New puppy - help me find my sanity!

[hannahemilie]

We got our new puppy a couple of months ago.
At night, we put her in her basket with a blanket and one of those teddys you put in the microwave.
She cried for about 5-10 mins and then went off to sleep.
We did this for about a week and then the crying stopped.

Her name is Meg and she is a West Highland White.

What a lovely dog. I love seeing other people's dogs x

[k1rstie]

I passed my test! I cannot believe it. Miracles happen... What a horrific experience it was though!

Brilliant!!! Well done.

sometimes you do better at things where you think you will do badly - must make you brain relax a bit - 'cos you are going to fail anyway'. My really stressed out and ill mum passed her test too yesterday!

[lynncjt]

Fantastic news on passing your test - congratulations!!!

[Trouble]

Hi trouble

Hope you boxer is feeling a bit better. When I was supposed to pick up our one from the breeders we had a call and had to collect her a few days later as she climbed out of the puppy pen and sprained her paw. It was rather funny as the breeders then decided to bring her into the house and put her in kitchen to keep an eye on her and that night the other six climbed out of the puppy pen she must have shown them what to do!!

my boxer lets himself out of the back door we have to keep it locked !

[Trouble]

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This is Tilly my other dog who gives the boxer a run for his money so is just the cutest but was supposed to be a shitzu/pug cross but now has long legs so i dont know what she is !

[littletreasures]

I grew up with a golden retriever and we got a retriever when my youngest was 3. We lost him nearly 2 years ago. I still miss him, he was such a wonderful boy. So laid back and the kids adored him.

We have a labrador x and a toller now.

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[hannahemilie]

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here is Ruby... Thank you everyone xx

[hannahemilie]

023.jpg

This is Tilly my other dog who gives the boxer a run for his money so is just the cutest but was supposed to be a shitzu/pug cross but now has long legs so i dont know what she is !

oooooooh so cute!!

[hannahemilie]

I grew up with a golden retriever and we got a retriever when my youngest was 3. We lost him nearly 2 years ago. I still miss him, he was such a wonderful boy. So laid back and the kids adored him.

We have a labrador x and a toller now.

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wow what a wonderful colour!

[RainbowDrops]

I have had two puppies in the last four years, when I got the second I remembered how hard it was with the first, a fact, like childbirth, you forget

All the advice in this thread is good so I won't repeat it but just remember to be consistent, firm and train your puppy in little 5 minutes doses a few times a day. The adult dog you get is 90% reliant on what effort and consistency you put in when they are puppies so believe me it is worth the initial work and stress.

I have two Golden Retrievers, I know yours is a retriever cross, I adore them and all the effort and tearing my hair out when they were puppies was so so worth it. Mind you, like children, enjoy those puppy months they are over very very quick.

Sorry couldn't resist a picture

Beautiful dogs!!! x

[fionamadcat]

No other advice but just to say I remember very well when we got our first puppy (almost 10 yrs ago) that it was harder work than having a newborn. I promise it does get easier.

[PixiePetal]

Well done on passing your driving test

Our pup is now a 3yr old little madam terrier ,ix, mainly black and called Halle.

She loves her crate and knows when she is in it the kids are not going to get her. Now we leave the door open most of the time but good to have the option to shut her in too which is the best thing we ever got for her.

I remember her crying at night but it settled within a few weeks, we went on hols about 6 weeks after getting her (bad timing) and SIL house/puppy sat - by which time she was setted till 6.30am after her last outing for a wee at night.

wouldn't be without her

[Trouble]

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here is Ruby... Thank you everyone xx

Very cute !!!!! Look at that face how can you be cross

[pinklady756]

Many congratulations on passing you test!!

I feel for you with the puppy, I remember only too well, it was hard work in the beginning, no sleep etc. A neighbour advised using a crate and although I hated the idea, it really did help to settle him and is his safe place, he's 2.5 yrs now and he sleeps in there every night.

As everyone has said, it will get better and be worth it in the end. I wouldn't be without my little baby, it changes your life.

[Daisy De]

Congratulations on passing your test, another huge milestone achieved.

And Ruby is just gorgeous and will be worth all the puppy trauma.

[happydays1]

Congratulations on passing your test, i know what your going through we got our puppy 2 weeks ago, a miniture Dachshund. He is going to bed good now at 10pm and not whining but does wake up between 3-4 for the loo. We were told to get a crate just big enough for a bed as dogs will not mess in thier own beds (but must take them out regulary for loo) and he sleeps in thier at night. We have a play pen for during the day when the children are here, he is still whining in there but it takes time. One bit of advice i was given which i think is good is not to give in to puppy whining no matter how bad it sounds as it will make a rod for your own back as they get older! (Although i gave in last night lol after his injection and microchip as i could of cried myself when he was yelping, but back to normal today)

[hannahemilie]

Thanks everyone...

about crate training - she has practically stopped whining when in the crate now. That's a small step! Tonight dd is at her dads for the weekend so I was going to put her in there at night(she's not been in at night before) and get up every 2 hours.... She will be in the kirchen and me upstairs. I know she can hold for 2 hours as she has done in the day.. Do you think 2 hours is ok or can I increase it or wait few days to increase the gap? Xxx

[Trouble]

I used to use those puppy pads fold one in half at night and put it in her crate at one end then let her out last thing and first thing and if you have her running around before bed she should be tired and sleep