Puppy Survival Thread - for old and new pups heading into winter

[Lougle]

A thread to continue our journey with our puppies as we head into winter.

If you're new to having a puppy, jump straight in.

Merry Christmas 🎄

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas! 🎅🏻🎄

FluffyPup wasn't too keen on the antlers. He's very keen on his new toy though. 😍

Happy Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄🌟🐶

@Pineapplemonkey I hope you're getting a bit of a break at your parents house, it sounds bloody awful at home. Have you tried dogs trust? I went on their website and filled in the form for puppy school at the nearest branch, I mentioned some behavioural issues and they then called me and referred me to their behavioural team for 1-1 sessions. They also have a helpline that you can call separately. I decided to use a breed specific trainer in the end but it sounded like a good resource and was recommended by the vet, it should be a bit cheaper than a standalone behaviourist as I believe it's subsidised by the charity.

@NoWordForFluffy Maggie hated her antlers too. I think these red labs need to realise that basically if they look like reindeers, they need to humour us with the antlers at Christmas.

Maggie was so good yesterday. She was calm, she didn’t steal any food, she went nicely in her crate and took herself off to bed at 8.30. She enjoyed her new toys, she has a squeaky mallard and a chew bone, and a treat dispenser puzzle which is too hard for her at the moment, she just went for the ‘bounce around and woof at it’ method.

Exactly. He even eats copious carrots. He needs to learn to appreciate the antlers! 🦌🎅🏻🤣

Hazel got a couple of puzzle toys. There's one where she's meant to pick the cups off the bone with her teeth too get to the food. She just knocked it against the wall to dislodge the cups, ate the food, then carried the cups away to have a nibble.

I’ve had a few days of relative peacefulness now. I’ve covered all reflective glass up and constantly have some kind of noise ie radio on and I’m trying to stay by her side in the garden as me constantly chatting to her seems to stop her starting her barking routine. The indoor barking has definitely subsided and she seems calmer. I am of course completely out of routine so we’ll have to wait til next week to see how she copes when I’m back at work. I’ve also increased her walks so this might be helping too.
I actually did puppy school with the Dogs Trust and on our last session, I tried to speak to them about the huge barking issues I’ve been having, they said they were unable to speak that day about it but someone would phone me early last week, I’m still waiting 🙄
She’s been great with my extended family over the last few days and behaved perfectly (well, for a 4 month old puppy!), I have spent a LOT of time prising her jaws open and retrieving objects she has stolen from people, Barbie accessories, pop up pirate swords, sweet wrappers, corks, anything that fits!

I had an absolutely heart-stopping moment today, I was just putting a bag in my car boot (1 maybe 2mtrs from my front door) and I obviously didn’t pull the door properly closed. I turn round and pup comes hurtling out the door and makes a run for it. I think okay, her recall is amazing and I’ve let her off lead lots now and I’ve had zero issues. She however has other plans and runs straight into the middle of the road and starts heading for the park. I run after her and manage to lure her back across the road and then suddenly she runs into the middle of the road again and runs on the road and keeps running down the road, with me running behind her and screaming in panic. I see 2 men near the bottom of the road and scream ‘catch my puppy’ and they split up, and between them cornered her and grabbed her collar while I ran down with a lead having a complete meltdown. I just can’t stop thinking what would have happened if a car had driven down the road and not seen her, or if the random man hadn’t caught her. It was like she just couldn’t hear me, where did her recall skills go??!
I’ve noticed shes lost 2 of her front teeth, maybe I’ll blame that for her break for freedom……….

@Pineapplemonkey Maggie did the same to me last week, I opened the car door and there was a guy walking a dog past the house, she must have smelled it because she barked then just legged it, out the drive and after this man. I shouted to him to catch her which he did thank goodness. I would never have imagined she could have smelled a dog that quickly and it was like she was possessed! it’s made me wary to let her off lead when other dogs are around although today I did and she was a perfect example of well behaved puppy. I think something must have just piqued her interest that day,

That sounds so scary @Pineapplemonkey . I'm glad all is ok.

