New puppy owner

Rosie

Rosie

Location
South Wales
Hi Jill, and welcome from me and my big yellow boy Pongo in south Wales. We got him nearly five years ago, when he was 10 weeks old. I cannot tell you how often I sat looking at my tiny puppy monster thinking "oh my god, what have I done" and feeling waves of despair! The nipping, the craziness, the fact that I became nothing more than a toilet attendant for a small ungrateful canine....
As everyone has said, it really does pass and one day you suddenly realise you haven't had a bad day for ages and your monster has morphed into a beautiful, soft Labrador. I know it doesn't feel like that now, but it will. Do remember to take lots of photos because the puppy days pass so fast, and come on here for a shoulder to cry on and lots of sympathy from us all, because we've all been there! Also on this forum you are going to find the best possible advice from some really expert, knowledgeable friends who can help you get through it all. I know it saved my sanity more than once.
Hang in there!
Rosie
 
SwampDonkey

SwampDonkey

You do forget the sleepless crazy bitting days. It's a bit a cult or Stockholm syndrome. You look like you self harm and smell of wee. This is the stuff no one ever tells you in the cute fluffy puppy programmes or glossy puppy books. It gets better and you find you love your vile little demon and would defend them like a mother bear. He's driving you mad at the moment but he'll be your greatest friend eventually. It just takes time,. They have a great enthusiasm for life and they explore their new world with their teeth. They aren't so exhausting for long they grow up,. Dont worry it will be fine. Sarah & Rory
 
jazzmynn

jazzmynn

Location
Ontario, Canada
Hi Jill, and welcome from Ariel (who just turned 2), and myself (Sue) from Ontario Canada. I have nothing more to add to what others have said, but wanted to say hi. And yes, it’s really hard in the beginning, but it does get better. Little Ariel is one of the best things that’s happened to us, she’s such a joy to have around. And your little guy will be too. Stay close to the site and we’ll help you along. :pull:

@SwampDonkey :cwl::cwl:
 
VanillaBean

VanillaBean

Hi Jill and Oscar and welcome from me, Vanilla and soon Honey.
Like everybody has said it does get easier and you would not trade them for the world.
Yes they take up your energy and reduce your sleep, which then causes you to loose it and think 'I could murder you', but as you think that they look at you all inocent and sweet, you forget what just happened. Especially when you are on the toilet and no toilet paper available apart from the one in the mouth of the pup who you are trying to get back...
 
J

Jilldrinkwater

Location
County durham
jazzmynn said:
Hi Jill, and welcome from Ariel (who just turned 2), and myself (Sue) from Ontario Canada. I have nothing more to add to what others have said, but wanted to say hi. And yes, it’s really hard in the beginning, but it does get better. Little Ariel is one of the best things that’s happened to us, she’s such a joy to have around. And your little guy will be too. Stay close to the site and we’ll help you along. :pull:

@SwampDonkey :cwl::cwl:
Click to expand...
You will all be sick of me I’ve got loads of questions
When can I take hot water bottle out of bed and leave tv off?
When can he be bathed as I think he’s a bit smelly?
When can I wash his blanket with his mams smell on because I didn’t dare?
Thankyou I’ve loads more hope you all don’t mind ?xx
 
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Lab_adore

Lab_adore

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Sydney, Australia
We will never be sick of your questions, concerns or just the need to vent! I will leave answering to the wiser heads here as my OH and I are not the greatest at training or consistency etc - still learning ourselves
 
NicW

NicW

Location
Harrogate
We bathed, (well, showered, we don't have a bath, luckily it's a large shower so other half rolled up his jeans and got in with the dog :ROFLMAO:) Buddy the first weekend home as he was smelly.
The blanket from mum was done after a couple of weeks as I couldn't bear the smell of it any longer, but I swapped it for a T shirt that I had been wearing in bed so he had something in his bed that smelt of us instead.
 
snowbunny

snowbunny

Location
Andorra and Spain
I never used a hot water bottle or left the TV on at night. In fact, I know if I leave the TV on now, the dogs are less settled at night, not more. I like it on during the day to deaden some of the outside noise, as we live in an apartment in the winters, but it’s off at night.

I also didn’t have anything with the mum’s smell on it. I’m a hard, heartless woman :cwl:

All of these things boil down to the puppy feeling more secure; once he knows you are his new family and will care for him, he doesn’t need external reassurance anymore. Some people like to get a big teddy that the pup can snuggle up to at night; but this depends on how destructive your puppy is.

As for bathing, my lot pretty much never get bathed as it’s not good for their skin. If your pup is a bit pongy, you can get pet wipes which might help, without the trauma of the shower. That said, my youngest was more than happy to follow me into the shower! She’s never been washed (she’s two years old) but she will still come in and sit with me in the shower given the chance :D
 
SwampDonkey

SwampDonkey

Rory had d&v on his mum smelling bed so I chucked it out no telly on no noise just household stuff. I never leave anything on I'm around a lot and sleep with them for a while. I had 2 other labs at that point so they helped settle him in. He came from a 10 dog household so he knew how to behave with older dogs and my 2 once they got used to the shock of a pupster really helped reassure him. He was a filthy pup loved getting muddy and stinky so I just sponged him down in the garden with a bucket of warm water. He's grown up into a lovely sweet boy who doesn't like to roll in poo I love him for it. One of my older dogs was a dedicated poo diver and eater so I was determined for him not to be and made sure he didn't learn to do it from her.
 
Cath

Cath

MLF Sales Coordinator
Hi Jill, by the way have you given him a soft cuddly toy, about the same size as him to cuddle up to. Then he won't feel alone. It doesn't have to be new, you can get one from a charity cuddly shop. His first walk should only be for about 5 mins. Don't forget to be kind to yourself.
 
Granca

Granca

Hi Jill and welcome from me, Wispa (7) and Tuppence (5) in Kent.

Loads of questions are fine! I still leave the radio on for mine when I’m out, but not at night. It should be fine to wash his blanket now, as he’s had time to get used to you and your family as his ‘pack’.

I don’t bath my dogs, but hose/sponge them down when necessary - usually when they’ve been mudlarking!

It’s very hard work having a puppy, but so worth it in the end... although labradors take a while to grow up. Some say puppyhood in labs lasts until they’re three, but I’ve only recently discovered how to have a bit of peace and quiet with Tuppence (now five!): leave the sitting room door open so she can sneak in and stretch out on her favourite sofa! No, my dogs are not allowed in the sitting room unaccompanied, nor are they allowed on the furniture. I seem to have broken both those rules!
 
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