Re: Hello from a newbie Ooh, Gibbs is lovely. [quote author=Granca link=topic=10334.msg157327#msg157327 date=1429348409] Very cute - and with a definite "What's next?" look! ;D [/quote] Think Gibbs could be full of mischief with that expression.
Re: Hello from a newbie Gibbs is gorgeous....why did you choose that name?It makes me think of the Bee Gees ;D Hope he's settling in well,bet you are all totally in love ( as well as chewed to bits : )
Re: Hello from a newbie Lol, his name has come from a TV series, I suspect a few people may be able to name it? ;D I named my cat after a character from a TV series years ago so its kinda a theme now. I have to say, Gibbs is remarkably uninterested in his kong so haven't used it too much, we also haven't bothered with the crate yet and we are considering taking it back as at the moment we don't have any need for it. We shut him in the kitchen overnight and he is as good as gold, no noise whatsoever. The 'no sofa' rule lasted a whopping 2 hours and he now prefers sleeping on there if he can lol. Right now he is snuggled up to me snoring his head off.
Re: Hello from a newbie Have you stuffed the kong? My two aren't interested in them unless they're filled with tasty treats
Re: Hello from a newbie oh yeah. Have tried cheese and cat treats. If I put them in a Kong he is bored within a couple of minutes, if I put them in a old cardboard box and scrunch it up a bit he has a lovely time for ages ripping it apart to get to the treats. I even took the treats out of the Kong and put them in the box!
Re: Hello from a newbie Do you freeze them? I make a gooey mess of something (tinned sardines or tuna and cheese or Greek yoghurt with banana etc etc) and fill the kongs then freeze them. It keeps mine occupied for about half an hour.
Re: Hello from a newbie Oh he is lovely! And welcome from me and my two black girls. Lochan is 3 and Tarka is 4. Tarka also has Threevalleys Gundogs in her pedigree - her maternal grandfather is Heath Briar Banks of Threevalleys.
Re: Hello from a newbie Gibbs is a handsome boy! Love the fox red color. And welcome from Elvis and me in the USA.
Re: Hello from a newbie Hi Kate! A warm welcome from me and my little madam. You'll get really good support from everyone here. Exciting times ahead (challenges too!!) Really good advice to read the puppy hand book and have your husband read it too. Clarity and consistency will be really important to your little fox (Gibbs?) so it'd be great to include the whole family in employing the same approach! Best wishes Pip & Bon
Re: Hello from a newbie Oh, I skipped a page and missed your photo - what an absolutely adorable boy! He's beautiful. Gibbs it is - smashing name!! I didn't use a crate (long story, left it somewhere at Christmas and just managed without) - now I wish I had used one. If I started again I'd definitely use a crate, there are so many situations when it would have come in useful.
Re: Hello from a newbie [quote author=Kate600 link=topic=10334.msg157563#msg157563 date=1429473401]Lol, his name has come from a TV series, I suspect a few people may be able to name it? ;D ...[/quote] An NCIS fan by any chance? He's a lovely dog. Welcome to the forum.
Re: Hello from a newbie I had a spam email in my inbox this morning from "Prince Gibbs". I smiled and thought of your little man
Re: Hello from a newbie [quote author=Bonnie link=topic=10334.msg157875#msg157875 date=1429569880] Oh, I skipped a page and missed your photo - what an absolutely adorable boy! He's beautiful. Gibbs it is - smashing name!! I didn't use a crate (long story, left it somewhere at Christmas and just managed without) - now I wish I had used one. If I started again I'd definitely use a crate, there are so many situations when it would have come in useful. [/quote] Really? Like when? I'm interested as even packed up its taking up a lot of space! Thanks for all the hello's!
Re: Hello from a newbie Welcome from us, Hattie 7 years and rescue boy Charlie 4 years. Gibbs is such a sweetie enjoy him xxx Helen
Re: Hello from a newbie [quote author=Kate600 link=topic=10334.msg158087#msg158087 date=1429642423] [quote author=Bonnie link=topic=10334.msg157875#msg157875 date=1429569880] Oh, I skipped a page and missed your photo - what an absolutely adorable boy! He's beautiful. Gibbs it is - smashing name!! I didn't use a crate (long story, left it somewhere at Christmas and just managed without) - now I wish I had used one. If I started again I'd definitely use a crate, there are so many situations when it would have come in useful. [/quote] Really? Like when? I'm interested as even packed up its taking up a lot of space! Thanks for all the hello's! [/quote] Well, as someone else said, it's really nice for a pup to have his/her own space. I think they do value a little quiet place of their own, like a covered crate. B loved her crate and she was happy to go in it. If I'd persisted it would have been great. She never liked her cool, fluffy basket for some reason! Other good reason are, for instance, I've just had to let the gas meter reader go round my house on his own because I was holding a barking pup who wasn't keen on this strange visitor. : Also, if you have a really friendly pup, even the most dog-friendly guests can get a bit tired of being chewed and nuzzled because they've stopped wanting to play fetch after - oh - 20 solid minutes!!!; or you end up spending all your time trying to settle an over-excited pup instead of just enjoying your guests; or watching the chocolate brownies on the coffee table don't get sniffed (or worse!!). B sleeps on my sofa and when we have guests I always feel a bit weird for her that people are sitting on her bed!! (and they have black furry trousers when they leave!!) Not to say Gibbs would have to be on your sofa, but it is an obvious draw if you don't have your own special place. And that "draw" seems so much stronger after a nice swim in a muddy river before mum's had chance to rub you down!! : Having their own place gives you a clear focus if you want them to settle (like doing the housework and not having an aroused pup chase the hoover around is one I thought of today!) Also, with a big crate you can nip out without worrying your carpet, rug, table legs aren't getting chewed! I just don't think you can predict what kind of pup he'll be - a chewer, a solitary soul, a play-biting crocopup, an over-friendly fetch-hound!! Anyway those are just my thoughts, I'm sure you'll make the best decision for your home. I know they do take up a lot of space and they're not the prettiest addition to a room, but I'm sharing my thoughts just in case they're helpful. I've got a snoring bundle of fluff nestling into me on the sofa right now so that's a bonus of not having a crate!
