Penny has just turned three months old and is an active, energetic little chocolate lab. She’s had a few behaviors that we want to nip in the bud, and because of that, we’ve invested in a few products to help us solve these common puppy problems. I’ve decided to share the products with you in the event that they could help another family.
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Puppy Problems and Our Solutions
Peeing In the House
While house training is going well, there are times when we know we won’t be able to be home in time to let Penny out. It’s been extremely hot here in Ohio, and both dogs are drinking much more water than usual. Puppy pads have been a helpful solution.
I placed puppy pads in the places where Penny tends to “go.” She has her spots–the bathroom is her all-time favorite, right in front of the sink. I wish I could teach her to pee in the shower (for easy clean-up), but I’ll take what I can get. She also has a spot she likes in front of the kitchen sink, possibly because of the vinyl-covered cushioned mat there, and another corner in the living room. While the living room is the only place with an actual rug, I felt like I was always chasing after Penny with Resolve carpet spray.
The ones we purchased were the All-Absorb Extra-Large Training Pads. They’ve worked really well for our needs and have helped us solve the worst of our puppy problems. These pads are 28 inches by 34 inches, but eventually, we may cut back to the smaller ones. They are super absorbent and are made in the U.S.A. They also have an odor neutralizer, and I really don’t notice any smell. Even the blue plastic backing is leak-proof.
Eating Too Quickly
Like many labs, Penny is a hog. She loves her food–her food, Allie’s food, our food, anything that appears to be food. You’ve got the picture. When I would set down her bowl, she’d run over, gobble the food down, and then start to puke it back up. Ew!
To solve this problem, I got Penny this slow feed dog dish. It holds up to two cups of dry dog food and is dishwasher safe. The good news is that Penny hasn’t thrown up at all since I started using this bowl.
Keeping Penny Contained
Our kitchen, hall, and back entry are tiled which is perfect for two dogs, especially when we aren’t able to be home. However, we have a large area rug in the living room and furniture that I don’t want Penny to chew on (been there, done that with Indy). Our solution: Put up a baby gate.
To be fair, we tried this with Indy. We bought a large baby gate as our opening is five feet. Unfortunately, I picked a pretty fence with metal and wood. Bad move! Labs chew. Indy chewed completely through two slats one day and squeezed her little body through. She was in the living room having great fun when I got home from school that day.
This time, I didn’t have to buy a gate. When Meghan moved to Colorado last year, she left behind her huge metal gate. It was larger than what we needed, so we only used the actual gate and one section. It’s working perfectly.
I do recommend a walk-through type gate. I’m short, and it’s a pain to try to step over a dog fence. This isn’t the exact gate we have–ours is four years old and much wider than the one pictured, but it will help you understand the type of gate I’m talking about. Our gate can even be used as a play yard when it’s all connected. We used a wall mount–believe me, Penny could pounce and knock over a pressure mounted baby gate with no problem at all.
Chewing All the Time
I mentioned in my fun puppy products post that we had gotten a Kong toy for Penny. Kongs are virtually indestructible, as long as you don’t run them over with the lawn mower. Penny loved to chew on her Kong. I usually fill it with all-natural peanut butter, but I did buy the Kong squirt paste for Penny’s first international road trip (post coming soon). They are so much easier to use in the car and kept her occupied during part of what turned out to be a 12-13 hour trip each way.
Sleeping by Herself
Penny sleeps in a crate. It’s a safe place for her, and she doesn’t seem to mind it. We borrowed our crate since we know that Penny will outgrow it in a few short months. Her crate is in the back entry, and I can close the door if needed. I do take off her collar and tags before I put her in the crate–I don’t want to take the chance of having them catch on any of the openings. We did take her crate to Canada with us, and she slept in it there, as well.
Playing Outdoors Safely
At our old home, I had an in-ground Invisible Fence for our golden retriever, Montana, which worked wonderfully. We tried that here, but the wire ran through the woods. It didn’t last two months before the groundhogs chewed right through it. So, we bought the Pet Safe system which is by the makers of Invisible Fence.
Each Pet Safe system covers 3/4 of an acre (circular area), and you can combine two systems to cover more area. We have two, so they overlap. The settings can be adjusted for each dog. Alabama is more timid and uses a lower setting than Indiana did. I really like that these are portable–I can take it anywhere I go. The area range is adjustable, so I can lower it, and even use it on camping trips if I want. If you only have one system, you can buy additional collars–we have two systems, so we already have two collars.
