Severe puppy blues since he arrived

The nature of public forum threads is such that conversations can go off on a tangent.

If you can’t accept that, it’s simple: don’t use public forums.

A word to the wise!

Hi Kel Morian

You need a lot of patience with a puppy.

Beddy is a year old now and he’s only just starting to settle down.

I set him up in the hallway for the night right from the start.

In his bed, I put a "comforter" of mine—actually a throw that I wrap around myself in the evening when I’m watching telly.

He’s always got a pizzle stick to gnaw on and a hollow ball that I fill with dog biscuits. He’s also got a big bowl of water.

At first, he used to cry too... but he’ll soon understand that it’s night-time and everyone is asleep. You have to stay strong and not go in to see him.

If you take him for a walk before you go out, a dog can last four hours without having an accident indoors.

Always put him in his bed with his toys, using the command "bed".

And then leave without paying him any attention.

To begin with, leave for half an hour, then gradually make it longer.

A Golden Retriever loves his house or flat; he feels safe there.

My dog doesn't like being left in the garden on his own.

The first few months are hard... for everyone, I think.

Once they're adults, it's pure joy.

Hang in there.

Dominique

I’m wishing for the same thing as you, Célineo.......

Benameur, I’m not saying that "all" breeders who show their puppies or kittens aren’t responsible; I’m saying that those who sell them right there at these pet shows aren't.

I’ve shown kittens at these events myself, but I’d never have dreamt of selling one on the spot.

In fact, I always made a point of only taking adults because I’m totally against "impulse buying," where people don’t give themselves any time to think it through beforehand.

You see, at these shows, a pet is sold in about fifteen minutes.

How on earth is a breeder supposed to have enough time to properly vet a potential owner in that sort of timeframe?

When I meet people, it takes at least a couple of hours, and that gives me the time to understand their motivations and whether there are any deal-breakers that mean I shouldn't let them have a kitten.

For example: if someone lets slip that the kitten will be allowed to roam outdoors, it’s a flat "no" from me!

It takes a lot of time to go through all the questions you need to ask about:

Access to the outdoors

Holidays (have they considered what happens if they can’t take the pet with them? Are they prepared to find a cattery and pay for the service?).

If they’re a young couple, have they factored in that they might have children during the cat’s lifetime?

Have they heard of toxoplasmosis?

If so, would they think about rehoming the cat if they got pregnant?

Have they owned cats before?

Are they okay with the downsides of having a cat (litter trays, fur everywhere, etc.)?

And even now, I’m sure I’m forgetting a few things.

So you see, a pet show just isn't the place where you can take the time to find out where your kitten is actually going to end up.

And it’s just as important—actually, it’s vital—for the buyer to see the conditions the kitten (or puppy) has lived in since birth.

Some breeders (though they don’t even deserve the name) keep animals in unacceptable conditions, but you can *ONLY* know that if you actually visit the breeder’s premises. That’s what I was trying to explain to Kel-Moriant, without being too harsh on them, though it seems it was in vain.