Successful lockdown puppy thread

[poiuytrewq]

Reading these very sad, unfortunately obviously going to happen threads re the lockdown puppy boom is heartbreaking.
Who bought a lockdown puppy?
As everyone knows I did, and it wasn’t planned, bit of a whim but a huge success.
I had lost my beloved dog in the February but said I wouldn’t get another……
Most dog section regulars know about my little Cecil.
Tell us about yours! What made you go buy, how they turned out and a photo!
There must be lots of positive happy outcomes ?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

We bought our now 2 yr old Labs in August 2019, planning to take them around Agricultural shows etc the following Spring, as most similar events were over before they had finished their vaccinations and were allowed out and about. We did take them to coffee shops etc that Autumn, so that they got used to sitting quietly with strange people and dogs in the vicinity.

Unfortunately the Agricultural shows didn't happen because of lockdown. The Labs spent over 18 months keeping well away from crowds of any kind but we took them and our 8 yr old Rottweiler to a family wedding in Scotland in September of this year and were very proud of them.
They were reunited with dogs that they hadn't seen since they were 6 months old and they met other dogs, and played with them all in relative's garden. They sat quietly through the ceremony, having been invited to be 'furry bridesmaids' then waited sensibly in the car while we ate (went for a walk first). They had their first experience of playing on a beach, ignoring dogs in the distance, accompanied us to lunch several times during the long weekend and behaved perfectly in the dog-friendly B&B where we were staying.
So it has all worked out better than we feared.


ETA, sorry can't put photos on here.

 

[Penny Less]

Glad to read this, but you are both experienced dog owners so know your onions so to speak, unlike a lot of the lockdown dogs purchasers. (not all)

 

[maisie06]

I bought my Springer back in October 2019 with plans to go to county shows and game fairs for getting him used to things going on and I was looking forwatd to group training with the gundog club, well, roll on march 2020 and our plans went out of the window... I did manage to start some basic training though and with the help of zoom and what's app we had virtual sessions. When we were finally allowed to start training again I had a couple of 121 sessions and met a friend for training but the first group session was a nightmare, he literally melted when there were strange dogs around!! Roll on this season and I am proud to say he's been successfully shot over on a walked up partridge day and did a lovely retrieve to hand!

 

[poiuytrewq]

We bought our now 2 yr old Labs in August 2019, planning to take them around Agricultural shows etc the following Spring, as most similar events were over before they had finished their vaccinations and were allowed out and about. We did take them to coffee shops etc that Autumn, so that they got used to sitting quietly with strange people and dogs in the vicinity.

Unfortunately the Agricultural shows didn't happen because of lockdown. The Labs spent over 18 months keeping well away from crowds of any kind but we took them and our 8 yr old Rottweiler to a family wedding in Scotland in September of this year and were very proud of them.
They were reunited with dogs that they hadn't seen since they were 6 months old and they met other dogs, and played with them all in relative's garden. They sat quietly through the ceremony, having been invited to be 'furry bridesmaids' then waited sensibly in the car while we ate (went for a walk first). They had their first experience of playing on a beach, ignoring dogs in the distance, accompanied us to lunch several times during the long weekend and behaved perfectly in the dog-friendly B&B where we were staying.
So it has all worked out better than we feared.


ETA, sorry can't put photos on here.

I love that you took dogs to a wedding!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Glad to read this, but you are both experienced dog owners so know your onions so to speak, unlike a lot of the lockdown dogs purchasers. (not all)

Agreed. In my case a terrier type would have come along sooner or later anyway!

 

[splashgirl45]

i got my lockdown puppy in september 2020, she was the runt of the litter and the last one left. she was tiny and quite wobbly on her back legs so i listened to my heart and not my head. the reason i got another small terrier was because i knew my collie was not likely to be here for much longer and i wanted a playmate for my other terrier so the old dog wasnt being pestered to play. lost my old girl in june this year aged 15...she has fitted in well and proving to be a good playmate for him and a lively,friendly girl who is very popular with everyone.. she is the one on the right

 

[PippiPony]

Not puppy, but when my rescued greyhound passed away in Aug 2020 I invested in 2 new rescued greyhounds to fill the hole left by her. They were utter hooligans, but are more pleasant to be around now.

