Problems with my new baby

SashasMom · 06-26-2005, 02:53 PM

We just brought home a new 2 month old pit mix (I think). Shes really a well behaved dog for the most part. She sleeps all through the night, and she doesnt annoy anyone. Shes not a wild dog..really laid back. Shes totally a lap dog and attaches to everyone.
We are having a few problems...
Shes having some separation issues. She was the last of the litter and was beside her mom the entire time, but according to the owner we are the only ones shes gone up to of all the people who came to look at her.
She follows me everywhere I go, and if I leave the room she cries. If I put her out she cries, too. Not only that but she scratches on the door, but I'm afraid if I open the door and dicipline her for doing that shell realize hey it got her to the door I need to keep doing that. Do I ignore her or what?
Also, yesterday was her first day here so I know she was a little nervous, but she did really well as far as pooping and peeing outside. But, today I made the mistake of letting her eat and then laying down with me without letting her out. Well, we both fell asleep and evidently while I slept she got up and pooped without my knowing.
I took her to it, showed it to her and said Bad Girl and put it in a paper towel, took it outside with her, sat her next to it and said PooPoo Outside. Well, she refused to go outside. She will pee outside... but wont poop.
At night time it goes well because I take her food bowl up, but during the day I left it down. Should I feed her at certain times? What do I do about this not pooping outside deal?
Also, she always poops in the same room. We have a choice of 11 rooms in this house but she always choses the same room... why is this?

We dont really have the money to have her trained, and besides I would rather do it myself so shed know I'm the momma. Any advice?

Barrett · 06-26-2005, 03:22 PM

Definetly ignore her when she scratches the door to get inside or cries for you. She is attached to you and this is all new and scarey to her. It might take a while for her to get adjusted to everything. She is still a baby and this is very normal for puppies to do. You are right in thinking she will cry and scratch harder if you go to her. Try giving her a kong toy stuffed with canned puppy food or peanut butter and treats. If you freeze it solid it takes a lot longer to get the goodies out. She needs something to keep her busy and keep her mind off of being alone when she is outside. Keep the kong away from her during other times of the day so it becomes a treat for going outside and keeps her excited.

As for pooping in the house, again she is a baby and isn't potty trained yet. You should close the door in that room so she can't get in there. Watch her at all times and don't let her out of your sight for a second. Choose one area or corner of your yard for her to go potty in. When she is showing signs of having to go potty (sniffing, turning around in circles, etc.) put her on a leash and carry her to her potty spot. Give her a command like "go potty" and say it over and over in a soft voice until she does. Immediately give her a super yummy treat and lots of happy praise. Then you can let her off leash and play with her. If she goes potty in the house and you did not actually catch her in the act of doing it (even if you know it happened one minute ago) don't say anything to her. Just clean it up ( not in front of her) and watch her for the next time. You have to catch her in the act to correct her. Clap your hands and say NO! and pick her up and run her to her potty spot. If she finishes her potty in the right place give her a treat and praise. She will quickly realize when she goes in the house she gets told NO! but when she goes in her spot outside she gets treats and praise and play time. This will also teach her to go potty on command which is very helpful when you are traveling and need her to go potty right away.

I would also feed her a set amount at a set time. This will help you know when she will have to go poop. My dogs go almost exactly one hour after they eat. Puppies will have to go more often. You can write down what time you feed her and what time she poos and soon you will know when you should take her out for her potty. This speeds up potty training so fast!

Good luck and sorry this was so long!

Barrett

SashasMom · 06-26-2005, 03:44 PM

Oh no that was wonderful and thank you so much. See at this point I can barely get her to eat at all, but thats just nerves from being in a new place. She wont leave my side either... not even into the next room. I really dont know what to do about that. Just now I moved her to her doggy bed in the next room, and told her while I walked back in here that I'm here dont worry. She started to cry and walked back in here and is sitting back at my feet. Its really sweet, but she needs to not be so attached.
When it comes to her outside deal, she has toys to play with outside, but isnt interested in them. We have about a half acre back yard alone and I'll go run through it with her, but when I stop she just sits there like she doesnt know what to do.

Barrett · 06-26-2005, 03:57 PM

Don't worry too much about her following you around everywhere. Both of my dogs did that as young pups. As they grow up they get more confident. This is her first day here and she doesn't know what to do yet. She has been with her Mama all this time and now everything is new and scarey. Give her a week and she will be playing, eating, chewing and jumping on everything!! You said she wouldn't go up to any of the other people that came to look at puppies. I bet she is naturally shy. You may need to build up her confidence. A good way to do this is teach her some commands and give her tons of praise and treats when she does them. She is old enough to learn all the basics like sit, down and stay. Having her do a job and then get praised for doing it will give her confidence. I saw her pictures on another thread. She is absolutely adoreable. I love her little white socks and perky ears. She is precious.

