Puppy Survival Thread for New & Old Pups - Soon be Autumn 2024

[BrodiePup]

Setting the ball rolling on a new thread as the last one has reached 1k 😊.

Brodie had his first proper bath today...
I don't think he was overly impressed!

He'll be 6 months old on Tuesday. I can't believe how the time has passed, or how far along we've come.

To everyone who is struggling at the moment, stick with it, it really does get easier.

Hi @Ruairismum I think we can all relate with experiencing those issues 😊

Hope you have a better day today.

@Twiglets1 thank you ❤️ Is adolescent phase 6 months? No teeth lost yet but he's chewing like a demon. Got through an entire frozen carrot yesterday evening in half an hr 🙈

I believe adolescent phase is from about 6 months which means Roman isn’t there yet so his behaviour will probably get worse 🤦‍♀️

He hasn’t lost any teeth yet either that I’m aware of (4.5months). But he can demolish a tough medium sized dog chew in about 20 minutes with his baby teeth.

@Ruairismum oh gosh we have that to come! Have you had a better day today?

@summerincoming honestly, the whole puppy thing triggered my anxiety like crazy. I was so worried about doing it all wrong as these first few months are so crucial, and I felt like there's was just too much to tackle with training etc. But we've had Vinny almost 8 weeks now and I've realised that taking it slowly and a day at a time is the best approach. It can all seem so daunting, especially when there's so much conflicting information online about what to do for the best. I find it so overwhelming!

But I do think the fact you've done so much research and are so worried about doing it right means that you really care and are a great puppy owner!

Sorry I don't have a huge amount of advice re your dd as mine is older but I can imagine it's hard. I think letting her interact in a safe way when it's calmer, and keeping them separate when pup is being crazy will be completely fine. There's so much time for them to develop a bond as your pup gets older so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Keep posting on here as it has been a life saver for me! Everyone's advice has really been so invaluable and a great support in those weeks where I felt like I was losing my mind.

No teeth lost here yet either but I do keep checking. Not sure if he's a bit young yet as he's not quite 4 months. He's chewed the hell out of all my wooden furniture, doors and skirting boards though!

Just booked a puppy life skills course with a local gundog trainer I have found, which starts in October. When he's older I'm going to do their beginner gundog course too as it looks great. Can't believe it's almost October already!! Where is the time going?

@summerincoming I think all the dominance and where-she-is-in-the-pack stuff has long been debunked. However, clearly understanding what you are and aren't allowed to do - and crucially for dogs, what you should be doing instead - will always help every young animal, human or canine (and the older ones too).

I think you're doing all the right things - it's just a hard thing to do. I've only got myself to look out for and I'm convulsed with anxiety half the time. But if you're socialising and habituating her to the world, and teaching her a bit of self-regulation (look up the its-yer-choice game), you've got most of it done. I pretty much only work on recall and reacting to dogs/squirrels/birds now - other than a basic sit/stay that's all they desperately need to function, and the rest can be done at a slower pace.

You could think of yourself as having an advantage too, in that you have your DC, and if you respond to the puppy in roughly the same way you would to them, with empathy and kindness, you'll probably muddle through fine x

@YorkshireFelix he's been an absolute dream today. Why do they do this!! I know it won't last but enjoying snuggles so much (on annual leave atm) ❤️

It's bizarre! Vinny will sometimes be an absolute horror from morning to evening one day and then act like it never happened the next. I would love to know why they do it! Glad he's been better today and hope you're enjoying your snuggle 🥰

They do it to keep us on our toes I think 🤔

Thank you for your amazing advice as always everyone!

Pic of the little monkey attached

@summerincoming she's soooooo gorgeous. Her paws!!!

She's adorable @summerincoming - I'm sure all boxer people have already seen this, but just in case ... (links to a facebook page)

https://fb.watch/uRoiUONPDi/

😂 that video! I put a blueberry in front of her yesterday and got a similar reaction. They are absolute clowns.

And about those paws, well they are ENORMOUS and her dad is an absolute unit (met him, she spent the first 12 weeks with her 12 siblings, her mum, dad and her maternal grandparents!!) so I'm a bit worried about how big she will grow 😬🤣

There's a lovely boxer bitch we meet on our dog walks, they are a great breed.

oh she's beautiful @summerincoming but yes, huge paws for a puppy!

Sorry for my post the other day @summerincoming . I wasn't able to edit it and it has left me very red-faced and feeling like a clumsy idiot. I'm glad you got help here from people who are better with words than I am.

Your girl is gorgeous and is clearly going to be massive!

Posting a throwback pic as our girl turns 6 months today. This is her at 9 weeks looking like a fluffy teddy.

Hi everyone, we picked up winsome-pup a week ago and she's settled right in, along with our resident 3yo BT. All this bloody rain is making standing in the garden calling 'go for wee-wees' a right pain tho 😂 I can confirm that at 11 weeks she's a bitey little demon but she also is extremely cuddly and confident. I had a proper 'what on earth have I done' moment this week as I had a horrid cold and my carpets had wee everywhere, but it's getting better, slowly. Pic to illustrate the sheer damn cuteness.

She is so cute - who cares about wee stained carpets 😂

She's a dear little thing.

@AubrieDog you have been wonderfully supportive! Thank you from me and Summer (that's our pup). She's had her mad zoomies and now asleep. So proud of her for being a star at the vet check up/registering this morning 🥹 and she didn't poop in the car either there or back (20 mins each way)! Seeing as I had that twice this week I was so happy for such a massive win 😃

Hi @winsomeadante ! In the same boat here - feels like literally when standing outside in the torrential rain. And I thought this would be a good time of year to get a puppy 🤣

After several days of WHY?!? we have decided to man up and embrace the chaos and change. Not always easy (!) but I've been met with such support and non-judgement on this thread that it's really boosted my confidence in being able to do this. And it's made me fall in love with pup even more.

What a little squish! 😍