Puppy survival thread part 2

[Orangebadger]

Thought I would start another thread for all those puppy owners.

@Riverlee
@Unluckycat1
@Sunflowers765
@BigBundleOfFluff
@Cocopuff

Will have to look back to tag others as cannot remember all names.

@Gizlotsmum I know you mentioned Gizlotspup was a vulnerable breed but I can't recall what breed, he's got a really handsome face.

@Unluckycat1 always so jealous of instant recall pups. I'm not sure we will ever get there...

@Orangebadger good luck orangepup!

Thank you. He’s an English Setter.

@Gizlotsmum . I grew up in the 80's in Northern Ireland and every other dog was an Irish setter or a setter of some description. It's funny that you don't see them anymore.

@BigBundleOfFluff and @Gizlotsmum I think English and Irish Red and White Setters on on the ‘at risk’ list now, due to so few litters being bred. I may not be fully up to date on that though.

The last couple of days, Flora hasn’t been too bad with the biting. I thought she might have a UTI since her wees have been too small and too frequent since we brought her home (11 days ago now). Took her to the vet (with a wee sample) at the beginning of the week. I was right and as the antibiotics kicked in she’s been more relaxed (poor love).

She is a very excitable girl, so I only started a little formal training yesterday. A short session then and one today. We now have ‘Sit’ yay! I’ll start a bit of lead training tomorrow. I hate teaching that as it’s so confusing for them, but we’ll get there.

Here is the little monster today - growing like a weed 😯 No Flora, you can’t eat the chickens!

Aww do you have chickens as well?!? She's getting so big already. That's good you've had a few days off the biting, she'll get there.

A decent sit can get you out of all sorts of trouble.

She’s so pretty.

I know the kennel club recorded 250 English setter pups born last year. Obviously there are litters not registered and pups from abroad ( they seem popular in Eastern Europe)

@AnnieSnap she's lovely! Very strokabke! Hope you have more luck that we have with the play biting!

So Orangepup went to the vet yesterday and they managed to get a grass seed out of her paw with no general. So much better, another week of antibiotics. We have given up with the cone as she found a way to reach her paw, so seemed pointless! Now the culprit is out it should get better regardless! Note to self though check those laws for grass seeds after every walk!
Photo of nasty grass seed!

Ouch poor orangepup. Good news it was done without general

Great news that they found the culprit @Orangebadger it wouldn't have occurred to me to be wary of grass seeds.

@AnnieSnap ah she's gorgeous! Love how big her ears are 🥰

@Orangebadger Have you tried one of the neck cushions? - this sort of thing.

Her play biting is much improved since the antibiotics kicked-in (see above post). She must have been a bit hyper due to the infection poor love!
https://www.viovet.co.uk/BUSTER-Inflatable-Collar/c48698/?quick_find=295803&utm_source=sag&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces_UK&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1_SkBhDwARIsANbGpFuCNj4Sm3g4n3RfWYKMqc7nr4EyYKCKkonCp6lE9qU6nAisPrhLnWwaAt62EALw_wcB

Yes always check their paws, all folds of their skin, joints and ears for those with big floppy ears like Orangepups for grass seeds. They cling on to anything. I must have missed this one, or it got into her skin before we got home. They are nasty little things that if they get into a blood vessel can move to an internal organ, but I think that's pretty rare!

@AnnieSnap I think we're good without now but will get one of those in future as a lot more comfy for her.

Oh poor Orangepup, must have been sore, so glad she’s ok. I had heard of this happening but must say I don’t check paws often.

Im having a day with mine that reminds me of early puppy blue feelings and I just want to tell him to fuck off to be quite frank! I’m just realising how a few bad habits are creeping up and I had been forgiving him thinking he’s still so young and will grow out of it, but probably we need to get back to more frequent formal training.

Went out with him and kids, had a lovely off lead walk in forest but when lead was back on and we were heading to a cafe, he was pulling like mad (never really been a major issue for us). At cafe I tried to go to loo leaving him tied to table with kids, he went mental barking to extent I had to come back he was so loud, then jumping up and biting at my hand in all his stress that I had left (this isn’t new but it was bad!). Decided to go home as I was bursting, then let him out in garden and he jumped a wee fence into veggie patch area I’ve fenced him out of and started digging. Just fed up! Second day of school hols here in Scotland so I’m sure that’s impacting my patience but it feels like a while since he’s been this naughty. Thanks for bearing with my rant!

