Does anyone own a Briard?

Her poos have been much nicer since we switched her to it

I think that's the overwhelming story of the switch to raw, every single person who feeds their dog raw has said the poo is more consistent and doesn't smell as much, still torn to put him on raw or keep him on kibble, at the moment we have 8kg of kibble so have time to decide
 
I think that's the overwhelming story of the switch to raw, every single person who feeds their dog raw has said the poo is more consistent and doesn't smell as much, still torn to put him on raw or keep him on kibble, at the moment we have 8kg of kibble so have time to decide

She sort of forced our hand really as she just wouldn't each much kibble. We got a bit worried and took her to an out of hours vet trip because she was looking so thin.

We had to give her rice and chicken for a few days then when we tried raw she loved it
 
The ticking clock I thought was for very young, separated at birth kinda pups? Yeah not sure we'll bother with that though.
I have watched a load of YouTube stuff about staying with them until they sleep etc, asked the breeder and she said to avoid all of that, they'll come to expect it. So I'm torn, I know she is old school but I trust her techniques and we will go the route she says I think. Or at least try it. Hopefully he settles well.
Good work on the quick successes so far with potty training!

She is sending him with a blanket they've been snuggled in, and a toy he's been playing with along with some food.
Also, a pleasant surprise, received an email from Purina, breeders referral so I get 30% off my first order. Will get a big order in to make the most of that. Just trying to estimate how much puppy kibble he'll need, she says to feed him on the medium puppy for 12 months.

We've gone fawn (or thorn?) We get him Saturday afternoon, I'm at work till 6pm though so maybe the Mrs will have him settled.


it's true they will come to expect it and will play on it for years to come.

i'll log on Saturday night for all the cute pupy pics..

ill post some of my puppy when i brought him home, his (four legged) dad was furious. He thought he just got his leg over without any responsibility :D
 
Here he is.
Got delivered yesterday afternoon and travelled brilliantly. The courier lady welled up as she dropped him off, she was smitten.
He's such a lovely temperament.

Last night he was a bit unsettled but we left him in his cage/penned area, he knows to wee on newspaper which is a bonus.
He did wake a few times in the night and took 20 mins or so to settle but we left him to it.
I was up at 4:30 to go to work, he was awake when I got downstairs but quite content. Took him out for potty and left, the Mrs said he settled again after 15-20 mins and went back to sleep.
We still don't have a name for him. Welly, woody and Django are all in the mix. Baxter and Wilson too.
No idea!
We're a little worried we're not feeding him enough, following Purina advice but he's constantly sniffing his bowl.
We'll stick with current measure and check his weight in a week or two.

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dude, super cute.

He is a great shape as well, i think he will be a stocky boy when he grows to full size.

how is he sleeping ? he looks really laid back in the pictures

edit: just read about the sleeping, missed the text as i was to busy looking at the pictures :D

food wise they will want to eat anything and everything they can get their hands on but you don't want to over feed them.

Did Jan give you a diet plan ?
 
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Thanks, yeah he's awesome.
He's currently 6kg, which is at the bottom end of what a 8wk old male should be apparently. The Purina bag say 1.5-3 months 115-230 g per day. We're feeding 150g split over 4 meals. Plus a few treats.
Last night, we are at the dining table near where his cage is with him in it and he didn't make a noise. He slept through to about 2am before we heard anything. I guess he wakes up as he needs a wee then starts to get a bit distressed/lonely.
We left a dim light on for him, maybe that helped a bit.
His poos are quite inconsistent. He's on the food Jan sent, and we're feeding at the same times, hopefully will get better as he settles.
 
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He's so cute you're going to have so much fun, we've only had ours a week and I cannot imagine not having him now, we're so used to him being around, also he now lets us know when he wants the loo so we've picked up on the little signs.

He went to bed at 10.30 last night and didn't stir until we got up at 6am which we're seeing as a massive win.
 
Yeah we're super grateful of any minor victories. He was out playing, then went into his pen to wee and we're high fiving that :lol:
Amazing how their character develops so quickly.
He's clingy currently, we're forgiving of that whilst he settles but something I'm wary of as he gets a bit old. He wants to sit on or next to us all the time, which is fine at 6kg, not so much at 40kg!


Did yours start unsettled wrt to poop conistency at all?
 
Just spoke to the vets regarding registration and jabs.
He's currently had DHPPi and Lepto 2. The vets we wanted to use said they only use Lepto 4 so it'd be longer until he has full protection to be able to socialise. Which on the phone didn't sound an issue but then I realised that puts him back to 7 weeks until he can mix as opposed to 4. Seems I should try to get his Lepto 2 elsewhere. Unless Lepto 4 is superior?
 
Just spoke to the vets regarding registration and jabs.
He's currently had DHPPi and Lepto 2. The vets we wanted to use said they only use Lepto 4 so it'd be longer until he has full protection to be able to socialise. Which on the phone didn't sound an issue but then I realised that puts him back to 7 weeks until he can mix as opposed to 4. Seems I should try to get his Lepto 2 elsewhere. Unless Lepto 4 is superior?

