cornell

I am so sorry to hear that you are going thorough this. We feel your pain. Thank you for posting this important warning. Surely you have saved some lives. Sending healing vibes and best wishes to you and your family.

First of all I hear you!!! Some pups are hard enough to deal with let alone with a young child around. Positive rewards have also made a huge difference to us. They should be your no. 1 focus. However you also need to find out what your puppy hates for the times when you need to protect your child immediately during desperate times. For us it is a bunch of balloons that are kept up high. He hates the smell, the sound and its physical presence. He also dislikes a rubber dog toy that has a distinct smell. We use this before resorting to the balloons during painful situations. Be wary of creating a fear issue for your pup but at the same time you need something that will protect your kids immediately without upsetting your child. Things will get better, don't give up hope!! O and don't forget to redirect the puppy towards something positive once she stops the annoying behaviour. GOOD luck!!

WOW QBF - What a big boy you have there! I love his paws! He looks like a gorgeous teddy bear. Great name I hope the big guy is feeling much better soon!!

Congratulations Vernie on your new addition!! You must be a true dog lover if you are willing to take on young children and a pup. I understand your need completely, furkids offer you a very special relationship indeed if you are willing to put the time in. As most people have looking after puppy is A LOT of hard work (just like real kids) May he return the favour by being a loyal companion and create many happy memories with you and your children in the long run. We wish you all the very best of luck and we look forward to seeing photos of your adorable fur baby!!!!!

I never realised how many 'feet' (floor level knobs) I have on my furniture legs until I got my puppy. When he is bored he will roll around and have a bit of a chew on these knobs. When I see him doing this I put a tiny bit of Eucalyptus oil on the spot and distract him with one of his toys. Hey presto he will not go back to chew that piece of furniture. It is the distinct smell that puts him off then he goes and finds something more pleasant to do. It is also handy when he starts to scratch on the couch. Have you decided on a name?

Great question ;) I have owned dogs all my life and we are 5 weeks in to having our new puppy yet we are always still learning new things. First of all do your research into the dangers of collars and also look up the safer alternative of breakaway collars. Remember to take a photo every week to capture their progress. It is amazing how much they grow from week to week. Set aside some kibble for the hyper times - I found that this was a good time for obedience training. It gave him something constructive to focus on. While you have the time, do your research for the 3 year vaccine for later on in life. Buy some Eucalyptus oil to deter them from chewing your furniture (Thanks to the DOL forumite who passed this on!) I remember the anticipation of waiting for a new pup to be developmentally ready and feeling so impatient, in the meantime watch some You Tube videos of your breed and enjoy some great belly laughs Good luck with your new best friend :p

I'm so sorry to hear about your lab. What a huge loss. I would love to say go for it but the reality is that training a puppy is very intense. We are trying to deal with the nipping and jumping issues at the moment and we are fully grown adults. Please be aware that even a well behaved pup will try to constantly nip a child in play with it's sharp teeth at the most inconvenient moments. The pup will also jump on the children in excitement. This will be an even bigger issue as the pup grows. Having toys around is another issue and could cause a choking hazard to your pup. Also think carefully about your assertive and frustrated vibes that your children will be exposed to as you try to train your pup. I'm afraid that this is how lots of dogs end up being left out in the yard alone to develop destructive habits. Please tread carefully and be careful what you wish for. Sorry but you did ask and honesty is the best policy.

Thanks Aussie lover. Bark was mentioned by the vet as one of the most dangerous things a pup can chew on due to the chemical treatments and also the obvious splintering issue.

Thanks for taking the time to post all of your responses You are all obviously actively passionate about keeping your dogs safe. Thanks to you our dogs are pleased to be running around the house in their birthday suits. I think they are loving it and they do look so much more beautiful. We have ordered the breakaway collars for when we go out. But please let me know if you find any cream coloured ones!!

Thanks guys you make me feel like I have a golden pup:D Just for the record we decided to take on your advice. We have a laundry joining a massive outdoor cattery that was built for a cat that has sadly passed on. The other dog was kept in the house. Hubby came home at lunch to see if there were any problems. All seemed to be well when we returned at the end of the day but we have not heard from our neighbour who does shift work and sleeps during the day about the noise level just yet Sas after having a puppy in the house for 5 weeks there are definitely no batteries or power cords that have not been put away or blocked off even with our supervision. The "us" I was referring to was the dog as well as me = "us". I am surprised that you recommend the back yard if you don't think that a puppy proofed house is safe. What about all of the hazardous sticks, bark and rocks? Wizzle, thankfully he has not been able to master jumping up on furniture just yet but it definitely won't be long. We left our current dog (then puppy) with the older dog and the house and never had a significant issue. Awh Mumsy it looks like he had the best time!! Thanks for the photos! It must have created a lot of work for you though. Did he suffer any ill effects? Thanks Wizzle, Aussie lover, Bub, Mumsy and BC puppy for taking the time to post your helpful and kind replies:D

Thank you for your thoughtful replies Our goal is to minimise the disruption of our absence. In our opinion containment would highlight our absence causing his anxiety and frustration to escalate. The idea is to keep things as normal as possible, minus one human. So we will have to agree to disagree on the confinement issue. We have made our house as puppy proof as can be over the past 5 weeks. He does have a big furry well behaved sister for company. Our house is also littered with dog toys. We also plan to distract him by hiding treats, stuff a kong, leave a puzzle ball with kibble inside of it, etc. I was hoping that other people's experiences could alert me to any other surprises that we have not considered or at least have a giggle at the mischievous things our puppies have got up to in our absence

The time has finally come when we have to leave puppy alone. We have doted on him for weeks - watched his every move. Done our best with training, especially when it comes to interacting with the existing dog. Now the time that we have been dreading is approaching. What was your first time like? What damage was done when you left your puppy alone for a full day? Is it really harder on the owners than on the pup? (Btw Locking him in a confined area isn't our style and would cause us even more anxiety.)

