As @Atemas has said, I don’t make an issue of it either. Over the years I’ve only had one dog who really didn’t like thunder (or fireworks), but the others haven’t really taken any notice. I hope Bailey will just take it in her stride too. I don’t like thunderstorms when they’re really close, but the dogs don’t seem to catch onto my (hidden, I hope) worry! Do let us know how it goes if you have a storm.
Best advice re puppies
- Thread starter JLynne
- Start date
Thanks for the encouragement. We have a friend who has a well mannered, calm 4 year old Lab, who we just love. My husband and I try very hard not to compare our puppy Bailey to adult Lily. We may have thought to ourselves “Why can’t you be more like Lily?” That’s like comparing two siblings, and we know that’s not fair
! We believe that one day Bailey will have some of Lily’s most charming behaviors!
She's s puppy yet and are just like over tired belligerent drunks for a while. Making sure she rests and is not tired really helps. I had to do that with the boys especially Rory as he would need to sleep but just wouldn't. Pups need a lot more sleep than you'd imagine and I had to rub his tummy and sing to him to get him to take a nap. He's now 33kg and still likes to have a tummy rub on my knee. She'll grow up to be s lovely sweet dog but she's busy with puppy business now. Teething will be next so be prepared.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Yes, keep believing
It's 6 years yesterday that I brought 8 week old Cassie home. She was a whirlwind of a gungho crocopup and I wondered what ever I had done!
Now? The calmest (mostly) good natured reliable easy going companion I could wish for
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Hmmmm.....calm? Gentle? It's 7.00am and I have Maxx throwing toys at me and barking because he wants to play and / or go for his walk. Maybe when he is 5?
Rory is so sweet now, he was the worst pup ever. Iver best pup ever daft teenage yob. Doug angel all his life. Moo heart of darkness, demon queen and top thief. They are all different perhaps Maxx is just trying to cheer you up and bring that special Maxx love into your life?
Don’t hold your breath! Somebody once said that labs aren’t grown up until they’re three, but both of mine managed to disprove that. They’re mostly adult now at ten and eight!
I can't edit is anyone else having issues?
All sorted
We've just been out in the garden and it was cool enough for silly zoomies. Chris was used as a zoomies maypole.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Gah!
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Haha, I suppose to be fair Cass can still have her moments of super excitability as I'm sure most Forum members who have met would testify.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Reuben has calmed down a lot at almost 4 years old but he can still be a complete and utter knobhead at times 
Chewie is pretty much the same. He's calm 90% of the time but certain situations and people make him go a bit crazy.Reuben has calmed down a lot at almost 4 years old but he can still be a complete and utter knobhead at times
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Squidge is five years and eight months. Daily, I hold up my hand with my fingers out and say “FIVE! You’re FIVE!!” in exasperation. But she’s just fabulous as she is, sass and all!
- Location
- SW London UK
Homer is now ten and we're still waiting for him to grow up! Although I think we hae a lot of selective amnesia of how tricky he was as a teenager.
As far as thunder and fireworks I wish I'd known more, or if there was anything I could have done differently. Homer is petrified by loud noises, thunder and fireworks, over the years he has got a lot better although he's not fond of the beeping of reversing lorries.
As far as thunder and fireworks I wish I'd known more, or if there was anything I could have done differently. Homer is petrified by loud noises, thunder and fireworks, over the years he has got a lot better although he's not fond of the beeping of reversing lorries.
That made me think of our son’s beagle, Rowdy, who once jumped up, grabbed a cupcake in midair and finished it before we knew it!Benson is 9 this year... slowing down, but still has the most remarkable counter-surfing technique that he picked up whilst watching some nature programme about whales...
There must be a name for “dirt surfing” too. I’m having trouble with Bailey trying to eat sticks, leaves and other non edibles on our walks / potty breaks. I firmly say “leave it” but am not having much luck. Any ideas?
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
I would quickly lure her away from whatever it is you don’t want her eating with a treat as you are quietly but firmly saying ‘leave it’
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
@JLynne does Bailey know what Leave it means? He doesn't speak the same language as us so we have to train that.
You need to be more interesting than that stick, or your treat needs to be, simple fact.
I think I can remember a training exercise which involves you on the floor with puppy and a bowl of fresh chicken, and some other tasty treats, teaching puppy to leave the chicken. There may have been a step before this of course!
Can anyone remember the details of this? I'm sure KikoPup will have a video.
Important thing is not to make it a game of chase, whatever illegal item it is.
You need to be more interesting than that stick, or your treat needs to be, simple fact.
I think I can remember a training exercise which involves you on the floor with puppy and a bowl of fresh chicken, and some other tasty treats, teaching puppy to leave the chicken. There may have been a step before this of course!
Can anyone remember the details of this? I'm sure KikoPup will have a video.
Important thing is not to make it a game of chase, whatever illegal item it is.