The last 5 weeks have been really hard. I am currently going through some puppy blues as she is just so bitey but goes for me a lot more than my husband. Re-directing is hard and as she is getting bigger the biting is harder. She is very good at playing on her own and I would encourage Pies to learn this as it will be great if you are trying to do anything. We don't use pig ears on cow ears. If they splinter or break then remove it immediately as the shards can cause damage when ingested. As she is a puppy she has to chew loads to soften it so is great just now. We have had to toilet train twice due to living in a flat and not being able to take her out for the first few weeks. She masted the mats within a couple of weeks and never misses one now. We are now having to keep an eye on the time and make sure we take her out 10 mins after food, waking up and play time. In between that it is roughly every 30 mins she needs to go. To help with toilet training find a cue that helps Pies knows its time to pee. We click our fingers, point and say pee pee, she gets the idea and when outside starts looking for the right spot. My husband taught her this when training in the house and its great being able to have her pee 'on demand'. Praise him with a bit of kibble and attention when he does it in the right place. To start with I would have a bit in your garden that is the toilet 'spot' so when you take him there he knows what to do. Ideally you would want to carry him there if you are taking him out to just pee so he knows. The tiredness will get better! Our little one is now able to 6 hours some nights, depends on if shes had a big day and how tired she is. We don't lift her water bowl at night as don't want her to think she has to drink loads before we lift it. For feeding times people say don't feed on demand or when they first wake up but sometimes Luna wakes up very hungry, we give her food and she goes back to sleep. We started giving her some supper around 8/8.30 and this helps tide her through the night. Every puppy is different and when they have a growth spurt they will be hungrier. I know you said what you are feeding but can't seem to find it, we use Simspons 80/20 premium puppy food and she loves it, we also often mix in either salmon, tuna, egg or steak (at least one once a day) x
Hi thank you for your message! I can imagine it’s so hard trying to toilet train in a flat but it sounds like you’ve got it under control! We feed pies when we get up and have breakfast so we all have breakfast together He’s a hungry pup when he wakes up. We feed him Purina beta puppy kibble and then we sometimes add some veg we use the kongs so we use some of his food allowance for the kongs but sometimes we just fill the kongs with veg and he loves it! Yes we also do the same with taking him out to the loo we go every half hour or so and we go after food, sleep, and play Our toilet cue is ‘toilet’ if we leave the back door open he will take himself out for a poo haha apparently the breeder told us the puppies never did poo’s in the barn they slept in they always came out and did them on the grass Our boy is getting more nibbly but we always redirect with toys and reward him for biting the correct things such as his toys Are you struggling to cope? I have pies all day on my own I also take him to work with me so I obviously have to watch him constantly and I knew that would be the case but it is very hard work I don’t think I’m having puppy blues but I am missing being able to have a shower and do any kind of house work the house is a mess but there just isn’t the time with my little terror haha... I do love this little boy to the moon and back but it’s for sure hard work! If you ever need To talk please do feel free to message me! It’s nice to talk to people that are experiencing similar things Thanks Teide and pies
Out little one just bites so much, she came from a litter of 9 and the mum stop going into the pen at 6 weeks as they were all trying to latch on, this has meant she hasn't learnt good bite inhibition and we are trying to train this our self. But apart from this she is amazing, she has all her ques for site, paw, other paw, lie down, stay, wait and come and is happy to sit playing on her own. it is the times when she is maybe bored or tired that she is very nibbly. My arms and legs are covered in bruises and scratches - ouch! We are now trying to remove ourself from reach of play by either putting her in the crate or standing behind the stair gate. She is getting better and normally at her worst when she wants/needs something like food or play. Housework ... whats that! It is a challenge to do ANYTHING now as she doesn't like being on her own and only happy when she can see what is happening. Pies sounds like he is doing so well knowing to poop outside already! He is super cute too!!
Our boy is the same he was weaned 3 weeks before we got him as mum was suffering she was so so sore as they all had their little teeth hurting her.. I imagine pies is going to get more bitey as the days go on... we redirect with toys as much as possible and when he won’t take the toy we pick him up say no and move him to a different toy and he seems to be fine then but we are both still learning.. He will sit on cue sometimes give him a treat and sometimes just a big stroke and tell him good boy.. I tried paw but he was like mum what you doing hahah.. I’ve done stay a couple of times so he sits and I walk backwards whilst saying stay and then I’ll say good boy and he comes over for a treat. I’m not sure he knows his name yet but I keep trying. I’ve just had a proper harness fitted so we can practise walking around the garden nicely on the lead.. How are you doing with lead walking? Have you started yet? How amazing you’ve already mastered all of those things that’s fab! I’m so sorry you’re covered in bruises that must be so hard! Pies has not bruised or bitten me to break any skin.. he put his mouth around my wrist yesterday and I said no and picked up his toy and he stopped immediately.. Hahah housework yeah it’s not happening at all... can’t wait for the weekend so my partner can watch him whilst I try do something in the house!! I’m going to try hoovering the living room with him in it because he needs to learn that housework has to happen haha Luna is super cute! Pies had some black brothers and sisters and they were absolutely gorgeous too!!!
