O/T New Dog help

[Ray Finkle]

Hi OMers,
I just got an 11 week old Boston Terrier (I will post pics later). I need some help on house training. We have been leaving her in her crate when we sleep and leave the house but am having problems with house training her. Most the time when I take her out (about ever three hours) she will not go. She either waits until we put her in the crate or the spilt second we lose sight of her. Any tips, is this normal?

Thanks!

[Bronco9798]

Take her outside and take a pack of snacks with you. Everytime she does her thing, give her a snack and stroke the hell out of her and use the same phrase to her each times she goes and feed the snack. Emphasize how happy you were with her doing the deed. When she poops inside don't scold her though, bad mistake, she's still learning.

I trained my dog in 3 weeks. 2 years old now and she never goes inside. Now when we go outside, I just say "poop or inside" and she goes like clockwork.

[Ray Finkle]

Take her outside and take a pack of snacks with you. Everytime she does her thing, give her a snack and stroke the hell out of her and use the same phrase to her each times she goes and feed the snack. Emphasize how happy you were with her doing the deed. When she poops inside don't scold her though, bad mistake, she's still learning.

I trained my dog in 3 weeks. 2 years old now and she never goes inside. Now when we go outside, I just say "poop or inside" and she goes like clockwork.


Thanks, I will try that....it takes a lot of patience....why can't they breed super dogs that are already house trained...

[Bronco9798]

Thanks, I will try that....it takes a lot of patience....why can't they breed super dogs that are already house trained...

Yeah it does take a lot of patience. Just don't give up. They really learn quick and rewarding your dog with something positive is about the best way to train them.

[Taco John]

Here... Buy this book for a penny. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425142345/qid=1120554911/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-2850186-9196050?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) It's some of the most interesting reading I've ever done on dog psycology, and the results have spoken for themselves. I have more patience for my dog because I understand why he does what he does. My dog is a well behaved dog because he understands his place in the "pack." It's win-win.

Most problems that people have with dogs are due to the fact that the people aren't smart enough to figure out what the dog doesn't understand. So they get frustrated and figure it's "just the dog" and the end results are pretty bad. But there are common traits in all dogs, once they understand where in the pack they fit that can be worked with to your advantage. Knowledge is power.

[watermock]

I've never had a dog, have never had much patience for them, If I move to a farm, maybe. I DO know that the reward system is proven to work vs. the rolled up newspaper. The puppy isn't very cognziant at 11 weeks, and probably thinks he's SUPPOSED to go in his crate. He might be going behind your back from fear. Dogs DO aim to please, cats are pretty much loners and troublemakers. I'd get the book used. Dog shrinks. heh. Reading the book might save you alot in the long run. Taco's dog is pretty neato. But I'm not going to pretend I know much about dogs. I know my demonic cat likes to tease them, and wrens.

[fontaine]

Hi OMers,
I just got an 11 week old Boston Terrier (I will post pics later). I need some help on house training. We have been leaving her in her crate when we sleep and leave the house but am having problems with house training her. Most the time when I take her out (about ever three hours) she will not go. She either waits until we put her in the crate or the spilt second we lose sight of her. Any tips, is this normal?

Thanks!


Congrats on the dog.

We finished house training ours just a few months ago. The best advice I can give you is patience and be calm. Your dog will mirror your emtions. If you get ticked off or nervous about housetraining the dog will feel the same making the experience more tricky.

When the dog does it in the house simply take it near the mess and gently put it's nose near it so it can smell it. Then firmly say the word you want to associate with a stop command like "No!"

Likewise if the dog does do it's business outside the house (lawn, park etc) then reaffirm his behaviour positively and immediately by petting, giving treats and congratulating it.

If, even after a couple of weeks you don't notice improvement then more drastic measures will be called for like taking a cardboard box with an empty bottom and placing it over the mess with the dog inside it. That usually does the trick.

The most important thing though, is that if your dog does make a mess inside the house then never, never clean it in sight of the puppy as it associates it's feces/waste as a "plaything" for it's master and will continue to leave you "surprises." Take the dog outside and out of sight, then clean it and make sure there is no lingering smell by using disinfectant/bleach etc that will kill odors.

Here are some very helpful websites that I found helpful that'll go through all the things you need to keep in mind with a new pup.

