Puppies

[Be creative]

So I’ve just reserved a wee border collie puppy. Getting him at the end of the month. Super excited, but it’ll be my first time owning my own dog. We’ve always had family dogs as kids, and most recently got a BC who is now 5. But I’m worried I’m not really prepared / experienced enough.
What are the things you had for the pup before he or she came home?

 

[Snowjoke]

So I’ve just reserved a wee border collie puppy. Getting him at the end of the month. Super excited, but it’ll be my first time owning my own dog. We’ve always had family dogs as kids, and most recently got a BC who is now 5. But I’m worried I’m not really prepared / experienced enough.
What are the things you had for the pup before he or she came home?

How exciting!!!! these are some of things we got for our pups when we got them,
Bed
Blanket
Chew toys
Crate (If your doing crate training)
Food
Food & water bowl
Puppy friendly training treats
Radio to keep on at night for company
Puppy pads for toilet training

 

[Rxt156]

So I’ve just reserved a wee border collie puppy. Getting him at the end of the month. Super excited, but it’ll be my first time owning my own dog. We’ve always had family dogs as kids, and most recently got a BC who is now 5. But I’m worried I’m not really prepared / experienced enough.
What are the things you had for the pup before he or she came home?

How exciting!! As long as you’ve got food and a bed you’ll be ok. The most important thing is how your going to train the dog. I wish I’d researched this more before I got mine

 

[Maid22]

So I’ve just reserved a wee border collie puppy. Getting him at the end of the month. Super excited, but it’ll be my first time owning my own dog. We’ve always had family dogs as kids, and most recently got a BC who is now 5. But I’m worried I’m not really prepared / experienced enough.
What are the things you had for the pup before he or she came home?

Oh that's lovely, collies are fabulous dogs, I've always had one!
The list above is pretty spot on!! I'd recommend some pup toys for biting, that's one of the worst things they do!!!

 

[S4buk]

So I’ve just reserved a wee border collie puppy. Getting him at the end of the month. Super excited, but it’ll be my first time owning my own dog. We’ve always had family dogs as kids, and most recently got a BC who is now 5. But I’m worried I’m not really prepared / experienced enough.
What are the things you had for the pup before he or she came home?

would definitely recommend a crate and just think of it as the pups bedroom!

I feel like we’re coming out of the other end now, our pup is 4 months. It’s been an absolute rollercoaster, but tattle is always here!

 

[Monkeymagic85]

would definitely recommend a crate and just think of it as the pups bedroom!

I feel like we’re coming out of the other end now, our pup is 4 months. It’s been an absolute rollercoaster, but tattle is always here!

Definitely second this. Our dog has only ever slept in her cage and when we say go bed, she happily goes to her crate and sleeps till morning. We also have a smaller crate that she still fits (was her puppy cage) and we travel with that or if someone looks after her.

She also doesn't even venture up the stairs as she knows it's a no go! (We had a gate for a while)

Victoria Stillwell it's me or the dog is a good book, Graham's dogs behaving badly on channel 5 is a good watch and there are plenty of dog forums online.

 

[Be creative]

Thank you for all your replies! I got two crates last night from family (one large and one smaller for pup stage) so they are sorted. Beginning to feel real now
At the weekend I’m going to head out and get other stuff, toys, pads, a bed, bowls, treats etc. I’m getting a bag of food for him from the breeder so that’s one less thing to buy straight away.
Regarding insurance, is there a specifically well renowned company any of you use?

 

[Monkeymagic85]

Thank you for all your replies! I got two crates last night from family (one large and one smaller for pup stage) so they are sorted. Beginning to feel real now
At the weekend I’m going to head out and get other stuff, toys, pads, a bed, bowls, treats etc. I’m getting a bag of food for him from the breeder so that’s one less thing to buy straight away.
Regarding insurance, is there a specifically well renowned company any of you use?

I'm with direct line, whichever you choose, have a look at the annual amounts of cover you'll get or whether there's a limit per condition. It's a total mine field, what I will say is the breeder will probably give you some insurance for 6 weeks usually pet plan or something.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Thank you for all your replies! I got two crates last night from family (one large and one smaller for pup stage) so they are sorted. Beginning to feel real now
At the weekend I’m going to head out and get other stuff, toys, pads, a bed, bowls, treats etc. I’m getting a bag of food for him from the breeder so that’s one less thing to buy straight away.
Regarding insurance, is there a specifically well renowned company any of you use?

