Puppy on the way - tips?
Discussion
After finally getting settled into our new place, we now have a puppy on the way. (Australian Labradoodle). Only just opened their eyes so a little while to wait yet.
First time owners. So what would be the thing/products you really wish you’d known about before you got your dogs?
Looking at insurance but that seems to be a minefield all of its own! Working on puppy proofing the place, few years since we had a toddler but very similar I suspect…
We’re close to good open spaces & beach for walking but only have a paved backyard so no chance of letting it out onto a lawn to toilet - so guess I’ll be walking it in my dressing gown every morning
First time owners. So what would be the thing/products you really wish you’d known about before you got your dogs?
Looking at insurance but that seems to be a minefield all of its own! Working on puppy proofing the place, few years since we had a toddler but very similar I suspect…
We’re close to good open spaces & beach for walking but only have a paved backyard so no chance of letting it out onto a lawn to toilet - so guess I’ll be walking it in my dressing gown every morning
Best advice is not to take it out anywhere until two weeks after it's second vaccination, same with socialising with other dogs. They can be very susceptible to various diseases before the vaccine's kick in. Post 12 weeks then just lots of exercise, make the decision whether you are going to crate the pub overnight and when you leave the house...and then stick to it from day 1. As soon as you break the habit you've had it. Crating when you leave the house is a good idea with a pup, will stop them chewing literally everything. Routine is a good thing for them also.
Puppies can be very destructive. A loved Welsh Terrier ripped up a vinyl floor the night after was laid and we couldn't even open the door to the kitchen. Another time it almost succeeded in tunnelling through a stud wall of 2 sheets of plasterboard. Chewing chair legs was a favourite and of course the chairs were ruined. Unfortunately a rip out of a sofa may only affect 1% of the sofa but it is still a rip.
Some people are adverse to dog crates but in reality the dogs love to have their own exclusive space and the soon get used.
The first few nights can be a torturous listening to the whining but it will only be for the first few nights.
Whatever you do don't allow a dog to sleep in your bed as after just one occurrence it will be forever and they will spread out in the middle and you and your partner will be pushed to the edge with no duvet and if you try to have sex (with your human partner) then the dog will get grumpy and bite your feet.
Some people are adverse to dog crates but in reality the dogs love to have their own exclusive space and the soon get used.
The first few nights can be a torturous listening to the whining but it will only be for the first few nights.
Whatever you do don't allow a dog to sleep in your bed as after just one occurrence it will be forever and they will spread out in the middle and you and your partner will be pushed to the edge with no duvet and if you try to have sex (with your human partner) then the dog will get grumpy and bite your feet.
Actual said:
Whatever you do don't allow a dog to sleep in your bed as after just one occurrence it will be forever and they will spread out in the middle and you and your partner will be pushed to the edge with no duvet and if you try to have sex (with your human partner) then the dog will get grumpy and bite your feet.
<checks bedroom for cameras>Pot Bellied Fool said:
After finally getting settled into our new place, we now have a puppy on the way. (Australian Labradoodle). Only just opened their eyes so a little while to wait yet.
First time owners. So what would be the thing/products you really wish you d known about before you got your dogs?
Looking at insurance but that seems to be a minefield all of its own! Working on puppy proofing the place, few years since we had a toddler but very similar I suspect
We re close to good open spaces & beach for walking but only have a paved backyard so no chance of letting it out onto a lawn to toilet - so guess I ll be walking it in my dressing gown every morning
I've had lots of dogs, but not that many puppies (and none from breeders/straight from mum) but I understand that Steve Mann and Gwen Bailey puppy training stuff is worth a read.First time owners. So what would be the thing/products you really wish you d known about before you got your dogs?
Looking at insurance but that seems to be a minefield all of its own! Working on puppy proofing the place, few years since we had a toddler but very similar I suspect
We re close to good open spaces & beach for walking but only have a paved backyard so no chance of letting it out onto a lawn to toilet - so guess I ll be walking it in my dressing gown every morning
Have a look for puppy classes/training classes in your area, and find a decent vet (independent if possible, but that's getting more difficult these days).
