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

We survived!

@tizwozliz Wow! Beautiful.

@tizwozliz great photo!

I hope the toilet training woes improve. It takes time to cement in.

oh wow! or should i say bow wow? wonderful photo @tizwozliz

Can someone save me from myself!!
I am overwhelmed, stressed and very very emotional.
Freddie is making very anxious.
He's seriously pissing all over my house his anxiety has improved mine has drastically gone down the pan.
They are ran on the fields and it's hard because obviously Milos fully house trained and with Freddie being 8 month old it's not as if his wees and poos are 12 week old puppy wees they are full on dog pisses,
I've had to cover my sofa with cellophane and taken off cushion which are not in use cos they prance around all day long.
I crate Freddie alot to aid toilet training but I'm struggling tbh.
I originally got Milo due to being very very ill last year - I tried to commit suicide but got secondary complications necrotising fascitis, sepsis x 2 multi organ failure nearly lost my leg and was bed bound for 6 months.
He saved my life - he got me back ok my feet and changed my lif and helped my recovery ten fold.
Freddie is really making me sad - I'm finding it difficult to bond with him. I'm not a particularly houseproud person but smells really hinder my mood so dog piss is really getting me down.
I'm doing all the usual things. I'm struggling girls.

@JamieJ93 virtual handhold

@JamieJ93 I'm so very sorry, it sounds like you've been to hell and back. I totally get how you're feeling, I've never felt as down as I did last week, and I have one small(ish) puppy.
The house training is really depressing when you're doing all you can, I can't imagine what it's like with a virtually full grown dog.
All I can say is it will improve, but at the moment if you're like me, it probably feels like it never will.
One day we'll chat on here and say...remember when? And have a laugh 🤞🏻
In the meantime, stay strong, for you, for Freddie and for Milo.
Sending huge hugs, lots of positive thoughts, and wishing you all the luck in the world x

I guess I'm struggling with feelings with resentment as well, because his anxiety isn't his fault and his lack of house training isn't his fault. I just can't understand how he can be such a ell behaved dog in every other way. How can an 8 month old dog ( an intelligent dog at that) be struggling so much.
I'm also pissed off at the fact the "person" we got freddie from was so desperate to get "rid" of Freddie she didn't tell us the full extent of his issues - she didn't give a shit about us and the time and effort we have to put into getting this beautiful living being back to the dog he should be.
His anxiety is much much better on the bright side. He is acting more dog. Still pacing which is driving us insane. And I mean absolutely insane. He gets anxious just by praising him I don't know what the fuck someone has done to this poor pup but it's beyond my comprehension but I still resent the fact that his previous "owner" did not give a fuck about what we would have to go through having to deal with all of this.
I do and I don't regret taking on Freddie. I do have mixed feelings and I do feel it was a bad move because it's made my life much harder as it's me doing 80% of the work, my husband works mon- fri.
I've been really overwhelmed and I'm sorry for venting on here
I don't have any real life friends due to being groomed by so called friends before my ICU stay last year.

@JamieJ93 First off don't apologise for venting, you absolutely need to get it off your chest.
People never fail to disappoint me and Freddie's last owner sounds like a complete scum bag.
It does sound like you've made massive progress already, it's only been a week and you've 8 months of mistreatment to undo. You're doing a fantastic job (even if you're struggling) and Freddie is a very lucky boy to have you.
You sound exhausted and I know how relentless it is.
The housetraining is depressing, Brodie is so flipping intelligent in so many ways, but can't get to grips with peeing outside. What's it all about? Don't they want to be clean?
I also get the Monday blues, I'm the same, the weekend is so much easier when the husband is around...then you're on your own.
From everything I've read, it will get better and you deserve a huge pat on the back for taking him on.
He's finally a very lucky boy x

Been lurking on and off for a while... we have a now 8.5 month old Working Cocker who we got at 8 weeks. From the word go, she was crazy and anxious, even trying to keep her contained on the way home from the breeder's in the car was insane. She was scared of everything, especially noises and being outside

Many times we were in tears and wondering how we'd cope. She was extremely bitey (the stereotypical Cockerdile!) and wouldn't toilet outside at all, it was like she had it backwards and thought going outdoors was wrong. But she was really smart and quick to pick up commands, so we started labelling everything we did. We taught her 'Hold' so that when she was bitey she would get a toy to hold instead, and 'Outside' and 'Inside' and then started adding 'Outside' on to her toileting command... it was like something clicked and thankfully she finally realised where she was meant to go

And then we ended up starting her on Zyklene a couple of months ago and the difference has been amazing. She's gone from a puppy who wasn't even fully comfortable in the house, to one we can take to markets and cafes and is full of joy and fun She still pulls on the lead like crazy but has stopped trying to bolt home when she hears a loud noise at least!

