Jarvis

Hi I am able to take my puppy out from Monday for walks. I can't wait However, I'm wondering (as I've never had a dog before) if someone can point out some helpful hints and tips for dog walking protocol - my puppy starts puppy preschool the week after next and i'm hoping to learn lots about dog socialisation etc then, but in the meantime, what should i do when we see another dog? Let Jarvis go up to them? Ask the owner first? I've read lots of posts about people saying other people are rude, their dogs are bothered by other dogs etc, so are there any hard and fast rules so that my introduction to the dog walking world goes smoothly and I don't annoy any of my fellow dog people?! Thanks in advance... Sarah

Just got our first dog, an english cocker spaniel named Jarvis! He is 11 weeks old today :D

Hi, Anyone have a recommendation for a puppy preschool on the northern beaches (pref the manly end)? My local vet (Allambie) has moved theirs to a wed night which is the one night of the week I can't do. Jarvis is nearly 11 weeks old and had his 2nd vac yesterday. Thanks! Sarah

Hi Our cocker spaniel pup, Jarvis, is now 10 weeks and has been with us for 2 weeks. He is fantastic and we are loving having him at home. It's amazing how quickly he's growing and changing. Over the last week he has got a lot more bitey. I am dealing with that by shoving a toy in his mouth, saying 'ouch' and ignoring him where necessary (easier said than done when he's biting toes ) A couple of times he has gone completely crazy though, growling, snarling even a couple of little barks. Then he just seems unable to be distracted by toys, and saying ouch just seems to rev him up more. The other night I thought I'd stay with him until he calmed down before I put him to bed and I went to bed. But he never calmed down! In the end I just put him in his room and went to bed, and he very quickly calmed down after a little whine and slept the whole night long. My question is, if he does that again, should I just put him in 'time out' and let him calm down by himself? Was that the right way to deal with it? I'm guessing it's a bit like an overtired toddler who doesn't look tired at all but just crazy. The nipping and mouthing I can deal with, but that was just not funny! Thanks, Sarah

Hi! :D I am at the end of my 2 weeks off to settle in Jarvis. I think it could just have been one week really, but as a complete newbie to dogs and puppies it has been good to spend time with him and see him change. As he cried for the first 3 or 4 nights it was good to not be working, but now he's sleeping through I could definitely have gone back to work sooner, though as it's school holidays I had to be home anyway. I have left him for longer and longer as the 2 weeks go on, and today he was left for 6 hours which is about as long as he'll ever be left. He was very happy to see us when we got home! For toileting we're using newspaper inside and he seems pretty good at using that both at night and when we're out. When I'm home I take him out periodically for a play and the toilet. Looking forward to some more lovely cocker pup pics then! Sarah

Hi, I just posted these same pics in the Waiting for puppy thread, but guess I should move over here now Things going well so far, he seems quite relaxed. Is sleeping a lot. Demolishing his food. Been great with visitors and children, he seems very friendly towards people.

Hi, got my puppy Jarvis yesterday. He is lovely! Seems to be settling in really well, and totally unphased by visitors and my children so far. Toileting going OK. Quite a lot of crying last night but I left him to it. I left a radio on for him, will try it again tonight.

Dalmatians are such beautiful dogs, the mum looks so regal! I have 4 sleeps to go until I pick up my cocker spaniel pup

This is a good idea. I came across DOL when I was researching spoodles on the internet, thinking of getting a puppy most likely from gumtree or similar. After reading a lot of threads on DOL I decided against the spoodle, and we get our purebred english cocker spaniel pup next weekend It would be a great idea to have one place to see all the info if you come across DOL like I did because it took a fair bit of reading for me to have my mind changed... Could also put the links to the various purebred dog 101s in there too - it was someone's comment along the lines of 'If you like a spoodle surely you like either a cocker spaniel or a poodle' which was the start for me, so if there was a way to then go and research the purebred dogs from the same place I think it would work really well. Also maybe the link to the breeder listings too.

Oh that's so sad, I'm really sorry Ams...

What breed is your pup misschief? Dalmatian? Hope the wait for him/her goes quick for you. I feel like I've been waiting forever. 2 weeks and 2 days until I pick up my English cocker, Jarvis. Am all organised now, just waiting waiting waiting!

Congratulations mason, what a handsome pup! Hope you have a good first night...

Sounds very similar to my situation. We decided on an English cocker spaniel because I didn't want anything too big for my first doggie experience. We pick him up in 3 weeks so I can't tell you yet whether I've made the right decision, but maybe another breed to add to the list!

Met my baby today :D So in love! He's black all over with a little white stripe down his chest. Terrible photo but gives you an idea. 4 weeks old now, 4 weeks to wait (the longest 4 weeks ever!). Spent an hour and a half with his lovely breeder, she talked us through everything, was a wonderful experience! Met his mum, his dad and one of his grandma's too, the whole dog family seem gorgeous!

Thanks trifecta and bullyfan for the info. Really appreciate it.

Thanks to Leema and persephone for the info/links you posted on the warning signals and kids/dog interactions. I will be reading and probably taking notes

Hi guys, very interesting reading. So sad about the attack. Can anyone please post a good link (or a link to a good book) that would explain the warning signs in more detail? (We are getting a puppy in 4 weeks, have 2 small children and never had a dog before, trying to suck up as much knowledge as possible!)

Haha yeah me too! I waited until the kids were eating dinner and then called.

Hot chilli, I was like you, never had a dog before so didn't know if I was doing something wrong. I emailed a few people and never heard back. The breeder we are getting our dog from said she doesnt like email, she likes to talk on the phone to get a better feel for the person. So definitely try to call them if there's a number listed. Eventually did hear from most of the breeders I contacted...they must just be very busy people! Often out at shows etc!! Good luck in your puppy hunt.

Aaaaah! So cute antlewry... I still have 5 weeks to wait for my little cocker boy. But next weekend we get to go and meet all the pups and the breeder. Really looking forward to it.

Joelle and suziwong - congrats on your gorgeous new pups! They both look so comfy!! So, how did the first night go??

Joelle, so hard to decide! They both look gorgeous. I'm a fan of uneven markings so I'd probably prefer no 2. Aztec gold, so glad your first night went well. So many people picking up their pups I'm jealous! Looking forward to hearing all the settling in stories. More photos please everyone!

Mish13 oh my goodness it's a bear!!! How beautiful...I hope he's settling in well.

Wilbur looks so serene! I love chocolate labs, and he is just gorgeous!! Very jealous of all you people getting pups so soon, I just spoke to our breeder - we get to meet the pups on 28th aug and then pick up day is 24th sept - such a long wait!

Loving all the puppy photos! Just heard that our litter was born today and we will have a choice of 2 black males assuming all goes ok. Very excited! Can't wait to meet them.