Puppy Survival Thread: muddy footprints into Spring 2022

[tizwozliz]

Discussion of all things puppy...

Previous thread here

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/4451767-Puppy-Survival-Thread-surviving-into-2022

Teenagers also welcome

Hahaha! Isn’t it funny how some of them will literally eat anything… Blahpup is definitely not one of those. Cook him a scrambled egg though and he would probably bite your arm off to get it!

Thanks @Autumn101 I feel very guilty moaning about him because he is the most affectionate and loving pup, and wonderful with DC now. Currently lying fast asleep in front of the fire. It’s just so draining, not sure how much longer I can keep up this pace!! Suspect the housework will suffer… DC will be at school in wrinkly clothes 😂

Don’t feel guilty @Blahblahblah40, it’s bloody hard going at times! They might be gorgeous wee things, but jeez they’re hard work - I hope you hope you had a better day today?
I hold my hands up, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into when I pushed DH to get him. We had joiners round today and despite a long walk this afternoon he’s been a complete pain, barking, jumping up at them, and at one point humping one of them. It’s exhausting trying to deal with him, work full time and deal with house stuff. I keep telling myself it’s just a phase and it will get better but my goodness, it’s relentless.

@SirChenjins I think I’ve found my people here 😂 relentless is the word for it. I’ve been in tears so many times the last few weeks feeling like I’m letting him down, and letting DC down. My friend came to stay this weekend and I cried when they left this morning because I knew I was back to dealing with it alone. Today was up and down, my anxiety levels are through the roof which isn’t helping. He just started barking at the ironing board as I was putting it away at 10pm. Poor neighbours…

Took him to my parents house tonight to practice greeting people he loves speaking to nicely. Only had to turn around and leave their house 6 times before he stopped the barking, pulling and lunging. It worked, eventually he greeted them quietly (still jumped though).

Morning all. My name's Bailey and I am officially a shit head...so far today I have woken everyone up at 1am, 4am and 6am. I've cut my mum's hand whilst on a walk, bitten her fingers, wiped my muddy feet up the kitchen cabinets and chewed every tea towel I have been able to steal off the work tops. Mum is sobbing in the corner currently...my job is done 😁

@Blahblahblah40 that's really good that he greeted them quietly in the end on the 6th try lol next time I'm sure he won't take 6 times as they do start to understand! I promise it all gets easier!

@onemoredayplease sounds like a tough start to the day! Time out for Bailey in a crate/behind stair gate while you have a cup of tea/coffee and ignore any whimpering or barking for few mins!

Hello, Bailey. What a beautiful shithead you are.

@Aria20 😂 thanks. I will keep plugging away at it.

He’s been great this morning so far and slept all night but had a tooth fall out so think that’s been bothering him! Must be better now it’s out.

Oh dear Bailey… bad boy day today! @onemoredayplease I feel your pain.

Oh Bailey!!! I hope you at least leave your mum in peace to enjoy a large glass of wine later…..

Fingers crossed now the tooth is out Blahpup is less hard work 🤞

Successful outing this morning, much less jumping at me on the lead. He still pulls and zig zags around but much more manageable

Still a nightmare at trying to eat the cat poo buried in the garden though, it’s disgusting 🤢

FawkesPup unboxed my parcel today.

Thankfully the contents were in sealed plastic tubs!!!

@GuyFawkesDay looks like he had fun with that!

@GuyFawkesDay ah yes we've had this too and entirely my own fault for regularly giving her Amazon boxes to shred! She stole my dds sticker book off the side and had great fun ripping it into tiny pieces yesterday! Least it was only a pound shop one x

The dog who is not allowed on sofa... I sat down with cup of tea and she got up off her bed, looked at me square in the eye and I could see what she was going to do and she jumped up beside me and snuggled in pawed at me to stroke her lol. Don't have the heart to kick her off yet.

@GuyFawkesDay @Aria20 🙈 after Blahpup got hold of DC’s drawing pad I stopped giving him any form of cardboard to rip at. It’s toys or nothing for him. Mean mummy…

Left Blahpup this morning for the first time for the school run (so about 15/20 mins). He was quiet and sniffing at his king when I left and quiet when I came back so I’m taking that as my little win for today!!! Anyone got any tips for kong fillers? He loves yogurt so that frozen was todays treat, peanut butter not so much.

Met a neighbour I had never spoken to from down the street walking her beautiful sprocker. Hers is 8 months and loved haring around at the park with my wee collie Jess. New friend for both of us. The neighbour turn out to be from a country I lived in for a bit so it was all lovely.

Blahblahblah40
Our 8 month old loves grated cheese and apple in his kong.

Has anyone used a Figure 8 lead?

I'm having trouble walking Newboy, now 8 months and very very strong.

Sometimes the training works , sometimes not.

He damaged my elbow joint and it's so painful now!

I haven’t used one but it has been recommended to us by numerous people for when our pup is older. I’ve also noticed most of the dogs advertising them are Springers!!

Autumn101 I met a Springer this morning sporting one.
Her owners said it was a game changer.

I think they are quite aversive and can even cause serious damage if a dog lunges. I do know that some people swear by such leads but the risks outweigh the benefit IMO.

It can be really difficult to teach a dog not to pull on the lead so I have huge sympathy.

It’s a tough decision, we’re going to keep plugging away at the training and see what happens - most of our longer term walks will hopefully be off lead so I’m keeping it as a last resort I think. I’ve yet to meet another Springer owner who has mastered loose lead walking however!!

What breed is yours?

Autumn101 we have a chocolate Lab.

We pick our new pup up on 8th April, get to steal him for a few hrs on 31/3 also to take him for vaccinations.

Any advice on what we need to buy for a big pup compared to hat e would have had for our teeny pug pup. I have looked at some bigger chew toys and nothing with too much stuffing. Just looking for some expert tips lol!

@BaconAndAvocado we just this and Billy doesn’t pull at all with it. I’ve started using just the front fastening and he doesn’t even try to pull. It was instant!