Puppies

[S4buk]

Well, we both agreed that we were going to adopt a dog... and quite a few fell through before we got our pup - my partner even suggested going to a breeder etc.. but then we finally got her he decided he wasn't a dog person and neither of us really understood how hard it would be (initially).

Anyway, she's incredible now - sleeps all night, toilet trained - couldnt be better but I think he gets frustrated with how much it has changed our lifestyle. As I said, she couldn't be more well behaved and he's been amazing with her over the past couple of months so I really thought we had moved on from that. I'm hoping it's just a blip because I absolutely could not rehome her, it would break my heart. We both WFH and are in our mid 30s so absolutely no issue there. It is our first dog - yes.

Thanks for the advice, I really needed an outlet!

 

[Itsmedoctortea]

Honestly, yes probably
Have you had terriers before?

No but my husband has!!

 

[S4buk]

Agree with all the above @Caffeine Fiend

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Im in panic mode as I’ve just discovered my pup has eaten a large bar of milk chocolate. She seems fine but should I be worried?

As above phone vets or vets now have a calculator so you can see if you need to worry

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

Yeah chiari-like malformation (brain) and syringomyelia (spine) are two conditions that are common in them and they can have both, they believe CLM can be a cause of syringomyelia

I thought so. It’s so sad

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Probably the wrong thread to post in, but I know some of you know what happened to puppy
I've looked into rehoming an older dog, blimey the forms on line are a nightmare! But anyone can buy a pup
Trying to find somewhere where my dog can meet and see how they get on, impossible!! I know dog homes need to check, but blimey, tis a nightmare!

Makes you know why people buy and not adopt.
Especially when some rescues make you refill them out if you miss out on a dog. I know someone who is looking for a rescue puppy but so many people apply so they always miss out. But have to refill in the whole form when they find another from the rescue that fits what they need.

 

[Pesky Tarian]

We raw feed too and my dogs always seem hungry well hungrier than they were on kibble. One of mine needs a great deal more raw than the advised amounts to keep the weight on him. If hes getting treats at 8.30 Id probably just give a wee biscuit of some sort right before bed and see if that stops it completely.

Yes! Always on the look out for food, even after a meal!.. I just assumed the breed was very food driven. I do give extra tbh.

I have ordered some bed time biscuits so thank you .

 

[epl000]

We started leaving the crate open when she was 4 months old as she was getting a bit big for it and we weren't sure about whether to buy a bigger one or not. We also timed it alongside buying her a new bed and I can honestly say that as soon as that new bed was in the living room she did not go near the crate. We left it in the room for a couple of weeks so it was there if she wanted to go in it but she didn't go in it at all.

I was genuinely surprised as she definitely treated it as her 'safe space' but then that seemed to switch to her new bed. We have a stairgate which we keep closed at night-time but even if it was open I don't think she would come upstairs til the morning (she usually lies down at the bottom of the stairs about 7am waiting for us to come down to let her out and fuss over her letting us know she is ready to start the day if we haven't already been down).

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

I wouldnt leave a pup all day initially Im afraid. Its far too long.

If between you, you can take a good 2 weeks annual leave to bed pup in, work on the toilet training, settling them and then Id get a dog sitter to pop in, in the day. Initially pup wont be able to go for a walk so youre just looking for someone to come in, check on pup, let them out to toilet, have a play/cuddle. If youre likely to be gone 9 hours I would say youd want someone in at least twice in that time with a young dog.

Doggy day care wont take a dog that isnt fully vaccinated and will need some initial getting to know you sessions with the pack. So Id definitely look at someone coming in for now and look at day care as a future option.

Do you have a family member or friend or anything who'd be willing to do that or even take the dog to their own home on office days. Appreciate thats a big ask though.

 

[Murphygirl]

Anyone else going through the teenage phase, the lunging and biting is dying now but the high pitched barking for attention is intense and the sleep patterns are changing as he’s going from sleeping through night to waking us up during the night just to lie out in the garden . He’s 11 months, when does this get better? I though the puppy stage was hard, the teenage years feels harder

 

[Maid22]

Does anyone know what to do about that dog smell? I can smell him on my clothes. He had been to the groomer and he does get washed once in a while, but he really smells like dog. Is it something i just need to accept or is there something i can do about it?

Most dogs smell especially when they're wet! My collie has bladder issues, he can smell of immonia, so if that's a smell, take him to vets!

 

[Purple star]

Ultimately no. Resource guarding has nothing to do with testosterone and whilst a dog is displaying signs of resource guarding I wouldnt even be considering neutering.

A behaviourist is a great place to start, contact your vet and see who they recommend. You may find your insurance will cover some of the cost.

Resource guarding with cockapoos is very common, its the cocker spaniel genetics.

Right now he is just growling but without help it could escalate to biting or attempted biting.

For the time being restrict (as much as possible with an 8yo I can empathise) access to any items you dont want him getting and dont leave things laying around he can take, ie shoes, socks, bits of paper, food.

With treats give only fast eaten ones, nothing that can be guarded or kept.

Toys etc (if he does guard these, not all dogs will) keep them for outside play only and lift them when play is done and dog isnt there.

If he is guarding furniture I would try and really encourage him not to come up. So a firm 'no' 'uh uh' if he tries to get up.

