Puppies

[Padfoot]

Going to be getting a cocker spaniel in June! So excited! I've been working with dogs since I was 16, I now own my own dog walking business! but have had dogs (mainly boxers) since 1998! Our last boxer passed away last year (along with my dad not long after) and it's been such an empty house with out them both.

But so excited about getting a puppy! It's just been 10 years since we last had a puppy so you for get everything and remember the nice moments! We felt we couldn't have boxers any more as they were really my dad's dogs and we just helped haha! I didnt want anything smaller then a cocker spaniel (or anything poddle cross!) So got in touch with someone and we'll be picking her up next month!!! I'm also commenting on the thread so I don't loose it in case I need to vent

But we are hoping that we can do more activities with our spaniel, go on longer walks and sniffer training or agility (it's not a working cocker and comes from a show breeder) with the boxers we've had they've been a bit stubborn and wouldn't get off sofas for walks sometimes.

Nice to meet you all and hopefully you guys are getting on with your new or old furbabies!

 

[carblife]

Is she a French bulldog?

A staffy

 

[WilmaHun]

Can someone give a little advice, my aunt has a puppy, he is four months old and SO nippy, the problem is he is ready to nip if you even go to pet him or play nice. My aunt disiplines him by shouting and tapping his nose but I don’t think it’s working as he just seems to think as soon as you raise your hand you’re going to hurt him, I’ve tried explaining this but she doesn’t listen. He has been at my house so I can puppy sit, and when he bites me I put him down and ignore him, or give him a toy. Is that he right sort of thing to be doing? Although know it won’t be so effective if it’s not being repeated at his house

I'm currently going through similar with my 4 month old puppy! He doesn't nip all the time, it's generally when he has his what we call "mad moments" (usually after a walk or food and can last up to an hour though sometimes longer). In these moments he literally bites/nips ANYTHING. Clothes, my hands, my hair, sofa cushions. It feels absolutely impossible to control! I asked a few people on Instagram for some tips and soooo many people suggested to me a Kong toy to distract him and my god, it really works!! We cram it full of different things at different times, peanut butter (only the dog kind though, some human peanut butters can be toxic to dogs so be careful!), treats, frozen carrots, banana etc. Last night he was becoming a bit nippy, the usual "No, stop that", ignoring him etc didn't work so out came the Kong and he was licking away at it for 40 minutes when he'd usually be annoying me in that time Once he was finished with it he jumped up on the sofa, cuddled up to me and went to sleep!

I think you're doing the right thing, distraction is key I've found. My Pup is hard to distract with toys sometimes, so the Kong has been a god send (you can also get licky mats which are great too!), but definitely keep trying with the ignoring and distracting! I always make a conscious effort to praise my pup when the biting stops too, as @Rxt156 said, praising the good behaviour is key!

 

[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.

 

[Nosymum]

I have a border terrier she’s amazing very loving and since my daughter was born has become the perfect family dog.

 

[Murphygirl]

Getting our boy on Saturday, labcocker. Very excited but read too many forums and now scared too! Hope I’ve done the right thing

We get our boy on the 23rd, border/rough collie cross. Not had a puppy in a long time so bit nervous

 

[jayne2240]

We also did the cry it out method and they got used to it very quickly. Unfortunately for us we couldn’t spend all night sitting up with them & I really didn’t want them upstairs. Maybe I’m horrible but it worked for us and our girls

 

[G_man]

Yes definitely, alot of it depends on breeding too. People just throw any bitch to any stud these days for money and dont give dam about temperament/improving the breed

 

[Bobbleowl90]

Please tell me it gets easier!

We have a 9 week old cockapoo and I really underestimated what getting a puppy would be like. There has been tears, lots of tears. I have a toddler and the puppy is harder than the toddler. I question every day if I’ve done the right thing - people say it gets easier and dogs are much better but I’m struggling to use that motivation right now when all I have is a yappy puppy who bites me constantly.

Any advice tattlers?

 

[AladdinSane]

Guys... the progress!! No barking or growling at them for 2 days straight!

 

[unidentified]

Brought my new puppy home at the weekend. My god I forgot how tiring it is. She is a little cutie though. My other dog is struggling a bit. She has snapped a few times and ignored her most of the time but They did play last night for a tiny amount of time and did sit with me on the sofa so I am hoping this can be the start.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

I remember crying to my partner saying “I don’t like him” for weeks, now I absolutely adore the spotty idiot more than anything and couldn’t imagine sending him back.

I feel like this sums up every single person who has ever owned a puppy that has grown up.

