Our puppies went to their new homes a week ago. I keep in touch with the new owners regularly to see how they are getting on with their new puppies and offer support. Two of the families have reported that their children are frightened of the puppies, and one says they won't even be in the same room as the puppy. They want to know when the nipping will stop. I am really surprised they were not expecting this, and I've told them that unfortunately it's normal and they will learn with a lot of patience, but it'll take months before they stop nipping altogether. I've offered to take the puppies back and reimburse them, but they say the kids will be upset if that happens as well.

Has anyone had this before, or have I vetted badly or been unlucky? All families visited (before lockdown) and had a detailed conversation with me about their motivation for getting a puppy, what their plans are for when they are back at work, their experience of puppies and previous dog ownership, and what to expect. They also all had several emails from me detailing the realities of having a puppy and the hard work it will take to raise a well adjusted dog. I am feeling a bit annoyed that some of them clearly haven't done sufficient research because I am hearing complaints about puppies keeping people up at night, nipping, toileting, training not going well (they are 9 weeks old today - come on).

Thanks

I do think some people have unrealistic expectations with puppies and seem unable to comprehend that it takes time and are amazed puppies don’t understand the word ‘no’ and what it means.
I belong to another dog forum and the amount of new posters who come on terrified that they have a vicious puppy as it’s been nipping them and won’t stop when they shout No.
Then there’s the ‘my puppy is stupid as he keeps weeing on the floor and he knows it’s wrong’ when the poor little mite has yet to reach 3 months. When you dig about about you find the owner hasn’t really bothered to take the puppy outside regularly and seems to find the issue to boring for words.

It must be very frustrating for you when you have taken the time and trouble to talk to new owners in detail prior to having a puppy and yet they either haven’t listened properly or thought they knew best.
Are the people who are having issues new to owning dogs? Perhaps get them to download a copy of the ‘the Perfect Puppy’ by Gwen Bailey which is a good all rounder for those new to puppies.

Dare I recommend, Jack and Billy's Puppy Tales for inexperienced puppy owners? They have a Facebook page, and their little book is packed with really good, positive guidance, - in a very readable style. No connection at all with me, but I was impressed by the articles that they have posted. If I still bred, I would give a copy with every puppy. Available as a cheap download too.

I did a ton of research before getting River (he’s only my second dog and it had been almost 20 years since I’d had a puppy) but I have to admit I wasn’t fully prepared for the relentlessness of the biting.

Literally all he knew how to do was eat, sleep (reluctantly), pee on the floor every 10 minutes, cry if I moved more than a foot away from him, and rip up my hands and arms. And I was shocked at how much damage my 1kg toy puppy could do with those tiny teeth.

But I absolutely agree that too many people are ridiculously unprepared. Expecting a 9 week old puppy to be toilet trained? Hah. I hear so many people that just open the door so puppy can go in the garden and don’t understand why they choose to poo when they come back inside to the place where they are warm and dry and feel safe. Dogs don’t toilet train themselves. I’m still taking River out every single time at 10 months so I can praise for eliminating in an appropriate place. And if he does have an accident I know it’s 100% my fault.

Honestly if I had a penny for every person describing their perfectly normal 10 week old puppy as “aggressive” because it’s simply too young to understand that there are other ways to interact than biting and jumping up! And people don’t seem to understand that you have to TEACH a pup how to play without ripping you up, that it will take weeks if not months, that it will likely get worse all over again during teething and then at adolescence, and that basically you have months of training to persuade this horrible bitey little landshark to mature into a pet that’s actually nice to live with.

I loved my boy from the second I saw a picture of him at a few days old, but I honestly didn’t start to like him until he was about 16 weeks.

If I have puppies going to families with young children, I like the kids to visit and see how they react not only to the puppies but the older dogs.  I had a lovely lady contact me a few years ago after a puppy, she'd waited until they lived near good walking and her family was complete etc.  When the kids came they were petrified of dogs - scrambling to the back of the sofa away from grannie who was the most perfect dog.  Sadly I had to turn the family down, she tried to reassure me they would get used to a puppy - but what would happen if they didn't?  I could potentially have a stressed/damaged puppy to rehome.

I do think even without a young puppy in your home, life isn't normal or easy for anyone, perhaps they are stressed all being at home together 24/7 with no nursery/school to break up the day and allow the pup to rest and have quiet training with mum. 

Never easy finding the right homes but now I think it's even harder

How old are the children ?
It’s a very stressful time for everyone now, and a new puppy won’t help !!
At least if the kids are going to school you get a bit of respite.

It’s really hard especially in the current climate, people are stuck at home and more highly stressed than normal.
I’ve turned away lots of families with young children who don’t have much experience with dogs. Far too many people underestimate what puppies are like.
I’ve got kids and had multiple pups with my own kids (I’ve done puppy walking for service dogs) so i wouldn’t turn away someone who has lots of experience of dogs and have young children but I’ve had plenty of enquires who think the pups would help keep the kids entertained in lockdown. I would rather keep the pups longer to find them the right home.
Whenever I’ve had pups I’ve always made sure my kids have a place where they are safe from the puppies, puppy teeth hurt! Depending on layout of house how you do that without either isolating the pup or the kids.
Also a lot of people don’t realise a puppy who is frenzied is often overtired and needs somewhere quiet to settle.

My son then aged 10 was terrified of our first puppy. Those first couple of weeks we thought we'd made the biggest mistake ever. We'd done lots of talking about standing like a tree and everything before the puppy arrived, but reality of a baby crocodile in the house was different. I got him to wear wellies in the house so he could safely stand still when the ankle grabber was in full flight, as he was jumping across furniture so he didnt have to set foot on the ground. This of course wound the puppy up more.

I agree, wearing sturdy footwear and clothing is a must. Too many families have youngsters used to padding around in bare feet or socks. The other point is to ensure the family understand the importance of baby gates and puppy pens and think this through before puppy arrives in the home. Parents also need to understand that the lion’s share of husbandry will always fall on their shoulders, even if a child asked for the puppy. If the parent does not know how to handle puppy biting the children have no chance.

“Easy Peasy Puppy Squeeze” by Steve Mann, is another good puppy book.