Good to hear from you! I’ve been wondering how it’s going with the cat. It looks as if Luna’s very cuddly and has settled down well to being a family dog.
1st time Labrador Puppy
- Thread starter Alleeluna
- Start date
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
She's such a little cutie 
Hi all. I’m back! Luna is nearly 5 months and growing so quickly. With her food I soak her kibble and mix it with a small amount of add of forth glade add on meat and a sprinkle of kibble. This worked perfectly for a while.
I use meat as treats and when we have a roast etc she has meat. Now she is less and less interested in what she had to eat and wants to good tasting stuff.
I don’t mind making her food for her but I don’t know what to feed her. Is there a cookery book or anything?
Thanks
I use meat as treats and when we have a roast etc she has meat. Now she is less and less interested in what she had to eat and wants to good tasting stuff.
I don’t mind making her food for her but I don’t know what to feed her. Is there a cookery book or anything?
Thanks
Attachments
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I homecook for all my dogs but to be honest I’d stick with kibble plus the occasional treat for a puppy. It’s very important they have the right balance of calcium to phosphorus while they’re growing, and a lifestage-specific kibble is the best way to ensure that.
If she’s getting picky, I’d look at the amount she’s being fed, as it’s often a symptom of over-feeding.
Also look at how you’re feeding her; my youngest wasn’t bothered by food in a bowl as a puppy, but would search out kibble hidden around a room for forever, and that’s so much more enriching for them, too.
If she’s getting picky, I’d look at the amount she’s being fed, as it’s often a symptom of over-feeding.
Also look at how you’re feeding her; my youngest wasn’t bothered by food in a bowl as a puppy, but would search out kibble hidden around a room for forever, and that’s so much more enriching for them, too.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Yes I’d endorse what @snowbunny says. Red was over 1 year old before she got fed kibble from a bowl and even then that was only her first meal of the day. Wet food she only got in KONGs (as an enrichment activity) and that is still so now as she approaches 4. I used kibble in every which way possible especially scattering - great training opportunity. Roast meat was only used outside for recall training
I’d support @snowbunny ’s advice here too; shaking up the feeding routine can really help, we found that doing a breakfast scatter feed in the garden (I.e. scatter their kibble in the grass; we made this more exciting by throwing a handful in the air and saying ‘scatter!’ In an upbeat way) and giving a couple of portions via toys like the kong Wobbler and Gyro really made a big difference. Some pups want a bit more stimulation with their kibble, and I think age has something to do with it - there’s a phase when some of them need just a bit more incentive.
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
I feed RAW in the morning (scatter option not viable!!) and Kibble in the evening. I give 2/3 of the kibble in the bowl and the other is rolled to him as he plays goal keeper!! I still do this as it he loves it!
As a pup we would place kibble in several places, He has to sit and wait until the OK command and then he sprints off to find it!
He will only go to his food bowl if we say OK.
Luna is looking absolutely gorgeous!!
As a pup we would place kibble in several places, He has to sit and wait until the OK command and then he sprints off to find it!
He will only go to his food bowl if we say OK.
Luna is looking absolutely gorgeous!!
Thank you. I will mix it up a bit for her and watch what she is being fed..make sure the kids aren’t sharing too much!
Tonight I’m struggling with her. We got her on the 10th October and I haven’t had a full nights sleep since then. She sleeps so well but still having the same problem with the cat. If she could learn to ignore the cat she would sleep most the night. It’s relentless. I have had a dog trainer round, worked tirelessly with the training, we have gates up to separate them..tried everything but she does not leave him alone and she is getting bigger now. Im
She has been so god with going outside to go to the toilet and then tonight she went three times in the house last night and it’s 1.37am. Just waited for her in the freezing cold to go to the toilet but decided to chase the cat instead...then comes in and wets in the floor. I could honestly cry out of pure exhaustion and frustration. I know it will pass but right this second it’s too much so I’m venting on here while crying and she is looking at me like I’m crazy.
Tonight I’m struggling with her. We got her on the 10th October and I haven’t had a full nights sleep since then. She sleeps so well but still having the same problem with the cat. If she could learn to ignore the cat she would sleep most the night. It’s relentless. I have had a dog trainer round, worked tirelessly with the training, we have gates up to separate them..tried everything but she does not leave him alone and she is getting bigger now. Im
She has been so god with going outside to go to the toilet and then tonight she went three times in the house last night and it’s 1.37am. Just waited for her in the freezing cold to go to the toilet but decided to chase the cat instead...then comes in and wets in the floor. I could honestly cry out of pure exhaustion and frustration. I know it will pass but right this second it’s too much so I’m venting on here while crying and she is looking at me like I’m crazy.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Aah it’s so hard. You are right, it will pass but at the moment you are just so tired. I found the tiredness the worst thing ever. I look back now and am still quite shocked that a small puppy could reduce me to such a state. Hang on, it will get better. I don’t have a cat but I had a 10 year old black lab who was the gentlest lab ever but hated the puppy for months. It was hard keeping them apart and keeping everyone happy but we got there - you will too
Oh @Alleeluna , that’s really tough and I feel you so much; firstly, you can always come here to vent. This is the most supportive place and you’re pretty much guaranteed that at least some of us have experienced similar, so the sympathy is real.
Well done on trying a trainer, it’s frustrating that hasn’t helped much; but is it worth trying another? It sounds like the right person might make all the difference. And in the meantime is there any way to keep Luna and your cat separate at night? I know it sounds an obvious question so forgive me, but managing the space even temporarily for a few nights might give you all a bit of a chance to catch up on sleep.
