Olivebaby

Thanks for the advice. Little clover is on the mend today. No diarrhoea last night at all. She has had 2 bile vomits but that's probably because she has nothing left in her tummy. She is still her cheeky curious little self so hopefully a few more days on the chicken and rice and she should be back to normal.

I think you all must be right. It seems too much of a coincidence. Can't believe the vet would have done that though if it could cause problems. Poor poor little girl. She was already a slight little girl now she just looks so skinny

Hi all, so up until 2 days ago I had a very healthy little 15 week old lab pup. She had her wormer and final vaccination on Monday morning. Monday night she had diarrhoea all night. About 4-5. Yesterday she had one or two and I put her on brown rice and boiled chicken. I spoke to the vet and they said just to sit on it for a bit. Last night same thing again. 4-5 accidents in her crate (she normally sleeps right through without any accidents) She's acting completely normal. Still energetic and certainly no loss of appetite. She has just had one small chunky vomit and then started playing again straight away. I haven't noticed any blood or worms in her stool and I haven't changed her diet (except now to give her bland food) I know humans get bouts of gastro/ diarrhoea and there is usually no reason to worry but should I be worried about little Clover? She just seems so normal so it's hard to tell.

Hi, I live in inner North Melbourne too. My vet advised me that I couldn't go out (park, beach etc) until 10 days post 3rd vaccine. I thought it was the second too, seems excessive.

Yes I would be too. Mine was $120 for 4 weeks which seems pretty standard for a good class. Sometimes vets do a 'free for all' and there isn't much training or controlled socialisation. Try and avoid those ones without structure. When are you looking at going? We start end of jan and can let you know how we get along.

I've enrolled at thornbury vet for little clover. They're run by underdog and meant to be really good. I'm excited :)

THE SUNDAY REPORT: I am drinking coffee at 6am instead of 4! SUCCESS Clover (my angel pup) went to the toilet before bed. Slept right through until 4 when she made the most adorable little crying noises instead of that blood curdling scream. OH got up she did her poo and straight back to bed. 6am is the next time I heard that little whine so I'm on baby duty. I am so relieved I want to cry. It was so simple. I feel like I'm going to have so much more energy to spend with her now and a lot more patience as well. Thank you all. Bring on tonight :)

Oh don't worry. She had a few hours on and off of quiet time in there while I attempted to nap. She had her walk, plenty of training and fun with her big sister in the yard as well as quiet time and snuggles outside of the crate. I have been home with her since 8am so she hasn't missed out on a thing.

So after a 12 hour night shift I went straight to the pet supplies shop and bought a crate and am so relieved and happy to report she has been an angel in there today. We did about an hour on and off of getting Clover used to it. Then I brought her into my room, covered her up and let her be. She has whined twice for the toilet. Out on the lead then back in again. I haven't slept but that's not her fault. I'm over tired and over caffeinated but I'm hopeful that we will have a similar result tonight. So far so good. You have all been incredible. Will report back in the morning x

That actually sounds like the most adorable thing ever. I really hope this works for us. I don't think I can handle many more sleepless nights. I'm so patient in general, and working shift work I'm not used to a good sleeping routine but I kid you not I am at my limit. I never had to do anything special for my first, she didn't even have a pen and she's just so good. Hopefully naughty pup will eventually follow in big sisters paw steps.

No I wish. I actually have a really great pet supplies shop near me so I'll have a look tomorrow and see if I can pick one up from there, if not I'll go online. What's another $100 when I've already spent almost $3000 on this little thing.

Okay perfect. Thanks so much. My plan is not to crate long term so I'll buy the smallest suitable size to get us through this period. The wheels are a great idea for moving it between bedroom at night and play pen when we are out.

Ohhhh they look good. How long does delivery usually take and what size do you use for yours? You have labs right?

So after being woken up 3 times today, post 12 hour night shift I am not going to muck around with the pen anymore. I'll buy a crate in the morning and start the crate training. Thanks all for your excellent suggestions. Just wondering whether anyone has any recommendations on good crate training links, websites or resources. I've never used one before and don't know anyone who has. Bloody hell this tiny little thing has cost me a fortune. She is so much harder than my first pup.