If you do think she is overly shy you should get right to work on socialization. Type "puppy socialization" into your search engine and read up on everything you can. It is very important to start as early as possible and if you have a shy pup start TODAY! One of my dachshunds is very shy and scared. I didn't get her socialized properly as a tiny pup and now I am having a few problems with her around strangers. She is very shy and scared of meeting new people and it breaks my heart.

Barrett

SashasMom · 06-26-2005, 04:44 PM

Ya it can be a pretty scary thing to be taken from mommy and put into a new environment. I'm trying to let her know that when I do leave the room I'm coming back lol....
Maybe I'm just getting too paranoid too soon since she is new, but according to her first owner she was the most quiet one of the bunch, also the smallest and she pretty much stuck around her mom 24/7.
I'm sure things will get better with time.
Also, I dont know what I am doing wrong here but she peed in the house. I disciplined though and took her out and she peed outside and I praised her so...hopefully that got through to her lol.
She gets to see her daddy tomarrow

He will be home from the station in the morning.

Ritz459 · 06-26-2005, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SashasMom

Also, I dont know what I am doing wrong here but she peed in the house. I disciplined though and took her out and she peed outside and I praised her so...hopefully that got through to her lol.

Well, this is just me jumping in, but you shouldn't discipline her when she goes inside, unless it is a quick, "Oops!" while she is going, and then you take her outside.
If you discipline her when you see her go, that can get her to hide from you when she pees (it can work, but then, that is my training meathod, and I'm sure what Barret said works too), and if you discipline her when you see the mess after she goes, that teaches nothing.
And are you cleaning the spot that she goes in thourghly and using a deoderizer? Because a dog can smell that is where she peed at and will go there again.
A really big help in housetraining a dog is crate training. Or, since I gather that she doesn't like being away from you, you can also teather her to your waist or whatever, so you can keep a really close I on her.
Oh, wow...lol I just read Barret's post and I'm like repeating everything she said. lol Oops.

SashasMom · 06-26-2005, 05:37 PM

Well I dont know what I am doing wrong here... but I took her out, she peed and then brought her back in and she peed in the house. Shes like a freakin waterfall! I am stumped here..
I was feeding her inside. Maybe I should start feeding her outside?
With this household, it will be hard to keep up with her because we are always in and out of the backyard. We have a pool and like to be by it during the day. Shes been doing well about not getting near it (we are afraid she could tear the liner when she gets a little older)... as a matter of fact I dont think shes really interested in the pool lol.
She needs to get over her separation anxiety. I've been trying the technique where you put her outside and wait a few minutes, go back outside with her and talk to her, then go back in for more time, and go back out....
Will that work for separation anxiety?

***Cassiepeia*** · 06-26-2005, 06:09 PM

She's a baby. You have to remember that.

Potty training can take months. It's never going to happen over night or even in a few days. So expect more accidents but don't get too worked up over them.
Ritz has a good point about cleaning the spot that was soiled. You'll need a cleaner that gets rid of the smell completely. Dogs have a much greater sense of smell than we do so even if we can't smell anything it's probably still there. You can find special cleaners at pet stores.

Firstly, make sure you feed her several times a day (3 or 4). When she's older you can start to cut back to 2 and maybe 1 when she's an adult (although I personally would always feed twice a day).

I wouldn't feed her outside right now, and I wouldn't worry about her seperation anxiety. I think right now that has more to do with the fact that she's been thrown into a completely new situation and it's scarey (which is understandable). She needs routine. She needs stability.

Feeding her at the same times every day in the same spot is a great idea. So is teaching her basic commands like sit, down/drop & stay.
I recommend you find a puppy group (usually held at vets or shelters) that you can take her too after she's been vaccinated. It'll help with socialization as well as basic training and the groups help owners learn how to cope with their growing pups.

I also urge to you rethink not taking her to obedience class. She's probably a mix of some very active breeds and will need it.

Just a tip: When you do "discipline" her....never EVER use her name. She'll just learn that her name = something bad and you'll never get her to come when called.
Oh and never EVER hit her (but I'm sure you already knew that

had to mention it anyway, just so it's been said).

Oh and one more thing.....if you have ANY problems, just ask us. Even if they seem silly.

We're happy to help.
Just be patient with her and try not to project to much human emotion on her. Dogs are dogs and people are people and we're different.

Cass.

SashasMom · 06-26-2005, 06:21 PM

Ya I guess I've been lucky in a sense because I have yet to say her name when I do discipline her. I smacked her butt once, but obviously that doesnt work too well lol.
Ya, I know this will take a while. So I need to feed her three times a day at a certain time every day and then take up the food when shes done. And as soon as she eats she needs to go out cause she just cant hold it in lol.
Its hard to tell with her when she needs to go cause shes constantly pacing the floors.
I just have to remember she is new, she will come around.