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/housetraining_puppies.htm
http://www.inch.com/~dogs/housebreaking.html
http://www.lovingcareanimalclinic.com/HouseTraining.htm

[bendog]

It's odd that the pup would go inside the crate, unless the crate's big enough that the pup perceives that the crate is larger than just a sleeping area. If that is perhaps the case, then you might get a liquor box or something to create a wall to effectively shorten the crate. I crate trained Henry. First dog I've used a crate with, and it worked really well. But the treats and the praise are the ticket.

What's really disgusting is that Henry is still at the age where feces eating is "cool," and it's a race to the hall bathroom where the cat box is on mornings when the cat has used it.

[Raiders Rock]

Say the same words to the dog when it's time to get out of the crate, something like "GO PP" keep it short and simple and have excitement in your voice when you say it.

Treat the dog with Praise after she/he has done her business and let her in immediantly

Never ever punish a dog by placing it in their crate and never have a crate too big to where they can soil their crate and live comfortably on the other side because a dog will not soil it's crate unless it is too big or it is being used as punishment or he has baan left in there way too long.

If the dog continues to soil the carpet don't hit it, go to the fridge and get out one of them squeeze bottles of pure lemon juice and squirt a small amount in their mouyth while saying no, they hate it and it's a humane way to teach.

Break a dog from begging at the table by giving him a hot pepper from your plate , he won't beg anymore.

[Ray Finkle]

thanks for all the tips....for some reason it is not letting me upload the pics, I will try again later.

[dumpy]

thanks for all the tips....for some reason it is not letting me upload the pics, I will try again later.

I tried to upload a picture of my Bostons for you, but it wouldn't let me upload it either. However, here's picture of one of them on the thread below.

http://66.49.247.155/BB/showthread.php?p=303854#post303854

[Ray Finkle]

I tried to upload a picture of my Bostons for you, but it wouldn't let me upload it either. However, here's picture of one of them on the thread below.

http://66.49.247.155/BB/showthread.php?p=303854#post303854



cute, how much does he weigh? Kali's parents were only about 15/18 pounds...

[dumpy]

cute, how much does he weigh? Kali's parents were only about 15/18 pounds...

He's a bigger one at 24 pounds. I also have a female at 13 pounds.

[watermock]

Years ago, when my oldest brother farmed before going into aviation, he had this St. Bernard named Captain. Like any dog, he loved to ride in the back of the truck. Very nice, dry mouth Bernard. I guess if he wasn't with it (when he was in the truck and Al was in a store or something), it was a monster guarding that truck. That's always one thing alot of dog owners don't understand. A dog will act very differently away from it's owner, particuliarly if it thinks it's guarding his property. A dog is most dangerous in this situation from what I understand.

My nephew has the opposite dog, nothing is ever standard around here. His live in GF has something called a ****zsue or something. It's about the size of two cartons of cigarettes stacked. Same deal, he's the boss. I'm pretty happy with my Egyptian Mau farm kitty, but he's extremely low maintainance, other than the damn litter. How this cat can stay out all night and come inside at daylight then dump in my litter box drives me crazy. I'm always amused if I put two loads of wet litter at the curb. These guys running the sanitation trucks never know what to expect. They like to get their cycle done and get home by noon to cook a bowl. Or whatever they do by noon. It's funny if I double load the bag (the city sells bags, at only 50 cents, so it's still cheap, and whatever they make these bags out of, they are bulletproof), but it's hillarious when I drag out a bag of litter that weighs approximately the gross of Andre the Giant. I have never seen him spill a single kernel of clay, he's probably used to it. I'm not going to load it up to 60 pounds, but it's been close. Neither cat will go outside. It means I can walk in the grass barefooted with impunity, but sheesh...how can you let a cat out for 8 hours and have it wait to dump in the litter box? I love animals, I really do, I also think God had a real sense of humor to make Dogs and Cats so very different. Throw in mice and you have a sitcom. I saw "Dogs and Cats" the other day, and altho it worked thru some pretty sad, repeditive jokes, it was rather amusing, I hadn't seen it before.

I also caught Windtalkers or whatever that movie with Nicholas Cage was in about Navaho code talkers. I'm not as tough as I act, and altho it was probably overdone, Cage is an incredible actor, at least in my opinion. Being under orders to kill Code talkers than to let them fall in enemy hands and have the code broken...can you imagine those orders? I have heard that before, that they couldn't risk losing the code. I don't freak out on movies often. I guess I never saw the whole movie before, I was rather taken aback how violent and personal the plot was. Sorry to go off topic, but I passed on the DUI parade and stayed home, and watched it.