We've got to drive back over to where we picked him up next week for his next jab, the one he had isn't available in our area so we decided it was easier to book him in there (40 minute drive) rather than put him back by changing the vaccine as we want him to mix with the Frenchie next door but in answer to your question it would make sense to find somewhere that does Lepto2 as I think the earlier you get him socializing the better in my opinion.

Every little win is great though isn't it, he's nearly mastered sit and fetch so were really happy with him and while working he tends to have a minute trying to get your attention then goes and gets in his bed.
 
The most alarming advise they gave us to not walk them for the first 6 months, and after that, only a couple of hundred yards max as they can suffer from hip dysplasia quite badly. Also, no jumping, no stairs, and only exercising them in the garden for 5-10 minutes at a time.

I always find advice like this is rather silly. We've got a miniature Dachshund and was basically told the same thing, no jumping/climbing stairs due to spinal issues. When a dog greets you its natural instinct is to want to do so at face level, which of course means they're going to be bouncing a lot. I also think it's quite a sad existence if they're not allowed to bounce around a bit. We do try and avoid him using the stairs, and will carry him up/down if needed.

Thanks, yeah he's awesome.
He's currently 6kg, which is at the bottom end of what a 8wk old male should be apparently. The Purina bag say 1.5-3 months 115-230 g per day. We're feeding 150g split over 4 meals. Plus a few treats.
Last night, we are at the dining table near where his cage is with him in it and he didn't make a noise. He slept through to about 2am before we heard anything. I guess he wakes up as he needs a wee then starts to get a bit distressed/lonely.
We left a dim light on for him, maybe that helped a bit.
His poos are quite inconsistent. He's on the food Jan sent, and we're feeding at the same times, hopefully will get better as he settles.

One mistake we made quite early on was letting him nap in the evening, which meant when it came to bed time he wasn't tired in the slightest - cue a sleepless night for me.

One major thing i always came across when researching is that all dogs like routine. We crate trained ours from the beginning and although it took a good few weeks for him to settle into a routine, he's been pretty much spot on ever since. You also need to be persistent, he did used to bark a little after putting him to bed, but you've gotta learn to ignore it, otherwise he'll know that all he needs to do is bark to get some attention.

His poos might be inconsistent in part due to anxiety, i don't know if anxiety is much of a thing with your breed, but i know it's quite a big thing in ours - mainly separation anxiety. He absolutely hated being left alone, but has eventually grown to accept that you can't be around him 24 hours a day.

We had a similar problem with ours regarding the jabs, local vet didn't stock the same brand/type that he had for his first jab. I took the choice of restarting his jabs, because the vet was local (and well rated) and figured by the time we'd found another vet with an appointment, it'd be at least halfway through the window between jabs. I wasn't sure also if it meant he'd have to have the same jab in 12 months, which would have meant registering to a vet that you might not necessarily use, but are only doing so because of drug availability.

I sympathise with you for the timing though, trying to socialise a puppy whilst we're in lockdown is likely to be challenging. Have you got other friends/relatives with dogs? - i think you can meet 1 person in an outdoor space, could be worth doing that even if you walk along 2 meters apart, it's just about getting him used to other dogs.
 
I sympathise with you for the timing though, trying to socialise a puppy whilst we're in lockdown is likely to be challenging. Have you got other friends/relatives with dogs? - i think you can meet 1 person in an outdoor space, could be worth doing that even if you walk along 2 meters apart, it's just about getting him used to other dogs.

This is why we decided to drive over to the vets he was 1st seen at because all our parents have dogs, next door neighbours have a dog and a good friend (who also happens to live on the little walk we have to the park) has a dog so socialising him is a major factor, all are up to date with their jabs so they can be introduced but it's more of a following advise than risk of him catching something that we've kept him away from others dogs.

We need him to get on with next door as they'll mix a lot and plus she works at Pets at Home and said anytime we need a sitter she'll have him because she can also take both her dog (Jeff) and our dog (Lionel) to work with her if necessary.
 
Most Briards are clingy by nature :D

was it a big litter ? I wouldn’t worry about the weight just yet they can have growing spurts.

Also have you got him having a bowl of goats milk a day ?
 
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His next jab is due in 2-4 weeks, so I may just find someone to do the 2nd Lepto jab, but stick with the vet u have just registered him at for the rest. Like you say though, does he need a Lepto 2 jab every year? I'll do some research.
We have a step into and out of the back door, he has worked that out, and doesn't look unsteady or like he's straining. We will be careful with him, but perhaps not to the letter.

I've just fed him, been outside for potty for 15 mins, and then put him in his cage while I cook dinner, he's been with me all afternoon so he can't grumble!
He whined a little, but has soon settled.

Goats milk? Not heard that one...
 
