D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
Rather than start a new thread, can people say if they have insurance for their pets and if so, which one did you go with.
It seems a bit of a minefield.
It seems a bit of a minefield.
New Puppy Advice
- Thread starter Fromtherough
- Start date
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Poppy is currently insured with "Bought by Many", not had to claim as yet thankfully. Previously used Tesco for our last cat and they were excellent too, but came up very expensive for the dog when we got quotes
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Yep. We are with Kennel Club, simply because we used them the first year with a lifetime Policy and have had various claims since, and it's just been convenient to stick with them. but now it's costing us £70+ a month, so if we can go this year without a claim, we'll be moving to Bought By Many next year as their cover and offering seems really good. That's not to say Kennel Club hasn't been good, it has. They've never refused a pay out and generally all paid directly to the vet in good time.
If you DO choose to get insurance, I would definitely make sure you get a lifetime Policy. It's not right for everyone, and if you think that you'd be able to muster up a couple of grand in the case of a serious incident, then I wouldn't necessarily worry about it. Especially if your chosen breed/pet isn't known for their medical issues and isn't going to potentially find themselves in trouble.
We got insurance for Poppy because she's a springer and gets herself into all kinds of mischief - so made sense and has been worth it for the number of claims we've made!
rudebhoy
Q-School Graduate
Made the decision to stop insuring our dogs a few years ago. Most policies have a typical excess of around £100, and a clause that makes you liable for at least 20% of any claim once your dog is 8yo. The last claim we made, the bill was £800 but we only got £500 paid out.
Rather than pay insurance premiums, I now put £100 a month into a regular savings account. I've had to dip into it once for a vets bill but overall, we have saved a fair bit.
Rather than pay insurance premiums, I now put £100 a month into a regular savings account. I've had to dip into it once for a vets bill but overall, we have saved a fair bit.
Fromtherough
Assistant Pro
We managed to get a space in an enclosed field yesterday afternoon. Was amazing being able to see him run free. We didn’t take the long lead as wanted it to be as fun as possible the first time. He absolutely loved it and we spent an hour throwing balls, letting him have a sniff and doing whatever he fancied. His recall was much better than I thought it would be. Although I realise there were no other distractions so my confidence on that is appropriately tempered. Got talking to the owner and her puppy socialisation classes are starting back up next week, so we booked in.
Fade and Die
Medal Winner
Sounds perfect, I love seeing our dog run free, the noise as he thunders along like a horse makes me grin!? And he absolutely loves it, chasing balls from the “flinger”... I start most walks on the cricket field doing it for about 10/15 minutes before we start the walk proper. Seems to make him better behaved for the rest of the walk.
Good luck with the socialisation classes?
Backache
Assistant Pro
We've been walking Alfie partly off the lead from pretty much the first time he was allowed out by vaccination.
Started with recall in the garden with the two off us getting him to run between us on shouting come , then translated it to walking a bit apart and getting him to run from one to another.
His recall is pretty good though he is distracted a bit by other dogs. I wouldn't trust him near a road but in fields and woods and local paths he's fine. One thing is if he is not coming right away we walk away from him rather than towards him and make him want to chase us.
Started with recall in the garden with the two off us getting him to run between us on shouting come , then translated it to walking a bit apart and getting him to run from one to another.
His recall is pretty good though he is distracted a bit by other dogs. I wouldn't trust him near a road but in fields and woods and local paths he's fine. One thing is if he is not coming right away we walk away from him rather than towards him and make him want to chase us.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
This all sounds ideal! You’ll be staggered at home much the socialisation will help.
Fromtherough
Assistant Pro
A bit of an update. Despite now being sans testicles, Desmond is still a bundle of energy. He mainly enjoys: food (especially not his own), chewing furniture/clothes, barking at anyone passing by, really barking if he suspects anyone is coming to the house, ripping up tea towels/kitchen roll/tissues, running, digging holes - but only in the centre of the lawn, chasing other dogs, pulling on the lead, attacking cyclists and lots and lots of cuddles/attention. He keeps us on our toes and is certainly a character. The great thing is the bond he’s formed with our daughter, he’s so gentle with her and very protective.
Weighing in at 31kg, it’s hard to explain to people that Desmond is still a puppy and just wants to play - there is genuinely no malice in him. On top of his walk, he now has a daily run off the lead in a local enclosed field, which helps. We’re also experimenting walking him off his lead at the beach and down by the river - with mixed results. He has very selective hearing, even if food is offered.
Does anyone have any indestructible toys they could recommend? He has destroyed all his soft toys, licky mats, activity centres, anything with rubber bits and even a few Kongs. He has a couple of balls that have survived, but wouldn’t mind something else to occupy him independently.