In terms of insurance, we are with Pet Plan. Not the cheapest but they have good customer service in our experience and have not quibbled over any of our claims. Whatever insurance you go with, choose lifetime cover, and be aware that if you claim for a certain condition, it will be excluded should you then switch insurance provider.
Regarding insurance. We insured our dog with Petplan. I know some people don’t rate pet insurance and put a sum of money aside monthly for any eventuality involving vets. In our experience, Petplan are OK, but the premiums go up annually, irrespective of any claim you may make. They also offer 3 levels of cover. Being new to dog ownership, we picked the middle level. Six years down the line, we are concerned that, in the event of any issues, because vets bills have increased, we should have gone for the higher level of cover. Unfortunately, Petplan will not allow us to move up, but strangely, they would allow us to change to the lower level!
In addition, if you start with one pet insurance company and, for whatever reason, you decide to change companies, absolutely anything that you may have mentioned to your vet can be used by your new insurance company to refuse to pay out, as they will class it as a pre-existing condition.
Hope that helps.
In addition, if you start with one pet insurance company and, for whatever reason, you decide to change companies, absolutely anything that you may have mentioned to your vet can be used by your new insurance company to refuse to pay out, as they will class it as a pre-existing condition.
Hope that helps.
Another vote for Petplan insurance. We had two claims within the first year with our Springer totalling over £1300 and they paid out without quibble and promptly. Petplan contact your vets direct once you claim, so no lengthy claim forms to complete.
Try to find an independent vet locally if you can, many have some sort of pay monthly plan to cover routine vaccinations, claw clipping and check ups.
We found a local pet shop who had a “Puppy Party” every Saturday morning where a member of staff sat and played with the several pups that turned up. Great for socialisation in the early weeks and decreasing separation anxiety. Ours went from hiding in the corner to boisterous and loving other dogs within a matter of weeks. She may have become a bit too confident as it was suggested she leave before the 16 week age limit!
As others have said don’t let them on the bed unless you want to be like that always!
We crate trined ours from the off, and now she is happy to put herself in when she is tired and sleeps in it overnight. It also reduces anxiety in the car as we have crate in the back.
Good luck!
Try to find an independent vet locally if you can, many have some sort of pay monthly plan to cover routine vaccinations, claw clipping and check ups.
We found a local pet shop who had a “Puppy Party” every Saturday morning where a member of staff sat and played with the several pups that turned up. Great for socialisation in the early weeks and decreasing separation anxiety. Ours went from hiding in the corner to boisterous and loving other dogs within a matter of weeks. She may have become a bit too confident as it was suggested she leave before the 16 week age limit!
As others have said don’t let them on the bed unless you want to be like that always!
We crate trined ours from the off, and now she is happy to put herself in when she is tired and sleeps in it overnight. It also reduces anxiety in the car as we have crate in the back.
Good luck!
When it whines in the night when you bring it home DO NOT go and see what's up and give it attention. It's tough but this will benefit you a lot.
It's training you to respond to it.
Use a puppy crate and put it in there when you eat your meals. At night to sleep. It will be your pup's safe place.
Freeze whole carrots and give it to the pup to chew. May save furniture etc being chewed.
Socialise it with other pups. Go to local puppy classes.
Remember it's a puppy. It will become a dog. It is NOT a child or furbaby!!
It's training you to respond to it.
Use a puppy crate and put it in there when you eat your meals. At night to sleep. It will be your pup's safe place.
Freeze whole carrots and give it to the pup to chew. May save furniture etc being chewed.
Socialise it with other pups. Go to local puppy classes.
Remember it's a puppy. It will become a dog. It is NOT a child or furbaby!!
Consistency. Play. Protected sleep. All the good stuff above.
The first few weeks you'll have a few hours of mad and then a few sleep. The sleep is both critical for puppy but you will need downtime too.
We binged the whole of taskmaster during the in-between parts when we had our last pup.
But when you get to the outdoors stage. Every walk is a chance to train something.
This book is a winner.
https://amzn.eu/d/84S5iOH
The first few weeks you'll have a few hours of mad and then a few sleep. The sleep is both critical for puppy but you will need downtime too.
We binged the whole of taskmaster during the in-between parts when we had our last pup.
But when you get to the outdoors stage. Every walk is a chance to train something.
