minimax

I know how you feel! And a lot of the dog people seem to view not crate training as a failure, which puts more pressure on things. Once I got a bit more relaxed with my crate training ideas, I got a lot happier and so did my pup. She now sleeps in the kitchen and sleeps all the way through the night, as opposed to the 2 or 3 wee breaks during the night. She's pee pad trained but tends to hold on not pee during the night. It just takes time!

Crate training doesn't mean he has to sleep in the crate every single time he sleeps. As long as he's okay in there when you put him in there. But don't forget - he's only been with you a few days! Sleeping under a tree is also probably a lot cooler than the crate, depending on what's in it and where it is. I tried to make the crate my pups "happy place" but 99.99999% of the time she won't go in there to sleep voluntarily, she decided her den would be under the dining roon table, not the crate. And because I'm more about her being safe and happy rather than sticking to my strict crate training ideas - I let her keep under the table as her happy place. If you were trapped in one spot all night (the crate), would you be likely to go there voluntarily if there were better options available (ie: under a tree or under a table?). My pup is now 5 months old and it really took a lot of work for me to let go of my "I must crate train and I must do this and this and this" and relax a bit. Though I still feel like a failure because she cries and screams if she's crated during the day, even for 1 minute lol edited to add: puppies naturally won't want to toilet where they sleep - it's more about teaching where the appropriate place to toilet is, rather than teaching where NOT to go (in my opinion. some may disagree). Sleeping in a crate when no one is home isn't teaching him where to pee.

Why does he have to sleep in the crate during the day? Why is it so bad if he sleeps somewhere he loves? Doesn't it matter more if he's happy, rather than sleeping during the day in the "right" place?

If you were looking after someones puppy for them, whether just for the day or for a few days/overnight what info or instructions would you want left? I've done some sheets up with all her vet details, and will attach copies of her vaccination details and microchip details, but I can't think of anything else someone would want or need to know. I've listed what her usual diet is, what she's allergic to (nothing), her favourite games and toys, and any little "personality quirks" she has - what else should someone know?

I've never seen my Pug eat - the second the bowl hits the floor, it's empty. Okay, seriously though. She inhales her food so fast that I can put the bowl down and walk back to the kitchen, and she can beat me back to the kitchen, having already finished.

I can't believe that clip is getting so much publicity - poor dog, it's just a poo!

I like the bags on the rolls that fit into the bag holders (ie: bags on board etc) but they are SO expensive. Luckily my pup doesn't poop much on walks so we don't go through many, but having the holder with them attached to the leash means I don't forget to take them. For those that use nappy bags or normal plastic bags, do you guys just keep them in your pocket, or how do you remember to take them when you go out?

You have a puppy - get used to the lack of sleep! But it's not too late to start working on a routine you want her in. My pup is now 5 months old and only in the last few weeks have we found a sleeping/nighttime routine that works best for us both. Getting there took a lot of work, time, and very early mornings (and then some earplugs). My tips: wear her out. Yes she's a pup and she needs lots of sleep, but if she gets too much sleep during the day she won't be tired at night (or will be in the awake for a few/asleep for a few routine, which is seems like she is naturally). She's only a baby and just came from mum, so she will be lonely and scared at night. give her something that smells like you - a tshirt or something to snuggle with, and maybe a radio on low for some noise. Is she being crate trained, or where will she be sleeping? Keep her near you, and wake her up to pee on your schedule. It's trial and error - but to teach crying won't get her anything means you have to let her cry it out. Do you know your neighbors? Can you pop over (with a bottle of wine and some earplugs for them!) and explain you have a new pup and things could be a bit noisy for a while? Good luck. And we need pics of your new baby!

Never heard of it, but considering it has over 12 lines of ingredients, and the second one being corn - I doubt it's fantastic.

Depending on how many you go through, try ebay. There are always cheap rolls there, you usually find them in packs of 30 rolls or more though.

This seems a bit OT for this thread?

So, from the initial email when they said lots of people were after the pup and you had to basically pass their test, to just being able to pick up the pup? If you were close to Melbourne I'd say yes I'll take her and see what happens! Sad that people will go to these lengths to try and scam someone :/

Poor little guy. If he let you continue he can't have been too traumatised, so that's something. I'd never do my pups nails, purely because they are black. The vet does them whenever we're there and it saves us all a lot of hassle.

Any butcher would sell them?

Oh I think it has advantages, for sure. But in conjunction with other ID forms not as a replacement.

I'd never rely on one of these over a good old fashioned phone number engraved on a tag for the reason AussieDog mentioned - not everyone has smart phones. You might say "well most people have smart phones" but if you lose your dog don't you want everyone to be able to access the info?

Can you ask her for a copy of her microchip papers from the vet, just to confirm? Say you've been scammed before and are really wary of things so you like to double check everything. Especially as she said she got her at 5 weeks, which sound so dodgy it's not funny. And she just wants "convincing answers", not "honest answers"?

I'm in the process of figuring out how to teach my 5 month old Pug to ignore a specific object (a teddybear). My current idea is using an undesirable scent on him so she isn't compelled to maul him, as she does her own toys, but I've not found a scent she doesn't like! Once she even stole the scent pad I pinned on him and tried to eat it (at least she ignored the bear, but that wasn't the point lol) We're working on a generic "leave it" command which we are struggling with because if she breaks the "leave it" it's self rewarding as she gets the treat early. I've tried restraining her (ie: with leash or harness) and only releasing her on the command, but then once the leash or harness is off, all bets are off and "leave it" doesn't exist in her mind. So that isn't going to work for the specific teddybear and I'm running out of ideas. I don't train using negative associations, so I'm out of ideas on how to create an undesirable association (or similar) with a specific object. Or is it not about doing that, but something else? So, help? lol Thanks :D For a bit of background, or to explain a little about why I need her to learn not to kill this bear - https://www.facebook.com/charley.bunnybear

It worries me that people put so much trust in vets (and human doctors too for that matter) and take their word for things without doing any research. I'd never take a medication without first looking into it myself, and same for my pup. I mean, just look at the food most vets recommend you feed your dog - how could you trust the word of someone who recommends you feed your dog foods loaded with chemicals used in nail polish remover, paint, and fertaliser?

On the other hand - I don't know anyone that doesn't use a mobile phone, and all mobile phones have reminders/calendars! There really shouldn't be an excuse for forgetting a routine tablet, it takes 2 seconds and is easy as (well, it is for me as my pup thinks all medications are just another yummy treat).

Agreed. For the time spent whinging over a photo, one could have donated their time and energy to a service or done something positive.

He's not showing pride over the death, nor did he say he was. If he was frowning you would have people up in arms saying he's against the eradication of feral cats, he can't catch a break either way. How many people here have photos of themselves, or their husbands, smiling proudly whilst bbq'ing steak? I hope not, I'd hate to see you smiling over a dead piece of animal.

I do have a pug, yes. I was already pretty sure the vet wasn't going anywhere near my 6 month old with the injection, but now I'm extremely sure!

How do your animals like their vegan diet?

Love this thread. Have just ordered a snuggle BarkaParka for my pup! I've been looking at the enclosed cat beds for her because she loves to get into cozy spots to sleep (anywhere but her crate! so I think she will love the snuggle BarkaParka. Mostly she's happy to snuggle into an old tshirt of mine, or mums dressing gown to sleep, but I'd feel better if she had a "real" bed lol Her favourite beds: