Just wanted to say socialising with other dogs is so important! As soon as you can (after vaccinations etc) get them used to other dogs so they learn how to interact. My rescue dog was a stray but we quickly learned she hadn’t been socialised properly as she is absolutely terrified of other dogs. We tried everything over the years but she has to be walked on a lead and shakes/cries if she sees another dog. She’s the loveliest dog with people, always just wants a cuddle, but I always feel sorry for her that she can’t get off the lead to run and play like other dogs. So socialisation is defo a big one!
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Blahblahahaaa77
VIP Member
Congrats on getting a puppy! We’ve just been on a similar journey too...
I would decide one way and stick to it, there are far too many different ways and it’s your dog
Puppy pads - so I was all for these in the beginning but then I realised they were making me a lazy dog owner and creating problems for the future, he needs to know that the outside is his toilet so I would encourage taking him outside as much as possible so he understands from the beginning
Crate training - I didn’t expect this to be so difficult, our puppy cried continuously for hours. It caused a lot of arguments in our house as I wanted to give up and take him out but my partner stood firm and we did get there eventually! I would let them out in the night for a wee though, they can get even more stressed doing it in their beds and at the end of the day they’re babies!
Lead training - that was a great tip from someone else, get them on the lead ASAP and it will be less of a ‘thing’ down the road
Food - I once had a dog with a gluten allergy and he was really poorly so I’d just be aware that not all food agrees with all dogs
I’m super jealous that you get to do it all over again, it really is such a lovely time! Just enjoy it and you’ll get there!!
I would decide one way and stick to it, there are far too many different ways and it’s your dog
Puppy pads - so I was all for these in the beginning but then I realised they were making me a lazy dog owner and creating problems for the future, he needs to know that the outside is his toilet so I would encourage taking him outside as much as possible so he understands from the beginning
Crate training - I didn’t expect this to be so difficult, our puppy cried continuously for hours. It caused a lot of arguments in our house as I wanted to give up and take him out but my partner stood firm and we did get there eventually! I would let them out in the night for a wee though, they can get even more stressed doing it in their beds and at the end of the day they’re babies!
Lead training - that was a great tip from someone else, get them on the lead ASAP and it will be less of a ‘thing’ down the road
Food - I once had a dog with a gluten allergy and he was really poorly so I’d just be aware that not all food agrees with all dogs
I’m super jealous that you get to do it all over again, it really is such a lovely time! Just enjoy it and you’ll get there!!
Thinking back it was such a fun night we were worried we wouldn’t sleep but he actually just slept at our feet the whole night. We also put blankets over the crate to make it a cosy den for himI think this is my fave option. I can put an air bed in the kitchen with him.
thays why I love it on here, always such good advice xx
Of course, separation anxiety! I’ll make sure we keep popping out once he’s settled a bit so he’s used to it. Never thought of that. Thank you
plus the kitchen was tiled so easy to clean any mess! Puppy pads were a waste of money he just chewed them to pieces never peed on them once, ended up giving them to a rspca centre
Cindy-Lou Who
Chatty Member
I was the same with our pup. My husband was adamant that I was making things worse by going down to her when she was crying but it was horrible.
The first couple of weeks were hectic and I spent them worrying about every little thing but it didn't take long for her to get herself into a routine and learn that we would always come back to her. Once she got that she was more comfortable and slept for longer periods until she finally started sleeping through the night.
You'll find your own routine. One that's perfect for you, your family and your new addition. Give yourself time to adjust as it's like having a newborn in the house. He'll be amazing I'm sure and bring so much happiness and joy to your household. I couldn't be without our Penny now and I never even wanted a dog.
Must admit none of mine were shut in a crate, but would use it to sleep in(I popped a throw over the top so it felt like a safe place!)
My last boy I just used a basket!
Oh it's hard to leave them at the start, I started by popping outside for 10 to 15 mins at the start!
Puppies are hard work, but so worth it, enjoy your time with him!
My last boy I just used a basket!
Oh it's hard to leave them at the start, I started by popping outside for 10 to 15 mins at the start!
Puppies are hard work, but so worth it, enjoy your time with him!