This book is a winner.
https://amzn.eu/d/84S5iOH
Notsofastfrank said:
Another vote for Petplan insurance. We had two claims within the first year with our Springer totalling over £1300 and they paid out without quibble and promptly. Petplan contact your vets direct once you claim, so no lengthy claim forms to complete.
Try to find an independent vet locally if you can, many have some sort of pay monthly plan to cover routine vaccinations, claw clipping and check ups.
We found a local pet shop who had a Puppy Party every Saturday morning where a member of staff sat and played with the several pups that turned up. Great for socialisation in the early weeks and decreasing separation anxiety. Ours went from hiding in the corner to boisterous and loving other dogs within a matter of weeks. She may have become a bit too confident as it was suggested she leave before the 16 week age limit!
As others have said don t let them on the bed unless you want to be like that always!
We crate trined ours from the off, and now she is happy to put herself in when she is tired and sleeps in it overnight. It also reduces anxiety in the car as we have crate in the back.
Good luck!
We too are with Petplan and yes it is expensive but ours is also a Springer and in the first year it had overnight stay at the Vets as it was unwell plus various injuries he managed to do whilst careering through the woods, just over £4000 and not a single hassle with paying from themTry to find an independent vet locally if you can, many have some sort of pay monthly plan to cover routine vaccinations, claw clipping and check ups.
We found a local pet shop who had a Puppy Party every Saturday morning where a member of staff sat and played with the several pups that turned up. Great for socialisation in the early weeks and decreasing separation anxiety. Ours went from hiding in the corner to boisterous and loving other dogs within a matter of weeks. She may have become a bit too confident as it was suggested she leave before the 16 week age limit!
As others have said don t let them on the bed unless you want to be like that always!
We crate trined ours from the off, and now she is happy to put herself in when she is tired and sleeps in it overnight. It also reduces anxiety in the car as we have crate in the back.
Good luck!
I was with Petplan for our dog's life, yes the premiums increase with age but they do for all pet insurance companies. They didn't quibble or reject any claims and at the end we went over the allowed limits. I was grateful we had that financial security blanket in place so the best diagnosis was available irrespective of where we were at financially.
One regret I had was that our rescue was a bit long in the tooth so to speak to have his teeth cleaned (he was 4 when he came to us. We trained him with everything else in his life but he would never allow us to clean/brush his teeth. If I had a pup it's one thing I do from very early on as he had to have 2x vets cleaning session's with associated sedation that I would want to avoid.
As mentioned above - Bert had a 'den' / his safe space under our spiral staircase, it was a good size with lots of snuggly bedding, we put a curtain up for his privacy!
Every night at pretty much clockwork 22:15 he would mee-mo for us it was his bed time and take himself off downstairs to sleep.
One regret I had was that our rescue was a bit long in the tooth so to speak to have his teeth cleaned (he was 4 when he came to us. We trained him with everything else in his life but he would never allow us to clean/brush his teeth. If I had a pup it's one thing I do from very early on as he had to have 2x vets cleaning session's with associated sedation that I would want to avoid.
As mentioned above - Bert had a 'den' / his safe space under our spiral staircase, it was a good size with lots of snuggly bedding, we put a curtain up for his privacy!
Every night at pretty much clockwork 22:15 he would mee-mo for us it was his bed time and take himself off downstairs to sleep.
Edited by RustyNissanPrairie on Sunday 16th November 18:00
Decide before it comes home if you are going to be an owner that gives little scraps of food, the odd crisp , toast crust , plate leftovers etc
If you & family ever start that, you will have a dog that might expect/begs, if you don’t it won’t associate your food as theirs..
Dog food & dog treats only is my recommendation
If you & family ever start that, you will have a dog that might expect/begs, if you don’t it won’t associate your food as theirs..
Dog food & dog treats only is my recommendation
One week in with our Cockapoo and some stuff that has helped us.
Buy or read The Happy Puppy, lots of really useful guides and tips to help you prepare. Details the pros and cons of crate (den) training, raw food etc.
We have gone for the crate and for us it’s the best decision, they need a safe space and after a tough few nights he is now very happy with his den. Yes the first night they will whimper/howl at being left alone but they have just been removed from their pack, brought to a new home with a group of new people.
