Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[SallyD]

Hi. Yesterday we went and chose a female chocolate labrador puppy who'll be coming to live with us at the end of october . This has been a dream of mine for many years and I'm very excited about it but also a bit nervous as this is the first time either myself or OH have had a dog since we were children! I wondered if anyone could offer any advice as regards pet insurance, vaccinations etc?

Thanks

Sally

[chick wiggle]

Aww congratulations, how lovley

As for pet insurance, go for the best you can afford! We got pet plan life cover, some of the other plans dont cover any illness year after after, only until the end of that years policy. So if your dog gets an ongoing illness it wont be covered.

I say this as we have just racked up over £800 in vets bills and , luckily, only have to pay £75 excess *PHEW*!

So be very careful, some insurance plans sound good but read the small print, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!

Cant wait to see pictures of your new puppy!

[Lavenders_Blue]

How exciting! I can't advise you about insurance but the best thing to do with regards to vaccinations is speak to your vet first and also the breeder you are buying your puppy from. Some breeders will sell a puppy with first set of vaccinations already done, so you only need to get the booster, whereas other breeders sell their pups without any vaccinations (I think this tends to be more common).

 

Your pup shouldn't have access to areas where unvaccinated dogs could have been (so basically any public places) until after both sets of vaccinations have been given, and if my memory serves me correctly, so many days after that. Your vet will advise you on this sort of thing so it's probably best to check with them.

[UKMARCH]

That's great I bet you can't wait, I agree with the insurance I took out one which was really good but after a couple of years they tripled the cost so I had to change but luckily our dog was under 7 so I could still get life cover which has been great as he has corns and I have had to claim for it over several years as its ongoing. The puppy will need all the immunisations before it can mix with other dogs but its an exciting time then with socialising the puppy with other puppies at training classes and exposing it to as many new experiences as possible early on is a good idea. Looking forward to seeing the photos

[lillybettybabs]

Insurance is a mine field, Some only have an amount pre treatment which means if you get an on going

problem you are limited to that amount. Look out for a high yearly amount, you'll pay a little extra but you will be covered

for life. Our are with Marks and Spencer and have dogs with ongoing problems that are covered and we don't have to worry.

As for lab pups, They are like sponges and absorb everything quickly (good and bad),

Socialising is very important even at 8wks. I take mine around towns and shops in a bag

(game bag or ruck sack) so they are getting used to all sorts of sights,smells and sounds ( Pets at Home is a good place to go) until they have had their boosters then you can put them on a lead. Group training lessons are very

good for basic training and getting your dog used to others.

Be careful of over exercising them whilst they are growing and good luck!

[Chucky Mama]

Pet Plan & Sainsburys are both good - avoid E& L, petinsurance.co.uk, Animal Friends & Argos.

Ensure you are covered for a minimum of £4000 per condition. Ideally you should go for 'lifetime cover' (means if they get something when they are young policy will continue to cover that condition for life. This is very important e.g Tescos will cover you but if a condition is treated it will pay up for a year only. After a year and you then wont get any further payment for that condition plus you can't be covered for it by anyone else. Your breeder may well sell your puppy with a few weeks insurance cover, many do this now. If not get it covered ASAP and before visiting a vet. Once anything is on record, it can't be covered by insurance.

It is so tempting to take puppies out for walks once vaccinated but don't over exercise. Definitely no ball chasing or stairs as it will damage joints. Do however socialise as much as possible. Your vet may offer puppy socialisation classes.

[SallyD]

Hi. Thank you for your replies and good advice. I rang our vet up this morning and was very pleasantly surprised at the cost of vaccinations and having her 'chipped' She will come to us with four weeks insurance in place so I will look at getting some more sorted out and will definitely go for lifetime cover.

