ClaireBaxter84

Hi all, a quick question about frozen chicken necks - are they safe to give to my 14 week old puppy, Pomeranian X Mini Foxie and also do I need to defrost them before giving them to him? Many thanks, Claire

I am definitely going on ebay to look for the bubble machine - Alfie would love that!

Thank you all so much for your comments. Your completely right about 'over-attention' and I am sure my partners sister doesn't leave him alone at any point during the day so this may just be making his fretting over being alone worse. I am definitely going to take all of your advice and invest in a playpen. Over the weekend when it is just myself and my partner we can ease him into being put in there for short amounts of time and reward him for being quiet. I'll make to speak to my partners family who will be nipping in to see whilst we are at work (or he will be there) to ensure that they keep up the routine of the playpen. Thank you for the food for thought - AND I totally get that I need to treat him as a dog. It is probably my fault and over excitement after not settling in Australia well to have something to love! I will update you all soon :panting:

Hello all, At the weekend me and my partner bought an adorable Pomeranian X Mini Foxie called Alfie. We have a large house with a big tiled kitchen and a sliding door so that he can access the backyard with no problems. We are a young couple and whilst we have both grown up with dogs and loved them, it seems that our parents obviously did the hard slog to train them - so research and help is needed! Since Alfie arrived I have spent hours and hours on the internet trying to research and learn how to make we properly care for, train and love him! The main problem that I have is his anxiety at being away from people. I know from reading lots of threads on the forum that this is perfectly normal, after all he is an 8 week old baby who has never been on his own in his life! Me and my partner work full time so are out of the house from 8am - 6pm. At the moment I have recruited a family member to move in with us because if I try and leave Alfie on his own his screams can be heard 4 streets away! I get up at 6am and play/feed him and try to exhaust him before I leave the house. When it is time for me to leave the recruited family member is on hand to reassure him that there is someone there. My question is, what is the best way to get Alfie used to being on his own? Crate training seems to be a big thumbs up? Does anyone have any tips? I think we will be ok with the toilet training. He has his first vaccination on Saturday so I will finally be able to take him outside to 'go wee wees'. He is sleeping in a box next to our bed and will sleep right through the night if I exhaust him enough with only a few whimpers that putting my hand for reassurance down wont' cure. He does have a puppy pad in the area next to our bed which he does pee on during the night - after his vaccination I guess I should be taking him outside on his leash? For the first couple of months I thought I may even take him to puppy creche so that he can get used to other dogs, socialise and see that other dogs aren't bothered when the humans leave! But will this reinforce him needing to be surrounded by people all the time? I guess I am just stressing out as this is my first time as a mum and I want to get it right - I feel so bad coming to work everyday. I recently emigrated here from London with my aussie partner and have been so homesick that I just wanted little Alfie to be given the best start possible so that we can have a good relationship together! Thank you all for listening to my little stress! Any tips most appreciated - especially if you also work full time. Thanks, Claire