Hi All,

For some reason my post has been locked and I can't respond to those of you who offered advice which is a shame, that said, it did appear to be a bit of an inflamatory subject for some reason.  Please don't use this thread to restart the argument as, as a new dog owner I find this site invaluable and I'd hate to get thrown out, I was really only looking for some sound advice.

For those of you who are concerned, I wouldn't ever restrict the access to water for my puppy or my cats.  I respect the fact that it might work for others but not for me.  Given the fact that Kiera had a sudden attack of the runs in the night only 2 days ago - it's probably lucky that I do leave water down.  This site was a great help in establishing what I should do to stop the 'runs' just by doing a search on old topics.  Chicken and rice worked and Kiera is now on top form again!

Regarding the toilet training, we've opted to cover the entire Kitchen floor (it's a big kitchen!!) with paper for as long as it takes, and not to force her into the crate for the time being.  I feel we will have to go with the crate eventually as Kiera is bound to chew the kitchen otherwise, but we are giving her lots of old boxes, toilet rolls, filled Kongs, etc to chew on and up to now she's doing really well, she sleeps for aout 7 hours without making a peep already!  As we both work we can't get up in the night every couple of hours, so I just clean up the mess while OH gives her her brekkie and plays with her and we don't make a fuss about it.  She is doing so well, we already started teaching her to fetch, drop, sit, heel and she loves it (well loves the rewards anyway!!).  I've had a chat with the breeder adn she thinks the toilet training is more likely to drop into place once Kiera can go out for walks, and she is just a wee baby (well she's actually already 8 kilos at 9 weeks old, the vet says she will be a whopper!!).  Today is her second full day at my mother in laws and it seems to be going okay...lots of issues around 'who knows best' to start with and disagreement over her diet (I prefer a dry Hills diet for all my pets with no wet meat other than the odd supplement of cooked meat/rice/fish and no processed treats!!) - MIL wanted to give her tinned meat, tripe and milk - so we had a bit of a battle on our hands.  Think the penny has dropped now though!!  I hope it works out as Kiera loves it in their massive garden and I know she is safe and has company....

Anyway, I've rambled on for long enough!
Thanks again
Nicky xx

Hi Nicky - I'm so glad that you've been able to sort out the "good" advice from the bad - it sounds as if you are doing really well with your puppy.    She is only a baby, and she will get there in the end.

I'd carry on leaving her with your MIL, for the hours that you are at work, until she is 7 or 8 months old - then maybe, get MIL to take her home early - say just 1 hour early - then you can work it out from there how she settles.    She may well think that she has 2 homes - but as long as you and your OH are the two who do most of the feeding (obviously MIL will be giving her lunch), most of the training and walking/playing with her, she will know who her "owners" are - but in her mind, she will probably "own" all of you!

Good luck.

Margot

Thanks Margot!  As long as she is healthy and happy that's all that matters really isn't it!
Nx

I don't think it would be "forcing" her into the crate rather then teaching her to love it. The earlier you crate train the easier and safer it will be for you and her in the long run. When your sleeping you dont know what kind of trouble your puppy will be getting into,what if he tried to get on a table and fell ? The crate is a reassurance that she is always going to be o-k.

And thank you for respecting the fact that "IT" works for some but not others :P

Hi MannyG

Well I'm sure that makes sense, but I can see how stressed she is, weeing and pooing and panting and getting in a right old mess.  We had to decide whether to crate train and take her upstairs to counter the crying or keep the crate in the kitchen with her bed in it and introduce closing the door slowly.  I just don't want a dog in the bedroom - her nighttime place is i the kitchen with the cats - although they've been relagated to the utility with the door shut for everyones safety!!! LOL

Before we got Kiera, I was all for the crate training, but now I'm not so sure.....although I do agree she'd be totally safe in there.  I think I'll try her again in a couple of weeks once she's out walking as maybe she will be more tired and less worried about being shut in.  She's started to go in the outdoor kennel and run and hide things in the sleeping area - so she's definitely making progress.  Hopefully we'll get there sooner rather than later!!  We tried to pen off an area of the kitchen rather close the door of the crate and she found a way to get through it!  very clever little monkey!

Nx

I know what you mean , having 4 dogs myself and 3 cats i really want the bedroom to be my safe haven! Away from all the wet tennis balls and cat nip mice. Some people say putting a piece of your unwashed clothing in the crate can make your puppy feel more secure with your scent, and wrapping a ticking clock in a towel also interprets a mothers heartbeat.

You could try moving the crate into your bedroom if you wish but i was like my dogs to develop a bit of independance because i am not always around!