Sally

[Chicken Licken]

Pet plan gets very expensive for older dogs. I was paying more to insure the dog than I was to insure the car! I have recently insured my new arrival Bernie - he is a 3 year old beagle and chose a policy from John Lewis in the end. I asked at the vets and whilst they wouldn't recommend one the receptionist was really good and told me who to steer clear of!

I second the importance of socialisation - go to a puppy class, or your vet may run one. Also choose a decent food. I use dried food for both dogs ( although the very old one increasingly refuses to eat it) and they do really well on it, nice coats, no itchy scurfiness.

[Donna C]

I think everyone has covered all your questions so all I can add is what a great breed they are. We have a 3yr old and love him , he gets on with kids, chickens and guniea-pigs. I had a lot of allergy problems and found what I think is the best food. Google "autarky".good price, food great and gives him great coat

[Gloss-Hen]

ahhh so cute we have a part labrodor dog named jas and is exteremly greedy we had to get her a gulp bowl even that

doesnt stop her lolololol we keep are pup in cage a night

Edited October 27, 2011 by Guest

[Meganymoo]

We've just got a chocolate cocker spaniel who is fourteen weeks today! Puppys are very energetic and are excellent time wasters!

[SallyD]

I've been investigating getting a puppy crate for our new labrador. Are they suitable for the puppy to sleep in overnight?

Thanks

Sally

[The Dogmother]

It's the best way for them to sleep; for the pup (because they feel more secure) and fro you as they sleep better and aren't restless. We didn't used to have crates in 'the old days' but the dog before my current two was crate trained and so are these dogs. Much less stressful for them to if they have to stay at the vet.

[lillybettybabs]

We crate all our puppies, The parrot Coop Cups are ideal for using as water bowls.

[chick wiggle]

I used a crate too, brilliant things, puppy likes it, they're more 'den like', and can also save your furniture from any chewing incidents!

If you google dog crates you can get lots and lots of really good information on them, such as introducing your puppy to them so as not to distress him/her but for the puppy to look upon the crate as his/her very own little peaceful haven where it can feel safe, secure and know it wont be disturbed

We kept ours in our living room so he was still with the family but in his own space. .................... and, if your very sad, like me, you can cover it to match your decor

 

[Seagazer]

Another fan of the crate here too, Cookie used to take herself off to bed in it without us saying anything. They find it very comforting.

[SallyD]

Thanks everyone for your replies I've now bought a crate and a bed to go in it. One more question - what can i buy in the way of toys for her? Not sure what would be suitable for a young puppy.

 

Sally

[chick wiggle]

Theres a whole section in Petsathome with puppy toys, a bit like baby toys, theres teething rings and allsorts! George loved his teething ring, we actually had to buy 2 because he chewed the first one to death! He had a teething blanket too, and he still plays with that. George seemed to like the soft toys, still does in fact, much better than those horrible rubber squeeky ones.

[The Dogmother]

Kong toys are the only indestructible ones and also the only toys safe to leave with a dog when you're out.

[Chickendoodle]

Toys? Why bother- our labradoodle puppy just chewed the plaster off of the corners of the newly plastered walls

 

Puppies are very very hard work but you will have such a good time - and talk to so many more people when you are out walking as everyone will want to say hello

[chick wiggle]

Oh yes, everyone wants to stop for a stoke Ive never met so many people since getting George.

He absolutely loves his kong too they are brilliant because you never know which way they are going to bounce when you throw them

[Lavenders_Blue]

Another vote here for kong toys, they are especially good for dogs with strong jaws (the only terrier proof toys I have found so far!).

They are great stuffed with food (tinned sardines are a hit here) for keeping dogs occupied or when empty just for playing with, as chick wiggle says they are good for playing chase because they bounce unpredictably

Tango's absolute favourite toy is her treat ball which we put dog biscuits into, she will spend ages dribbling it round the house waiting for bits of biscuit to drop out. She obviously enjoys the game as much as the treats, as she gets far more excited about her treat ball than a stuffed kong and she is a VERY food oriented dog!