Need Help with a New Puppy!

[Gryphon]

I need some help with a new puppy, and I knew this was the place to come.


I got a new little guy last night. He was from a rescue, is about 4-5 months old. Has a little bit of a cold from being at the vet for neutering a few weeks back.
Sweet little guy who just loves to be held and with his "people"
Problem...at night, when I was ready for bed and put him in his crate, he cried and cried. (He was supposedly used to crate living, albeit in aplace with a lot of company)
I brought him into my room, but he still cried. He only calmed down when I slept on the floor next to his crate. Needless to say, that is not a habit I want to start.
Secondly, when he went back in the crate this morning, he immediately started whimpering. I feel like a very guilty doggy dad. Any suggestions?

[me]

If you have a wind up clock put that next to his crate or something with your scent on it in with him.

[smokeykat]

or even put something in there with your scent on it.  a house-slipper always worked for my dog.

[Palehorse]

Pup's going to cry for awhile so better get some ear plugs. Try the clock thing or slipper. We bought a couple of cheap stuffed animals and sat with them while at home. Then put them and a blanket into the crate with him at night.  Shortened his whining periods substantially.

We moved pups crate to where he could see us go into the bedroom, and that helped too. Eventually they get the idea that it is your crate.

[Gryphon]

thanks guys...other than the sleeping, he has been great. Tonight I came home a lil early...no crate accidents while I was working. Played with him for a while, got him dinner, took him out a few times, and he's been napping at my feet ever since. Very sweet little dog.

[Palehorse]

Just remember that if you put the work in early, it will pay off big time when pup gets older. I tell you there's nothing like it when you say to him "Time to go night-night" and he runs to his crate. . . along with all the other stuff yah teach him early.    And when you have guests and they see that they are amazed. . .

I was telling my wife about your experiences thus far, and we both laughed because we remember having the very same overwhelmed feelings from time to time. Persistence and consistence are the keys though. Hang tough, hold your ground, and pup will get it eventually.

If you've never seen Cesar Millan and his Dog Whisperer series you ought to watch it a few times. (Discovery I think) Amazing tips and tricks that work very quickly. You might check your local library to see if they have his "Becoming Pack Leader" dvd set and book. Well worth some time in viewing/reading. We bought it and his methods work wonders for sure.

I am very pleased to hear you have found a pack member that has chosen you. I know you both will enjoy each others company for years to come. It's quite amazing to be the recipient of such unconditional love and trust from such wonderful animals.

We love our dog beyond measure, and I know you will soon be the same. 

[me]

thanks guys...other than the sleeping, he has been great. Tonight I came home a lil early...no crate accidents while I was working. Played with him for a while, got him dinner, took him out a few times, and he's been napping at my feet ever since. Very sweet little dog.

You guys are almost making me want to go out and get another dog but we just don't want to be tied down.  The last one we had was part wolf that we rescued from a very bad environment and he was the most loving dog you could ask for.  We had him in the house for a while even though he was a large dog and he never had an accident from day one. 

[Gryphon]

Just remember that if you put the work in early, it will pay off big time when pup gets older. I tell you there's nothing like it when you say to him "Time to go night-night" and he runs to his crate. . . along with all the other stuff yah teach him early.    And when you have guests and they see that they are amazed. . .

I was telling my wife about your experiences thus far, and we both laughed because we remember having the very same overwhelmed feelings from time to time. Persistence and consistence are the keys though. Hang tough, hold your ground, and pup will get it eventually.

If you've never seen Cesar Millan and his Dog Whisperer series you ought to watch it a few times. (Discovery I think) Amazing tips and tricks that work very quickly. You might check your local library to see if they have his "Becoming Pack Leader" dvd set and book. Well worth some time in viewing/reading. We bought it and his methods work wonders for sure.

I am very pleased to hear you have found a pack member that has chosen you. I know you both will enjoy each others company for years to come. It's quite amazing to be the recipient of such unconditional love and trust from such wonderful animals.

We love our dog beyond measure, and I know you will soon be the same. 

Man, whats it take to get to that point?? my friends have a dog that will go to its crate at the sound of jingling keys. This little guy is the calmest pup Ive ever encountered. Hasnt barked a bit except for the aforementioned crating last night...