I've had dogs from puppyhood before so I was prepared for it to be tough, but omg, I was definitely not prepared for this one. But the crying (both ours and hers) seems to have stopped for now, so I'm enjoying the easier, happier period we're in, before adolescence kicks in

JamieJ93 you are completely right to "vent". This place seems a safe and supportive place. You have been through hell and I hope you continue your recovery. I admire you for taking on Freddie. I am struggling with my pup and he has no apparent history. Congratulate yourself on how far you have come. Keep posting. X

@BrodiePup
I've just come to my mum's for tea.
I've brought a crate ( for Freddie so he doesn't piss everywhere)
Milo decided he wanted to go in too so we closed the door 😂😂

@JamieJ93
Hello, I've been reading the puppy survival threads for months (as I have a 9 month old rascal pup) and have been following everyone's stories, including yours and Milo's.
Having read your posts today, I really feel for you.
The majority of us on the doghouse, myself included, will feel for Freddie too, and no-one more so than you! He's had a hard life and could become so much happier with your family. Most of us will be rooting for Freddie to have found his forever home with you. But most of us, if we're honest, either aren't willing or aren't able to do what you're doing for him.
You say Milo saved you from the lowest of times. You've also mentioned that he's obsessed with Freddie so has less time to be cuddly towards you -that sounds hard too.
Many of us on here are here because we're struggling, at least sometimes, with our pups. Most of us would really struggle to take on Freddie too. What I'm trying to say (maybe badly) is please don't be hard on yourself if you're feeling similar. Your intentions are pure (as are most people's) but you're struggling with the practicalities and, damn, I think we all would be too.
I know it's not simple though. You feel for Freddie and you want him to feel safe and happy, as he deserves to be too.
It sounds like he's been neglected before he came to you. Perhaps a lack of socialisation in his early months could have led to much of the fearfulness too? The fact that he's 8-9 months old but not at all house trained suggests to me he's not had much human interaction until now and may have lived outside in kennels?
Yet he sounds like a resilient, essentially good natured dog too.
Only you can decide what you want to do, knowing what you know now.
If you decide to keep him, for what it's worth, I 100% believe you will be able to house train him in weeks. You already know how to. I think his other problems will very likely greatly improve. He will likely bring you unique rewards. But please do not allow me to influence you either way, or to make it sound easy, it's not me doing an ounce of the work. You are doing it all.
If you decide you can't keep him, Freddie will be OK in time, you'd make sure of it. You'd be no more "guilty" than me or anyone else who's unable/unwilling to have him, no matter how much we desperately want him to be happy too. Of course I'm rooting for Freddie as much as anyone else on the doghouse (except you of course!). But here's the important bit. I think the vast, vast majority of us, myself included, are rooting for you just as much and more too.
I created an account to say that but am unlikely to keep it open for long just because I don't usually post on any social media. So please dont take it personally if I don't reply more on here.
You're in a difficult situation, caught between wanting to help Freddie and wanting to be happy too. I hope you find a way to do both. Whatever you do, please do be kind to yourself, always. Take care x

What a lovely photo of Milo and Freddie together in the crate. Both are absolutely gorgeous.

@JamieJ93 That's a gorgeous photo of the two of them! They look like butter wouldn't melt 🤣
I hope you've had a nice time at your Mums and managed to chill out a bit.
Keep posting and ranting, it makes me feel like I'm in good company 😊

hi @JamieJ93 i hope the vent and visit was helpful.
regarding the incontinent new dog, have you considered diapers during certain times of the day or in certain rooms? are there any info about maybe timing when the dog has access to water (my mom does that to her old fellow).
our pup is occasionally too excited on walks to toilet on them, so our routine involves going from the walk to the back yard.
i've also spotted that unfamiliar noises scare him to pee; helicopter last week and thunder this week.

@CurlsnSunshinetime4tea
I totally forgot about dog nappies, I actually do sometimes feel it's more incontinence and unable to hold it in due to his anxiety as he walks along pissing sometimes but other times just happily wees outside and poos outside never poos inside.
I've just added some to my Amazon basket.
Willing to give anything a try at this point.

@JamieJ93
How are you today?
Does Freddie seem uncomfortable when he wees? I was just wondering if he could have an infection? It doesn't sound like he's had much care in the past.

@BrodiePup
Good morning you!
I'm alright. Feeling much better. Freddie is much more settled. Still pissing everywhere. I think it is a case of just having no previous toilet training and just "not knowing what to do"
He is acting more dog aka a dickhead 😂
Nah, he's playing with toys, playing tug of war with Milo, Less tail chasing/biting and his tail is healing.
Milo and Freddie cuddle now.
I'm still crating Freddie in the day frequently as he needs to learn he can't just piss where and when he feels like it.
He's being more Milo, he looks happy. I feel abit better myself. I've actually come out today and not sat by myself with the dogs constantly saying stop, no, or saying Freddie and Milo all day long.
How's Brodie? Being a dickhead?