Rocknrolla
Well-known member
Is that a fox terrier I spy in your profile picture?He’s an English bull terrier. And I agree! There lovely! Nothing against chihuahuas there adorable but I’d feel like I had a guinea pig rather than a dog! There very cute tho! And those french bulldogs are eye wateringly expensive! We saw them for around £5k + whilst we’ve been looking!
hope I can see my brother soon so our dogs can meet
CheshireTea
Chatty Member
The pup will likely nip when they are going through the teething stage, I got a bit disheartened and panic stricken thinking he wouldn’t grow out of it but he did 
I think it’s good for them to learn words associated with being good and naughty early on, for the nipping it was ah ah ah and we did for a while move on to squirting him with a water bottle so he learnt it was wrong. He’s 90% a good boy now with the occasional naughty boy thrown in
I think it’s good for them to learn words associated with being good and naughty early on, for the nipping it was ah ah ah and we did for a while move on to squirting him with a water bottle so he learnt it was wrong. He’s 90% a good boy now with the occasional naughty boy thrown in
This sounds really silly but keep puppy away from your dirty washing. Mine had a habit of getting into the laundry basket and rooting for socks and pants! When he was only 16 weeks old he managed to eat a pair of my pants and they were in his tummy for a week until he got poorly and had to have them surgically removed.
I felt horrendous but the vet said it was really common with cockerpoos and when I went to collect him there was another cockerpoo in there having a sock removed from his tummy!
Even after his surgery he tried to again so the laundry basket lived in the bath so he couldn’t get to it
Also I got a doggy doorbell from Amazon that he used to nudge to let me know he wanted to go outside...just don’t treat every time as mine used to do it for attention as well as the toilet
I felt horrendous but the vet said it was really common with cockerpoos and when I went to collect him there was another cockerpoo in there having a sock removed from his tummy!
Even after his surgery he tried to again so the laundry basket lived in the bath so he couldn’t get to it
Also I got a doggy doorbell from Amazon that he used to nudge to let me know he wanted to go outside...just don’t treat every time as mine used to do it for attention as well as the toilet
My little Shih Tzu Phoebe is 5 months old. I got her from a breeder at the age of 11 weeks. She was kept outside in a cage with the bigger dogs.
She was the only one in the litter that stayed alive. The first day i got her she was so afraid and ran to a corner when she saw me and tried to crawl up against the wall from fear. After one day she got attached to me and we both so in love. i have two other Shih Tzu's and they get along well.
But she is so different than my other two dogs, she follows me everywhere, she must always be around me, and when i get visitors she lets out a scream and run upstairs hiding out until they are gone. She can only handle myself, husband and our cleaner and caretaker. I am worried about her as my other dogs loves all people and i dont know where her fear comes from,
She was the only one in the litter that stayed alive. The first day i got her she was so afraid and ran to a corner when she saw me and tried to crawl up against the wall from fear. After one day she got attached to me and we both so in love. i have two other Shih Tzu's and they get along well.
But she is so different than my other two dogs, she follows me everywhere, she must always be around me, and when i get visitors she lets out a scream and run upstairs hiding out until they are gone. She can only handle myself, husband and our cleaner and caretaker. I am worried about her as my other dogs loves all people and i dont know where her fear comes from,
fudgebox
VIP Member
@WilmaHun there is a great group on Facebook I used when we were getting puppy fudge, not sure if we can post groups but it’s called dog training advice and support, they have loads of files with tips and tricks! Not that it worked for us because puppy Fudge sleeps in our bed every night but we were too soft
CheshireTea
Chatty Member
Yes we were trying to teach him to play without nipping, so saying no and giving him a toy instead or if all else failed squirting him. It’s strange because now he can lick my fingers and even gently nibble so he deffo learnt the difference I think it’s just persistence on your part and routine. Another thing, they will get under your feet in the kitchen especially when there’s food about - my vet said the more times they get stepped on the quicker they will learn not to be stood right under you!
Crate training is amazing for pups! Makes them feel safe we done crate training with our pup nearly 4 years ago and even now he won’t sleep in our bed!!!! He loves his own space. When he was totally trained we then took away his crate and replaced it with a big fluffy bed in the exact same place. Much to my dismay though as some nights I’d love for him to sleep in our bed all night 
I would recommend the puppy pads at the start to get the training going. My advice is to leave the puppy pad by the door to go outside - our pup stays in the utility room so his puppy pad was at the door we went out to bring him out for his bits. This means when you take the puppy pads away that they will still go to that same spot so it will be easy for you to know when they want to go.
Key word for doing their bits! We always used “toilet” and it worked for us. I know I sound crazy but you need to be over the top with using it at the start and stick with it and when goes outside go OTT with the praise and treats - I mean crazy person positive and loads of puppy treats and cuddles/praise, this will train them quicker
Pups love company! Leave a radio on all the time for them if in kitchen/utility etc. It means if your sleeping upstairs they will have a bit of background noise and it will comfort them.