You know whats bad? Her daddy (who is my best friend) obviously doesnt live here and the reason I have her right now is because he doesnt have a place to put her yet, and I do. When she leaves to go live with him he'll have to deal with the sep anx all over again.

He is here almost every day though so that will help a lot.

06-26-2005, 02:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
SashasMom A New Mommy Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0	Problems with my new baby We just brought home a new 2 month old pit mix (I think). Shes really a well behaved dog for the most part. She sleeps all through the night, and she doesnt annoy anyone. Shes not a wild dog..really laid back. Shes totally a lap dog and attaches to everyone. We are having a few problems... Shes having some separation issues. She was the last of the litter and was beside her mom the entire time, but according to the owner we are the only ones shes gone up to of all the people who came to look at her. She follows me everywhere I go, and if I leave the room she cries. If I put her out she cries, too. Not only that but she scratches on the door, but I'm afraid if I open the door and dicipline her for doing that shell realize hey it got her to the door I need to keep doing that. Do I ignore her or what? Also, yesterday was her first day here so I know she was a little nervous, but she did really well as far as pooping and peeing outside. But, today I made the mistake of letting her eat and then laying down with me without letting her out. Well, we both fell asleep and evidently while I slept she got up and pooped without my knowing. I took her to it, showed it to her and said Bad Girl and put it in a paper towel, took it outside with her, sat her next to it and said PooPoo Outside. Well, she refused to go outside. She will pee outside... but wont poop. At night time it goes well because I take her food bowl up, but during the day I left it down. Should I feed her at certain times? What do I do about this not pooping outside deal? Also, she always poops in the same room. We have a choice of 11 rooms in this house but she always choses the same room... why is this? We dont really have the money to have her trained, and besides I would rather do it myself so shed know I'm the momma. Any advice?

06-26-2005, 03:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 156	Don't worry too much about her following you around everywhere. Both of my dogs did that as young pups. As they grow up they get more confident. This is her first day here and she doesn't know what to do yet. She has been with her Mama all this time and now everything is new and scarey. Give her a week and she will be playing, eating, chewing and jumping on everything!! You said she wouldn't go up to any of the other people that came to look at puppies. I bet she is naturally shy. You may need to build up her confidence. A good way to do this is teach her some commands and give her tons of praise and treats when she does them. She is old enough to learn all the basics like sit, down and stay. Having her do a job and then get praised for doing it will give her confidence. I saw her pictures on another thread. She is absolutely adoreable. I love her little white socks and perky ears. She is precious. If you do think she is overly shy you should get right to work on socialization. Type "puppy socialization" into your search engine and read up on everything you can. It is very important to start as early as possible and if you have a shy pup start TODAY! One of my dachshunds is very shy and scared. I didn't get her socialized properly as a tiny pup and now I am having a few problems with her around strangers. She is very shy and scared of meeting new people and it breaks my heart. Barrett
	Last edited by Barrett : 06-26-2005 at 04:03 PM.

06-26-2005, 04:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
SashasMom A New Mommy Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0	Oh yes Ya it can be a pretty scary thing to be taken from mommy and put into a new environment. I'm trying to let her know that when I do leave the room I'm coming back lol.... Maybe I'm just getting too paranoid too soon since she is new, but according to her first owner she was the most quiet one of the bunch, also the smallest and she pretty much stuck around her mom 24/7. I'm sure things will get better with time. Also, I dont know what I am doing wrong here but she peed in the house. I disciplined though and took her out and she peed outside and I praised her so...hopefully that got through to her lol. She gets to see her daddy tomarrow He will be home from the station in the morning.

06-26-2005, 06:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	She's a baby. You have to remember that. Potty training can take months. It's never going to happen over night or even in a few days. So expect more accidents but don't get too worked up over them. Ritz has a good point about cleaning the spot that was soiled. You'll need a cleaner that gets rid of the smell completely. Dogs have a much greater sense of smell than we do so even if we can't smell anything it's probably still there. You can find special cleaners at pet stores. Firstly, make sure you feed her several times a day (3 or 4). When she's older you can start to cut back to 2 and maybe 1 when she's an adult (although I personally would always feed twice a day). I wouldn't feed her outside right now, and I wouldn't worry about her seperation anxiety. I think right now that has more to do with the fact that she's been thrown into a completely new situation and it's scarey (which is understandable). She needs routine. She needs stability. Feeding her at the same times every day in the same spot is a great idea. So is teaching her basic commands like sit, down/drop & stay. I recommend you find a puppy group (usually held at vets or shelters) that you can take her too after she's been vaccinated. It'll help with socialization as well as basic training and the groups help owners learn how to cope with their growing pups. I also urge to you rethink not taking her to obedience class. She's probably a mix of some very active breeds and will need it. Just a tip: When you do "discipline" her....never EVER use her name. She'll just learn that her name = something bad and you'll never get her to come when called. Oh and never EVER hit her (but I'm sure you already knew that had to mention it anyway, just so it's been said). Oh and one more thing.....if you have ANY problems, just ask us. Even if they seem silly. We're happy to help. Just be patient with her and try not to project to much human emotion on her. Dogs are dogs and people are people and we're different. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Last edited by Cassiepeia : 06-26-2005 at 06:13 PM.

