Just got over the first night after bringing home our new bearded collie pup. Everything has gone far better than expected so far. The puppy seems really happy and content and is eating well. Only had to get up once in the night for about 20 mins before she settled again.
I have only 2 very minor problems. I have stainless steel dishes which she seems scared of. I assume its the reflection which luches out at her as she approaches the food. As she was settling in, we swapped dishes and she fed fine. I will try again with the s/s dishes when she is more settled in.
The only other problem is that the children are annoyed at how long she is sleeping which means they cant play with her. I would say she sleeps between 75% and 85% of the time.
Does this sound normal? She is really really playful when awake so I am not at all worried. Just hope someone can advise me that it will stay awake longer in a few weeks cos my youngest is moaning that the puppy is boring because its always asleep - (although she didnt voulenteer to get up when the pup was awake and woke us up at 2 in the morning!)

I would say that your puppy sound about fine - it is funny if they haven't been induced to stainless steel dishes before - it's rather like them coming upon a mirror at ground level for the first time!

The sleeping patterns sound right - you just have to keep on educating your children, as I'm sure you have done already, that no, the puppy is NOT a toy, and yes, like little babies, puppies ARE boring!!

It is so difficult for children - they want to be able to play with the puppy all day......make sure that the puppy has a special space of her own that she can retreat to when she has had enough!

Hope everything goes well
Regards
Margot

Hi Beardieboy. You don't say how old your pup is but I presume it is a real baby pup of 8 weeks or so. You don't say how old your children are either, but they need to learn that a new puppy is just like a new baby - it sleeps a lot!!! Just make sure the children leave her totally alone when it is sleeping (it sounds as if you are doing that already.) When it's a little bit older, you will be seriously wishing that sh would give you a break & go to sleep!!
She's just had the biggest upheaval in her life, everything's new, so much to see, so much to learn, and she's got children to occupy her the whole time she's awake. No wonder she's sleeping a lot.
I might offend you but I don't have a lot of sympathy for your children. You need to give them a good long talk about thinking about the puppy's needs and wellbeing instead of thinking about themselves!

Hi Jane and Phil
I have Bearded Collies (for about the last 10 years). The advice about the dish you've already received is right, also, they can make a noise when knocked against something, and Beardies are quite a sound sensitive breed, so that may also have scared her a little.
The sleeping pattern sounds just about right for a baby puppy, as long as you say, when she is awake she's lively and active. The children will need to understand this, it won't change in the matter of weeks, rather months, as she gets older, the amount of times you feed her reduces etc. They are a great family dog, good with kids, as long as they are raised correctly. Some that "bounce" too much, can put some children off. I have three of them, one of them's a real bouncer, the other two are a bit ( a little bit) more dignified with their affections. If you need any help, e-mail me, I'd willing to assist if I can.

Kay

Hello everyone this is Erin i'm 10 years old (i'm the one who said the puppy was boring!)


dad showed me all the replys you sent and i know i've got to leave it alone now when it's sleepy
its not that boring when jumps on me and starts licking me to death!

bye

p.s . thanks for all the tips you gave me

from erin

Don't worry Erin, time will pass and your Beardie will be sleeping less and enjoy games with you
Anne

Glad you've got your puppy Erin - you've got a clever Dad there as well - now then - enjoy the peace & quiet for now - soon you are going to be SO busy training your Beardie - what's her name?

Regards

Lokis Mum

Well done Erin,

You're doing the right thing in letting the pup sleep when she wants to.

It won't be long before she's awake most of the day.....I'm sure you'll have lots of fun then!

But until that time...she really does need her sleep, just like a human baby.

It's lovely to see someone your age posting on here...do you think we have another dog fanatic in the making everybody??!!

Take care Erin, and look after your pup.

Love
Lisa x

Hi Erin
Nice to hear from you!!
Don't worry, it won't be long before she's wearing you out!!

Our new pup plays for half hour then sleeps for half to one hour, my breeder was very strong on that point, puppies need to sleep so they can grow, my kids are only 4 and 2 so their interest comes and goes anyway!

hi everybody
thanks for all your replies i'll soon be an expert like all of you! Her name is Abigail

Erin xxxxxxxxxxxx