Definitely Petplan. But otherwise heard good things about the big supermarkets and also bought by many.
One thing you could do is ask your vet what insurances they deal directly with if they’ll tell you. I know they could change their policy, you could end up changing vets who may not deal directly with them or need to go to a specialist who doesn’t either but it could be handy to know. Definitely get covered for life insurance (that’s what petplan call it, maybe called different by different companies).
I’d probably get at least £12k cover for a dog but definitely not less than £6k cover. As monkeymagic said your breeder probably will give you so many weeks free cover, probably from petplan and you can phone to carry this on but not sure how much cover it will be.

 

[S4buk]

Also looking for insurance recommendations, I did one search and now I'm being flooded by hundreds of different companies on Facebook! Was going to go via a comparison site but is PetPlan or Waggle the way forward?

 

[maltybiscuit]

Whatever insurance you get, make sure it’s a Whole of Life policy so that you’re never left without cover for a pre-existing condition.

Also don’t take the breeder’s free insurance as it’ll be megabucks to continue after the free period. Just sort your own from day 1 to ensure continuity of cover.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Ive never left any of my pups to cry. I slept with them downstairs and both will sleep independently now and be left fine.

I havent left my human kids to cry either, havent got it in me.

We use Tesco insurance. We havent ever had to claim but did use the phone vet with our youngest dog once and cant fault them.

For those in the thick of it, it does pass I promise. Both of my dogs toilet trained v quickly but I spent the first 2 weeks outside more than in, used training bells, no puppy pads or paper at all. Nothing that would encourage toileting indoors.

 

[WilmaHun]

My puppy seems to have a "mad 20 mins" at the moment, he'll go absolutely mental. Zooming from one end of the house to the other, biting everything in site (mainly my clothes!). Feels like there's NOTHING I can do to calm him down in those 20 mins. Last night he bit a hole through my dressing gown in one of his mad 20 mins, so I picked him up and placed him behind the stair gate so he knew playtime was over. He just barked continually I really struggle when he's having these moments as I can't get anything done! If I try to stand up he'll just bite my feet/slippers/trousers. If I try to sit on the sofa he'll continually jump at me wanting to bite my clothes, it's so hard.

I'm really holding on to the fact that everyone is telling me it does get easier. I'm finding it so hard to cope with. He's an absolute diamond if we need to leave him. I have a puppycam and I keep an eye on him but he's so good, he just plays in his bed or sleeps. It's just these really difficult moments I'm struggling with. I can't help wonder what I'm doing wrong!

We're still going 20 steps back with toilet training, like this morning, I took him on a walk, as soon as we got home we went straight in the garden. Nothing. Yet he's indoors for 10 mins and been for a number 2 in my dining room

He also growled at me both last night and this morning when I tried to pick him up. Both times he was on the sofa, I was leaving the room so wanted him down off the sofa (I don't like leaving him in the living room on his own) so I wanted to pick him up and place him in the dining room in his bed whilst I got on with something in the kitchen. He really growled as I tried to pick him up What am I doing wrong!

 

[whisperchat]

My puppy seems to have a "mad 20 mins" at the moment, he'll go absolutely mental. Zooming from one end of the house to the other, biting everything in site (mainly my clothes!). Feels like there's NOTHING I can do to calm him down in those 20 mins. Last night he bit a hole through my dressing gown in one of his mad 20 mins, so I picked him up and placed him behind the stair gate so he knew playtime was over. He just barked continually I really struggle when he's having these moments as I can't get anything done! If I try to stand up he'll just bite my feet/slippers/trousers. If I try to sit on the sofa he'll continually jump at me wanting to bite my clothes, it's so hard.

I'm really holding on to the fact that everyone is telling me it does get easier. I'm finding it so hard to cope with. He's an absolute diamond if we need to leave him. I have a puppycam and I keep an eye on him but he's so good, he just plays in his bed or sleeps. It's just these really difficult moments I'm struggling with. I can't help wonder what I'm doing wrong!