 

[only_me]

I got mine I suppose coming out of lockdown, Feb 2021. Had been thinking of getting another to keep old dog company, but not seriously. Then came across an ad on gumtree which had one pup unexpectedly left, the original buyer was unable to take her as had become unwell with covid and wasn’t expected to do very well. I think 5 or 6 in the litter went to England! Thankfully not stupid lockdown price either.

We have been lucky in that a friend had a lab pup a month older so once Indy had matured abit They played a day a month type thing In our garden. Neighbours have dogs and luckily a little Jackie type who was able to keep her manners in check! We also have an older dog nahla with Indy and had her at caravan all summer so no issues with socialisation with dogs, plus lots of pups were on the beach this summer with similar goals so everyone has been tolerant of moments of Poor recall lol.

For some reason she takes so some tall men straight away but others she is wary of, not threatening just not coming near. Plus unfortunately caravan friends 10 year old chased her round and scared the day lights out of her when she was around 4 months old, so she is a bit wary of children and tends to run back to us when they come near her in a loud manner. We’re working on that, but not necessarily a bad thing that she sticks to us when sees young children running towards her/being roudy!










Nahla has had a new lease on life, she’s lost lots of weight and her arthritis is better now. She’s getting more regular walks, has company and initiates play with Indy too. Best decision we made!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I love that you took dogs to a wedding!

They received a special invitation with a link to the 'Furry Bridesmaid' bandanas that they were asked to wear. There were actually 7 dogs at the ceremony and almost as many children who were included in the ceremony. It was a humanist ceremony, with 2 brides and was the most informal, inclusive, intimate, thoroughly enjoyable wedding that I have ever been to. The venue was limited to 60 guests under the Scottish Covid regs.

 

[SAujla]

I got Clover a month into the first lockdown, I could not live without her. She is my best friend and I couldn't fault her for anything. Below is my favourite ever picture of her, and I take plenty!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Glad to read this, but you are both experienced dog owners so know your onions so to speak, unlike a lot of the lockdown dogs purchasers. (not all)

And, as with some of the others on here, we both had older dogs to show the pups how to go on. I do think that helps

 

[poiuytrewq]

They received a special invitation with a link to the 'Furry Bridesmaid' bandanas that they were asked to wear. There were actually 7 dogs at the ceremony and almost as many children who were included in the ceremony. It was a humanist ceremony, with 2 brides and was the most informal, inclusive, intimate, thoroughly enjoyable wedding that I have ever been to. The venue was limited to 60 guests under the Scottish Covid regs.

That sounds amazing! I may be tempted to get married ?

 

[Clodagh]

That sounds amazing! I may be tempted to get married ?

They received a special invitation with a link to the 'Furry Bridesmaid' bandanas that they were asked to wear. There were actually 7 dogs at the ceremony and almost as many children who were included in the ceremony. It was a humanist ceremony, with 2 brides and was the most informal, inclusive, intimate, thoroughly enjoyable wedding that I have ever been to. The venue was limited to 60 guests under the Scottish Covid regs.

2 brides and how many husbands!? ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Our lab who’s 7. He was mines full brother but a year younger is absolutely loving having puppies around aswell (daughter also has a small young dog)
He’s always been very active and lively but I honestly think he’s rewound his years, he also apparently no longer has any awareness of his size, he assumes he too is a small terrier that can fit anywhere or on any lap ?

 

[Clodagh]

I got Clover a month into the first lockdown, I could not live without her. She is my best friend and I couldn't fault her for anything. Below is my favourite ever picture of her, and I take plenty!

View attachment 81555

You have done an amazing job there. She’s not ugly, is she?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I got Clover a month into the first lockdown, I could not live without her. She is my best friend and I couldn't fault her for anything. Below is my favourite ever picture of her, and I take plenty!

View attachment 81555

She’s a pretty girl and it is a lovely photo. Is she a chewer?

 

[YorksG]

2 brides and how many husbands!? ?

None

 

[Pearlsasinger]

2 brides and how many husbands!? ?

I rather think that you have missed the point

There were a few men who been married for a while, including one bride's brother, the Matron of Honour's husband and the former fiance of the other bride, who was there with his wife of 10yrs and their children. Their 5 yr old daughter who has a serious illness was a bridesmaid - as I said a very inclusive ceremony!

 

[SAujla]

She’s a pretty girl and it is a lovely photo. Is she a chewer?

No she occasionally chews on her chew toys but she's never been destructive. The bed in her crate is the same bed she's had from day one, she doesn't even like it being washed!

