Karen V

I agree take your time. Don't push the walk thing too much at this point. I'm working on my shy boy - has done same sorts of things puppy school, drives ,visiting friends etc. He has relaxed a fair bit now - he's about a month older than your baby. I found a good leash free park & sat under a tree with him so all the other the dogs came up to say Hi while I was on the ground with him. He sat on my lap (he's a big boy danex wolfy x bull mastiff x). Walkies are largely a short wander to an outdoor cafe from the car so he can watch people go past, & cars etc. Means he can tie up the chair & not my legs. Have to say that in the last 2 weeks he's come on really well. I'm sure your pup will be fine given time.

When I worked as a puppy sitter for Newfies & Neos I was always fascinated by the dreaming that went on in REALLY young pups - less than 10 days old. They would bark, run ie feet twitching back & forth, howl, suckle, growl and most interestingly it would flow through the litter from one pup to the next. I've often wondered how they had so much information from so little life experience but a lot was obviously picked up in the womb. I also recall being able to fly in my dreams and I'm sure that wasn't something I'd actually done to dream it, so I figured pups possibly had similar events. Great job for an insomniac.

Yeah, their not like kids teeth , the new adult ones will slowly push their way through & push out the puppy teeth. Puppy teeth are rarely found & don't usually go through a wobbly stage. Encourage chewing use a Kong or other good quality teething chew toy. Spend the money on a proper one that the pup can't tear apart & swallow small bits. They go through teething discomfort the way babies do, gums look swollen etc, & they'll look for things to chew on. Don't forget raw bones are good too. I give my pup brisket bones as they are quite soft.

Thanks. I make sure (as best as possible) to keep him in eye & ear shot when chooks are out & keep him amused ELSEWHERE. Today though he wandered or chook got too close before I became aware. I've tried keeping him out of the chook routine altogether & that worked for a couple of days. One of the problems I have with training him is that he's not really food focused so treats don't mean much to him & he's so easily distracted he'll forget he's eating something & it fall out of his mouth when he goes to grab the ridgey by the cheek, or he'll wander what the treat is when it drops out of his mouth next to the ball or squeaky toy. I've had big pooches before including a Neo but this fellow is someshat different to any pup I've had before. Hard to stop him running like a lumpy gazelle when he gets going too.

Hi all, My Little Bear is now just over 4 months old, a cross bred Wolfy/dane/bullmastiff. I live on a small farm. I have an older bitch (ridgey cross 11yrs old) & take Bear to puppy pre-school. I understand its natural for him to want to chase the chooks but he injured one badly today & she had to be put to sleep (chooky that is). I have tried taking him out on the lead & making him sit & stay & watch. He will behave well when on the lead & for a while later but then lose it & ignore all commands until he gets tired. My old girl at times will reprimand him if he gives chase to the chooks but I think he thinks its a bit of a game. She also won't reprimand him all the time. I also have kept him locked away from the chooks when they are out. He'll also ignore them for a couple of days & then relentlessly chase them at any given opportunity. In general with his training his attention easily wanders. Its like he needs Puppy Retilin (or however its spelt, ADD drug). I'm hoping patience, perseverence & age will help but I'm also asking for any helpful suggestions. He's well behaved with other dogs at the park and always follows me when its time to go. He's not an overly animated pup - a fairly quiet nature most of the time. He's a good boy mostly but the chook chasing whilst I understand the urge it overrides any of his obedience to me. Please help if you can. Karen

Can't resist my Simba's (Ridgey cross bitch) tally to this list. 1x packet of Nurofen tablets 1 x box of defender snail pellets a partial denture 2x half pounds of butter (at different times) there's also been the "bringing the outdoors inside" incident that would do one of those makeover TV shows proud - every pot plant from anywhere brought into the lounge room and turned upside down on the carpet until there was no carpet to be seen. I walked in as she was putting on the finishing touch- a garden gnome ceremoniously being deposited into the centre of it all, accompanied by a big smile & wag of the tail!! TaaDaa! These are the main things I fretted over, I've gotten used to the rest of it by now (blocks of chocolate, loaves of bread etc) Surprisingly she didn't need vet attention for any of this and is now nearly 12 years old

I have a nearly 12 week old wolfhound cross bull mastiff (with a bit of dane looks like) and he is strong healthy & happy. I've been trying him on some top commercial dry kibbles for puppies (as well as fresh meat, chicken mince & bones, a few veggies), but am wondering if there is a possible problem with too high a protein for his growth pattern. Any big dog breeders out there with suggestions for his diet (and how much to feed him too) I would greatly appreciate their advice. Thanks, Karen V

I have a Neopolitan mastiff and a rhodesian ridgeback cross something. I mainly feed them (and have for all the Neo's life & most of the ridgies) Bonnie's complete, frsh beef bones, sometimes chicken mince, sometimes canned cat food (fish). The Neo is now 7yrs old & very healthy, ideal weight, desexed male. The ridgie bitch is 12yrs old really very healthy, a bit over weight desexed female.