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.

@WhippyLongStocking , thank you so much for posting what you did. I spend every night wondering what I would say to the breeder when I admit that this is too much and I can’t do this any more! I don’t think I ever would call but I feel so incapable, and like everything I do just screws up the puppy more xx

I’m coming on for a bit of toilet training advice. Chipup drinks and eats barely anything (2 teaspoons of raw over the course of a day and a few little sips of water every now and again) so she very rarely goes to the loo. I can get her first wee or poo outside and then nothing. The rest of the day is spent with me stressing about her weeing on the carpet. When she does it is a 5p sized puddle, but it is really rare. I have never felt so incapable in my life. I am absolutely despondent. I just don’t know how to move forward with this-we go out regularly for wees but nothing and we are both now really stressed about going outside. Argh! Xx

How much is she supposed to be eating? It dosent sound like much at all.

@Chihowhow . Keep going! It's still very early days. Forget anyone who says they cracked toilet training in 2 weeks. I tried to remember that they have tiny bladders and they literally can't hold it. Even though Fluffpup is gigantic and should have a big bladder I was taking her out regularly for a long time. I restricted her rooms to the back of the house so it was easier to keep an eye on her but it's very very tedious at that stage.
Honestly I think the only thing that helped was wine and chocolate every night. It will get better, I promise.

i agree, toilet training is a marathon, not a sprint. We stayed at 80% success rate for a while. Heavy rain or strong wind seem to make things regress. We suddenly realised that he hadn’t had an accident for a while.

My pip will be coming home in 6/7 weeks. What does everyone feed? The breeder is big on raw which I find a bit daunting.

Pup! Not pip.

I did look into raw but for a few reasons it wasn't for us. I'm quite slovenly, 2 regular visitors are on life long chemo and I'm veggie and I just couldn't cope with it everyday. I know dogs thrive on it though.

We do Millie's wolf heart kibble - 70:30 and forthglade wet as a topper. I generally buy as good quality treats as I can afford as well to counteract her toast and pizza crust habit.

Being a vegetarian, I’d struggle with Raw. I do feed my pets k3 dogs, including Florapup and two Siamese cats) meat, but I prefer it to be cooked and require as little handling by me as possible. I kept reading that Raw was absolutely the best, started feeling guilty, so read-ip on it. Turns out, most vets are not happy with it. Firstly, because there is a lack of research/data on pets fed raw, there is a potential risk of parasites and/or Salmonella and also because dogs fed raw may be short of essential nutrients that are added to good quality proprietary pet food. This reassured me that I’m not a bad owner by not going along with the trend. I feed mine Scrumbles. Very well thought out food that uses free range chicken.

I thought I would share my wonderful find. For any pup owner dealing with pulling, this harness is genuinely like a little piece of magic. I do teach my dogs to walk to heal, as settled adults, but Florapup is much too distracted and full of joy to do that at this stage. I saw this recommended and thought I’d try it. The lead fasten at the front of the chest. Not only can’t she pull because it kind of pushes her back, but it does it really gently. Do she walks like a dream and I don’t have to worry that it’s causing her discomfort 🙂 I tried a halti with a couple of dogs years ago and found that, although it improved the pulling, the dogs still fought against it a bit, causing them discomfort. She walks so beautifully on this, that I don’t think any formal ‘heal work training’ will ever be needed. 😀
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005HNPCY4?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

@HeritageBlooms No sorry we cut the label off before giving to pup as she had a thing about chewing labels .

Not popped in for a bit but pup has just started her first heat/season she is six and a half months. Felt dreadful as took her to the groomers and it did not go as planned. She really did not like it and was fussy. But the groomer said she thinks she might be in season and low and behold today she is bleeding. Feel awful not to have noticed myself as would not have taken her.

Riverpup got threatened with The Dogs Trust today, first time for ages. He emptied a large plant pot and the plant which was looking pretty is no more. I wasn’t happy!

@Midnightstar76 bless her.

Oh please can I join? We bought home a gorgeous golden retriever puppy on Tuesday. He 9 weeks old.
He has been an absolute angel with toileting and no accidents. But oh god, last night I cried. We are attempting crate training. First night he was great, last night was horrendous. Please tell me it gets better?

This is a first dog for me after all my life with cats and small furries. So far out of my comfort zone it is painful and setting off all sorts of anxiety I thought I had put to bed a while ago.

Welcome @PurpleSweetPeas .

Congratulations on your new pup. It does get better, but between the cuteness, puppyhood is hard work.. However, hang on in, and we’re all here for you.

Could we have a picture of PurplePup please?

Thanks @Riverlee
I have tried uploading a photo but not having much luck. Will try again!

I think I'm way overthinking everything and it's also taking me back to whenI had tiny babies and it was all hellish!

Hopefully this works!

That certainly is a purple-pink pup!

Yes, it is like having a newborn/toddler again. We weren’t prepared either - the constant watching them, lack of sleep etc, but it does get better.

(Or is it just on my iPad he looks pink).

Ha! I was trying to keep the PurplePup theme! But I also can't upload a pic straight from my iPhone so had to take a photo from another phone - too complicated by far!! I thought a dodgy colour photo was better than none!

Welcome @PurpleSweetPeas even those of us who have have puppies in the past cry at some point. It does get better and this is a lovely, supportive group.

Welcome @PurpleSweetPeas . I have a goldie too and they are just the best dogs!

I impressed by your dedication.

Early wake up this morning, I still don't quite trust her not to toilet in the house if I don't get up and take her out. Perhaps unfairly as she hasn't toiletted inside in well over a month. I'm hoping that once the mornings get a bit darker she'll stay asleep until breakfast time (6:30). Older dog has gone back to sleep and pup is now spreading bits of ostrich bone across the sofa.

Poor pup got soaked twice on Wednesday, but did get to mean she looked adorable in her drying coat.