Adolescent Dog Survival Thread - get teenage licks right through the night!

[Bupster]

I've buckled and started the new thread - welcome to the horror of adolescence!

All the beautiful dog pics are making me broody to get a new puppy after my 13 year old spaniel passed away last year, but I'm actually here to remind myself of the horrors of puppyhood after having an obedient (ish) dog for so many years 🐶

@happinessischocolate
I'm so sorry for your loss, they take some getting over don't they?
All I can say is puppies are hideous, and I didn't deal with it well, but it really is worth it a few months down the line.

@happinessischocolate look away from the pictures!

You are on the right thread for spaniels. I’m in the minority and I like to think my Midge is an honorary spaniel

Mumsnet really is a special place isn't it?
I only came back to ask if anyone knew of a flexi lead that doesn't click annoyingly every time you put the brake on.
You all know what I've been through with Brodie, his loose lead walking is mostly good now, his recall for his age is really good. I know flexi leads aren't advised for training and no way would I use one every day. However, we've been to a few NT properties recently where dogs have to be on a lead, and on footpaths and through gardens he's kept on a short leash. When we get to quiet open spaces I want him to have more freedom, which is why I've got one.
I posted a simple question...maybe not clearly enough...but people don't read it properly and just tell you not to use one...grrrr 🤣

@happinessischocolate Bill is half a spaniel. I believe this is the Labrador half pictured below.

My favourite part of this photo is his absolute teenager expression ("who the hell are you? This is my loo roll! I hate you, I wish I was adopted" 😄). Added in the spirit of putting you off puppies!

@AllFurCoatAndFrillyKnickers how long are you looking after your friend’s dog?
I was mortified at new year when we were staying with relatives. They have just done up their old cottage and have left some exposed brick as an internal wall. We had just arrived and Midge gave a sniff and cocked his leg on the wall. It was the first inside wee he has had for months!

I came to the conclusion that he hadn’t generalised that this was indoors as well so I treated him like a small puppy and took him out very frequently/ after meals/ on waking etc etc. He didn’t have any more accidents. It might help to prevent accidents/ get used to where to wee, if you treat the dog you are looking after like a young puppy?

I avoid most dog related threads for this exact reason. Everyone is crackers. I would also use an extendable lead in those circumstances. I hate holding a longline as I find myself getting it all tangled up and spend half the time untangling to release the length again!

Thanks for the support @YorkshireFelix 😊

Lots of lovely, obedient mature spaniels looking for their forever homes through rescue charities - check out spaniel aid and save our spaniels as and when and if you feel ready to get another pup. I felt terribly disloyal when I rescued 4 months after my second boy but my fifth pup came quickly (6 weeks) to help my fourth girl after the death of her sister. He’s now a solo dog when she went last summer and no plans for a companion for him - he loves being top dog. You’ll know when the time’s right

I dip into the trending threads for funsies and I've come to the conclusion that everyone on MN who isn't on this and the puppy thread (and possibly the Podcast) is completely barking mad 😄

@BrodiePup I use two leads connected together so about 4m altogether. I find it’s long enough for Midge to bumble around without me getting tangled. I’ve not used a retractable lead

@Nella68 that's a really good idea! I've got a cupboard full of leads so I'll give it a go.

We use two leads connected together also, I've heard too many horror stories about retractables from my family member who's a vet 😬

The double ended training leads are also great because you get the best of both worlds; handle and trigger hook at both ends with a ring at the mid point you can clip them short or use full length.

@BrodiePup this is my set up. The clips on the double ended leads fit together perfectly and makes the connection secure.

@CoubousAndTourmalet I've got a double ended somewhere that I bought in the dark days, I'll have a look and dig that out.

I actually think on the very rare occasions that we'll use the flexi I'll just put up with the clicking. I'll certainly think twice before asking for advice on the dog house again 🤣.

@Nella68 Thank you, that's really helpful!
I'll check out what I've got, and think I'll be able to cobble something together like that. It'll just mean popping another lead in my bag 😊.

This is similar to our set up, we find the leads with a ring in the handle are useful. Because we can't let our dogs off the lead in public we've always tended to use double length leads for walking on the fields. The ring in the handle also enables you to wear the spare lead across your body when only a singe lead is in use.

Just to say in a non-dramatic, not spitting dummy out sort of way that I'm popping off again.
All the best to all of you and your pups x

Look after yourself @BrodiePup It's been lovely to see you again x

Hello and goodbye again @BrodiePup – so nice to hear how well B is doing and he is looking lovely! Lots of love to you from me and pupsy if you see this x

Thank you, yes it took a horrendously long time and I'm only just getting there now whereby I know I'm looking for a new dog and not subconsciously trying to recreate her by getting an identical puppy.

Bumped into an old friend tonight who has a 5 month old black cocker, brought back all the good and boisterous behaviour.

@harriethoyle
I am looking at rescues aswell but it needs to be quite young as I can't deal with the heartbreak again for a good few years

@happinessischocolate not sure where you are located but West Yorkshire Dog Rescue have the most gorgeous 8 month old field spaniel x show cocker up for adoption soon. Poor thing has been left 8 hours a day due to change in circumstances then returned to the breeder.

Sorry to hear about your loss. My pup is my first ever dog and I can't imagine it. I hope you manage to find a rescue that is right for you 🙂

@YorkshireFelix we’re also in West Yorkshire - must be quite close to you! @happinessischocolate if you are up this way check out South Yorkshire Springer rescue or Northern English Springer rescue too

Right, gang, I need a hand-hold please. Bill is doing is first overnight away from me this week (I have a conference) since he went back to the breeder for a holiday at 12 weeks. He's staying with one of the people who runs my daycare HQ, so he'll know the person he's staying with but not the house/room. They are absolutely wonderful and completely reliable (God love them, they know he needs to sleep with people/dogs and isn't crate trained), but obviously I'm in bits. My sensible brain is certain he'll be fine, perhaps slightly unsettled, but he's very resilient. However, my sensible brain does a job share with a needy, anxious lunatic and she's on shift today.

What was it like the first time you left your dog overnight? Who did you leave them with? How were they, and how were they when you came back?

Honestly it sounds like after being with you, where he is going to be staying is a very close second best! He will have a great time. But I understand the anxiety 100%!!

I assume they will be able to send you regular updates?

We left V with my MIL back in October for the weekend and he was completely fine. It was the first time he had met them too, and the excitement when we came to collect him was off the charts 😁