Well done on trying a trainer, it’s frustrating that hasn’t helped much; but is it worth trying another? It sounds like the right person might make all the difference. And in the meantime is there any way to keep Luna and your cat separate at night? I know it sounds an obvious question so forgive me, but managing the space even temporarily for a few nights might give you all a bit of a chance to catch up on sleep.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Good girl dig deep and keep going
You will come out the other side with the best of friends and great family member, in time.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
It is so exhausting! Those of us who have had puppies have been there and understand. It will pass! With my Luna, I used a puppy pen in the garden for toileting because she would get distracted otherwise. It worked great; I'd pop her in, she'd go and, during the day she got a little play in the garden as a reward, at night straight back into the house.
Even the cat chasing will just be a case of gaining a little maturity, I'm sure. It's tough right now, but she's a tiny baby with very little capability to regulate herself. I didn't have to contend with a cat, but Squidge was a really bad leaf chaser on walks. They were SO EXCITING! Now, of course, they hold no interest to her whatsoever. It'll just be an age thing, and one day you'll look back and realise it's not happened in a while.
Even the cat chasing will just be a case of gaining a little maturity, I'm sure. It's tough right now, but she's a tiny baby with very little capability to regulate herself. I didn't have to contend with a cat, but Squidge was a really bad leaf chaser on walks. They were SO EXCITING! Now, of course, they hold no interest to her whatsoever. It'll just be an age thing, and one day you'll look back and realise it's not happened in a while.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Keep the faith my lovely , it does get better, honestly x I can associate with the exhaustion , I was 71 when I had Reuben as a puppy , he is now two years old and relatively trouble free ( but still has `those` days ) . I have had many dogs during my life but he shattered me completely as a pup to the point that at times I questioned my sanity in having him but now , I am so very glad that I did . I do think that you have to battle the storm to get to the sunshine , you will xx
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
It will get better. We all understand the sheer exhaustion of a new pup. The good news is that it doesn’t last long and is soon forgotten. 
I agree with @snowbunny that a puppy pen outside for toiletting is the best way to go, then they aren’t distracted, especially with a cat in the mix.
My Echo shouted constantly at my own dog to play when he was a pup, she’s seven now and not so willing to play. The worst of it was over by about six months old, but he still reverts to it occasionally. But now that he’s trained it’s much easier to distract him with some training work or a game.
I agree with @snowbunny that a puppy pen outside for toiletting is the best way to go, then they aren’t distracted, especially with a cat in the mix.
My Echo shouted constantly at my own dog to play when he was a pup, she’s seven now and not so willing to play. The worst of it was over by about six months old, but he still reverts to it occasionally. But now that he’s trained it’s much easier to distract him with some training work or a game.
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
I have a puppy every year. I’m on my eighth, Echo (Yes, I know, I’m a looonatic!) as I raise puppies for Guide Dogs.
Some (Spencer, I’m looking at you!) widdled for England. He widdled indoors so many times a day I lost count. We even had his kidneys scanned for problems - he was that bad. Nope - just an immature bladder. Now he’s an incredible Guide Dog who can safely take his owner everywhere and never wee once until he’s asked.
I tell you this to give you hope.
Spencer caused me to give up going out in the night with the pups. With him and Echo I put a puppy pad in the bathroom for night time wees. If they missed the pad I just mopped the wee up with the pad and put it in a poo bag until morning. No more standing out in the cold and rain in the middle of the night! Neither showed any sign whatever of wanting to wee in the bathroom once they’d been toilet trained. I will do the same with the next pup.
Here are Spencer’s pages on here, I hope they cheer you up.
mylabradorfriends.com
mylabradorfriends.com
Some (Spencer, I’m looking at you!) widdled for England. He widdled indoors so many times a day I lost count. We even had his kidneys scanned for problems - he was that bad. Nope - just an immature bladder. Now he’s an incredible Guide Dog who can safely take his owner everywhere and never wee once until he’s asked.
I tell you this to give you hope.
Spencer caused me to give up going out in the night with the pups. With him and Echo I put a puppy pad in the bathroom for night time wees. If they missed the pad I just mopped the wee up with the pad and put it in a poo bag until morning. No more standing out in the cold and rain in the middle of the night! Neither showed any sign whatever of wanting to wee in the bathroom once they’d been toilet trained. I will do the same with the next pup.
Here are Spencer’s pages on here, I hope they cheer you up.
Spencer - Guide Dog In Training 🐾
Oliver or Spencer ... Is arriving on Tuesday. Little boy, Guide Dog puppy, eight weeks old. Lab/Golden Retriever cross. I can’t wait - all is ready for him. :D:love::D
mylabradorfriends.com
Spencer - Guide Dog 🐾
Tomorrow we are going to Sheffield to watch Spencer work and then meet him and say our final farewells. I can’t wait to see him again. He‘s been matched with his owner and will start working with them in a couple of weeks. I’m excited for them too. Echo has gone to another puppy walker for a...
mylabradorfriends.com
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Oh @Alleeluna , as everyone said just hang in there by your fingernails. I remember vividly just how bad Maxx was, and in fact we nearly gave him back to the breeder because we thought we were doing something dreadfully wrong. Thank goodness I found the lovely bunch on here just in time. You are doing everything right and before you know it little Luna will be a loving, funny, faithful and gentle companion
I don't have any advice about the concrete - we don't have that problem down here as it never really gets that cold. Someone from the Northern Hemisphere is bound to have a solution soon.
I don't have any advice about the concrete - we don't have that problem down here as it never really gets that cold. Someone from the Northern Hemisphere is bound to have a solution soon.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
I think a lot of puppies refuse to go walkies early on. They normally get over it. Maybe just play some games in the garden instead? It's not worth stressing over it. And save your money for something nice, boots likely aren't the answer here.