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

@JamieJ93 That is so sad! The poor lad, he's lucky he's found you. It actually sounds to be going really well with the way they've connected, it could've been very tricky. The house training can't be pleasant, Brodie can create quite a puddle, fortunately he is reliable for pooing on walk (have I just jinxed myself?) Hopefully he'll follow Milo's lead and quickly learn what is expected 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻.
Anyhoo...you're obviously a softie, so what's your address so I can drop Brodie off? 🤣

@BrodiePup
23 cocker spaniel lane
Cockersvile
Greater Manchester
M9 LPU
😬

@JamieJ93
🤣🤣🤣🤣
That means you need another 21 spaniels to match your address!
God help you!

Can I just ask, those of you who take your dogs/pups to training classes, does the class 'count' as one of their walks or do you do the class in addition to 2 daily walks? I'm soon to be starting 2 classes a week with 11 month old lab (obedience and scentwork) but I'm going to struggle to do the class AND fit in a second walk too due to childcare/other commitments. Just wandering what others do? I know a class isn't exercise but they are mentally tiring aren't they ( I mean for pups but me also 😂) plus the timing eg one class is at 5.45 for an hour, plus travelling there and back in the car.

We don't normally do a second walk if they've got a training class. They're generally absolutely shattered afterward, far more than after a walk.

@JamieJ93 i really look forward to hearing how this new addition progresses!!
good luck on all fronts.
toileting on the clock every 30 minutes (weeks ago until it clicked we set a timer and carried him to the spot) seemed to save the floor until he had better bladder control.
thankfully the bladder control happened before he got too heavy!!

2 more days and counting till we can get max out for a walk!! I can't wait!! The days feel long sometimes when your home all day with pup don't they.

@HariboFrenzy I miss a walk when we do puppy class, he's usually wiped out afterwards, and he always does a poo on the way out...not sure if it's his review of the class?
@lookwhatyoumademedoo the days sure are endless, particularly when you're on constant surveillance and up and down every 5 minutes. Hope you get on ok with the walks.

@Lougle

Thank you for the suggestion. I have tried frozen carrots, frozen tea towels, many different types of chews and toys. Unfortunately nothing is as fun as human skin/clothes!

@JamieJ93 Gosh 12 months? I can't bear the thought of that!!! I am just praying that when his adult teeth are in, it will just stop.
Toilet training is my biggest success so far - if I leave the back door open, and it's not raining, I can 95% trust that pup will take himself out.
Walking has gotten worse, he's starting jumping up and barking every time I stop to cross a road which is distracting and embarrassing.
Oh and he has started whining for attention constantly.

I know I can't complain too much - he sleeps through the night and is healthy and accidents are very rare. It's just hard isn't it.

Pics cos he IS cute, despite being a bitey terror.

@Cavalierchaos it's nice to hear that the back door and toileting is working out well!!
not sure if you want or need but the door bell training have gone over really well and for us will be handy come the summer heat and needing to use the a/c. he's consistent at using it on the outside to get in.
OHHHH he's adorable!!

@Cavalierchaos what a cutie, my last two dogs were cavaliers, they're lovely little dogs and a walk in the park compared to a WCS! I was really looking forward to taking Brodie for walks, but he's been a nightmare...it seems to be calming down now, but boy was it stressful.
You've done really well with toilet training, not everything can go smoothly, though it would be lovely if it did.
Have you tried cows ears, Brodie will settle for ages gnawing on one, and they don't upset his tummy like most things seem to.

Huge thank you for the frozen kibbles inside clothing.
we already had a ripped pair of pj bottoms for him so that worked out perfectly!

@BrodiePup

I think I got the one and only crazy Cavalier, I picked the breed because they're supposed to be placid and easy!!

Not cow ear but a pigs ear works very well! Also chicken leg (they look so gross) too. Aldi had them last week and they last at least half an hour. I don't like to give more than one a day though...

Nom nom pigs ear

@Cavalierchaos oh heck! Maybe he'll calm down and discover his inner calm cavalier. It is tempting to keep giving them treats to buy yourself a bit of peace, but I try to ration them too.

So I have a 12 week old cavalier poodle cross, he’s a ball of fluff absolutely adorable and while I knew puppy raising is hard work, I’d forgotten just how time consuming and how close they need you. Feeling a bit puppied out today - how fine it would be to get a cup of tea without my shadow.

@Jellycatspyjamas Welcome to the mad house!
I would say that it eases off by 16 weeks, but I'd be lying 🤣

He’s currently sleeping under my desk as I’m working - he’s just glued to me, which is as it should be but goodness me.

Four more sleeps before I bring home my Flatcoated Retriever pup. Libi (Liberty when I'm cross with her 😉)

Totally outing to anyone who knows me in RL but she's my 8th Flattie, 5th Flattie pup (but also had two Goldens as pups) and will be joining a pack of three - one golden girl and two rescue little dogs, a terrier X and a mini schnauzer.

I know she's my final pup - realistically it was now or never to get one as I'm 69 next birthday.

Yes I know I'm bonkers 😆, but I can't say I didn't know what I was letting myself in for......

@BrodiePup
Happy birthday Milo!! 1 year old today you little shit head!

Not been having such a great time with Freddie if I'm honest. They were having a scrap and piled on me and Milo caught my arm - quite badly. But then are the best of friends quite quickly
Freddie doesn't know how to be a pup. It's awful. He is coming out of his shell for the first time yesterday when we were running the dogs on the fields he actually sniffed and bounced!! He actually looked like he enjoyed the freedom!! He doesn't play with toys because he doesn't know how to!! He has periods where he chases his tail and it's so sad to watch.
He has definitely been mistreated so badly. I gave him the anti anxiety medication last night and he was a bit settled and a dry tail this morning!!!
I blasted the lady I got him from and numerous other messages and suprise suprise - no reply!!
I will get him right and show him the way a dog should be treated and live their life it's so sad that an 8 month old pup should be THIS anxious. It's frankly quite disgusting. We have decided to give him a chance - definitely

Hello, may we join you all in Pupland? Our wee lad, Raffy is now 18 weeks and a miniature golden doodle. Growing like a weed.

Hes been much better than I anticipated in most respects but has been a terrible nipper, almost always of me. Just in case this is helpful to anyone the nipping was worse first thing in the morning and very recently I had a bit of a lightbulb moment and realised it was just after using my hrt gel. I’m now applying it at bedtime and while the nipping hasn’t stopped completely it has reduced a lot. It’s still bad when he’s overtired.

He has also impressed me with a new skill hitherto unknown to me. He has a new lightweight portable crate for nighttime which zips up and is then covered with a dark throw. Settles beautifully and always (🤞🏻) sleeps well until he’s let out in the morning around 7.30/8. Last two mornings I’ve found him sitting on the hall floor in the morning looking mighty pleased with himself 😂. First time I was sure I must’ve left the zip a bit undone but last night I made absolutely certain it was fully closed. This rascal can open a zip from the inside!! Full marks for ingenuity and low marks for staying in bed like a good boy.

Ah he’s gorgeous. How do you crate train a dog that has no interest in being trained 😂.

My boy isn’t that fussed about food or treats, basically nothing is as interesting to him as being with me but he’s also getting bored (lots of mouthing, chewing behaviours - replacing the chewed thing with a toy has no impact), he’s not bothered about toys really so putting interesting things in there doesn’t really help. Is it just time and perseverance?

Do you need to crate train? We tried with ours,she didn’t like it, so we stopped. She’s fine.

We were unsuccessful with crate training Finley.
He yelped and barked non-stop.
He didn’t leave the bedroom or his mat area, but we’re super light sleepers.