*sigh* this may take a while

savingholmes

My dog was fine with prolonged periods in the crate - I think you have to bear in mind that the size of the dog affects the size of its bladder and plan accordingly. By using the crate in the puppy stage - we were able to get through without eaten furniture or chewed plaster but each to their own. Later we let her out for longer periods - while we were out - and only occasionally came back to chewed items. Now as I say she is 2 and with C19 we've been working from home a lot. We take the crate away on holiday with us to like a b and b or cottage but she is generally free to use it or not as she chooses now. 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

We picked him up yesterday afternoon, he was very good on the drive home, had an uneventful afternoon and was very good overnight, no whining at all.  It does feel like I'm potty training a toddler a bit though, watching for when he looks like he needs a wee  
He seems to like his crate, but we're not shutting the door on it so far, but he's been choosing to sleep in it, which is good.  I've bought in the same food that the breeder was using as I thought it would be nicer for him not to change everything at once

Drawingaline

We were advised to feed our kittens the same as the breeder to begin with and introduce any changes gradually. But then the breed we have are rather renowned for having sensitive stomachs.

ladyholly

It's always best to continue whatever food they are used to. If you want to change later do it slowly by mixing the new and old in smaller and smaller proportion. 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Puppy is settling in nicely, kids adore him.  He's pretty chilled, fine with being left at night and so far, we're pleased we went ahead.
He had his second set of jabs the day after we brought him home, so he can start going for short walks this weekend.
Puppy training classes start next Sunday, hope they're not too judgy as I'm completely clueless!  Trying to work out if a harness might be better than a lead, but there are so many conflicting articles.  I popped a collar on him during the week and he didn't care at all, so have left it on.  I've bought a harness and a lead, so I think I'll just turn up to the first session and see what the trainer recommends!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Money wise, we're doing ok.  OH gets paid next Thursday and I get paid the following week.
I've turned my attention to Christmas and have budgeted £1500 for the following:
Older 3 children, £200 each = £600
Younger 2, £150 each = £300
Grandparents £35 each = £140
Food/drink = £300
Random ie crackers, decs, wrapping, cards, advent calenders etc = £160
Those figures aren't set in stone, but I don't want to exceed them.  We'll have £2k in the Christmas pot by 1st Dec and I'd like at least £500 left over to slush elsewhere.
We cut back massively over the last few years on who we buy for and that's been great. 

I usually buy presents for the grandparents to give, but I find it time consuming and a bit annoying so I'm being firmer this year.  They're not all together, so there are 3 sets to buy for and they buy for the 5 kids, so I have to buy 15 presents on top of my own shopping!  They give me the money, but the time commitment is a pain.  They're all retired and have much more spare time than me
I'm going to suggest they give the older 3 kids money/vouchers and I'll offer to send links to gift ideas for younger 2.  If they want to buy gifts for the older 3, I'll do the link thing for them too.  Don't think they'll be keen as I've been making it all a bit too easy for them!

ladyholly

If your pup shows any sign of pulling on the lead a harness gives him something to pull against so is probably best avoided. When I have had pully dogs I have used a halti or similar with a double ended lead. Haltis have 2 points to attach it. Talk to your trainer I am sure they will advise appropriately for you. Don't worry about being clueless you won't be the first or last and are easier to help than someone who "knows it all". I hope all goes well but don't worry if it doesn't. 

sarahsays

Regarding your Christmas budget, shouldn't there be something in the budget for you and your DH too? Parents tend to put themselves way down the list at times like this and, whilst I know it's mostly about the children, everyone needs something nice to open on Christmas Day, in order to feel appreciated. I know you'll probably get little gifts from the children but nice to get a few more 'grown up' presents too.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

sarahsays said:

Regarding your Christmas budget, shouldn't there be something in the budget for you and your DH too? Parents tend to put themselves way down the list at times like this and, whilst I know it's mostly about the children, everyone needs something nice to open on Christmas Day, in order to feel appreciated. I know you'll probably get little gifts from the children but nice to get a few more 'grown up' presents too.

Good point We haven't bought each other Christmas gifts for 15+ years Our parents don't buy for us either, so it's all about the kids.... we did debate setting a £25-30 budget each, but in reality I do all the shopping and wrapping, so I'd probably have to do my own gift too haha. 
We do buy each other Birthday gifts and Mothers/Fathers Day though.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

ladyholly said:

If your pup shows any sign of pulling on the lead a harness gives him something to pull against so is probably best avoided. When I have had pully dogs I have used a halti or similar with a double ended lead. Haltis have 2 points to attach it. Talk to your trainer I am sure they will advise appropriately for you. Don't worry about being clueless you won't be the first or last and are easier to help than someone who "knows it all". I hope all goes well but don't worry if it doesn't. 

Thank you, useful to know.  The trainer sounded lovely on the phone, so hopefully it'll be good