I am in need of all the help and advice I can get! I recently got a new "Dorkie" puppy named Gus! He is 11 weeks old. We have had him now for 3 weeks. My problem is I am afraid since he has been here for 3 weeks that anything I do will traumatize him if I change his surroundings. But clearly what I am doing isn't working.
Background info: Because he cried so much when we got him I tried keeping him in main part of house with family. I have 4 children and they couldn't stand for him to cry for one second. But the minute we take him outside he does everything but potty. No matter how long he is outside, he will come right back in and go on the floor. I quickly realized this just isn't working. We constructed a large gate to keep him strictly in the living room hoping this would be easier to keep an eye on him but now he has figured out how to climb over it. Because he cries so much he sleeps on the couch with me at night. That is the only way anyone can get any sleep. I know he has some control because he has no accidents all night long. First thing in the morning he will potty outside (but I think it's only because of luck and because he was carried outside). I have treats ready to give him when he goes outside but now even when he doesn't potty outside, he sits patiently by the door waiting to be rewarded...????
I am at a loss and need help!!! I also have an 8 yr old Yorkie (who never slept in a crate but was easy to train which is why I thought I could use the same approach with new puppy). The older dog was house broken before the puppy came along but now he feels it necessary to go in the house . And he goes in weird places like the kid's beds or right in the middle of the kitchen floor?? So basically between the 2 dogs, my entire house smells like a public restroom even though I really try to clean up after them with a pet enzyme spray. I have read many books, watched some videos, searched the web and it seems as though we are not making any progress. HELP!!
My question is since I never started him off in a small kennel and because he has gotten use to being where I am and sleeping with me, would trying a kennel now be damaging to his security making him have anxiety? Is it too late? Is there maybe a better/different solution? Also, maybe I need training too. I don't want him to cry but maybe this is ok and I am the one who needs to be ok with it?? I am a stay at home mom and I am here all day long so I am able to take him out frequently, play with him, comfort him but if I simply walk out of the room he starts to cry and bark. I also need help with how to handle the behavior of my older dog who I feel is so depressed about having to share his family with a new dog, who he hates! So any advice from anyone would be a blessing!! I would also like to teach both dogs to ring a bell to go outside so I have bells by the door and ring them and say "potty" each time we go outside. Is this correct? I am willing to do whatever I need to do. We all already love him so much!
Contact a local dog trainer, or a local dog groomer to see if they have contacts with a trainer. Sounds like you may need to become the Alpha dog and teach the new kid how to behave!
Hi Liz, welcome 🙂
I have had many puppies and dogs and each one is different and needs to be treated as an individual. What works for one won't necessarily work for another.
Introducing the new pup means that your resident dog is scent marking. As the new pup's pong is taking over your older dog is marking his territory.
It seems likely that the garden will also be marked and the pup may feel uneasy about going there.
I am presuming that first you have been to the vet for jabs and worming etc and to check that there is nothing physically wrong? Simple things like testing the pups hearing and eyesight are usually taken for granted but should still be tested.
Some dogs learn easily and very fast, others can take a much longer time. Patience is a virtue, not easy though when you have poop everywhere. Imagine what it was like with me with two great German Shepherd pups!
Try and find a puppy training class as that can give you support and an easy way to have access to friendly advice.
Jabba mentions Alpha dog, well the owner should always be boss and alpha but I don't think your status is at fault here, just puppy nerves and jitters.
11 weeks is old for a new pup, do you know what happened? Did he get re-homed or something as that may hold valuable clues.
Good Luck and lots of anit-bac 🙂
Thanks for the info Cassie! Gus is 11 wks now but we have had him since he was 8 wks old. So that means I have been struggling with this very headstrong puppy for some time. My children have already taught him to sit and shake......but don't even think about going outside to potty. I just bought him a crate so this week I am hoping that will help him. I feel awful because he has been with us for 3 weeks and hasn't ever been in a crate so I am afraid he will cry and get upset. He has melted our hearts and I am a pushover when he cries:( ....I think he has trained me instead of me training him!
I read that bit wrong about his age thought you got him at ll weeks, sorry. So it is still very very early days, perseverance is needed that's all, he will learn 🙂
I don't use crates myself, we have a well used tiled kitchen floor instead. It really just takes routine and routine and routine and praise. Praise the good, make a fuss of the good and ignore the accidents, clean them up and put the mess outside where he should be doing it. Also try not to immediately clear up the mess when he does go outside, let it sit so he knows it is ok or he may equate you clearing up outside with the wring doing inside, do you see what I mean?
Hi Liz, welcome 🙂
I have had many puppies and dogs and each one is different and needs to be treated as an individual. What works for one won't necessarily work for another.
Introducing the new pup means that your resident dog is scent marking. As the new pup's pong is taking over your older dog is marking his territory.
It seems likely that the garden will also be marked and the pup may feel uneasy about going there.
I am presuming that first you have been to the vet for jabs and worming etc and to check that there is nothing physically wrong? Simple things like testing the pups hearing and eyesight are usually taken for granted but should still be tested.Some dogs learn easily and very fast, others can take a much longer time. Patience is a virtue, not easy though when you have poop everywhere. Imagine what it was like with me with two great German Shepherd pups!
Try and find a puppy training class as that can give you support and an easy way to have access to friendly advice.Jabba mentions Alpha dog, well the owner should always be boss and alpha but I don't think your status is at fault here, just puppy nerves and jitters.
11 weeks is old for a new pup, do you know what happened? Did he get re-homed or something as that may hold valuable clues.Good Luck and lots of anit-bac 🙂
I totally agree with cascara, puppies and dogs each have different traits and charicteristics. Some are independent and aloof, even if they raise by the same person. Others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone.:)
I soon learnt that the word 'No' was my best friend with our new dog, along with the use of a harmless 'Pet Corrector' Spray.