Also, how long is too long to crate them? I cant come home in the middle of the day often...

[Palehorse]

Unfortunately there are no set rules around crating. He's a pup and so he's going to require the ability to "go outside" a lot. Minus the ability to get this done you should consider an "area" where he can safely go that isn't inside his crate. Move the crate to this location and get some puppy pads. . . Once he's accustomed to using those it will be a snap to get him to go outside as he gets a little older. Just pick up the pad and take him and it outside. He'll sniff it when you put it down, and go. Make sure to praise him lavishly when he does this every time.

Believe it or not we've got Max pooping on command. We tell him to go poopie and he runs to "poopieland" sniffs around and drops it. He'll hold it a lot of times until we tell him to go poopie. Happened by accident but that's where we're at.

He'll get the idea around the crate eventually. I think Max finally "got it" about 8 weeks in. Although we no longer crate him at night, he'll still voluntarily go into it to sleep from time-to-time, and even my 2 year old granddaughter had him willingly going into it for her. (Max is a full-blooded pit-bull). Just remember he is young and you are now his "litter-mates". This means he has to learn who the alpha male/females are and that he will take the lead if you do not assert yourselves and fill the roles. Although not as important as it is with an aggressive breed like the pit-bull, it is still something you should make sure he understands early on. Give him consequences for not doing as you expect.

Whatever you do do not make "consequences" the crate though. He needs to see the crate as his space, his sleeping area, and he needs to know he is safe there no matter what happens. If he runs to it when he is afraid you'll know you are almost there.

The rolled up newspaper, or confining him to an area by standing over him, shoulders up, (yours) head up, and verbal admonishment should be sufficient for him to learn. He'll sass you, registering his frustration (like a kid throwing a tantrum) and you'll have to make sure to not give into his objections. Eventually he'll lay down and when he does praise in the form of "good boy" is all you should provide when he finally gives in. When you are done and feel it is ok to let him go about his business, just walk away from him and sit down.

Eventually all you'll have to do is say "hey" in a stern voice and he'll know he's screwing up and stop what he is doing.

I know its frustrating but you have to remember that not only are you training him, but in a way you are going to be training yourselves as well. It will be very important that your partner demonstrates the same authority, same discipline, same everything. That way pup only has to memorize one set of rules and will get things a lot quicker. Plus, he'll eventually get the idea that every human in the house is above him in the chain of command. Especially important if you have children, that they also be identical in their approach to him.

Now this is not to say that your lives are going to be all about discipline and training. Exercise and training are just as important to your dogs mental/physical health and well being. Make sure you each take some time to play with pup each day. Let him run, let him yap at you in the yard; he's got a TON of energy and if you let him burn some of it off just prior to training, you'll find him more accepting of it. Plus, when he hits the crate at night he'll sleep a lot more soundly.

Dude you should really read Cesar's book. I'm telling you this stuff but it isn't my method. It's his. We used it and I'm telling you without question that it works every bit as well as he makes it seem on TV. Now it is some work, but our pup is now 16 months old and I couldn't be happier or prouder of him. He is well adjusted, happy, and as loyal a dog as you'll ever see. Now we still struggle with the leash thing but that's on me, not him. Something I need to work with him on once the weather warms up a little.

Pup will adjust to your schedule. Feed him, walk him, take him out the same times every day. Eventually if you are an early riser for work, he'll be waking you up on the weekends like it's a work day. To him it is like every other day.

[Gryphon]

thanks for the excellent advice.

who is this cesar you speak of?

He seems to be a quick learner. Earlier, I was eating dinner on the sofa...he kept trying to jump up. A half dozen stern "no's", with a gentle push back to the floor if needed...and he hasnt tried to get on the sofa again all night.

[Palehorse]

thanks for the excellent advice.

who is this cesar you speak of?

He seems to be a quick learner. Earlier, I was eating dinner on the sofa...he kept trying to jump up. A half dozen stern "no's", with a gentle push back to the floor if needed...and he hasnt tried to get on the sofa again all night.

Thats excellent! A clear sign he is learning. Make sure everyone does this with him and soon it'll be a thing of the past.