He is learning so fast, they are really good learners. Luna likes to be praised and will do ANYTHING for food so does make it easier for training. Luna is really good on the leads and doesn't really pull, the only time is when she wants to go a different way. She likes to carry some of the lead in her mouth and walks in front when we are heading home. Once Pies has mastered sit it will be really good when out walking. Luna sits when I stop now and waits for me to move again. It is worth also making him realise that not everyone wants to say hi to him when out walking. I started by pulling on Luna's lead when she approached someone and said now. This gave the person the opportunity to say hi or ignore her (you will be surprised by how many people will just walk past!) she now doesn't go to anyone unless they say hi to her. The biting is sore but she is so advanced for her age and can't really complain! I don't blame the mums as the teeth are sore!! For training paw try showing Pies your hand, lower it to his leg, click your fingers and say paw. To start with you might need to do this then lift his leg (and give a treat if done nicely) so he gets the idea then he will be doing it on his own! It is very much as much learning for us as it is them.
Hi Teide and Pies, you sound like you are all doing really well (apart from the tiredness!) Isla is a work in progress! Lol. She is a darling but very hard work. Recall was once brilliant but now she's an adolescent and pushing the boundaries. All biting and most of the chewing has stopped. She's still very excitable and this can cause problems in all sorts of situations. She also is very anxious which is very sad to see. We are working with a trainer to help her but no improvement yet. Keep up the good work with Pies and enjoy him. I hope you get some more sleep
We’ve got 3 weeks before little pies can go out walking His jabs are 8 weeks, 10 weeks and then 12 weeks and he’s allowed out 1 week after his second jabs so he will be 11 weeks and I’m excited to take him out on walks! That’s so good that Luna doesn’t pull on the lead! I hope pies is the same haha! I can’t wait to do some lead training around the garden he loves doing training it really tired him out because he using that little brain so much! He’s getting better at stay bless him! I just love him so much! How old is your girl?
Oh I’m so sorry to hear she’s anxious I hope everything gets better! Pies is a confident little boy at home and at work I’m very proud of him for how he has coped coming to work with me everyday in all sorts of different houses and situations and he’s been lovely with my clients! He’s super chewer but we are trying our best to redirect with toys and if it’s awful I put him behind the baby gate in the kitchen and ignore him for 5 mins then when he’s quiet I go over tell him stay and then tell him he’s a good boy and let him out We are moving the crate downstairs today I’m nervous but he’s doing so well in the crate at night no whining now after toilet trips he just goes straight back to sleep bless him! I can’t wait to have a good nights sleep again hahaha but he’s worth it !! He brings so much happiness to everyone around him!!!
Luna was 11 weeks when she had her first outing too (profile pic). Puppies won't run far away as they stay close for safety. Luna is now 13 weeks and 3 days. We have had her for 5 1/2 weeks now and cant imagine life without her.
Oh that’s so lovely! What a gorgeous photo! I can’t wait to take our boy out! He’s a handful but I love him so much! I’ve wanted him for so long I love getting to know him everyday! We are on day 6 and I feel like I know him so well! Are you crate training? Have you started day time crate training? We are due to start this tomorrow with him if you do how’s it going??
We aren't crate training. We tried at the start but our little one is so vocal and because we live in a flat with a young child underneath we thought for theirs and our sanity not to bother. She is really happy sleeping next to us and she often wakes up and re-positions so wouldn't be comfy in the crate. During the day my husband is at home so again no need for training. We do have a pen and some stair gates up to keep her confined and safe. But more often than not when you sit down to do something or eat she will curl up and sleep at your feet x
Awh that’s so lovely! We have a little chewer on our hands so he can’t be left in the kitchen at the moment but the more he is trusted around the house then I will be happy to let his roam free around.. We have a big puppy that separates the kitchen and living room as it’s open plan.. but he hates being behind there I don’t know if we keep trying he will get used to it. How long did it take for you to trust your girl not to chew everything when left out roaming?
Luna HATES being on her own. If we are both in the house and in different places she will typically either be with one of us or lying in the hall where she can see if either of us move. We puppy proofed our house as much as possible, don't have anything that he can get to and block off anywhere we don't want her to go. Now that she is getting bigger she is able to jump onto the sofa herself but usually will curl up and chew her cow ear, sleep or sometimes explore from up there. We do keep an eye on her and if going for a shower take her in with me and use a likimat to keep her happy. We will need to start trying to get her used to being on her own but not sure how to do this as we fear she will hurt herself on something when she becomes distressed.