@JamieJ93 Great to hear you sounding more upbeat! Some days are just shit and it all gets too much. Hopefully we'll both start having better days soon.
It must be lovely seeing the two of them play and cuddle together, Milo is obviously enjoying his new friend even if it's wearing you out.
I've come to terms with Brodie and have stopped dreaming of sending him back 🤣. The house training is getting me down, and him pulling like a steam train on walks, but apart from that and the long days and trashed house, he does make me smile (when I don't want to throttle him)
We'll get there eventually, I dare say there will be bad days ahead for both of us, but at least we've got somewhere to rant 😊.

Oh god yeah,
Walking through the park after they have been off lead and they are pulling and they are sound like they are being strangled and people are staring at you like you've just killed their dog I feel like knocking their block off as well 😂😂😂

The post women on my mum's street pissed me off the other day after a particularly bad night with Fred - he was pulling and she went "aw look at you you need a good run"
I saw awwww, how patronising but he gets run on the fields everyday thank you"
I saw red because I hate judgmental people when they don't have a fucking clue!
Freddie just threw Milo off the back of my mum's sofa and he fell into the table and knocked loads of stuff off. Her head nearly exploded. My que to go and pick my husband up (early) from work 😂
Have you let Brodie off yet ?
X

@JamieJ93
Yup, don't you just love the know it alls?
I must admit I used to watch dogs behaving badly and was one of those people who wouldn't allow this, that, and the other... and no dog of mine would ever do that... and they just need to...
Shot myself in the foot there 🤣
No, I daren't let him off other than in a dog field, his recall isn't too bad, possibly? However, if he sees a bird he's completely deaf and would be off for sure.
He had his first gun dog training session on Sunday, he didn't show us up too badly. It was weird, more body language and gestures than words, but he really responded to it. One of his sisters was there too, they went absolutely nuts when they saw each other, I didn't think they'd remember.
Hope your mum wasn't too annoyed at her house getting trashed 🤣

Hello everyone,

I’m collecting my new puppy in about ten days time. It’s my first dog and I have NO idea what I’m doing so I’m reading as much as I can and hoping for good advice!

I have to collect him on my own and it’s about 3-4 hours away. Has anyone done this and got any good tips, especially re loo breaks (for me and for him!)

What would you focus on for the first few days/weeks, other than toilet training?

And lastly (apologies for my apparent obsession with shite) - I live in a rented house and have a kind of large rock gravel in the garden. Will the puppy (a) be okay to walk on this; (b) use it as a loo; (c) not eat it? And does anyone have a better phrase than ‘go potty’ to help train their pup?

Cheers,
Bupster

@Bupster Hello and welcome to the madhouse!
I'm no expert, we picked our pup up with a two hour journey and didn't stop for a toilet break. We asked the breeder to take his chest measurement and got him a little harness to fasten him on the back seat. Otherwise you could use a crate and make it comfy for him?
Brodie likes turf under his paws to have a wee, and will only poo on walks...I'm in the process of removing 2 tons of slate chips to relay a lawn we covered a few years back 🙄. All dogs are different though, some prefer a hard surface.
We say "tiddle" "have a quick tiddle"
He pretty much ignores us, 5 weeks in and would still rather go under the table!!
He was a nightmare for picking up stones initially, but that seems to have passed. If your pup does it, don't make a big deal out of it or it will become a game. It was pretty stressful and hopefully your pup won't be bothered.
Get lots of rest at the moment to build your stamina...you're going to need it 😊

Ideally you wouldn’t give the puppy toilet breaks until you get home - puppies shouldn’t really be put down outside until they’ve had their jabs. They pick up diseases really easily so a safe environment is better. Once in that time should be enough - if he doesn’t wee right away put him back in the car but don’t leave him alone in it. My most recent lasted 5 hours without a wee - he did a massive one all down my driveway though. Dogs don’t like to lay in their own waste so if they can, they hold it. House training is different as they can literally just waddle off

For training, start teaching him the basics (sit, stay, down, recall). Use his ‘meals’ as training opportunities. Teach him ‘sit’ and use the food to lure him into position (check out McCann dog training - they have great videos to help with the first few days) If you do it that way you’re (a) tiring him out mentally, (b) training him and (c) feeding him and (d) getting him to associate you with food (which is always good!!)

Puppy will be fine on gravel but do be careful to watch him - they will eat anything and everything!

I use ‘job’ for mine for No2s and ‘Tiddle’ for No.1! When I trained mine I would say the command word as soon as they weed for the first few days and then reward them with a treat. They soon learn word/food association. My oldest is 11 now and still does her business on command!

Good luck