We're still going 20 steps back with toilet training, like this morning, I took him on a walk, as soon as we got home we went straight in the garden. Nothing. Yet he's indoors for 10 mins and been for a number 2 in my dining room

He also growled at me both last night and this morning when I tried to pick him up. Both times he was on the sofa, I was leaving the room so wanted him down off the sofa (I don't like leaving him in the living room on his own) so I wanted to pick him up and place him in the dining room in his bed whilst I got on with something in the kitchen. He really growled as I tried to pick him up What am I doing wrong!

You're doing nothing wrong, he's just being a typical puppy! Puppies are bloody hard work and it makes you think you are failing at raising them but you're not.. How old is he now? The biting at feet and slippers etc is something he will stop eventually, when we first got my pup that's all he ever did.. he bit my finger so hard once it drew blood.. Just keep disciplining him, ignore the barking because he'll realise that he can't get your attention that way.

He's being naughty and a brat but trust me he WILL grow out of it.. Just keep doing what you're doing. If he jumps on you while you're sitting down, calmly get up and turn your back to him. Just keep turning away.. once he's stopped, face him again with your arms crossed and just firmly tell him 'enough' and walk away. He'll probably chase after you biting at your ankles but just try it. That's what we did to our one and he didn't like it, he got confused by the reaction we gave him. Set boundaries early.. My dog is a nightmare when it comes to begging for food but I taught him that he doesn't beg around me.. my mum is a different story because she's a soft touch with him and when she eats he climbs all over her lol.. but with me he just sits near me and turns his head away as if to say 'I'm not looking!'

 

[Rxt156]

@WilmaHun
It’s soo frustrating isn’t it. He is a typical puppy but that doesn’t help I know.

Some dogs don’t like to be picked up, you could entice him off the sofa with a treat or a toy.

Toilet training takes ages it’s also very annoying but persevere and you will get there. Look for the signs eg my dog circles and sniffs before a poo or sniffs and takes loads of small steps like a little tap dance before he does a wee. Spot the signs and get him outside asap then lots of praise when he does them in the garden.

It’s difficult but soo worth it when they’re older and well trained

 

[whisperchat]

@WilmaHun
It’s soo frustrating isn’t it. He is a typical puppy but that doesn’t help I know.

Some dogs don’t like to be picked up, you could entice him off the sofa with a treat or a toy.

Toilet training takes ages it’s also very annoying but persevere and you will get there. Look for the signs eg my dog circles and sniffs before a poo or sniffs and takes loads of small steps like a little tap dance before he does a wee. Spot the signs and get him outside asap then lots of praise when he does them in the garden.

It’s difficult but soo worth it when they’re older and well trained

Yes, agree with this.. I had a border terrier (who has now passed) before my dog now and he adored to be held like a baby, literally would want to be cradled but then we got a bulldog and its a different story.. when we could still lift him he would hate it, grunt and growl at us and wriggle to get away. But then I see some other bulldogs online being held and loving it..

 

[WilmaHun]

Thank you @whisperchat @Rxt156 ! It's sooooo draining sometimes as I just keep thinking he's being naughty because I'm not being good enough He's 16 weeks now. He loves his walks, but he sniffs EVERYTHING so a 20 min walk takes about 40 mins
He loves being cuddled and picked up normally, so I dunno why he growled. Maybe because he'd just got comfy and thought he was off to sleep then I wanted to move him? Idk.
I'll definitely try the method of turning away from him. I think I probably have been a bit too soft in going over to him when he barks. I live in a terraced house so when he starts barking I always feel conscious that my neighbours will be able to hear him so I give in but I'm probably creating a rod for my own back and they'll have to deal with it (I listen to their kids screaming 24.7 so I dunno why I'm so worried!)

In other news he has stayed downstairs all night on his own for 2 nights, with no crying at the stairgate! This feels like a breakthrough at least as he'd been coming upstairs in the middle of the night when he just cried and cried.

 

[Monkeymagic85]

Thank you @whisperchat @Rxt156 ! It's sooooo draining sometimes as I just keep thinking he's being naughty because I'm not being good enough He's 16 weeks now. He loves his walks, but he sniffs EVERYTHING so a 20 min walk takes about 40 mins
He loves being cuddled and picked up normally, so I dunno why he growled. Maybe because he'd just got comfy and thought he was off to sleep then I wanted to move him? Idk.
I'll definitely try the method of turning away from him. I think I probably have been a bit too soft in going over to him when he barks. I live in a terraced house so when he starts barking I always feel conscious that my neighbours will be able to hear him so I give in but I'm probably creating a rod for my own back and they'll have to deal with it (I listen to their kids screaming 24.7 so I dunno why I'm so worried!)

