Puppy Survival Thread for New and Old Pups - Spring is around the corner!

[Lougle]

A thread for puppy owners to share their ups and downs as we head into Spring. We're not just here for the idyllic moments. We've all had a cry at some point!

All posters welcome - just dive in.

The previous thread is here https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/4945764-puppy-survival-thread-for-old-and-new-pups-heading-into-winter?page=1

thanks @AnnieSnap she’s not too energetic by GSP puppy standards (so pretty mad but not unexpectedly so). Just wondering on what basis the gundog mix is considered rocket fuel? Is it the carb content? When we moved our now 3 year old GSP over from Australia I spoke to Millie’s and they recommended gamekeeper mix (60/40) on the basis that she’s quite active but not working. I started pup on the gamekeeper mix but she had constant diarrhoea so they recommended gundog mix (50/50) because it’s less rich and better tolerated by pups. It did stop the diarrhoea instantly. Now her growth is slowing down I might try something else out… I’m definitely keen to avoid rocket fuel!

I’m not an expert on feeds, but I know that working dogs require more protein and fat to give them the extra energy to work. If we’re not working them, feeding a food for a working dog can be asking for trouble. I fed my Weimaraner on Royal Canin Maxi (the maxi being large breed) until very recently and she did extremely well on it. More recently, I changed her to Chappie dried as it’s half the price and also recommended by vets, so good stuff. I changed because we humans are buying cheaper versions of some foods for ourselves due to the COL situation, so it seemed reasonable for the dogs to do that too, so long as it’s good food. Maybe have a look at the protein and fat levels in your current food, RC and Chappie Dried?

When I spoke to Millie’s they said any 50/50 mix for my puppy and to vary them so they don’t get stuck on one flavour/blend. We have endurance mix now , but mostly because the pieces are easy to break whereas the other mixes are solid pieces. We’ve reduced her amount by 30g each meal and her poo is firmer now.

Can i join? This is Max, he's a 8 week old cocker spaniel. We picked him up last saturday so we've had him here a week today. I'm a first time dog owner, researched for months about toilet training, enrichment, lead training, feeding the right food, breeders, everything puppy. it currently feels like when you have your first baby, read everything then they come and you feel like your learning on the job 😂 any advice, info would be great. Thankyou

forgot the pic 🤦🏻‍♀️.....

If you’re happy, that great, but if she is a bit hyper, I’d say working, or endurance feed is a bad choice. It’s all about the individual dog and owner isn’t it?

Welcome @lookwhatyoumademedoo .

More recently, I changed her to Chappie dried as it’s half the price and also recommended by vets, so good stuff

Chappie is most definitely not 'good stuff'

Oh he is a beauty! My now 6month old cocker has been quick to learn, and now is a much better time to toilet train than boggy January, so I’m sure you’re nailing it!

@AnnieSnap I mean, define “hyper” 😜 she’s a 9 month old fiery red Labrador puppy , she’s quite frankly, an absolute nob.

Has she not calmed down at all @thenewaveragebear1983 ? Hazel is pretty chilled these days (9 month old chocolate lab).

FluffyPup had chilled a fair bit by 9 months too. He can still be an arse, but not often, now too (19 months). He's also a red lab.

He's always slept a fair bit during the day, or is happy to mooch about, room to room!

My little dickhead is 11 month old tomorrow 😬😬😬
He's definitely looking like a dog not a puppy anymore and I don't know whether to feel sad or not 😂

@PaddingtonsHat yeah i think we've managed to pick the perfect time weather wise for a pup for toilet training. He's still having a few wee accidents inside but fingers crossed no poo ones. I was really nervous the week before we picked him ip but i'm actually enjoying puppy life more than i expected.

Help. May I join? Fourteen week pup. Beautiful lab. Had this "problem" with my other dog when puppy. I must be the problem as common denominator. Won't settle. Follows me around. Feet nipping. Howls when I exit room or go to the bathroom. I ignore the "bad" and praise the "good". Feel horribly trapped. Not currently working so me and him nearly all the time. Obviously following the fifteen minutes walk a day twice a day. Training him with rewards. Worry about him like a child but want to climb out of windows at times and run away.
.

@Ilovehimbut I think it’s their age. At that age in the wild they are very vulnerable, it’s just their biological way of keeping safe. Use it to your advantage to teach really good recall. Good things happen when they are near you. It won’t be long before the teenage phase and they run round the park completely ignoring you 🤣

it is draining though. Especially if like me, your dog isn’t great at just settling. She is now 9 months and still likes to come with me everywhere I go, but she is better than she used to be. I would spend ages getting her settled only to need to get up and she’d also get up and we had to do the same rigmarole all over again.

Many thanks for your reply. I appreciate it. Seeing it from his perspective v helpful. Clobbered by a couple of recent shocking bereavements hence lack of emotional width for him. Will keep in mind your advice

@Ilovehimbut

Hiya
My pup is 19 weeks now, I'm also on my own with her.
A couple of pages back after I'd written a post expressing my general state, (hanging on) I had a reply from ShetlandIsla which I found really helpful and appropriate; her (? my assumption!) account is now deleted but the post still there.
I have seen nothing nasty on this thread and lots of good anyway, but I recommend reading her response to me. It was so appropriate and supportive.
I'll be around on here as I'm still having anxious days, especially when I don't see anybody else.
My pup is already significantly easier, though, they DO grow up!
Best wishes

@Ilovehimbut

Really appreciate the responses. X

At 20 weeks, Fern has two nights in a row needing to poo overnight (once at 1.30, last night at 4) having always gone through to morning even after an evening poo at 8-ish

One thing that changed is, both days I had given her a natural chew. First day a lamb braid which she loved. Yesterday a rabbit ear while I went out.

Neither should add much in the way of food value, I thought?

Would it be enough to change her routine, or is it just another stage in growing up for her?

She now weighs 5.7 kg!

TIA

Feel like the worst dog mum ever tonight 😭
Had an evening out tonight, 7-10pm. Couldn't get out of it and seeing as he 99.9% of the time is very settled, he must've just 'known' tonight. He'll normally go to bed just after 7 and that's it for him.
Had around 25+ notifications of crying which I couldn't hear as there was live music on.
I got home just after 10 and let him out the crate, normally at 10 when I wake him for a wee he's as dopey and sleepy as anything but not tonight! Clearly happy to see us but obviously has been super anxious and now wanting to chew his bone furiously.
I've listened to the notifications, just before I got home there was a proper howl, now I'm broken!

One of the notifications, he cries then makes a sound like he's saying 'where's mama?'!
Seriously - I might try and post the audio!

Rough few days with Milos behaviour.
He's been quite awful.
Its like a marley and me remake!!
At a loss.

I can't believe it will be 2 week tomorrow we picked max up! how time flies!! He's rather bitey currently so i'm working hard on redirecting that behaviour. still working on the toilet training and encouraging him not to use my rug as a toilet 🙈🙈

My boy took himself outside for a wee tonight, I'm very proud. Haven't had an accident in a while now.

Walking on lead has gone a bit crazy though, he likes to dance around and make me look silly.