TessaBella

Not scared, just as though it's something she shouldn't be doing... ETA: threatened maybe...perhaps it is a dominance thing. She tends to do it when she is picked up to be put on a lap. She comes to us, puts her front feet on our leg (how she lets us know she wants to be nursed) and that's when we pick her up...

I'm picking her up how the vet showed me...with my hands supporting her ribs and hind feet...sound right?

It doesn't seem to be a dominance thing...it's the same growl she uses when she wants to play...

Just in the last week, I've noticed that Bella growls softly when she is being picked up. I did a search but didn't find what I was looking for. She will happily sit on our lap and I've taken her to the vet and she hasn't found any instance of pain...any suggestions? This doesn't happen all the time, but there doesn't seem to be a pattern with it either (ie. when tired etc.).

My pup was very unsettled when we first got her too. I also used the above technique and she settled straight away. If you live in a hotter area, use a sheet instead of a blanket. It's much cooler. Your pup may cry a bit to start with, but don't respond to her and it will stop soon enough. Best of luck with your bundle of joy. Also, crate are a miracle invention and they aren't cruel at all...Bella loves hers!!!

Just back to confirm that PP is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We pretty much knew what they were on about because of DOL, but not everyone's so lucky Lots of opportunities to ask questions and get answers about anything puppy related. Highly recommended

Firstly, Welcome to DOL. Bella and I are attending PP tonight...first one for my first pup...will let you know how it goes

OMG!!! Bella's only 1kg at 10 weeks old...

That's why I chose a cardboard box rather than a bed...it's easily replaced and inexpensive.

What breed is your puppy? I'm getting my cavalier puppy in 8 days and I bought a 36" crate for her. I've just used a cardboard box to divide it at the moment. The idea is that she will sleep in the box (inside the crate) until she outgrows it, where I will remove the box and she'll sleep in the open crate. However, this is just an idea...so I'm not saying that it will work exactly as planned, but that's puppies for you Cheers, Tessa

Some rocks are made up of salt. Maybe the rocks are like a salt lick for livestock... OH's studying geology and I just asked him ;)

OMG! that's a long tongue!!! cute dog though

Oh Carly, I'm so glad to hear that your boy is better :D So do you know what it was? What did the second vet do? Cheers, Tessa

Went to visit my puppy today (she's 8 weeks on Tuesday). She was whining just a little bit. I thought it was because her littermates were outside, but she was still playing happily with us and wagging her tail. Breeder was on the phone at the time, but when she was finished, Bella started doing it again. Breeder said she wanted to go outside to toilet, so out we went, and go she did (lesson #1). Once inside again, she started doing it again. Breeder said it was her naptime, and she fell asleep in my arms, then when I put her down, she fell asleep at my feet. Even when we went to leave, she just opened one eye, wagged her tail a bit as if to say bye, then went back to sleep (valuable lesson #2). I'd say tiredness (just in case you couldn't guess) Cheers, Tessa

Yeah, I knoe how you feel. I'm picking up my first puppy on the 20th November and I'm quite nervous. Just trying to make sure I've got my tools sorted (NILIF, TOT etc.). Cheers, Tessa

What you're doing now sounds good, but also you might want to try making sure you are ALWAYS first through the door. ask her to sit, then you walk through then give her a release command so she knows it's ok for her to walk through now. It's supposed to stop them charging through the doorway in front of you etc. You have to be consistent though. Cheers, Tessa

I too am interested in how this should be done...My Bella will be coming home in just less than 3 weeks and I'm planning to take her with me to visit my mum who has two cats (one of which is my boy, and probably won't be too happy about mummy having a new lil girl )

I've seen Bonjella (sp?) suggested here before for puppies that are teething...you can get it in the cosmetics aisle at the supermarket...or the baby aisle. Cheers, Tessa

Can't really help at all, just wanted to let you know how sorry I am that your little guy's sick. Sending well wishes and hugs your direction. I am also getting a blenheim cav soon. So I feel very upset for your baby. Hope all is well ASAP. Cheers, Tessa

You can get clickers from Ebay and pet shops that I know of... Probably more places but I don't know.

Not sure if I can help or not, but our Bitsa, Sassy growls at us when she wants to play. Her tail wags, she sort of prances with her head down and her hackles are not up. You can tell the difference between a play growl and a warning growl.

I have two questions. Where do you live and where did you get the puppy? From rescue? I ask because I know in NSW that you're not allowed to sell or give a puppy away before it is 8 weeks old. This puppy has been taken away from its litter mates very early, although I am pleased that someone who seems to be as nice as you are taking care of her.

To add to what SKWO2 said, make sure that you don't make a big deal about coming home or leaving the house. This will make her more anxious if you leave. When you first walk through the door, don't look at her, or talk to her. Walk past and do something else first, then come back to her and calmly and quietly say hello and give her a pat. When leaving don't make a big deal of it. Give her a toy and just walk out the door. Cheers, Tessa

I'm picking my puppy up at 10 weeks. I have my 2nd year uni exams at the same time as she turns 8 weeks, so I have no choice other than to pick her up later. However, If I had it my way, I'd be picking her up at 8 weeks so that she had plenty of time to adapt to her new environment and to me. I have been visiting her regularly and intend to see her again this weekend, so she at least knows me a little, and I've also asked the breeder to do a little lead training with her. The breeder pays her quite a lot of attention because she's more outgoing than the others and seems to follow her everywhere. She also runs a kennel, so is used to different dogs being around. Cheers

I'd say a combination of what TB and Sunny70 said. Growl or say ah-ah and push him away, then offer a toy and praise him for taking it.