I want to get a dog but I have to work, how does everyone on broadway market do it ?

Our nightly chuck.

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I keep losing balls in the dark and was thinking iof getting some of the glowing ines. They run out of glow after a some length of time don't they - about how long do they last?

I can’t recommend them enough, I use them all year round not just in the dark. As you can see above, our terrier lives for balls and is quite deft at dismantling but these have been great, very bouncy but quite squishy too as they’re hollow so he doesn’t wear his teeth down. Must get a couple of years out of each ball (get the two-pack).

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Top tip: A cheap UV flashlight from eBay will charge them to max possible charge in only a couple of seconds.

Took Phoebe on holiday with us to central Otago.

Can’t get enough of the swimming, in the river every day (and smelling appropriately)

Only saw her swim after a couple of ducks once, when the ducks rounded their mates up and turned on the dog she soon came back!

Spaniels gonna spaniel

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Cool, I didn’t know that. Our cheap UV torch was bought to discover where on the carpet the cat/dog were peeing.
And an obligatory better dog pic of Spencer who is soon to be six and not nearly as grumpy as he looks.

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That’s a tall spaniel, what breed? Lovely spot for a dip, I hope you went in too.

Cool, I didn’t know that

Give it a try, it's a game changer.

Finally got 2 minutes on computer to reply. Puppies + children at same time are hard work. Will be a lot easier when they're back at schol tomorrow and I can maybe do some trainign without being constantly interrupted.

Yes socialisation critical. I took Daisy out into the park in my arms pre jabs before was allowed to put her on ground so she could watch what going on. Also held her and let her say

That's good to know - had been intending doing that this week if possible. Have a friend with a very well trained malinois who she's met already and I'll probably take her over to their dog park as they know all the local dogs already + imagine observing well behaved dogs is good for her.

Got any thoughts on collar vs harness once we get to stage where I can walk her? Have seen both recommended. Collar seems like it would be a lot easier but she's going to be strong. Just weighed her and she put on over a kilo since Friday. She's noticeably bigger than a week ago.

Can already see little bits of stuborness - she is definitely not keen on going outside when cold or wet. But also can see her confidence growing - have put her in multiple different situations in the last week (children's playgrounds where she got mobbed, trip down to my parents for weekend, etc) and she's taken it all in her stride.

Have ordered that book as had been meaning to get another one - one I've been using is a bit oddly structured. Defintiely want to get on top of training early. She's doing pretty well with 'sit' and I've made a start on 'drop' which sounds useful.

The kids definitely need some training. They're still getting stressed when she's exciteable because they're worried she'll nip them. Which is entirely possible when she's over excited. So trying to get them to practise being calm plus also that they're in charge, not her.
On the other hand she's already done a huge amount of good in comforting them when they're upset. Younger daughter had a massive tantrum last week and she put her head on her lap and she'd calmed down within five minutes.

Better get back to kids/dogs. Got more people coming to visit her this morning. We're suddenly very popular... plus she's got a kid's halloween party to go to this evening.

Collar vs harness is something you'll need to try and see what works best for your dog. We use a harness because I used one with a chest attachment point for the lead to train her to stop pulling and now I keep using one because no collars really come in right size that are secure and she's not that strong even if she does pull. Downside of harnesses is they can encourage pulling, plus side is your dog won't choke itself if it does. It also depends on body shape for what fits best. They both work as long as it's secure and you can control the dog if it decides it wants to go after a squirrel or run away from a truck.

Sounds great! My staffies have always really got on well with Malinois / German Shepherds for some strange reason. Think because had similar physical strength despite the size difference.

I went with harness as they are very strong and enthusiastic and I found easier to control and grab if needed when they were doing crime.

Your kids are wise. Those puppy teeth are lethal and she will be trying them on everything. Having a toy in hand to quickly shove in her mouth will save a few nips. She will also be chewing / swallowing everything so best avoid leaving things around and on low tables to avoid an expensive vets trip. Good crate training (see Steve Mann) is also a godsend to give everyone downtime.

Younger daughter had a massive tantrum last week and she put her head on her lap and she'd calmed down within five minutes.

Yes that empathy is one of the breed characteristics.

Our daisy after too much wine after a long week. Looking forward to trying out some night-fetch with a bell, thanks for the tips!

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Your kids are wise.
Up to a point. Obviously running around shouting with an excitable puppy tends not to reduce chance of getting jumped on.

She's already chewing everything and aware it'll get worse. Need to order a load more chew toys as she's going to destroy them. Plus none of them seem to really satisfy her for long - I got a bunch of cheap edible chews from pets at home and those keep her occupied for longer but don't last.

Already getting good at not leaving shoes anywhere within reach. She's already managed to get a few back to her crate before rescuing them.

Have been focusing on making her crate a fun/nice place to be for the moment and then going to start establishing it as somewhere she gets shut into once children are back at school and I can concentrate.

Will get browsing for harnesses.

Dunno if I've recommended it before but this fb group is really good for training resources
https://www.facebook.com/groups/374160792599484

It was hard enough getting Crumpet at 5 months, she was very calm for her age and we don't have kids. Juggling a very young puppy and kids sounds like a nightmare! Good effort.
Regardless of collar or harness, I'd recommend an elasticated lead, we have the one below. Crumpet is quite big (32kg roughly) and quite strong. She's normally pretty good on the lead but still goes berserk if she sees a fox. Having a bit of give in the lead stops her pulling your arm out of your socket which makes it a lot easier to keep her under control if she pulls unexpectedly.
We use a harness because it suits her body type better, an added bonus is having a handle that you can hold on to. It makes life a bit easier if you can hold on to her to stop her wandering in front of a cyclist and things like that without having to put her on the lead.

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Have a look at yak milk chews and antlers if you haven't already. Apparently they're good for dental hygiene and last a lot longer than dentastix etc. They're a bit more appealing than a non edible chew as well. The downside is that they're pretty minging.

I'd go for a harness with chest clip, when they pull it will stop them. And it won't pull on their neck. Look for an H harness.

Also you don't need to walk a puppy, they don't know when they're tired. I fell into this mistake and over walked mine for sure. Play games instead.

Also also, vest thing is chew toys everywhere. Can't have enough. Always one in hand. So you can use it to redirect immediately. P

She's an english cocker although we think half working half show type dogs. She is a bit leggier than other show dogs but we have friends with similar proportioned ones. She jumps 380 at agility for competition.

6 today, happy bday Scout!

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and last a lot longer than dentastix etc.

I wish someone would tell my husky that

Well our recently adopted BG has started to mellow and fit into the pack.
Unfortunately our suspicions she was seriously ill were confirmed this morning, it’s probably liver cancer.

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Do love a Griffon.

Sorry to hear they are unwell.
It is treatable?

Probably not realistically treatable we will know more when her blood tests come back. It’s probably going to be a case of give her a fun few months and call it when she is in too much pain

Shame because she has been living with someone with dementia and hasn’t been out much for years. We had just got her interested in walks and fun.

This little one came home with us today, even made it through the three-hour journey without any accidents. Thanks to all for the pointers, although both of our families have had dogs we're first time owners ourselves so all very new. Waiting to see what the first night brings!

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Sorry to hear that - hope you spoil her rotten!