Been to the vets for worming this morning before heading back home tomorrow. Pup is now 21.8 kg. I think she'll probably only end up a 1kg or 2 heavier as an adult

Amazing. How's the season going?

Hazel did very well today. A properly windy walk, following behind DD2 as she rode her horse. Really muddy fields and puddles. She met a 3 year old lab and had a polite sniff. They both enjoyed a piece of Hazel's kibble to congratulate them. Now we're sitting down to watch a film. She's glanced at the popcorn, I said to leave it, so she's curled up to go to sleep.

She's turning into a fine dog. Am I lucky or is it just a Labrador thing? She's awesome.

Season is going fine. In some ways it's easier than if we'd been at home as it's pretty deserted here so we've been able to find safe spaces to have some off lead time. I'll be glad when it's over though. Fingers crossed we're over half way through now.

Just the ferry journey home that's the worry, all the pet cabins are on the same corridor and the toilet area is tiny.

Gorgeous photo @tizwozliz

Can anyone recommend a good dog walking coat ? I went out in my long padded coat in the rain and the rain seeped through the arms and back. Would like a warm and waterproof coat, if you know of any good makes. Thanks.

@cockapup I’ve been looking at 2nd hand Barbour wax jackets on Vinted, I’ve got one of those long padded quilt coats but it is useless in the wet. I have a sea salt Janelle rain coat which is very dry and wind proof but not very thick/warm

I have a wax Barbour jacket but it is not very warm. I only get limited use out of it in spring and autumn. I wear northface if it is very wet but in winter I mainly wear a parka style coat I got quite cheaply from Zara about 5 years ago. It is waterproof and very warm but not too heavy.

If anyone has thoughts about dog walking boots, let me know! My tuffa boots have fallen apart on the inside, so I'm wearing walking boots but I find them a faff to put on and my laces endlessly come undone.

I have the mid calf height hunters and wear them all the time, although they are 10 yrs old and looking a bit ‘dry’ now. I notice that fitflop do a well which might have some arch support which I might look at when I come to replace these

I have a waxed Barbour. It's not warm but it's very waterproof. I also have a waxed hat which everyone laughed at me about but is the most nabbed item in the house. I'm not going to win any style awards but I care not. I'd like a Seasalt Janelle though - hoping the navy one goes into the sale!
For boots I have a 14year old pair of Dubarry's. I realise they are horrendously expensive but in terms of cost per wear it must be pennies now! I look after them and re-dubbin them every year and they have never failed me. I live in them from September to April.
Sealskinz gloves are also great. Plus a waist lead so you can keep your hands in your pockets!

We do a bit of running while we're out and about, so I either wear a thick hoody if it's dry, or a waterproof coat if wet. With running trainers in all weathers!

We went to a dog field this afternoon. Which was mostly swamp. FluffyPup is now wiped out and still half-covered in mud after his heavy going work out. He had a blast though! 🤣

I wear a not massively expensive Trespass Caption jacket at the moment. I got it in a sale for about £60. It's warm, windproof and waterproof, but I always take the fluffy hood bits off. I'd like to get something else at some point though.

I wear a pair of Mountain Warehouse walking boots which are breathable but waterproof.

I've got a raincoat from Helly Hansen that I love, it's lined but not super warm so if it's cold and wet I wear an M&S thermal, a hoodie and the raincoat and that's fine. I've got 3 other coats of varying warmth from superdry. They all get washed on the regular because I get so muddy on walks.

We went away for 5 days and left pup with my sister. It was hard work for her but everyone survived. Pup is now a lot more tolerant of me leaving the room which is brilliant!

She was chewing her benebone today and I noticed she's got a mouthful of adult teeth! I haven't found a single puppy tooth so I'm assuming she swallowed a few. She's 5 months next week

@cockapup wasn’t sure at first whether you meant for yourself or the dog!

I’m also looking for a new coat. The zip on my coat has suddenly gone.

Saw a gorgeous one in Jack Wolfskin outlet shop today but sadly not in my size. It must be an old colour because not online.

i have this waterproof hat though, which comes in lots of colours.

https://www.lighthouseclothing.co.uk/collections/waterproof-rain-hats