Finding Her Way Home
God forbid we lose our precious little Pennsylvania, but just in case, she’ll get a GoTags reflective collar just like Alabama has. The letters and numbers are large and easy to read, unlike her smaller dog tag. The collar is no wider than your average collar. Allie’s been wearing hers for a year and a half and it still looks fine. Penny also has a little light for on her collar for nighttime potty breaks-she’s hard to see in the dark!
Final Thoughts on These Solutions to Our Puppy Problems
These products have helped us solve some of the problems that a new puppy has presented. I hope you find them useful!
I am reminded of the many puppies we’ve trained through the years. They are so adorable but, at times, so frustrating! Lots of great tips here!
My fully grown puppy has had separation anxiety for years 🙁 Any tips? Have you tried CBD treats at all? I’m curious about them, but haven’t bought them just yet.
I wish i knew these things when my dog was a puppy!
Awww I need to send this to my neighbor she just got a new puppy. So much energy….LOL
Your posts are very useful to me because although I don’t have a dog since I am getting ready for that, at least I know everything I need.
Wow…nice one ..iam a puppy lover .. I relate to your situation often when my puppy peeing😂😂😂😂😂…great blog..loved
First of all, your puppy is adorable! Love the kong toys for curbing chewing, that worked really well for our dog too.
Every dog lover will love to follow these tips 🖤
She is getting so big and cuuuutteee 😍
I have an 8 month old puppy! I have done almost all of the same things, but I have a fenced backyard. I love the baby gate so much even just to keep my pup from going to a different area of the house where I can’t see or hear what she’s getting into. Love these ideas!
This is very useful post for pet lovers like me who are yet beginner and need to know what all pet training and pet products comes to help. Really like the slow feeding bowl product. Slow eating is must for all living beings. Thanks for sharing.
Heena
This is a very informative post with great product recommendations. I have had a chocolate lab before and used most of these products as well! They really were so helpful!
These are very nice and useful puppy products. I don’t think penny will like her new feeding bowl though but she’ll have to get used to it. 🙂
Penny’s really adjusted to the new bowl well. It slows her down, but she still eats the same amount. I should buy another one for Allie—right now, I feed them separately.
My friend has the same problem of her dog eating too fast. I’ll suggest her to check out that feeding bowl!
Such great innovative products. Who would have thought in the not so long past that our puppies could be so thoughtfully cared for.
Having puppy is so much fun but it definitely gives a LOT to take care of. Fence helped us a lot when he had our fur babies. Great list!
I saw that food bowl on Amazon and wondered about it, and if it would work. Great tips! The invisible fence is awesome, and something I never knew existed before. I’m a cat person, but I have a friend with several dogs and I’ll be passing this information on to her. Penny is certainly growing, and it is so fun to watch. Can’t wait to read about her international trip.
She is such a sweet cute dog. 🙂 I wish I have a dog too, but if ever I got one soon, I’ll remember these tips.
I am so excited about this post! My kiddos have been relentless in bugging my husband and me for a new puppy! I have been so hesitant because of literally all of these puppy problems you mention in your post! This article has given me some great ideas on how to solve these issues! Especially chewing and training! So maybe my kids will be getting a pup sooner than they thought!
Ps- your Penny is Adorable!!
Great product suggestions. I love the collar. Our Great Pyr puppy is about to grow out of hers. I’m going to order one of these and I was just telling my husband we should get a Kong
There is a lot of information here but first let me say that I LOVE THE NAME MONTANA! So many things caught my attention in this post but that has to be first! Second, I love the feeding bowl that slows the dog down. I never thought of that but I have a yorkie that eats so fast I don’t even think she is aware that she ate! I also found the invisible fence interesting. I never knew of a fence like that that you could take when you went away! How clever! Great post!
Our terrier Mia had a huge problem with eating quick. Our trainer told us to get this bowl and it worked wonders. Trainer also said that dogs can get something called Bloat. I really need to get the same bowl for my Beagle Rocco though he has an iron constitution and can eat just about everything. We also had to buy a product called bitter apple because it was supposed to stop chewing. My dog ate the container so that didn’t work. We also invested in Natures Miracle which does wonders when they pee and you don’t catch it! Takes the smell right out. Great tips.
You oughta be the spokesperson for “how to prepare for a new puppy”! A nice comprehensive list for someone that may or may not be in the market for getting a puppy for the first time 😉
That dog bowl is GENIUS!!! We need to get that for my brother’s dog!! And am about to order that collar now. Thank you!!
Penny has grown so fast, it was just the other month she was being introduced to the family.