They really are the pits initially. I had a small baby when I brought my first dog home and it is v v stressful.

Also if you have a dalmation they are wonderful dogs.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

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’

Sorry to hear that. Puppies are intense and they definitely can cause friction in a relationship but please know its an easy excuse for someone to give or blame.

Hope youre ok xx

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Looking for some advice, growing up I have had 2 border collies over the years, I took them to classes and trained them and both were loving, obedient dogs so I thought I was pretty experienced with the breed and their quirky ways. Last year we decided to get dog as we are both working from home and felt it was the right time as we have wanted one for years. We adopted another border collie from a friend's brother at 11 months old and sadly he was too damaged, under socialised, and was becoming aggressive. He ended up biting my husband as he tried to stop him attacking a dog when he managed to chew through his lead. He had also shown aggression to others and we felt after speaking to the vet we had no other option than to let him go which was heartbreaking. We only had him for 3 months in the end. I don't want it to put me off getting another dog but we will definitely get a puppy that I can train and socialise from an early age. My dilemma is do I go for another collie, my husband really wants to but last year's experience was so upsetting and I don't know if I want to risk getting another or do I go for a totally different breed. I know it was mainly because of his background before we got him (he was chained up alone in a barn all day) but I'm still not sure. I also know how much of a handful they are especially at the puppy stage. Even working from home, how do you keep an eye on them when you are still working and they want to explore and chew everything? I'm happy to take some annual leave but after that? Is crate training an option with lots of toys and puzzles for an active collie mind?
Sorry for the long post but would appreciate an outside view or recommendations of other active intelligent breeds that are known for their good nature

I wouldn’t let it out you off getting another collie, as you said it was from his upbringing before you got him. Don’t know if you’d be interested in a rescue or where you live but a rescue I follow have 3 collie puppies they are looking for homes for which don’t seem to have any behaviour issues. They are many tears animal rescue posted in their Facebook page.

 

[Murphygirl]

How is everyone getting on with their new bundles of joy . I’m absolutely shattered, my boy isn’t too bad during the day but becomes a little terror in the evening, so bitey but so sweet and cuddly the rest of the time. Still another couple of weeks in puppy jail before he’s fully vaccinated and can get him out and about and enrol for puppy classes. Definitely getting cabin fever at the moment

 

[String of Hearts]

Cockapoos are HARD WORK. they are so so smart and for the most part need a lot of attention and stimulation.

We also have a working stock cocker who we had from a similar age - crating worked really well, particularly for toilet training. We never used puppy pads and only hads a few accidents in the house (with the majority being illness related as he had a lot of tummy troubles as a pup)

Puppy teeth are also super sharp so playful nips can hurt a lot! We did the yelp/turn away thing and even now he's 7 if you're rough housing and he accidentally catches you with his teeth, if you make a noise he will clamp his mouth shut to avoid doing it again.

Please also be aware pups go through a definite toddler/teenage stage which can honestly last what feels like years! They can be little angels and you think you've got them trained brilliantly, and then they decide to start pushing boundaries.

Try to introduce periods of them being left alone from a young age too, starting from a half a minute and slowly getting longer. Separation anxiety is probably one of the hardest things to deal with so definitely do everything you can to nip it in the bud early. When you come back to them don't fawn over them and make a fuss, stay calm and ignore them until they've settled back down again.

 

[101d]

I am so frustrated. My two poor dogs have been poorly for over a month now (diarrhea)

Started them off on antibiotics, which did nothing. Changed their food to a prescribed stomach friendly one (which helped) and was asked to give a stool sample. "Make sure you bring it in Friday at 9am" they say "or it won't go until Monday".

When did it actually get sent to the lab? TUESDAY. What the fuck. After I've paid nearly £300 as well. Such a joke, and then they say 10 working days for results. Told them my dogs are seriously in a bad way and they've said we'll start on the meds now then without waiting for the results, which I am glad for, but what exactly did I pay £300 for???

Sorry. Needed to rant. My poor boys.

 

[Bobbleowl90]

Definitely the sniffing and circling - that’s a clear sign our pup needs to go.

We left him for 5 hours today and boy it felt like I had my life back - I’ve struggled since we got him but he is a good dog and we are really lucky that we can leave him. He’s only 17 weeks old and no accidents

 

[Saddlesoap]

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?

I'm sorry but why would your reaction be to post on Tattle about this and not just ring your vet.

 

[S4buk]

Kongs are genius but found our pup was cleaning it out in a matter of minutes. We now fill it with dogs peanut butter and freeze it - lasts much longer and I think helps with the teething