We found it beneficial to give all the food in the morning when it came to toilet training/creating good habits - obviously this was OKd by vet etc. Means they can get into the habit quicker and your about during the day for toilets etc. No sense giving it to them at night and causing them anxiety for toilet when your not their to help. Obviously this won’t happen straight away but persist and it will work
Most importantly enjoy your pup you might not get sleeping through the night for a while at the start but they are sooooo worth it 
we done crate training with our pup nearly 4 years ago and even now he won’t sleep in our bed!!!! He loves his own space. When he was totally trained we then took away his crate and replaced it with a big fluffy bed in the exact same place. Much to my dismay though as some nights I’d love for him to sleep in our bed all night I would recommend the puppy pads at the start to get the training going. My advice is to leave the puppy pad by the door to go outside - our pup stays in the utility room so his puppy pad was at the door we went out to bring him out for his bits. This means when you take the puppy pads away that they will still go to that same spot so it will be easy for you to know when they want to go.
Key word for doing their bits! We always used “toilet” and it worked for us. I know I sound crazy but you need to be over the top with using it at the start and stick with it and when goes outside go OTT with the praise and treats - I mean crazy person positive and loads of puppy treats and cuddles/praise, this will train them quicker
Pups love company! Leave a radio on all the time for them if in kitchen/utility etc. It means if your sleeping upstairs they will have a bit of background noise and it will comfort them.
We found it beneficial to give all the food in the morning when it came to toilet training/creating good habits - obviously this was OKd by vet etc. Means they can get into the habit quicker and your about during the day for toilets etc. No sense giving it to them at night and causing them anxiety for toilet when your not their to help. Obviously this won’t happen straight away but persist and it will work
Most importantly enjoy your pup
you might not get sleeping through the night for a while at the start but they are sooooo worth it When we got our puppy we slept with him in the kitchen for the first couple of nights as we didn’t want to him to feel abandoned. After this he knew the house and smells etc we went back upstairs and he was fine. First night no crate and the second night we put him in his crate with us right there and he was fine getting a crate was the best thing we did as it gave him his our space and security he had it for a year and then we just didn’t use it anymore. Congratulations and take lots of photos it goes so quickly.
getting a crate was the best thing we did as it gave him his our space and security he had it for a year and then we just didn’t use it anymore. Congratulations and take lots of photos it goes so quickly.
Saddlesoap
VIP Member
Make sure it is balanced and your hygiene is scrupulous. Best bit of advice is 'not all raw food is created equal'Ahh really I would never have known that they were so popular. Yes there bloody expensive but I have nothing to compare it to really as we've never had a dog before. All puppies seem very expensive.
I think I’m going to raw feed. Still researching at the moment. My husband is a bit behind on all this and can’t understand why he can’t just have a “tin of pedigree chum”
Any major issues to be aware of? I’ve read about the anal glands issue!!
He’s an F1 xx
I'm looking for a puppy about won't pay over £1200 as that is still double inflation vs 14 years ago.
Anal glands aren't a big deal.
Eyes and elbows/hips will be your biggest concern I believe given the breeds.
F1 is Cockerpoo mated with Spaniel
F2 is Cockerpoo mated with Cockerpoo
F3 is an F2 Cockerpoo mated with F2 Cockerpoo
and so on....(basically)
NormaBates
Chatty Member
Wow good to know this!! I’ll keep an eye on our undies thenYes and yes
Spaniels are notorious for foreign body surgeries.
NormaBates
Chatty Member
He’s an Airedale terrier I believe. It’s my next door neighbours dog. We doggy sat him a couple of years back when they went on holiday! He was lovely! We have lots of people to ask about dog stuff, but not the early puppy days that’s why coming on here has been amazing!!Is that a fox terrier I spy in your profile picture?
Aww, what a handsome chap!!
How's he settling in?
OutrageouslyScarlet
VIP Member
I tried crate training with my first puppy, he would howl all night no matter what you did. So second I didn’t bother. She went straight into a basket next to my bed. (You’ve chosen crate and fingers crossed it will work for your family) just enjoy it try not to panic. Lots of praise for outside toilet and just try and ensure they get used to you leaving the house without them as obviously this is an odd time so lots of puppies are going to have some serious separation anxiety when we finally come out of this. And that’s a bloody nightmare
Monkeymagic85
VIP Member
Exactly this yes! Never too much attention apparentlyMy dog does the same. He’ll sleep all day when we are at work but as soon as we’re home he will bark and moan at us… I think it’s just an attention thing! He gets so much attention but still wants more
She even likes to come in the car to drop the kid off at school