Thanks all for the really great suggestions. I'm going to try all the options with the pen first and if that doesn't work then I will give the crate a go. I'm on nightshift for the next few nights (no sleep AGAIN) so I'm sure my OH will report back if it's successful. Will let you know how it all goes. She's pretty fantastic during the day and can already hold a stay while I leave the room so at least I can be thankful for that. :)

We did consider that but she's not going all night without needing to wee and poo yet. We were hesitant to let her have free run until she can last all night. We don't want to be searching for land minds in the morning. She is also in the pen when we are at work for the same reason and obviously to keep her (and our house) safe.

Yes Olive is a fidgeted so possibly. She's going to bed about 9.30-10 which is when we go to bed.. Tonight I'll put her in her pen about 8pm and let her settle in there, last toilet at about 10 then straight back in pen. The pen is right near the lounge so she's won't be alone until we go to bed. Fingers crossed

Okay the poop time thing!!! Why didn't I think of that. I think you may have just figured it out! I feed her between 5-6 pm and bingo 4 am wake up time. Tonight I'll feed her later and uncover her pen and see how we go. It we can make the pen work that would be preferable to starting again with a crate. I'll also buy a pedestal fan to set up in front of the pen. We have a ceiling one in the lounge but it's pretty useless. I hope you are right. Fingers crossed for a miracle. I will report back in the morning x

Okay I'll buy a crate and try this method. Anything is better than the present 4am yapping alarm clock. I'm a nurse so have an early start anyway and this is killing me. She's toileting once a night so when she cries we can take her out for the toilet and then straight back to bed with a treat or something. How on earth can something so damn cute drive me so mad? Haha She's a cheeky bugger, lucky we are totally smitten with her.

I'm trying to add some photos but apparently the size is too big.

Thank you for the advice. We don't want her in the bedroom as the bedroom is really the only Off limits room we have and we don't want her to get used to being in here. I doubt she's lonely as she has her big sister but even Poor Olive is getting sick of the noise. We hear her come and lay outside our room as soon as Clover starts up. I've never used a crate before, I know a lot of people do with success. If crating is the only way to keep her quiet we could start and put it in her pen. Or perhaps block off half the pen at night time to make it cosier. Yes I'm really disappointed with the breeders advice. I feel that it won't fix anything and just make everyone sad. So that's not going to happen.

I will also add, Clovers pen is covered, she sleeps with one of our T-shirts and I have just started leaving the TV on low and covered so it's not so quiet. These changes have made no difference at all.

Hi all, My gorgeous 11 week old lab baby is driving me mad and I need some advice and sleep! Now I know she is just a baby but we have had her for 3 weeks now and it's not getting any better. At 4.30 every morning she starts crying and barking and won't stop. We have tried Getting up and taking her out to the toilet but have found she just won't settle again after. Currently she sleeps in a pen. She has water, toys, a cozy bed and a pee pad which she uses at night time only. I put treats in her kong before bed to keep her occupied and She is in the living area with our 4 year old lab. We have tried ignoring her but only make it to about 5am and then get up. We have a housemate and the neighbours are close by so I'm very conscious of the noise she makes. She gets plenty of play, training, excercise and attention so I just don't know what we are doing wrong. I emailed my breeder and she suggested I get up, tell her 'NO' and give her a gentle smack if necessary but I am completely opposed to the idea of snacking my poor little puppy. I am not a first time puppy mum but I haven't experienced this for such an extended length of time before. What am I doing wrong? What can I do better?

I just checked out your website and I think your classes look great. Only problem is Miss Clover will be 14 weeks by the end of January. Is that too late to start? Is there something we can be doing in the mean time perhaps? Like other classes? We have a 4 year old lab at home already and I'm so nervous about those initial few weeks/ months.

Hi all, Does anyone have suggestions on any good puppy school around the northcote darebin area in Melbourne? I'm expecting my lab pup in 2 weeks so I'm trying to do a bit of research now. Also, if anyone in the area is in the same boat perhaps we could organise a puppy play date?