It is so sad to read the stories of beloved dogs have been accidentally hung or strangled whilst wearing their collar Collars can get caught on handles, fences, bushes, etc. Although we try we cannot watch our fur kids 100% of the time. Also whilst two dogs are playing the jaw can get caught underneath the collar and twist in the commotion causing jaw injuries and strangulation especially if the collar is loose. This is a particular concern as the neck can be an attractive target during a play fight. I am torn as I understand the need for pets to carry ID as well as having a handle for other safety reasons but I do not want to risk this happening to my furkids. Break away collars have been designed to unlatch the collar when it is under pressure. However during walks they can be secured by the leash and the two D rings on the collar. I gather that when your boy was picked up by the other dog he could have been free instantly if he was wearing a break away collar. Is this true? Do they really work as well as they say? Now the challenge for me is to find the most stylish and safe collar.

I see a lot more dogs these days not wearing their collars. I had no idea that they posed a health risk until now. Does your dog wear a collar? If not why? Have you had any problems with dogs play fighting with their collars on? Do the break away collars really work? Are they sensitive enough? Do you know where I can find a XL safe collar that is cream or light brown? (preferably one that looks like leather??) (I know I'm fussy! ) THANKS in advance!!

Ok please set me straight. I have been looking at the Platinum dog rolls with Ranger Stacey on it. I get the impression from this forum that feeding dog rolls to my dogs is a no no. Why? What am I missing? Is there another reason other than it is processed? Do you feed this to your dogs? What do you think of this product?

QBF - Wow what an agonising wait for you as it feels as though you have waited been waiting for so long already! It is an anxious time knowing that your family is so ready but the pup has not fully developed yet. At least you have the most amazing photos to coo over. I must say the visit to the airport is incredibly exciting - like going to the hospital for an adoption. Hudson is definitely a live wire - quite the opposite to our older girl. Fortunately for us he can also be sweet and charming which kinda makes up for his shockingly cheeky antics.

VA- Whow - your photos are awesome. Bjorn looks like he is going to be a great addition to your gorgeous family. It's so much fun to watch your puppy explore things for the first time. Thanks for sharing them Evo - Looks like a definite winner to me - Congratulations !!!! How long now QBF??? Clasic - What a wuzzie - you must be so pleased

Hudson has officially been in the state for a whole 5 hours. We can't keep our eyes off him (Tia included);D. He is sooooooooo CUTE!!!!! Definitely not shy and packed full of character as well as being blessed with such beauty. Ahhh :rofl: He is such a joy to watch. Sorry can't stay and chat - gotta go and play :biggrin.gif:

Whoo hoo only 4 sleeps now Introducing HUDSON (This is the photo that the breeder kindly sent us today)

Quick Brown Fox - What a breathtaking picture! Just amazing:) Gayle - Issak is such a star - you must be absolutely smitten! Borderfan - Now we can officially say that our puppies are due "NEXT WEEK!" - whoohoo! Your photos are VERY sweet. You are so lucky. We need a count down ticker - does anyone know where I can get a good one? The Hudster arrives at 3pm on a plane from Victoria. The outbreak of puppy fever has hit us pretty badly this time.

What are the things that you know now that you wished someone had made you more aware of just before you got your puppy? Could you also please give us an update of how the new puppy is getting along with your existing fur kids?? 12 days and counting for us So close yet SOOO far! Swoon over the pups at http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...610&st=2250 Post 2261 & 2262 :(

Congratulations Mag!! It looks as though you have got yourself quite an intelligent and sweet boy there. How exciting!!!! I have been waiting for your time to come, now I will wait in anticipation for your next update and of course more photos :D Sigh, 4 more long weeks for us.

OMG Lily no way! You will have to report back asap and let us know how it all works out. Is is really heart warming to see the stories of the older dog falling in love with the pup. Best wishes!! Gayle - What a precious boy you have there - he is adorable!!

Thank you for the kind greeting It really does help to know that you are going through the same thing. Tia also sparkles when other dogs are around. The last week should fly by since you have been waiting so long. I look forward to hearing your news and to see how you all get on. GOOD LUCK!

Firstly your pups are adorable! Thanks for sharing them with us:D I can't believe I am posting this but I am expecting again after nearly ten years! Hudson, the golden retriever pup will be arriving in 5 weeks time. Sorry I don't have any pics to share with you just yet I am totally amazed at the distinct calling you feel when the time is right to make these life changing decisions when previously there was no real desire or need. Ahh puppy fever is dangerous! What have we done! Our nine year old retriever is starting to slow down so we feel that it is important to give her an extra purpose in life by mentoring this new pup and in return he will no doubt keep her entertained. Tia is the type of dog that is up for this type of challenge. I can see her mothering him as well as getting playful and dirty with him. Ah double trouble! We hope that the good times will outweigh the hard work. Tia is such an amazing girl. I have hesitated getting a puppy as I have wondered how any pup could live up to Tia's sweet personality and her loyalty. Is anyone else in the same boat? How has your existing dog reacted to the new addition to the family? How is Rover doing now? We have just ordered a Humunga tongue toy. Have you seen the Chewy Vuitton handbag dog toy? Or the Dog Perignon Champagne dog toy? How about he Jimmy Chew shoe toy? Are there any other cute toys out there? Tia still loves plush toys but not the rubber ones so much. What is your dog's favourite toy? Does Maggie use her kong? Is anyone else suffering so badly from puppy fever that they are planning a puppy shower with pupcakes and puplova?