They’ll whimper for attention or the toilet at night. You need to work out which it is! You also need to decide whether you are going to outdoor toilet train or use indoor puppy pads. This is linked to the sleeping aspect too. We went for outdoor training which means you will need to get up every few hours in the night to take them outside for a wee, a puppy can’t hold its balder for much more than 2hrs to start with, let alone 6-7hrs. We decided not to let him wee inside on a puppy pad as that makes an association with it being ok to wee inside. This is linked to the crate, they won’t want to mess their bed, so will whine if they need a wee. Take them outside, but don’t engage in play etc. just outside, wee, small praise and back in the den. During the day you need to be taking them outside every 30-45mins for a wee/poo. Always praise them when they do a wee/poo, they love association and praise for good behaviours. Do not punish them for accidents inside, they will happen but cannot link doing a wee inside with being punished because it will likely already have happened.
We have also done daytime crate training with a clicker and praise when he successfully stays in his crate without whining. This starts at just a few seconds on their own and increases a bit each time, once they quieten down you click, praise and let them out. We started this on day 3 and after just 10 goes he was doing well over a minute each time. That night he did 3.5hrs in the crate, wee, then another 3.5hrs and is increasing each night. But you still need to get them out for a wee.
The breeder weened then on to dry food, softened with a bit of water and a small amount of wet food in the morning so that is what we have continued with and are gradually softening less to help his teeth etc. they need to eat about every 3 hrs to start with, check the food labels for how much.
It’s tough and we have spent this week living in 3hr blocks due to him being awake, playing, training etc then napping for 1.5hrs or so, rinse and repeat. But he is a good little character and the hard work is already paying off. Get a good book, decide how you want to live with the dog and train accordingly.
Research insurance, we went with Tesco Lifetime £7.5k per year cover for around £300, find a local vet and register them for vaccines and maybe a health plan. Book puppy training asap, it is very popular here with some booked out til next year!
Buy or read The Happy Puppy, lots of really useful guides and tips to help you prepare. Details the pros and cons of crate (den) training, raw food etc.
We have gone for the crate and for us it’s the best decision, they need a safe space and after a tough few nights he is now very happy with his den. Yes the first night they will whimper/howl at being left alone but they have just been removed from their pack, brought to a new home with a group of new people.
They’ll whimper for attention or the toilet at night. You need to work out which it is! You also need to decide whether you are going to outdoor toilet train or use indoor puppy pads. This is linked to the sleeping aspect too. We went for outdoor training which means you will need to get up every few hours in the night to take them outside for a wee, a puppy can’t hold its balder for much more than 2hrs to start with, let alone 6-7hrs. We decided not to let him wee inside on a puppy pad as that makes an association with it being ok to wee inside. This is linked to the crate, they won’t want to mess their bed, so will whine if they need a wee. Take them outside, but don’t engage in play etc. just outside, wee, small praise and back in the den. During the day you need to be taking them outside every 30-45mins for a wee/poo. Always praise them when they do a wee/poo, they love association and praise for good behaviours. Do not punish them for accidents inside, they will happen but cannot link doing a wee inside with being punished because it will likely already have happened.
We have also done daytime crate training with a clicker and praise when he successfully stays in his crate without whining. This starts at just a few seconds on their own and increases a bit each time, once they quieten down you click, praise and let them out. We started this on day 3 and after just 10 goes he was doing well over a minute each time. That night he did 3.5hrs in the crate, wee, then another 3.5hrs and is increasing each night. But you still need to get them out for a wee.
The breeder weened then on to dry food, softened with a bit of water and a small amount of wet food in the morning so that is what we have continued with and are gradually softening less to help his teeth etc. they need to eat about every 3 hrs to start with, check the food labels for how much.
It’s tough and we have spent this week living in 3hr blocks due to him being awake, playing, training etc then napping for 1.5hrs or so, rinse and repeat. But he is a good little character and the hard work is already paying off. Get a good book, decide how you want to live with the dog and train accordingly.
Research insurance, we went with Tesco Lifetime £7.5k per year cover for around £300, find a local vet and register them for vaccines and maybe a health plan. Book puppy training asap, it is very popular here with some booked out til next year!
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