

He seems to be such a light sleeper - if a floorboard creaks, one of the kids coughs or the heating comes on, he's up and barking. Hoping he desensitises over time

Blahblahblah40 · 27/02/2022 12:10

@Suzbug unfortunately not. Blah pup is only now 7 weeks on settling when I potter and staying quietly in his room when I go and do things. Still follows me about and wakes every time I move though. Honestly thought I was losing my mind at one point a couple of weeks ago he was so difficult. With hindsight, it’s definitely a confidence thing which just comes with time. Now it’s Different week, different problem!

Is your puppy obsessed with the DC? Mine is, follows her about like she is made out of sausages. 😂

florafaunaforest · 27/02/2022 19:40

Hi all, hope everyone & their pups are doing ok this evening. Just looking for any advice on the following:

Our 17 week pup is regressing in pretty much every area - sleeping, biting, socialisation. He now wakes without fail at 3 / 4am howling (used to sleep 11 - 6) and downright refuses to go back to bed after a wee/poop. It's exhausting as we're both working full time. He's started nipping everyone (excited nipping not aggressive but it's hard!) despite punishment for this. I think it's breed-related (German Spitz), but he will only listen to commands and training when he can see a treat in our hands - if he knows there's no treat, he's absolutely uninterested in obeying commands. He growls and barks aggressively at every dog he sees and meets, even huge dogs (never used to happen). He barks excessively and constantly even at home if he hears the slightest noise outside or sees anyone! It's getting really difficult to see everything go backwards. He's starting puppy school next week but I'm so worried that he'll be aggressive to the other pups. Is this normal behaviour at this age?? Tearing my hair out!