Back on topic. Dogs and Cats obviously come from different universes. Beezer was given free reign to play with me, but when he broke blood, I gave him a boot he will never forget. Now he knows what is toying and what is tooth and nail. This was months ago, and I don't have a clue how a dog would of reacted. As I said, I know nothing about dogs, I'm sure I could raise a fine hound, I kinda think Tacos dog is appropriate size so it doesn't make a pile the size of Texas, and seems smart. I don't remember what he said it was. A mix I think. I like labs, but I wouldn't want a dog that's tail is a lethal weapon. I kinda like Taco's mutt. I know I asked you once, but what is that mix again? I love animals. They grill up nice.

[Ray Finkle]

Kali's getting a lot better. Thanks for the advice.

[Pezman]

First things first, Congrats on the new family member!

I know alot of people might poo-poo this suggestion, but with a terrier, the first thing I would do is establish dominance. Get a towel, put it under the dog and roll it on its back, and pin it down with your hands. Occasionally growl at it, and then in a commanding voice, let it know you are in charge.
What you are doing is setting yourself as the alpha in the relationship. However, do expect the puppy to possibly make a mess hence the need for the towel ;) It is a great way to imprint and control your pup from a very early age. Good luck!

[bendog]

Playing tug with a puppy is - most probably - not a good idea. A boston terrier though ..... most likely it won't chew off a hand.

[Taco John]

Definitely playing tug with a puppy is a bad idea... It's not so bad for adults, but it makes them dangerous when it comes to kids, because the dog will get competitive and might do something out of instinct that will get somebody hurt...

[Taco John]

First things first, Congrats on the new family member!

I know alot of people might poo-poo this suggestion, but with a terrier, the first thing I would do is establish dominance. Get a towel, put it under the dog and roll it on its back, and pin it down with your hands. Occasionally growl at it, and then in a commanding voice, let it know you are in charge.
What you are doing is setting yourself as the alpha in the relationship. However, do expect the puppy to possibly make a mess hence the need for the towel ;) It is a great way to imprint and control your pup from a very early age. Good luck!



Actually, this is excellent advice. :notworthy

[Taco John]

Say the same words to the dog when it's time to get out of the crate, something like "GO PP" keep it short and simple and have excitement in your voice when you say it.



My 'pee-on-command" command is "Hurry up!" Works great!

[Tredici]

It's odd that the pup would go inside the crate, unless the crate's big enough that the pup perceives that the crate is larger than just a sleeping area. If that is perhaps the case, then you might get a liquor box or something to create a wall to effectively shorten the crate. I crate trained Henry. First dog I've used a crate with, and it worked really well. But the treats and the praise are the ticket.

What's really disgusting is that Henry is still at the age where feces eating is "cool," and it's a race to the hall bathroom where the cat box is on mornings when the cat has used it.

I once heard a vet say cat poop is like caviar to a puppy. Hahahahahha.

Finkle - While you've had some great advice in here I would definitely recommend going to the bookstore and getting a handy dandy guide which is breed specific. You will learn things about the pup which will help you understand the individual breed and that will assist you in training. There are instincts specifically bred and there isn't any use in fighting it. All though I had dogs all my life the dachshund was a first for me. The breed specific book really nailed the personality, and also mentioned stuff like average age for housetraining.

I think you would enjoy the read, and would know your pup better when you are finished.

[Taco John]

Yep. There are some amazing dog books out there that are a wealth of knowledge. When you see a well trained dog, people always say "that's one smart dog." But it's more than that... Behind every "smart dog" is a smart and patient owner.

[Pezman]

My 'pee-on-command" command is "Hurry up!" Works great!

Dont forget the fun 'poop-on-command' "Make a Raiders fan"
ROFL!

[watermock]

The "Beat the dog silly" paperback is a must read. Right on the back cover it says "This book may also be used to beat your dog"

[watermock]

I'm just kidding. I have absolutely no clue about dogs. Cats are not even worthy of considering, they have no master. Cats are so unpredictable it's like a crap table. Dogs are more like ponies on the track, you have a fairly good idea how they will come in.

[Tredici]

Anybody else watch the show The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic Channel? That guy is amazing with even the most incorigible of pooches. He says he rehabilitates dogs but he trains people.

If you have that channel catch the show. Teaches you alot about understanding man's best friend.