Puppy Survival Thread Autumn 2025 - all welcome!

[VanGoSunflowers]

Hello everyone! Won’t tag you all as you know everyone is welcome 😊

Thank you for starting a new thread ❤

Hey @CoubousAndTourmaIet!

Back on the topic of hackles and fur in general, the thick stripe of fur along Pablo’s back has a very interesting pattern to it, almost like a cable knit jumper. My sister mistook it for a visible spine the other day and accused me of under feeding him 😂

That sounds unusual @VanGoSunflowers I presume you don't mean a ridge like a ridgeback, but more like a slightly different coat texture...? I guess it would be impossible to get a photo to show it because of him being black.

Brie actually has a line of grey and brown undercoat along her spine, which is also quite strange.

Thanks for the new thread 😊

@CoubousAndTourmaIet I managed to get a couple of pics to show kind of what I mean!
First one is from above and the other one is side on

How fascinating @VanGoSunflowers . I'm not clued up enough on Labradors to say if this is known but I'm sure others here may be able to confirm. I see what you mean though, it looks textured like a braid effect.

Little pup has the wave of thicker fur down her back, it shows especially when she's wet. Will see if I can find a photo

@CoubousAndTourmaIet I can see why at a glance my sister thought his spine was showing and he was too skinny!

@tizwozliz oh yes - let’s compare Labrador fur! @idstillratherbepaddleboarding does Rory have the same?

This is the best photo I could find that shows it

Here is my wee chonk Bruna, or Bru the day we got her home at 8 weeks exactly. I've only just figured out how to post a photo 🫢

@VanGoSunflowers Rory’s is not so obvious, but Billy’s was exactly like that. It’s totally normal for a lab 😂. I also love that funny dragon like longer fur on the side of their necks.

@gotthearse what a cute little bundle of fur 🥰.

@tizwozliz very similar to Pablo’s then!

@gotthearse absolutely adorable little chonk 🥰

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding yes! I love that part too. It’s comforting to play with when he’s curled up asleep.

Hope everyone is all good this morning!

Can I join please? Here’s my 3 month old. Having major feelings of overwhelm at the moment - that’s normal right?

Hello @SomethingSimple - your puppy is adorable! And yes, totally normal in my experience! Mine is 7 months old now and I wouldn’t be without him 🥰

How is the puppy biting phase treating you? Has he/she been vaccinated yet?

Hi @SomethingSimple100% normal. I've had it bad - full anxiety melt down, but coming on here helped me sort out the night times pronto and I regained some sanity. You are not alone! It's still a lot, but I am beginning to find it easier and so is our pupper Bru.

Thank you @VanGoSunflowers and @gotthearse. He’s not had his second vaccination yet, paws can go down at the end of November. He’s brilliant in that he sleeps in his crate, mostly wees and poos outside. Super calm when out with me (pub/ car/ shops ). We’re in puppy classes and he sleeps through these ? Task avoidance :)
challenges are - very broken nights for wees -him not me ;)
training him not to chase our lovely cats- it’s taking patience! And just the whole whirlwind of chaos and loss of freedom for now.
I know I have chosen this. I am fully committed to the process. Just feeling some feelings right now.
this too will pass I tell myself.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding @Houndymumma @tizwozliz just to flag I (LSA) have a new name if you're wondering where I went 😀

@SomethingSimple welcome! Puppies are horrible little buggers who's only redeeming characteristic is that they look sweet.

I can happily report that Eris continues to be a dick, so nothing has changed my end.

Good point. I should probably say I'm Aubrielle on the other puppy thread.

Hi to the new and very cute puppies here 🤗

@SomethingSimple your puppy is gorgeous 😍

I’m a first time dog owner and I knew that the first few months would be hard but oh my goodness it was like having a newborn again, but one that bit.
Everything was a blur but I’ve just looked at the diary we kept and I think we were very lucky. We had to take him out once a night for the first couple of weeks and then he was sleeping for about 8 hours 10pm - 6 am.

Does your puppy need a wee every time, or is that he wants company? Would he go back to sleep if you stroke him? I’m sorry I haven’t any advice for nighttime waking. It will get better!

@SomethingSimple anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and moments of total regret are absolutely normal. We’ve all been there. Things do suddenly improve quickly and then you slowly start to enjoy your puppy. There are still occasional moments of utter madness & frustration occurring, but they do become less quite quickly, so don’t despair. 😊

@Houndymumma thank you ❤️

So Bru was an absolute minx today. I attempted to WFH and give DD a break.

She is completely obsessed with everything Not For Dogs. I thought we'd puppy proofed quite well, but she keeps out foxing us. Also I love to work with a heated throw on my knee but it's proving impossible for her not to chew it or the cable.

We have found a few natural chews that she likes like the pig ears and she loves her coffee wood stick, but apart from games of tuggy she is not interested in her toys, so I have two questions for the group

What toys have your pups loved, that kept them occupied (other than licky mats and kongs which are already on the shopping list)?

And

And how has your pup learned to entertain themselves? Bru is very shouty if she isn't getting the attention she feels she deserves - at the mo she is either sleeping, has a chew or demands attention, and when she doesn't get it she will be a bit naughty!

@gotthearse my pup loves Green & Wild dog toys. She’s got a lobster and a fish that’s a huge hit. Much more popular than any other toys. Also frozen tea towels when teething.

Hello just found this thread and would love to join with my miniature poodle who is 12 weeks old. Got him 4 days ago. First time dog owner as an adult.

Hello and welcome! You have a gorgeous pup @olivehater ❤