Sares

We recently got a pup and because we knew how to teach the basic commands, we decided to do our own training and socialising for her as we have friends who also recently got puppies too. we have puppy play dates with each other and make sure we do our own trainig. Now that she is old enough, we are now registering her in obendience classes at our local kennel club. We done this because we felt confident enough to socialise her properly ourselves and also felt that our local puppy schools would not be worth the money and as someone said previously, we didnt want to risk doing more harm than good. I think properly run classes are great for first time puppy owners as there is so much to learn about raising a puppy. But if you are confident you know what you are doing, you can do most of it yourself. These classes are a lot around teaching the owners (hence the 45 minute talking during the session).

I just love seeing the puppies grow. I sometimes come home from work and feel like that Mila has gotten bigger while i was out. This is a before and after shot: Here is a recent of my happy little puppy:

Labs are such beautiful dogs!! Milo is a cutie!

OMG he is sooooo cute!!! <3

I know a couple of Frenchies that fit that description pretty well. I agree, I have two Frenchies, both female, one 2 yrs and the other 18 weeks old. They are wonderful breeds, not too feminine, our 2 yr old always gets called 'He'. Both are great in the car and love going everywhere with us. Both love adventures, walking, swimming and are very outgoing. But our 2 year old was amazing as a pup and didnt destroy anything and is very comfortable being on her own and is very independent, where our 18 wk old pup, she is VERY different in personality, HATES being left on her own, gets very anxious and has chewed chunks off the door-frames in the house when we werent home. Their personalities could not be any more different, they are like chalk and cheese! Weird considering they are both the same breed and both females. But other than that, they are not very destructive and would reccomend Frenchies in a heartbeat to anyone! So regardless of what breed your friend picks, make sure they spend time with a good breeder in order for them to help pick a pup who's personality fits with them. :)

Steve your post made me teary! It made me remember my old Rotti who lived to 12 and all the things we went through together. Of all the things that came and went in my life, he was my only constant and was my rock. No matter what happened, I always had my boy. I miss him dearly!

Seems to be quite a lot of long living toy poodles! My family had a toy poodle when I was growing up and she died at 17.

Thank you Kanae & Luvsdogs!! Dory.. the bum on naughtiness is soooo funny!! I had a Rotti for 12 years.. they are the BEST dogs. so sweet and was the best to give big hugs to!

Its crazy how quickly puppies grow up! Mila is getting big! She is quite thin for a frenchie puppy but still gorgeous.. We found out that she had demodex mites on her head that she caught from her mother. She has been on antibiotics and injections and it is clearing up really well. Paddling in her pool with her puppy foxy friend - Gypsie: Mila with her big sister - Ruby: Too big for her puppy bed.. thats her new bed in the background but she insists on squeezing into this one..

Im so lucky my girls love playing in water, so having a kiddie pool is the best thing for them. They are happy to go out in the backyard and splash around in the pool on their own. Then they come running inside and jumping on the lounge all wet!! haha at least they are keeping themselves cool! and this pool has collapsable sides so I know there is no chance for either of them getting stuck in the pool. Specially because the youngest is only 15 weeks is is a lot shorter.. haha

What we have found works best with both our dogs when they were pups, was when they were getting really bitey, we would put them in another room and close the door. They would whimper and scratch for a short time but once they are quiet, which is usually after about 30 seconds, we calmly open the door and let them come back in the room. We dont continue any play but just ignore them and let them walk off to do their own thing. We consistently do this each time and they both learnt very quickly that biting equals quiet time and no more play.

sorry but I just laughed out loud reading that! haha

I called Carmarna and they arent starting the puppy school up again until 2nd Feb. I looked up Steve on K9Pro online and it doesnt have much info on puppy school. Still cant find somewhere to start her up so she can begin the basic obediance. I didnt find it this hard last time. There is just none in western Sydney that are not just a puppy free for all play session!

Agreed. Set rules and boundaries for both dogs.. Puppies need to learn the rules from day 1.

hahah so funny! we are going through something similar.. we just got a Frenchie puppy 2 weeks ago and is now 10 weeks, but she keeps trying to feed off our 2 year old Frenchie, who was speyed at 6 months old. The 2 year old is always sooooo confused when the puppy tries to do it. This is the best pic I could get of her trying to do it:

thank you Yvonne! Much appreciated. Thats exactly what i dont want... free for all with no actual training. I will look into the Woodstock one. :)

thanks Hankodie! yes, they will work it out. I am impressed with Ruby's patience!

Return it to the shop and demand your money back! I once bought some anti-chew spray. The pup chewed up the bottle of anti-chew spray. City Farmers returned my money. agreed! We purchased the anti chew spray, instead puppy LOVED the taste of it. Not sure why because it tastes gross! OMG - I am really feeling sorry for you and feel exhausted readying your posts! We have just got a frenchie puppy so she has a million times less energy than a Lab puppy. and we struggle keeping up with the Frenchie. I dont know how you do it. Stay strong, they are worth it! :)

I know how you feel! Mila is now 9 weeks and the last couple of days she has really come out of her shell and is now MENTAL!! Poor Ruby (our 2 year old frenchie) is the butt of Mila's puppy attacks! Most of the time Ruby doesnt mind, but I know those little puppy teeth hurt so she puts up with a lot of crap from Mila! Sometimes i am protecting Ruby from Mila! Here are some sisterly photos I took in the past 2 days.

I am looking for reccomendations for for a puppy school in the Penrith / Blacktown / Western Sydney area? There are lots to choose from but not a lot of places put much details on their websites about details for example, who does the training. I want somewhere who doesnt just have the vet/vet nurses doing the training, but someone with dog behavioural experience. Preferably at an indoors location since its been quite hot lately. Can anyone reccomend anywhere?

agreed with Hangdog.. What a terrible situation and there are some horrible people in the world out there! But you did the right thing for the situation presented to you.

One of Mila's ears started to come up this morning! She will start looking more like a Frenchie than a british bulldog soon.. hehe

OMG - I LOVE DALMATIONS!! They are such beautiful dogs. And i dont really see them around as much as I would like.. Benji is just adorable!! I think its totally fine to let them come to you as long as you dont coddle him when he is scared. I sit on the back step when Ruby (my 2 year old Frenchie) and Mila are playing, so when Mila feels its a bit too much play, she can run back to me and sit under my legs. I dont fuss over her but let her sit there to have a time out from play with the older dog. I want her to trust that I will keep her safe.

agreed...

Luvsdogs, she is soooo cute!!