Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Puppy Survival Thread - for old and new pups

997 replies

Riverlee · 07/10/2023 14:01

Thought I’d start a new thread as the old one is at its limit, for new and older pups.

please come and share your tales of success, woes, concerns and questions, and of course, photographs.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
93
FoxRedPuppy · 26/10/2023 18:09

Hmm. Now I’m doubting myself. But the thought of 4 more weeks instead of 2 😱

Original poster
Riverlee · 26/10/2023 19:24

@Pineapplemonkey Our monster decided to dig the garden over the last few days. He seems to did more when the ground is wet. He can have weeks with no digging, and then decide it’s the best thing ever. Consequently, todays nickname for him as been Muddy Nose (other nicknames include Tinker, Stupid dog, soggy doggy etc).

However, he’s not as bad as a six month old golden retriever I met up Leeds castle pre getting a dog. In the couple of minutes we were speaking to the owners (about dogs), he half -tunnelled to Australia in a matter of seconds.

OP posts:
FeargalLandSharkey · 26/10/2023 20:04

So I took Bertie to have his 1st Vaccs and went for Lepto 4 - had a thorough discussion about it all and ultimately I don't think it's worth the risk as vet pointed out Lepto is also spread by rats, not just stagnant water and in farmland areas, plus they had not had a single case of adverse reaction to Lepto 4 at the practice since they first began offering it.
so that's what he had and so far he's fine.
What a day though! A day of feeling absolutely knackered but also lovely highlights including some poos and wees in the garden with much making like a party as a result (thanks to Steve Mann for that).

Bertie is lovely, already I can't imagine life without him. He's going in his crate when he's tired, eating and drinking fine and fingers crossed we will have a reasonable night tonight.
I've gone with KC insurance and got first two months free as the breeders free first 5 weeks are with KC.

So I'm going to try and watch a bit of rubbish TV and settle to sleep (hopefully) with pup next to me in the crate again because that seems to help him.

Lougle · 26/10/2023 20:45

That sounds like a successful day @FeargalLandSharkey .

@Riverlee goldens have perfectly sized paws for excavation.

I took Hazel to her first puppy training class tonight. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't it. The room was Halloween decorated. They did Halloween themed activities. The trainers were dressed up. It was all a little bit chaotic at first. A couple of the dogs were struggling. Anyhow, we practiced settle on her mat, and she learned to put both paws up on a pumpkin. She declined to apple/carrot bob and drank the water instead. But she rocked the class.

FoxRedPuppy · 27/10/2023 10:45

@Lougle that sounds a bit bizarre for puppy classes. But it is good to get them used to people in fancy dress.

Foxpup had his second vaccination today. And also discovered that he is registered against the wrong microchip! He did have a brother who looked very similar to him! Got to contact breeder now and try and sort out.

tizwozliz · 27/10/2023 11:08

We had a microchip mix up as well, the microchip number we'd been given wasn't the correct one and belonged to one of her sisters. It was fairly easy to sort out.

Lougle · 27/10/2023 11:44

We had a microchip problem too. Someone else had claimed Hazel's number by mistyping the number on their microchip packet. The vet confirmed that the packet I had matched the number that scanned, so the breeder had to sort it out with SmartChip. I figure they contacted the registered owner and got them to recheck the microchip number of their dog, then transferred it over.

Lougle · 27/10/2023 11:46

Hazel did some lovely loose lead walking today. A bit jumpy and all over the place for the first couple of minutes but then calmed and really got it. After a few minutes we put her on the harness and long line so she could explore, but she decided that loose lead walking was fun.

FoxRedPuppy · 27/10/2023 13:34

Well done Hazel! I need to start lead training. He does pretty good recall and a sit, but cannot get him to do 'down'.

Microchip company have sorted it all now, was easy and seems really common.

Lougle · 27/10/2023 13:48

@FoxRedPuppy try taking your treat and moving it down his chest and slightly under his tummy. He will have to look down to see the treat and he'll also move back slightly. Praise for any downward movement, even if he doesn't reach the floor. Then build on it.

Blackbinbag · 27/10/2023 14:29

@FoxRedPuppy can I PM you please? It’s just to do with getting a puppy after having rehomed a dog in previous years as we are in this situation. No worries if you’d rather not :)

FoxRedPuppy · 27/10/2023 14:49

Blackbinbag · 27/10/2023 14:29

@FoxRedPuppy can I PM you please? It’s just to do with getting a puppy after having rehomed a dog in previous years as we are in this situation. No worries if you’d rather not :)

Of course, no problem!

Pineapplemonkey · 27/10/2023 15:00

And my puppy mistake of the day?

I gave Mabel a couple of bits of pumpkin (skin and flesh, just the seeds removed). I am sat at my kitchen table and there are tiny bits of orange EVERYWHERE. My floor is a sea of orange, complimented by muddy footprints. The mop I sent my mum to buy for me yesterday is going to be heavily utilised I'm thinking

Dogdaywoes · 27/10/2023 15:17

Oh @Pineapplemonkey I will avoid that mistake then!

We had 3 accidents yesterday and 2 so far today. But she's getting sit, stay and fetch. She's also learning to 'leave' and not to jump up. Toileting is clearly not her forte!

Lougle · 27/10/2023 15:20

Yep, Hazel with a carrot is like a branch in a wood chipper 😁

FoxRedPuppy · 27/10/2023 15:22

Yesterday I managed to step on the licky mat with yoghurt on and then leave at least three yoghurt footprints in the kitchen.

Lougle · 27/10/2023 15:32

We had another nail clipping session a few minutes ago. I'm trying to nibble them each week with the clippers so that she's used to it.

BleakGarden · 27/10/2023 15:35

We had no wee accidents yesterday. I think we're up to 6 today. I'm feeling a bit over it today, the house is gross because I can't get out of this room to clean. This room is trashed by 2 dogs. She has a meltdown if I leave the room, and if she follows me out she pees on the carpet or does something dangerous. They come in with muddy feet, I can't leave a mat or towel down because she'll pee on it. I need to go to the shops, I need to shower and wash my hair, I'd like to do some exercise... but I've been stuck in one room for over 2 weeks!!

NoWordForFluffy · 27/10/2023 16:22

Lougle · 27/10/2023 15:20

Yep, Hazel with a carrot is like a branch in a wood chipper 😁

FluffyPup is the same. He adores 🥕 I reckon he gets through 2kg a week on his own! 🤣🤣

FoxRedPuppy · 27/10/2023 16:41

BleakGarden · 27/10/2023 15:35

We had no wee accidents yesterday. I think we're up to 6 today. I'm feeling a bit over it today, the house is gross because I can't get out of this room to clean. This room is trashed by 2 dogs. She has a meltdown if I leave the room, and if she follows me out she pees on the carpet or does something dangerous. They come in with muddy feet, I can't leave a mat or towel down because she'll pee on it. I need to go to the shops, I need to shower and wash my hair, I'd like to do some exercise... but I've been stuck in one room for over 2 weeks!!

@BleakGarden I feel you. I have had a better couple of days, but I felt like that at beginning of week. I hope tomorrow is better for you.

@Lougle I need to get some nail clippers- which ones do you have?

Pineapplemonkey · 27/10/2023 16:42

I haven't tried her with carrots. I'm a bit put off by the mess she will inevitably make. She says surrounded by pumpkin and cucumber 😒

FoxRedPuppy · 27/10/2023 17:05

Today after getting wet and muddy in garden.

Puppy Survival Thread - for old and new pups
BleakGarden · 27/10/2023 17:07

thanks @FoxRedPuppy I feel better after my rant. It's very first world problems but it gets a bit much every now and again. DH announced he'll be out all day tomorrow and asked about staying at BIL's to watch rugby tomorrow night... he's been away the last two weekends so I've said no! I'll have four kids in the house all day tomorrow.

I did put her in the crate for half an hour and she whined the whole time, but I managed to hoover and clean up the mud so I feel more zen.

@Lougle do you feed treats at the same time? I might use a chew and see if I can get a bit off her claws, the back ones are getting quite sharp

BleakGarden · 27/10/2023 17:13

Lovely photo @FoxRedPuppy

I need to give carrots a go! Definitely an outdoor snack though I reckon 😂

FoxRedPuppy · 27/10/2023 17:34

Given the destruction he’s wrought in my garden, it’s a good job he’s cute!