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

Here's his web page. You can order his books and dvds from here if you'd like. We did after watching the "Dog Whisperer" series on the discovery channel a few times.

If you get discovery channel check the guide and watch it when Dog Whisperer is on. I'm telling you the guy is amazing with dogs of all breeds. You'll learn something every time you watch it too. (Which is why we bought the book and dvds). He has a pack of his own consisting of I don't know how many dogs. Pits (Daddy is my favorite), Rots, mutts, taco bell dogs, all living together as one pack and all focused on pleasing him at all times.

This guy gets dogs he's known for 5 minutes to obey for him better than their owners (no matter what their age) with nothing more than a 2 dollar leash and his attitude and posture; body language.  Watch him and you and pup will be able to achieve even your highest expectations if you are willing to do some work with pup. Seriously.

I've been around dogs my whole life. Dad used to breed dogs, so I thought I knew a couple of things. I didn't know (and don't know) Jack compared to this guy.

Oh, barking. Max didn't bark at first either. He's afraid and still learning his place. Eventually he'll start talking to you, you'll see. Enjoy the respite now. . .

[Palehorse]

Dude! IT'S THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL!  Sorry for the mistake and misinformation!

[Gryphon]

excellent, I will check it out.
my little guy HATES the leash....will not "come" when he is on it at all...and will bear down and back up instead. He has to get better at that, but I dont know how...cause if I pull he just chokes.

[Dexter Morgan]

I need some help with a new puppy, and I knew this was the place to come.


I got a new little guy last night. He was from a rescue, is about 4-5 months old. Has a little bit of a cold from being at the vet for neutering a few weeks back.
Sweet little guy who just loves to be held and with his "people"
Problem...at night, when I was ready for bed and put him in his crate, he cried and cried. (He was supposedly used to crate living, albeit in aplace with a lot of company)
I brought him into my room, but he still cried. He only calmed down when I slept on the floor next to his crate. Needless to say, that is not a habit I want to start.
Secondly, when he went back in the crate this morning, he immediately started whimpering. I feel like a very guilty doggy dad. Any suggestions?

The clock is a great idea. I would suggest a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, at least at bedtime. Since he's a rescue dog, he may have been abused.  He probably misses the other dogs, and he's probably used to a lot of noise. You might try a small tabletop fan aimed away from him. 

[Palehorse]

excellent, I will check it out.
my little guy HATES the leash....will not "come" when he is on it at all...and will bear down and back up instead. He has to get better at that, but I dont know how...cause if I pull he just chokes.

Place the collar high up on his neck (toward his head), and make him walk next to you. His head (muzzle) should not pass the kneecap. When it does pull "to the side" knocking him off balance. Decide on a phrase or sound to use every time you correct him. (I use hey). Use it every time you have to correct him with the leash.

When he rebels trying to pull back from you put him down on his side, (drop him), and hold him down with a firm grip around the throat area. He'll fight, and yap, and struggle, but make him stay in this position until he relaxes and gives up. (You are trying to mimmic a dogs muzzle here. Dogs use their mouth, muzzle and teeth to correct their pups and keep them in line. Make your hand the mouth.) Do this every single time and don't forget the sound/word. Practice it consistently and eventually he will respond positively to the verbal and a slight sideways tug being necessary only once in awhile.

At first he will fight you tooth and nail so expect this. Do not yell or get angry but be clam and assertive in your demeanor. He is looking for leadership here and you will need to demonstrate to him that you are the leader and he is the follower. Otherwise he'll assume the leadership role is his to assume. (As dogs do in nature).

Be prepared for a fit of frenzy or two here. When this happens pull straight up on the leash and raise his front paws off the ground. Then push him down onto his side and use the muzzle hand on him. (Don't forget your word/sound). Thats the worst of it though. Once you endure a couple of these and he sees you will not back down and demand compliance he'll give in. Do it while he's a pup and you won't have to endure the adult versions of this crap that I had to. . .

Max is pretty trained on the muzzle-hand thing though. If I use the "hey" and put the muzzle hand on him he stops and drops, rolling onto his back in a sign of complete submission. I just have to practice with him a few weeks and we'll be there.

My own dog is very strong and this is a struggle for me as well.