His next jab is due in 2-4 weeks, so I may just find someone to do the 2nd Lepto jab, but stick with the vet u have just registered him at for the rest. Like you say though, does he need a Lepto 2 jab every year? I'll do some research.
We have a step into and out of the back door, he has worked that out, and doesn't look unsteady or like he's straining. We will be careful with him, but perhaps not to the letter.

I've just fed him, been outside for potty for 15 mins, and then put him in his cage while I cook dinner, he's been with me all afternoon so he can't grumble!
He whined a little, but has soon settled.

Goats milk? Not heard that one...


yep has high nutritional content, some breeders give it to babies if mothers refuse to feed. i kept mine to their diet plan but would give them a small bowl of goats milk in the afternoon.

have a read up on it though some vets and breeders swear by it others not so much.

lepto jabs, once you have done the first two, are yearly boosters.
 
Thanks for the heads up, we decided to just stick to his basic kibble.
We have pulled the treats too and are using his regular kibble for rewards. He's seeming getting better, only 2 poos today Vs 6 or so and they're much firmer
I have been on nights, the Mrs has been putting him down around 22:30 and I've been coming in from work around 06:00. He's been dry both nights, and gone outside for 10 minutes and done his business. He's slept through too!

Main issue is he's super nippy, more so with the Mrs, he's started humping her too.
I've tried firm 'no' and 'ouch' but he rarely responds. I often slip a toy in his mouth too, divert attention. Kinda works.

I know people say they grow out of it but I don't know for certain that's the case, and I want to set the tone early on.
 
For the nipping, diverting attention is a good approach. We found a high-pitched 'yip' worked really well too, the kind of sound a puppy might make themselves - our pup responded well to that, although my wife was much better at making that sound than me!
 
I think the biggest thing we had with our pup early that seemed to worsen bitiness was not getting her to sleep enough in the day. We have 2 youngish kids so not a quiet house and they really need loads of sleep not just overnight. Small bursts of play and training and then get them asleep
 
Thanks for the heads up, we decided to just stick to his basic kibble.
We have pulled the treats too and are using his regular kibble for rewards. He's seeming getting better, only 2 poos today Vs 6 or so and they're much firmer
I have been on nights, the Mrs has been putting him down around 22:30 and I've been coming in from work around 06:00. He's been dry both nights, and gone outside for 10 minutes and done his business. He's slept through too!

Main issue is he's super nippy, more so with the Mrs, he's started humping her too.
I've tried firm 'no' and 'ouch' but he rarely responds. I often slip a toy in his mouth too, divert attention. Kinda works.

I know people say they grow out of it but I don't know for certain that's the case, and I want to set the tone early on.

grow out of it ? mine is two and a half, still nips during play time if we are play fighting and he still humps a teddy penguin even though he has had his bits off.

It's probably bad parenting on my part, when i lost his dad at the start of last year it shook me a fair bit and i've ended up spoiling him to much. I guess this phrase works well "you made your bed now lie in it" :D

glad it's all going well for you. Have you starting running a brush through him yet ? might be worth getting him used to it, when they change from puppy to adult coat it can get really matted. It can be a bit of a nightmare if they don't like the brush.
 
For the nipping, diverting attention is a good approach. We found a high-pitched 'yip' worked really well too, the kind of sound a puppy might make themselves - our pup responded well to that, although my wife was much better at making that sound than me!
He hears the 'ouch'/'no' etc but carries on regardless. Little bugger!

I think the biggest thing we had with our pup early that seemed to worsen bitiness was not getting her to sleep enough in the day. We have 2 youngish kids so not a quiet house and they really need loads of sleep not just overnight. Small bursts of play and training and then get them asleep
I feed him 9/12/16/1900 and play/potty straight after, then take him out again for play/potty in between. He does get plenty of time for sleeping through the day, sometime I put him back in his pen and he settles, sometimes I let him sleep on the floor near me.


grow out of it ? mine is two and a half, still nips during play time if we are play fighting and he still humps a teddy penguin even though he has had his bits off.

It's probably bad parenting on my part, when i lost his dad at the start of last year it shook me a fair bit and i've ended up spoiling him to much. I guess this phrase works well "you made your bed now lie in it" :D

glad it's all going well for you. Have you starting running a brush through him yet ? might be worth getting him used to it, when they change from puppy to adult coat it can get really matted. It can be a bit of a nightmare if they don't like the brush.

I don't mind gentle mouthing, it's the actual biting that's what I'm trying to stop.
If he's in this mood I can't even walk around without him trying to clamp onto my shoes or trousers. I have read about the the reasons you shouldn't try to stop a puppy mouthing all together but he will happily chomp on anything currently.
I will stick to the tactic of cramming a toy in his face but I'm concerned he could assimilate chewing me, with getting play time.

We have him sit on a towel every time he comes in so we can dry his paws, and when he is quite settled I brush him and generally handle him all over, toes, ears, tail etc. He doesn't seem to mind.
 
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