@Beginningless How old is he? Could it be adolescent? It tends to start soon after they have been good as gold for 2 to 4 months. They lull us into a false sense of security, they become overgrown, bolshy babies. Much like human adolescents, but it doesn’t last nearly as long 😳

I think it must be @AnnieSnap , he’s approaching 11 months and while he was a very difficult young puppy he’s responded really well to training and been great for many months. The day has only gotten worse, SIL arrived to drop off her dog who is coming to stay for nearly 2 weeks. Mine is always excited to see him and goes a bit wild but eventually settles down. They’ve had several stays together already.

But tonight my boy has been obsessively trying to lick the other dogs willy and trying to mount him. Cousin dog is just letting it happen, looking miserable with tail between legs, when in past he’s growled a bit at unwanted puppy behaviour. DH just got home and I sent him straight out for a walk with them both, hoping they can work out the dynamics with a bit more space, and older dog isn’t going to be assaulted during the night!!! I think it’s time to consider the snip! Although this seems like a stressy behaviour, I’m hoping it will pass as he realises he’s staying.

@Beginningless I wouldn’t have him castrated this young. The effect can be to ‘bake in’ problem behaviour. The mounting etc at this point may well be more about trying dominance (again like adolescent human males). You should just have a few months of bolshy boy stuff, then a lovely young adult dog comes out the other side. Just be strict with boundaries and stay strong 💪

That’s reassuring, thank you! A few months sounds possible to cope with, until today I was feeling relaxed about his more annoying behaviours that he would grow out but today he’s been an arse. The mounting does seem dominant and he’s really panting and whining, does seem quite stressed. He only stayed with this dog about a month ago but it wasn’t in his own territory so maybe it’s different. About to go to bed so wish them luck…

Oh and yes I’d had in my head not considering the snip til after 18 months with big dogs, is that about right? Need to read a bit more about it all.

My poor boy is in the midst of teething and has lost at least 4 teeth this week (I have found 4, 3 fangs and a premolar) the positive of this means at least he won't have needle sharp teeth anymore, but he swings from feeling a little sorry for himself to manic crazy zoomy pup.

Morning all - sorry not been on much, life has been busy and a bit stressful. Coco went in for her spay yesterday - she’s abit sad and unsure what’s going on post spay but will hopefully bounce back soon. I’m glad it’s a bit cooler now.

@Beginningless I find it a bit of a nightmare trying to decide the best time to neuter, but I wouldn’t do it until after they have finished growing. I had my males done at about 18 months. I find it more complicated with a bitch. Too young and there is a risk of incontinence (I learned that the hard way when I was more naive 35 years ago). As they are older, there is an increased risk of problems with wound healing, not to mention accidental pregnancy. As things stand, I’ll look at about 18 months with this bitch puppy. In both sexes there is a risk of permanent increased reactivity if neutered too young. It’s a minefield.

I’ve been considering neutering as well (and was watching a podcast about this last night). On it, they were saying that the belief that it calms a lively dog isn’t always true, and it can make aggressive tendencies worse. However, it can reduce sexual behaviours - humping , scent marking etc,unless this behaviour has become a learnt behaviour. Must admit, one consideration is that once he’s been done, we don’t have to worry about accidentally getting other dogs pregnant!

We’re considering chemical castration first. Didn’t realise it was going to cost nearly three hundred pounds though!

Riverpup is coming up to a year (lab). Is a year too soon?

We're going to arrange a vasectomy for FluffyPup as he isn't demonstrating any behaviours which castrating may resolve.

I think with larger breeds such as labs, 18 months is recommended as they're fully grown then.

@Beginningless . Hopefully the teenage phase passes quickly. Fluffpup is 14 months now. She's grown a bit more cautious, which for her is a good thing but her dick moves are stubbornness. However I am as stubborn as the live long day long and have so far won any sit down protests. ( I turn my back to her and scroll MN )
School hols here today too. Day 2 and my kids have abandoned Fluffpup and I to be with their friends already...