We picked up Homer our Lab male two weeks ago at 8 weeks. Having had rescue dogs before we have never had the challenge of bringing up a pup and I'm wondering where we should be at training/behaviour wise about now. I am following Gwen Bailey's "Perfect Puppy" book quite closely but it doesn't really give typical progression. All the documentation I have read says the first 3 months are critical in terms of socialisation and training and I just want to make sure we are have not dropped any fundamental clangers so far.

I realise it is not an exact science so I just want to give an overview of where we are now and would appreciate informed comments.

We have another dog (7 year old lab/collie cross male) who has taken to Homer really well and is doing his bit from a dog socialisation perspective. He is in for his second vaccinantion tomorrow and I understand it will be another 2 weeks before he can go outside the garden for walks. We have a 42" puppy crate in which he sleeps in the kitchen and a play pen we set up in the lounge so he is not excluded the majority of the time. He has never soiled his crate but we have had probably half a dozen wet accidents in the last fortnight and only one unfortunate dump on the carpet. Other than some crying the first two nights he now sleeps through from about 23:00 until 07:00 without any noise or messing. I'm pleased with the house training so far and with the exception of his play biting he appears to be a model pup. He is used to wearing a collar but still chews on the lead when it is attached. I treated it with bittrex which has helped and I am now starting to walk him round the garden on the lead but he still has it in his mouth most of the time.

He is still on 4 meals a day and his weight is up from 5kg at 7 weeks to 10kg yesterday. He started on stuffed Kongs today with some of Hill's Sience puppy food from his quota packed with peanut butter which kept him occupied for a good hour.

Well I appreciate this is just a brain dump of what I think may be relevant and I would appreciate anyone's pointers as to whether it sounds about right.

Regards

Dave & Homer
(Homer's website is at www.fatpup.co.uk)

It's hard to tell, as a pups progression will vary from breed to breed, as well as depending on past experiences - however, he is in what is known as the 'fear impact period' and it's as well to know roughly when this, and other developmental stages occur so you can be prepared.
http://www.clickersolutions.com/blog/blog09.htm

Hi Dave
loved the pics :) :)