 

[poiuytrewq]

No she occasionally chews on her chew toys but she's never been destructive. The bed in her crate is the same bed she's had from day one, she doesn't even like it being washed!

Good job Clover! Our labs as babies were horrific chewers.
The first, I’ll always remember! The house was for sale and the estate agent arrived early for a viewing. Usually I tried to be out walking him with my daughter, then a messy toddler.
So I opened the kitchen door and the floor was gone ??
I, quite coolly I thought said “ah yes, obviously a new floor is due to be laid”
Whilst dying inside!

 

[SAujla]

Good job Clover! Our labs as babies were horrific chewers.
The first, I’ll always remember! The house was for sale and the estate agent arrived early for a viewing. Usually I tried to be out walking him with my daughter, then a messy toddler.
So I opened the kitchen door and the floor was gone ??
I, quite coolly I thought said “ah yes, obviously a new floor is due to be laid”
Whilst dying inside!

At least you thought quickly enough to say something reasonable! I bet the pup was quite proud of himself its some achievement and often you have to pay to have the floor removed ?

 

[Clodagh]

I rather think that you have missed the point

There were a few men who been married for a while, including one bride's brother, the Matron of Honour's husband and the former fiance of the other bride, who was there with his wife of 10yrs and their children. Their 5 yr old daughter who has a serious illness was a bridesmaid - as I said a very inclusive ceremony!

I did completely miss the point! I envisaged a sort of hippy all in together job with one man.
I’m glad they had more sense!

 

[CrunchieBoi]

I'm not sure I would describe our adoption of a 2yo mongrel last May as being overly successful thus far. The thought if him being off-lead outwith a secure area gives me the absolute fear.

He's still with us, so I suppose it was a successful adoption from his point of view.?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I'm not sure I would describe our adoption of a 2yo mongrel last May as being overly successful thus far. The thought if him being off-lead outwith a secure area gives me the absolute fear.

He's still with us, so I suppose it was a successful adoption from his point of view.?

In a way this is a fabulous example!
Dogs aren’t perfect, they are difficult at times. It’s not all easy and they don’t always/often do as we want straight away.
The fact your still sticking with it is a success in itself. Too many are giving up.
You’ll get there.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I dunno about successful. But by Christ is she spoilt/petted/still a gigantic baby ?

Her brother is out there doing full rounds of obedience/heelwork and I'm over here like 'I **think** she knows what 'sit' means?'.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I got my lab puppy in June 2020, hoping that lock down was coming to an end! He is my absolute right arm and Id be lost without him.

As a first time dog owner it has been a learning curve but I'm loving doing all the training with him. He is still a massive puppy but I cant really fault him.

 

[tiggipop]

i got "poopie vera" in feb from a rescue aged 11 weeks... the whole litter had been taken in as their breeder was struggling with mental health issues and although pups had food, water and clean kennel that was it. Mum was taken away at 6 weeks and they were left to their own devices with no human or any sort of socialisation.

think vera was top dog as she was/is very independent / confident and to be honest has been a bit of a challenge. ( will add not my first lurcher and have had weimeraners for 20+ years..)

i live a bit out in the sticks so she is still not as socialised as i would like, but we have been attending weekly training sessions and she graduated KC pup foundation in a short 4 week course and this saturday she has managed to obtain her KC Good Citizen Bronze.

day she arrived

recent pic

 

[buddylove]

My mini long haired dachshunds are lock down pups, all now (or nearly) a year old.
I cannot imagine my life without them, they have been the perfect companions whilst WFH (which is now pretty much permanent), happy with one good run a day, so get me out at lunch time. Snuggle on the sofa at night, and generally are wonderful, happy family dogs who adore the children.

 

[Supercalifragilistic]

Lockdown pup here. When I first met her at a few days old in Feb 2020 COVID was something that was vaguely mentioned on the news as something happening in China. It shows how fast things changed that when she arrived with us 8 weeks later we were in full lockdown and she had to come by pet transporter because there was no way I could drive 4hrs to get her.

She’s absolutely fantastic, adores people and other dogs. Is rock steady around horses (I ride with her loose) and she stopped to whistle and then recalled when she flushed a muntjack the other day. Game birds are her big challenge but real progress is being made there too.

We honestly wouldn’t be without her and are hoping to add a full sibling pup to the pack next year, all being well.