Theresadn88

So I went to her class yesterday and she is lovely and super helpful! Pity Toby has such a small stomach that after half an hour of treats, he was finished for the day. Didn't want ANYTHING after that. Most of the pups were 9 weeks and he was only 8 so he wasnt as playful as all the other pups. I can't wait til next week to see improvement. But my point: Carolyn is wicked

I love all this reassurance I'm getting. Yeah he's a very calm and collected boy. Except of course when I leave the room and he's in the playpen haha but I'm getting used to it now. And I think he is too, crying a little less each time and settling down quicker. This morning he even played with his squirrel without me touching it first! Soooooo HAPPY! hahaha

Thank you Aanie! Hearing that makes me VERY happy. He's just so sad and not eating etc at the moment. He does still follow me around and has moments of fun, but not quite the 'puppy' we normally hear about. I always knew there was light at the end of the tunnel but it just helps to hear a similar story turn out well. Your puppy sounds very cute and clearly knows how to look after himself (temperature wise). Good luck with pre-school tomorrow. I can't wait to start!

Thanks Persephone

Yeah good point. I tried some stuff and he likes it enough now. Which is good but still prefers the floor :D. And Persephone you're right that he IS just a baby. I'm just scared he doesnt enjoy my company because he cries in the playpen and when he's quiet I go to him and at times let him out and we play, but he's not interested and almost seems sad... this just makes me sad. He's in his playpen at the moment and he just looks sad I'm hoping to get him to like his toys soon because I go back to work on Tuesday and I just don't want him miserable all day long. I'm gonna start my puppy preschool tomorrow so I hope things get taught to me there because I feel he's just not enjoying himself but it is only day 2.

Yeah fair enough I won't close the door on him yet, also how do you get him to want to play with his toys. he's not very motivated to play with them without me there

Hi guys, I was wondering if you could help me with my 8 week old Toby and his bed. I've got him a temporary kennel/crate (soft one) that I don't think he accepts as his bed now. He only came yesterday and I try to coerce him to go in with his toys (which he has at times) and I gently close his door. and I tried to feed him and treat him in there. The only issue is he's not very food motivated, he must be adjusting to his environment and not feel comfortable eating (that's what both my breeder and vet say). But he does take his liver treats better. He did sleep in the soft kennel last night with a toy in there with him but of course after crying for a while. Right now he's in his playpen, the soft crate is in there as well as newspaper in a corner, water bowl and toys and he chooses to sleep on the floor. How would I start getting him to associate his bed as his bed - place to be comfortable and sleep. This is also a concern because I want him to associate this kennel as his bed and that means NO POOPING AND PEEING IN THERE! but if he just sleeps on the floor and is coereced to sleep in his kennel, will he know that the kennel is his bed?

Sure thing Kitteh

I just had a random thought... I'm picking up my puppy tomorrow after weeks and weeks of preparing and and waiting, and I thought to myself: Will my puppy remember his siblings if he sees them again one day? Or would he just meet them and treat them like any other dog - a stranger. Silly question I know, but after months of separation, if they met again would they remember? Or even years? Is there a particular scent to a family? Have you guys had any heartfelt reunions?

aww that's just lovely to hear

Yay!

Well great! I think I'm gonna go to Northern Suburbs anyway cause it's cheap and it gives me regular training with my dog througout the year/s (so he'll forever be a good dog - with my training at home too of course). But thanks to your suggestions I've contacted Carolyn and enrolled into her classes starting this Sunday! After all the first training sessions and puppy class/socialisation is the most important! I'm well and truly out of pocket but oh well. This will be my baby Thanks for your suggestions guys, and I'll post up what I think of the classes after I start. P.S. Carolyn was VERY nice and attentive with her emails and the information she was providing as well as trying to get me into the class I wanted. That's what convinced me to fork out that extra money to go with her. Someone who seems to go above and beyond what's considered 'necessary' must be someone who'll do the same in her classes. I'm a big fan already! Thanks guys

Thanks RV

Hmmm well this isn't sounding totally promising. I'll still consider it since I'm on a budget, but while we're all here... Where did you Perth people take your pets for training then? I live in North Perth - so fairly central. Any good reputations, what about the ones that VetWest run?

Hi there, Has anyone been to or heard feedback of Northern Suburbs Training & Obedience Dog Club in Perth, WA? They seem to have a solid program, good times (Sunday morning suits me), use positive reinforcement etc and it only costs 60 or 80 for a year (so long as we volunteer at one event or something). I can go to as many classes as I want. I was wondering if anyone has any more information than what I can gather from them directly and their website.