Puppies #2

[Bleurghgram]

@LifeOfMog My dog is muzzled in public and honestly she barely takes any notice of it. She was trained by the rescue so I didn’t have to do that but she puts it straight on for a reward and gets excited when she sees it because she knows what’s coming. Most people are still very sweet with her, a child asked their dad once why my dog had something on her face and I loved hearing the dad explain ‘maybe she’s scared of something, or maybe she eats things she shouldn’t’. None of it was placing any negativity on my dog

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Found out pets at home do puppy socialising and their classes only have 4 puppies. I’ve booked one for my pup but I did already book another. Hopefully the original place will allow me to change the date I go as I think my puppy needs to get more confidence first before going back there as there was too many dogs

 

[Hamburglar]

Found out pets at home do puppy socialising and their classes only have 4 puppies. I’ve booked one for my pup but I did already book another. Hopefully the original place will allow me to change the date I go as I think my puppy needs to get more confidence first before going back there as there was too many dogs

I did this with mine when he was teeny tiny and he really enjoyed it. Think it’s good as they run the groups by age & size so they’re not getting overwhelmed by older or bigger dogs. There was a pup who was really timid and he’d come out of his shell a bit by the end.

 

[aidil]

Found out pets at home do puppy socialising and their classes only have 4 puppies. I’ve booked one for my pup but I did already book another. Hopefully the original place will allow me to change the date I go as I think my puppy needs to get more confidence first before going back there as there was too many dogs

That sounds so much better! I hope there’ll eventually be a move away from the large “puppy party” set ups and an increase in more small groups like this! I think the large groups sometimes do more harm than good for the quiet pups

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

That sounds so much better! I hope there’ll eventually be a move away from the large “puppy party” set ups and an increase in more small groups like this! I think the large groups sometimes do more harm than good for the quiet pups

100%!!! Socialisation can be done without these parties. Ive made so many mistakes in the past and ended up with an over vocal and excited dog around people / dogs.

With subsequent dogs Ive made socialisation about experiences rather than people or dogs and its made such a difference. Introducing to the car from the very beginning frequently, taking in a dog sling to beaches, forests, woods, near main roads with buses/sirens/trucks. Not greeting every dog we meet and its night and day.

Its not to say they dont work out but I think they cause more harm than good in so many cases.

 

[aidil]

100%!!! Socialisation can be done without these parties. Ive made so many mistakes in the past and ended up with an over vocal and excited dog around people / dogs.

With subsequent dogs Ive made socialisation about experiences rather than people or dogs and its made such a difference. Introducing to the car from the very beginning frequently, taking in a dog sling to beaches, forests, woods, near main roads with buses/sirens/trucks. Not greeting every dog we meet and its night and day.

Its not to say they dont work out but I think they cause more harm than good in so many cases.

Spot on! I think so many owners (myself included!) read about socialisation and how important it is and then went on to flood our poor pups! There’s definitely a good and bad way to do it but at least we can learn from our mistakes now

I want to start running puppy classes at my work eventually but don’t want to do so until I know we can do it in the most responsible manner!

 

[Former_Antelopee]

That sounds so much better! I hope there’ll eventually be a move away from the large “puppy party” set ups and an increase in more small groups like this! I think the large groups sometimes do more harm than good for the quiet pups

He did go to daycare this week for a day and did well. Went to his puppy training class today for the first session and he was much more confident with the dogs. I wouldn’t say he is quiet it’s more that he is much smaller. If he does well at the 4 class one I may take him sooner back to the bigger class
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I have to say I did like the puppy party for the socialisation with children he spent the majority of his time with the kids which I liked as I don’t have kids or access to any to social him with children. And I want him to be happy around all ages

 

[aidil]

He did go to daycare this week for a day and did well. Went to his puppy training class today for the first session and he was much more confident with the dogs. I wouldn’t say he is quiet it’s more that he is much smaller. If he does well at the 4 class one I may take him sooner back to the bigger class

That’s so cute What breed is he? My dog started a new walk with his walker this week and he’s the only male in the group. Apparently he was loving the attention from all the ladies!

 

[Former_Antelopee]

That’s so cute What breed is he? My dog started a new walk with his walker this week and he’s the only male in the group. Apparently he was loving the attention from all the ladies!

He is a small cross breed only 1.8kg at the moment 14 weeks. aww he’ll have a lot of girlfriends what breed is he?

 

[aidil]

He is a small cross breed only 1.8kg at the moment 14 weeks. aww he’ll have a lot of girlfriends what breed is he?

Ahhhh I love little ones, I really want a Chi cross next He’s a lurcher, he’s getting on now but can still run for England

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Ended up taking my pup to the smaller puppy party yesterday he was the smallest and a bit nervous still but getting better. Went to the bigger one today and he was much more confident than the first time and didn’t just spend his time mostly on a kids knee and he actually played a little.
Took him to two one to one trainer sessions and he started his puppy classes last week. Just walking home now after a few hours rest so he goes to the toilet before his next class

Started letting him off the lead for the first time yesterday and he is doing great with recall and mostly stays by me anyway

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Don’t know what’s better having a puppy that’s fussy with food or one that loves food. At least he hopefully won’t eat anything that’ll turn into a foreign body but it’s annoying trying to get him to eat enough!
Same with my cats - one I had to put on wet food for a while as well as dry but now she’s gone back to eating dry only. The other is good she eats her normal dry food well but is fussy with treats, she will only have lick-e-lix, even dreamies are a no from her. Not that it matters about treats but I just find it strange

 

[Tide'sout]

Hello all, could I ask what age your pups were when you stopped soaking kibble in water? Thank you

 

[Skinner]

Hello all, could I ask what age your pups were when you stopped soaking kibble in water? Thank you

I've never done this. We had foster pups form 5 weeks old and they got dry kibble from then.

 

[jayne2240]

Hello all, could I ask what age your pups were when you stopped soaking kibble in water? Thank you

I’m honestly not sure what the guidance is, but my girl despised having the wet kibble so I think we stopped hers at about 8/9 weeks - she was fine!

 

[Tide'sout]

Ah thank you, that's interesting. Picked my girl up on Wednesday with food from the breeder who has been soaking it in warm water and said may not need to do it much longer. Felt little one isn't eating as much as she should and put it down to new environment. Accidentally dropped dry kibble on kitchen floor today and she crunched it up with gusto, tail wagging

 

[Curly]

We stopped it pretty quickly.
our pup had some tummy issues the first few weeks and had to get some meds. We now give him a spoon of Greek yoghurt mixed in his kibble which he loves as he wouldn’t eat it dry

 

[Skinner]

Ah thank you, that's interesting. Picked my girl up on Wednesday with food from the breeder who has been soaking it in warm water and said may not need to do it much longer. Felt little one isn't eating as much as she should and put it down to new environment. Accidentally dropped dry kibble on kitchen floor today and she crunched it up with gusto, tail wagging

Best of luck with your new addition.

 

[coconochanel]

Is the pets at home site a good place to buy a puppy?

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Is the pets at home site a good place to buy a puppy?

It can be ok but puppy farmers can also be on there.

If you're after a specific breed then Id try to find a well known reputable breeder. You will often find with an above board good breeder they have very fewer litters so you may need to wait a while and go on a wait list.

Go with your wits about you, ask to see mum with pups as a non negotiable, if Dad can be seen, ask to see him too. Ask to see papers and relevant health testing certificates. If anything seems not right or dodgy, walk away.