Also, does anyone have any recommendations on long lasting chewy treats? Not rawhide though please. He always has a Yak on the go, but they’re fairly expensive at £11.50. We give him a Paddywack or a Beef hide each evening as part of his settling down routine - but they only last half and hour and cost £2 each.
Weighing in at 31kg, it’s hard to explain to people that Desmond is still a puppy and just wants to play - there is genuinely no malice in him. On top of his walk, he now has a daily run off the lead in a local enclosed field, which helps. We’re also experimenting walking him off his lead at the beach and down by the river - with mixed results. He has very selective hearing, even if food is offered.
Does anyone have any indestructible toys they could recommend? He has destroyed all his soft toys, licky mats, activity centres, anything with rubber bits and even a few Kongs. He has a couple of balls that have survived, but wouldn’t mind something else to occupy him independently.
Also, does anyone have any recommendations on long lasting chewy treats? Not rawhide though please. He always has a Yak on the go, but they’re fairly expensive at £11.50. We give him a Paddywack or a Beef hide each evening as part of his settling down routine - but they only last half and hour and cost £2 each.
@Fromtherough have you tried an antler for him to gnaw on? No, not a full one, you buy them as small but thick sticks. Our dog is a spaniel, so nowhere near as strong as Desmond, but she never managed to destroy one. Keeps her occupied for a good amount of time. In theory he could gnaw on that each evening for a bit, then take it off him for the next night. If he can get through one of them quickly then I've got nothing 
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
Try these, been/are exactly were you are, these are nylon and seem to be lasting, plus at that price you can’t go wrong.
https://www.aldi.co.uk/bacon-nylon-dog-chew/p/713806480205800
Fade and Die
Medal Winner
Try one of these, my dog has been working on it for ages. Still hasn’t got through it.
https://www.wildthought.co.uk/produ...Zjqmqu3Lz8B485ne8wil3MTM90g22MfBoCu5kQAvD_BwE
https://www.wildthought.co.uk/produ...Zjqmqu3Lz8B485ne8wil3MTM90g22MfBoCu5kQAvD_BwE
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Am a member of a staffie group on fb, the in joke is there is no such thing as an indestructible toy!!!! Many so called dont last a day, they clearly are "tested" on smaller dogs. Have found oversized balls very good as she cant get them fully in her mouth, especially the harder ones for Poppy, she'll play with them but cant destroy them very easily
As mentioned antlers are good for chewing
One recommendation we had when Poppy was playing up a lot was to try and wear out the mind rather than the body using enrichment. We had some help from a dog trainer but was a massive help for us and helps if we need to desensitise her still now. We did a variety of things including putting bits of kibble in wrapped up towels, food in toilet roll holders folded over, wed set up little courses either in the house or garden and hide various treats in different places, some easy, others harder. Half hour of that would tire her out more than 5 miles up and down the beach!
Fromtherough
Assistant Pro
He did have an antler, but due to the shape couldn’t seem to get any purchase on it. He grinded his teeth in the middle, softer but then lost interest. I might try with another, less smooth one so he can get hold of it.@Fromtherough have you tried an antler for him to gnaw on? No, not a full one, you buy them as small but thick sticks. Our dog is a spaniel, so nowhere near as strong as Desmond, but she never managed to destroy one. Keeps her occupied for a good amount of time. In theory he could gnaw on that each evening for a bit, then take it off him for the next night. If he can get through one of them quickly then I've got nothing
Fromtherough
Assistant Pro
Will give it a go. He had a coffee root thing which looks similar, but demolished it while I was on a call for work.
Jamesbrown
Head Pro
Be careful of yak sticks, one of mine ended up with half a tooth. Only had it 5 mins. Always used to take it off them after 10mins.
Both used to love em. One especially the microwaved ends.
They have these tooth brush type balls now and I smear peanut butter in the grooves and middle.
Both used to love em. One especially the microwaved ends.
They have these tooth brush type balls now and I smear peanut butter in the grooves and middle.
Fromtherough
Assistant Pro
Cheers will give it a go. Have to avoid using towels mind, they’re his favourite choice of prohibited snacks. We’ll them and golf caps, school socks and ties.
Fromtherough
Assistant Pro
I often wonder how he doesn’t break his teeth on the Yak. We let him have it to wind down of an evening and take it off him after 20-30 mins. Otherwise he’s gnaw it until it was gone. Weirdly the microwaved bits go like cinder toffee - but stink the microwave out like spoiled milk.
CliveW
Tour Winner
I'm really surprised that any dog is still chewing furniture and generally being destructive at ten months old.
YandaB
Newbie
Whilst new puppies are being discussed, can I ask a clarification question about the 5 minutes per month rule of thumb for walking please. Is this the actual time walking or does the time include the inordinate amount of time letting them sniff anything and everything becuase it is all still new? If it is the latter then I'm lmited to a very short par 3!