In other news he has stayed downstairs all night on his own for 2 nights, with no crying at the stairgate! This feels like a breakthrough at least as he'd been coming upstairs in the middle of the night when he just cried and cried.

You're doing a fantastic job. Just doesn't feel like it right now.

I never thought we'd get our dog toilet trained but it does eventually click, feels like one step forward two steps back. Like the others have said look for cues. If you catch him mid toilet, say a firm no and you can pick them up (they will stop) and take him outside.

Our dog has the zoomies as we call it, we used to let her out in the garden to run around like a lunatic. I think cats do this too weird!

I was watching dogs behaving badly last night, and there was a dog on there that would snap and growl if the grown ups tried to pick him up, he got them to use treats to show they were not a threat. Could try enticing with a treat and when he gets the hang of it, say off or similar instead of picking him up

 

[S4buk]

My puppy seems to have a "mad 20 mins" at the moment, he'll go absolutely mental. Zooming from one end of the house to the other, biting everything in site (mainly my clothes!). Feels like there's NOTHING I can do to calm him down in those 20 mins. Last night he bit a hole through my dressing gown in one of his mad 20 mins, so I picked him up and placed him behind the stair gate so he knew playtime was over. He just barked continually I really struggle when he's having these moments as I can't get anything done! If I try to stand up he'll just bite my feet/slippers/trousers. If I try to sit on the sofa he'll continually jump at me wanting to bite my clothes, it's so hard.

I'm really holding on to the fact that everyone is telling me it does get easier. I'm finding it so hard to cope with. He's an absolute diamond if we need to leave him. I have a puppycam and I keep an eye on him but he's so good, he just plays in his bed or sleeps. It's just these really difficult moments I'm struggling with. I can't help wonder what I'm doing wrong!

We're still going 20 steps back with toilet training, like this morning, I took him on a walk, as soon as we got home we went straight in the garden. Nothing. Yet he's indoors for 10 mins and been for a number 2 in my dining room

He also growled at me both last night and this morning when I tried to pick him up. Both times he was on the sofa, I was leaving the room so wanted him down off the sofa (I don't like leaving him in the living room on his own) so I wanted to pick him up and place him in the dining room in his bed whilst I got on with something in the kitchen. He really growled as I tried to pick him up What am I doing wrong!

Ugh this sounds so like my life, at least it was a couple of weeks ago. Things are still quite tough but I can see her improving daily especially with the biting and jumping up - although we have good days and bad days.

So please believe everyone when they say IT GETS BETTER. It will hopefully be just around the corner for both of us

 

[whisperchat]

Thank you @whisperchat @Rxt156 ! It's sooooo draining sometimes as I just keep thinking he's being naughty because I'm not being good enough He's 16 weeks now. He loves his walks, but he sniffs EVERYTHING so a 20 min walk takes about 40 mins
He loves being cuddled and picked up normally, so I dunno why he growled. Maybe because he'd just got comfy and thought he was off to sleep then I wanted to move him? Idk.
I'll definitely try the method of turning away from him. I think I probably have been a bit too soft in going over to him when he barks. I live in a terraced house so when he starts barking I always feel conscious that my neighbours will be able to hear him so I give in but I'm probably creating a rod for my own back and they'll have to deal with it (I listen to their kids screaming 24.7 so I dunno why I'm so worried!)

In other news he has stayed downstairs all night on his own for 2 nights, with no crying at the stairgate! This feels like a breakthrough at least as he'd been coming upstairs in the middle of the night when he just cried and cried.

The sniffing drives me nuts lol ! I see other people walking their dogs and they actually have a pace on but with us its, stop, start, stop start lol I get that completely! The turning away does work.. also try making a loud sudden noise at him if he nips at you.. like a screech.. It will stop him in his tracks. See, you can't be doing that much of a bad job if you've already cracked the sleeping and no crying anymore! keep doing the great job you're doing, it will get better! x