New Puppy Help.... I need advice!
August 4th, 2008
~We just got a 10 week old German Shepherd puppy on thursday. When we brought him home he was very hungry, so we gave him continuous access to food and water. He still has free reign of water, and food if he doesn't finish it from his meal. Should he not be allowed free rein of food and water?
~Another question: We are crating him only at night, and during the day he is out with my family and I. Now when I leave one room and go into anoter that he can't get into due to a gate he starts whining, yelping, and howling. So I go over to comfort him and he doesn't stop until I get out of that room and go to be with him. Should I not do this? Should I just let him whine and carry on, or what?
Please help, and if you can give anymore advice on anything.. food portions, potty training, ect. that would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Comments
We also have a 5 year old
We also have a 5 year old female dog. She takes his bones even though she has her own, and they share them. Now, there is nothing wrong with that until she takes his bones and won't let him have them. She growls at him, and snaps at him. Then he barks at her, and they go back and forth barking and snapping. Should I just let them work it out? Or should I intervine before it turns into a fight? When we first got her from the SPCA she was a over a year old and was not potty trained, and use to relieve herself in our family room. Now that we have our 10 week old puppy, I think he picked up her scent there, because he goes to the bathroom in the same exact spot she use to. We used Natures Miracle when she went there, and we use that for him too, but he still insists on going to the bathroom in there. We blocked of that room, and when I am in there and he can't be he cries until I come out, and then he attacks my feet, legs and ankles for leaving him alone.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Rebecca, First thing...go
Rebecca,
First thing...go get one of two books (or both). "My Smart Puppy" and/or "How to Raise A Puppy You Can Live With". VERY helpful books.
I dont think dogs should be free fed. most dogs I see that are are overweight. We give our puppy 3 square meals a day and if he doesn't eat everything in 10 minutes, we pick the bowl up. Read the dogfood bag for the appropriate amount of food to give him.
Use that crate more! Crate training is the best way to housebreak a puppy. Those books will explain how to go about using it, but don't feel bad for using a crate. A dog is a den animal and finds comfort in small, safe places like that. Our puppy got used to his crate from the first day and only barked and whined for a few minutes the first few nights.
When you're dog can't follow you to another room and starts to whine and bark do NOT go back and comfort him!!!!! You are teaching him that barking and whining will get him the attention he wants. You do NOT want to get him started doing that. As hard as it is, you must ignore him or he'll always do that. If you feel you must go check on him, wait until he quits barking, even if only for 30 seconds. You absolutely cannot reward poor behavior. If you feel guilty, think about it...what's worse, having your dog bark and go crazy for the rest of his life every time you leave him, or training him to be comfortable by himself?
If a puppy is attacking your feet and ankles you MUST let him know that this is not acceptable or, again, he'll continue to do it. Grab him by the scruff of the neck WHILE HE IS DOING THE BAD BEHAVIOR give him a firm (but NOT painful) shake and in a growly tone forcefully say "NO!". You don't want to hurt the pup, you just want to let him know in no uncertain terms that his behavior is not acceptable.
When you get the books be sure you read the part about the pack mentality of dogs. Read it twice. Most problems with dogs come from owners treating dogs like people and not like a dog. Give your dog love, but make sure you show him every day that you are the pack leader. If you aren't, he will try to be and he will not listen to you if you're not dominant over him.
GOOD LUCK!!!
I totally agree with the
I totally agree with the statement about crate training. It is the number one best thing we did with our labradoodle. She is very comfortable in her crate. At night as the family starts to go to bed she heads for her crate without being told. The other night my oldest son was going to be up and wanted her with him, he had to go pull her out of her crate and carry her to the family room (she wanted to go to bed). We feed our dog twice per day, first thing in the morning and right after we eat dinner. It's the pack thing, the leader eats first. We started feeding her before we ate so she wouldn't beg but changed to after our dinner when we read something. Her behavior improved in general when she was the last to eat. Also we make her sit and wait for us to tell her she can eat, it is a good way to assert your roll as the pack leader. Your dog may challenge your status as leader from time to time you just need to reinforce that you not the dog is the pack leader.
Have Fun,
Thank you for your advice. I
Thank you for your advice. I have been working on crate training with him. However, because I only have two weeks left before I have to go back to work, I am trying to get him use to being in the crate alone. He wants no part of that. He has separation anxiety, and when I leave him alone for a few minutes he goes crazy and cries on the top of his lungs. Then when he stops I go in there just to let him no its ok, and that I have not left him forever. I don't know how to comfort him. He gets so tramatized after being in there alone after he stops and I take him out. He sleeps by my side while I am doing something. He follows me everywhere afterwards, and cries when I am not in his sight. I don't know how to get him use to it in time for me to go back to work. And my other dog and two cats want no part of him when he acts like that because he is so obnoxious.
Talk to your vet about
Talk to your vet about separation anxiety. He/she may prescribe medication temporarily to deal with the issue.
Yesterday I went out, and
Yesterday I went out, and left my father to watch the pup and the kids. Then my son called me and asked what they should do because the puppy was throwing a fit. I told them that when he stops, to let him out with our other dog, and then when I got home I would take care of it. Like this morning for example: I got up and was getting washed and dressed and I wasn't in his sight so he started to cry. So I came back out and brushed my teeth in the doorway so he could see me, and because I was still to far away for his comfort, he cried even louder. Mind you now, that it was 6am, and I feared that he would wake up the kids. So i took him downstairs and finished getting washed and dressed down there. He would not, and will not leave my side. I have to be able to get out of the house, and then in two weeks go back to work. I need this to stop, but I don't want to have to have him on a medication. I am starting to run out of options.
I would just put him in the
I would just put him in the crate and leave the house for an hour. Later do it for two hours. Keep increasing the time away. You have to let the dog work this out for himself. You're not doing anyone any favors by continuing to let him out every time he wants to. You are the leader of the pack and you say when he goes in the crate and when he comes out. It's a lot easier to put up with if you're not there to hear it.
Talk to your vet ASAP and describe what's going on. You need help.
Ok, Thank you all. I will
Ok,
Thank you all. I will try these and will bring back the results. I hope I can get this to stop in time. Wish me luck.
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