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06-26-2005, 03:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 156	Definetly ignore her when she scratches the door to get inside or cries for you. She is attached to you and this is all new and scarey to her. It might take a while for her to get adjusted to everything. She is still a baby and this is very normal for puppies to do. You are right in thinking she will cry and scratch harder if you go to her. Try giving her a kong toy stuffed with canned puppy food or peanut butter and treats. If you freeze it solid it takes a lot longer to get the goodies out. She needs something to keep her busy and keep her mind off of being alone when she is outside. Keep the kong away from her during other times of the day so it becomes a treat for going outside and keeps her excited. As for pooping in the house, again she is a baby and isn't potty trained yet. You should close the door in that room so she can't get in there. Watch her at all times and don't let her out of your sight for a second. Choose one area or corner of your yard for her to go potty in. When she is showing signs of having to go potty (sniffing, turning around in circles, etc.) put her on a leash and carry her to her potty spot. Give her a command like "go potty" and say it over and over in a soft voice until she does. Immediately give her a super yummy treat and lots of happy praise. Then you can let her off leash and play with her. If she goes potty in the house and you did not actually catch her in the act of doing it (even if you know it happened one minute ago) don't say anything to her. Just clean it up ( not in front of her) and watch her for the next time. You have to catch her in the act to correct her. Clap your hands and say NO! and pick her up and run her to her potty spot. If she finishes her potty in the right place give her a treat and praise. She will quickly realize when she goes in the house she gets told NO! but when she goes in her spot outside she gets treats and praise and play time. This will also teach her to go potty on command which is very helpful when you are traveling and need her to go potty right away. I would also feed her a set amount at a set time. This will help you know when she will have to go poop. My dogs go almost exactly one hour after they eat. Puppies will have to go more often. You can write down what time you feed her and what time she poos and soon you will know when you should take her out for her potty. This speeds up potty training so fast! Good luck and sorry this was so long! Barrett

06-26-2005, 03:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
SashasMom A New Mommy Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0	Oh no that was wonderful and thank you so much. See at this point I can barely get her to eat at all, but thats just nerves from being in a new place. She wont leave my side either... not even into the next room. I really dont know what to do about that. Just now I moved her to her doggy bed in the next room, and told her while I walked back in here that I'm here dont worry. She started to cry and walked back in here and is sitting back at my feet. Its really sweet, but she needs to not be so attached. When it comes to her outside deal, she has toys to play with outside, but isnt interested in them. We have about a half acre back yard alone and I'll go run through it with her, but when I stop she just sits there like she doesnt know what to do.

06-26-2005, 05:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
SashasMom A New Mommy Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0	Well I dont know what I am doing wrong here... but I took her out, she peed and then brought her back in and she peed in the house. Shes like a freakin waterfall! I am stumped here.. I was feeding her inside. Maybe I should start feeding her outside? With this household, it will be hard to keep up with her because we are always in and out of the backyard. We have a pool and like to be by it during the day. Shes been doing well about not getting near it (we are afraid she could tear the liner when she gets a little older)... as a matter of fact I dont think shes really interested in the pool lol. She needs to get over her separation anxiety. I've been trying the technique where you put her outside and wait a few minutes, go back outside with her and talk to her, then go back in for more time, and go back out.... Will that work for separation anxiety?

06-26-2005, 06:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
SashasMom A New Mommy Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0	Ya I guess I've been lucky in a sense because I have yet to say her name when I do discipline her. I smacked her butt once, but obviously that doesnt work too well lol. Ya, I know this will take a while. So I need to feed her three times a day at a certain time every day and then take up the food when shes done. And as soon as she eats she needs to go out cause she just cant hold it in lol. Its hard to tell with her when she needs to go cause shes constantly pacing the floors. I just have to remember she is new, she will come around. You know whats bad? Her daddy (who is my best friend) obviously doesnt live here and the reason I have her right now is because he doesnt have a place to put her yet, and I do. When she leaves to go live with him he'll have to deal with the sep anx all over again. He is here almost every day though so that will help a lot.

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