It’s so hard isn’t it! Pies will howl even though he can see me behind the the puppy gate I hate hearing him cry but he does need to learn to be by himself for 5 mins when he can see me.. we just got brand new sofas and we didn’t expect to get our pup until next year so I would rather he didn’t chew up the new sofas we saved so hard for hahaha.. He can’t get up on the sofa just yet he’s too tiny haha but I can’t wait until he jumps up for snuggles! It’s the chewing and crying that I worry about! I don’t want him to feel abandoned by me but he has to learn to be alone for a min and not scream the house down. I try to reward him when he settles down and stops howling.. he has so many toys and lovely things to chew but be chooses the chew all the things he shouldn’t haha typical pup
I turn my back on her when I put into the crate for time out. As soon as she crys I say 'no Luna' and she stops at the sound of my voice. Eventually she will lie down and 'wimper' I then turn round and when quiet let her out. I have sitting listening to her cry but sometimes its the only way to get her to calm down. I sometimes sit on the stairs to put my shoes on (she has a thing for shoes and laces!) She sits and watches me but I constantly re-assure her that its okay. We got a new sofa at the start of the year too - we had no intentions of getting a puppy! But we have put throws on the sofa so she cant scratch it. She has no desire to chew at it and we always make sure that there is nothing on the sofa - phones, tv remotes, chargers - so that there is no temptation. She has settled in and knows that it is her home that when she is tired she takes herself off to her bed in the living room or on the sofa and goes to sleep.
Awh that’s so lovely! I think it would be best if we got sofa covers for the time being because he likes to chew the edges of the sofa not hard but I know he can chew very hard on his toys so it’d only take him to play like that with the sofa to pierce it haha.. Yes we were going to wait until next year but we finally broke and decided now was the time and I’m so happy we have done it but it’s just a massive learning curve for me my partner and pies.. Pies will take himself to sleep on his bed in the living room or outside under the table he seems to like sleeping there sometimes and my partner thinks it’s fine as the back door is open and he can bring himself in at any time he did live in a barn so I think he likes the outside.. I think I need to be slightly tougher and not break when he whines. We need to work on pies calming down but I’m not sure how to teach him to have down time if he’s tired he will sleep on his bed but I think he gets abit silly before he does that and it’d be good to try teach him to calm before he gets to that point but not sure how to do it...
We caved when our friends dog had puppies, went up to visit when they were 3 days old, held a few of them and Luna fell asleep in my hand It is a massive learning curve and observing them to know what they want/how they are feeling. We have been stern with her a couple of times and now if she goes towards something she isn't supposed to (even for a sniff) we say 'as-ah' and she goes to do something else. Someone told me its not about telling the dog not to do something its trying to catch them before doing it so they dont have an inclination to do it. Our girl is not a huge fan of the outside when its raining but thats because she was brought up in a home that didn't have a safe area for the puppies. To help her calm we play with her a couple of mins (throwing toys) I know it doesn't sound calm but then we grab a cow ear and she follows us, we then sit on the sofa or a chair and hold it for her to chew with it eventually resulting in her lying down (gradually lower the chew until she is lying down) and letting go so she chews herself. Now that she is calm she will get up and find somewhere to sleep when she is ready.
Oh my lord those are the cutest photos in the world!!!! So gorgeous! Yeah I will defo take that on board and try and stop him before he does it!!thats a really good idea also with the chewing and lowering what he’s chewing down so he relaxes and lays down! I will try that with him! He can’t get on the sofa yet he’s too small but sometimes he wants to get up but then wants to get back down and we have to catch him before he jumps because he will hurt himself! I do look forward to when he can manage to get up himself Pies loves outside my partner is going to make him a kennel to have outside so he can sleep in there if he wants too rather than on the grass when it’s chilly! The back door is always open for him so he can always come inside whenever he wants too Pies hasn’t experienced full rain yet haha he loves the hose pipe though we spray it lightly and he tries to get the water it’s so funny
Thank you Pies is adorable to, I just cannot believe how quickly they grow! We had the same problem to start with, lifting her up, putting her down - up, down, up down (make up your mind girl! But now she can jump it no problem and down herself. I think she associates being wet with the shower, she wasn't very keen on the hair dryer to start with but is getting more tolerant with it. She has 3 weeks until her next bath now anyway so hopefully be okay ... When I am in the shower tho it is a different story, she tries to catch the spray that goes near her and watches me ... weird pup! The pic dated 23.08.19 husband told her 'not of the sofa' so she went to the table instead! :')
