Puppy Survival Thread for New and Old Pups - here comes winter 2024

[Bupster]

I thought I might as well be the one to start the new thread! Nothing to report but a sleepy puppy over here.

@brushingboots the sink is a fab idea. I think the listed building part isn't the problem it's the world heritage site and all the rules and regulations which go with it. I have to get planning permission to replace a wooden gate on our front garden! There's already an outdoor tap in the back yard which was installed pre-WHS/listing but I feel so bad hosing him down with cold water ☹️

@Newuser75 thank you I'll look those up!

V is having a little holiday with my MIL until Sunday as we are away for a wedding. Here he is with his uncles 😂 Only sitting still because their eyes are on a ham sandwich...

It's the first time he's ever spent time with other dogs since leaving his litter (apart from that one time he was totally ignored by my DM's greyhound) and I think he's going well so far!

Aw, lovely photo @YorkshireFelix ❤️

He definitely looks bigger than 4 months!!

He really does!

I bet he's going to have a lot of fun, albeit that he'll be a tired baby when you get him home. I hope you have a lovely time at the wedding.

@YorkshireFelix ahh the curse of the WHS! I sympathise as we are not only listed but in a conservation area too and while it's not as strict as a WHS would be there are Lots of Rules!

Lucky V on holiday! I bet he'll have a fab time. We also had a wedding to go to when pupsy was the same age and she went to my parents' and apparently had the time of her life learning from her aunts – their dogs – on how to properly spaniel and how best to manipulate the humans.

So, so proud of my little bug today. Managed his six month check up at the vet despite being super-tired (he couldn't settle at all for his normal morning nap). Then coped with a 15-minute drive to the daycare HQ for a meet and greet with barely a whimper - probably the best drive we've ever done; and was an absolute darling when he was there, with lovely manners and super-friendly to dogs and people, then managed the drive on the way back again with barely a whimper until I got super-stressed trying to park at school chuck-out time (my car is at a ridiculous angle, round the corner from my house, as I needed to get him out and just thought bollocks to it).

He's now conked out. I could hug him. I was so anxious about today, and about leaving him at their HQ next week when my normal daycare lady is away - and he was just a superstar. I know it sounds like a tiny thing but it gives me hope that we're actually going to be okay.

He’s a beautiful dog @Bupster & deserves extra cuddles/ treats today

Re-reading that, it's utterly incoherent, but I really wanted to tell someone 😄Thank you @Twiglets1

@Bupster well done both of you! V clever Bill and v brave you x

That all sounds brilliant @Bupster What a sweetheart Bill is ❤

Oh brilliant that is so fab @Bupster 😍

That's brilliant that Bill did so well at vet, day care and car travel. Sounds like a great pup @Bupster and that you're doing an amazing job with him. Definately sounds like you'll both be ok! Must be a weight off mind with day care and travel. Glad to hear he's made such fab progress with car. (Lol to it being parked at ridiculous angle).
It always sounds like Bill feels securely attached with you (reference to a positive attachment style in psychological attachment theory of parenting children where parent is attentive to an responsive to young child, which makes child feel secure, safe in world, loved, trusting, good at relationships and to value their own importance throughout life). Not sure whether it applies at all to dogs but makes sense. Bill looks too cute in that photo. Just gorgeous :-)

What a great photo @yorkshirefelix. Looks like V is enjoying his mini holiday with his new spaniel chums. Hope they got some of the ham sandwich! Enjoy the wedding.

Hello

Is it normal to get puppy blues? Brodie is gorgeous and being a normal puppy.

I'm exhausted though, even though DP and I are sharing the load.

Hi
It's very normal, most of us get it to some extent. Having a new puppy is very overwhelming! Nothing really prepares you for just how tiring puppies are and even when you've done it before the puppy blues can still hit you.
It usually passes fairly quickly but it is an awful feeling and I'm sorry you're going through it... Edited to add : It does get easier, I promise x

@locketrocket 100pc normal! A few of us on here have shared our puppy blues tales of late, and however you're feeling, it's fine! Don't beat yourself up about it, and just take it a day at a time. It is very draining even if you have help, but I promise it will pass! I was honestly in tears every day with my extremely good pup last summer – trying to give her away to people, talking of sending her back to the breeder, all sorts of what now seems like silly nonsense. Now she's totally my shadow, and a wonderful teenage dog. He will get there too but he's still a tiny baby.

How's he getting on? If any of us can help on here we will.

Good post, as always @brushingboots

Thank you both, it's reassuring to know it's normal 😊

It's the lack of sleep that really affects me. DP has had a few important work days this week (great timing) so I've done more of the night times.
I know it'll get easier, however this puppy fog is leaving me flat.

He's getting on ok tbh. Lets us know when he needs a 💩, wee isn't quite there, but improving each day.
Took him for his first walk yesterday, 10mins around the block but 2 noisy cars spooked him.
He loves the garden and regularly gets the zoomies which is so gorgeous and funny to watch 😍

He is so affectionate and loving, it's just me and him at home today and I've had the most loving cwtches 🥰

Aw it’s so normal @locketrocket I’ve cried in the past but it sounds like your little one is doing just fine so you’re doing a lot right. Try to focus on the positives as the negatives can feel overwhelming- I know!

@locketrocket
Honestly, the disrupted sleep is the worst thing! Yes, the wees were more difficult than poo for us too; puppy bladder capacity is not great! Once they start going longer between wees you do feel less tired.

First walks are always slightly nerve wracking regarding unexpected noises or snappy dogs; that is another thing that gets easier as each day passes.

The zoomies are hilarious but sometimes your heart is in your mouth if your pup is a clumsy one like mine was - she still does them at 35kg and it scares the 💩out of me 😱

Boy dogs are so cuddly, love love love that! My girl is very independent minded and cuddles are only on her terms (I'd love another boy dog to snuggle with tbh❤)

<3

Starting to get really worried about Bonfire night 😨

There was a few fireworks going off in our village last night; nearby but not right on top of us, and Brie got really stressed. It was only 5 or 6 fireworks and obviously Nov 5th it will be a hundred times worse. We had the blinds closed last night and a video on but she still seemed really bothered by it.

It's weird, she was really bomb proof as a tiny pup and nothing bothered her but over the last month she's become sensitive to motorbikes, rattly farm trailers etc. I feel worried for her re Nov 5th but I suspect that as it's a Tuesday we'll also get fireworks the weekend before and the weekend after 😟

Any thoughts, anyone?

She's not far off Bill's age, isn't she @PyreneanAubrie ? Could she be going through a secondary fear period? Bill's six months next week and has been starting to cock his leg - but also has been getting spooked by mad things like bin bags that he was fine about before. I'm desperately hoping we're done with it soon as I've not managed to do anything to desensitise him to fireworks and it's anyone's guess how he'll react. Two months ago I'd have bet cash money that he'd be fine but right now he can freak out because the recycling's at the wrong angle.