If he does get on and you want him down, use a high value treat to encourage him off the furniture. Also swapping high value treats for items that he has that you dont want him to have.

With your 8yo for now you could have him putting food down etc if your dog is respectful at meal times and waits to be commanded to eat etc. However if your dog is laying somewhere I would try to get your child not to approach them right now and only interact when the dog approaches him.

My oldest dog can be a bit unsettled around my eldest child and Im continually telling them not to encroach the dogs space.

A great resource if you are on Facebook is Cockapoo Owners Club. They have files on so many different things.

Thank you so much for all your advice it’s really helpful..Am just feeling a bit fed up of it..I’ll be looking into getting help with his behaviour….And I do tell my 8 year old to not get in his face ..She can get carried away..I always thought Cockapoos were really friendly dogs ….

 

[Nosymum]

Hi all, first time dog owner of a 9 month old cockapoo. Approx once every 10 days we are woken in the early morning by him retching, all that comes up is a little clear, odourless spittle. I have googled this and advice is gas/hunger but he is fed correctly . Nothing out of the norm diet wise when this happens. Is this something I should flag my next vet check or just part of growing?.

Also whilst I am here are mud daddy's any good? Thanking you.

My girls do the same it’s like if we haven’t eaten and feel sick as others have said a biscuit at bedtime is easiest way to combat it.
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What are your best toilet training tips. We picked up our pup (15 weeks) a few days ago. First night she got 2 pees in the garden but since then they’ve all been in the house, and pooing on the stairs

we’ve been leaving the back door open and I’ve actively been putting her out even when it’s open but any tips would be greatly appreciated.


also, does anyone have one of these, are they worth the money? I feel it might be creating a rod for my own back with it though

Did breeder do any toilet training as if so ask what methods they used, I breed border terriers and my 4 pups left for their new families pretty much toilet trained at 8 weeks. Was a huge amount of work on my part but breeder should have started something at least. Keep taking pup out repeating your ‘word’ every hour and again 10 mins after meals.

 

[carblife]

The lack of sleep we had in the first month was exhausting.

We also took him on holiday with us just before he turned a year old and he regressed completely! Wouldn't sleep without one of us in the room

Oh god! We stayed in a tiny shepherds hut when she was about 5 months and took her crate with us. It took up the whole hut but didn’t want to go back to square one with the sleeping

 

[S4buk]

Any tips of cat/dog bonding? I’m still trying to keep them separate (cat upstairs, dog downstairs) but on the occasion that the dog manages to get upstairs, and always taking a toy up for our cat, which I think is the cutest but the cat isn’t impressed. Should I just let nature take its cause and hopefully they’ll become more comfortable with each other?

 

[vanilla cupcakes]

If you have a garden there is no reason why your puppy can’t go in the garden

We do have a garden but it’s fairly open, so I’m a bit worried as foxes/cats can pass through
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Based on things I’ve read I think he’s definitely overtired, but I’m not sure how to encourage him to sleep more? My house is quiet so there’s nothing really riling him up but he just has so much energy

 

[Padfoot]

Yes its great to get them accustomed to the equipment, the groomers themselves, the smells etc. I find they accept anything as puppies too. Even in the house if you dry your own hair, do it with pup near.

Now this might sound bonkers but youtube videos with firework sounds when she's still young. It will help immensely come Oct/Nov. Wish they'd bloody ban them but unlikely

Will give the fireworks idea ago for sure! Our last boxer had one exploded above him a few years back just before it got dark while on a walk. and he hated them ever since and kept wondering and couldn't settle. Definitely agree about the bam or even use noiseless ones!

 

[Snowjoke]

I’m sure you guys haven’t been following my story but I’ve just split up with my partner of 10 years , he’s blamed the dog etc it was literally a case of ‘me or the dog’

Hope you are ok

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Arrhh no I know you wasn’t ..It can just be very stressful at times and I can’t really move for him ..If I leave the room he’s right behind me It can get a bit much ..And my husband is finding him hard to bond with because of the gowling ..So we argue about it ..It’s not how I imagined it that’s for sure ….

They are velcro pups for sure. Both of mine get stood on constantly and never learn Ive been close to a sore one with them being under my feet too.

Licky mats are good at training them to stay put.

I dont think its ever how we imagine. Before I got my 2nd pup I used to say I wish I could just get a dog that was 18 months old and trained the puppy stage really put me off getting another dog.

 

[Hamburglar]

What are your best toilet training tips. We picked up our pup (15 weeks) a few days ago. First night she got 2 pees in the garden but since then they’ve all been in the house, and pooing on the stairs

we’ve been leaving the back door open and I’ve actively been putting her out even when it’s open but any tips would be greatly appreciated.


also, does anyone have one of these, are they worth the money? I feel it might be creating a rod for my own back with it though

Despite following all the usual advice about taking them straight outside when waking/after play/food etc, my boy was a lot older when we finally cracked it (to the point where I thought he was just going to poo in the house forever ) - the thing that finally did it was taking him out every 90 minutes through the day and staying out till he’d been.

We’ve also taught him a cue “go wee wee” which is brill cause if we need to go out or we’re going inside somewhere like a shop and he’s not necessarily needing the toilet, he’ll go on cue and then I know he’s ok for a few hours. But that took the best part of the first year