OT: New Dog Help!

[faenix]

Hey guys, I know this is quite off topic, but for any seasoned dog owners out there, I'd like some help.

It's been about a week since I got a 8 week old Pug from a breeder. Its healthy and all (female) but at times it has these hyper bursts of energy where it'll go on a biting spree. (Gets annoying after a while) People told me its a teething thing and she'll outgrow it?

Also, on the housebreaking issue, at first it seemed as if we had successfully potty trained it. However, as of late, our whole living room has become a battlefield of waste and urine. Any tips on this?

At night, it loves to cry because we block the stairway (it can go up but can't come down). It's driving me up the walls.

People tell me its still a puppy and to give it time, but I'm just afraid I'm doing something wrong? I probably put a good 6 hours into my baby girl and I just want the best for it. Considering this is my first time with a dog though, I don't think I'm doing some things correctly. (Even after all the hours of research before buying my Pug)

I'm sorry but if anyone could throw in bits of advice, I'll greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Yossarian]

this is on topic here.

 

[Vanstorm]

Ok, one thing at a time..

As far as biting sprees go, I'd agree.. it is teething. Be sure you have appropriate things for it to chew on handy (Toys, rawhide, etc.). When it bites at you, tell it a firm "No." and replace your hand/couch/table/whatever with an appropriate chew thing and then praise the dog for having the correct item in it's mouth.

Potty training is another story all together. You will not fully potty train the little squirt until it is probably a year or so old. There will be accidents. Two important things here... when the dog goes in the proper place be sure to tell it a happy, "Good!" and give plenty of attention and praise. If, and only if, you catch the dog in the act of going in an inappropriate place.. scold with a firm "NO", immediately take the dog outside to the proper place to go, and praise when it goes there. If you find the mess after the fact, dont' scold the dog or rub it's nose in it... it won't know what it is being punished for... it'll just learn to be afraid of you. Also, at that age, the poor little pup probably can't hold it much more than an hour.. so be sure you are taking it outside/to paper often enough.

The other thing is when the dog does go on your floor/carpet be sure to clean it with a cleaner designed for pet messes (With Enzymes and what not to completely remove the smell) You may not see the spot still, but your dog can likely still smell it.. and that smell will prompt it to go again.

The thing about a dog, is it generally WANTS to make you happy and get your love/affection it just has a harder time learning what is good/bad.

As far as whining at night, it is a scary thing to be left alone all of a sudden. Dogs are pack creatures.. from the time they are born, they are with their mother and litter mates. Then, we take them to our homes, put them by themselves and expect them to be quiet. It's just lonely/scared. Perhaps, if you have a box or dog crate for it to sleep in, consider letting it sleep by your bed for a few nights. Or, if you have another place for it to sleep, try putting a piece of clothing you've worn that day in there with teh dog, or a ticking clock (one of those wind up kinds, you know.. that ticks constantly..) to mimic the mother dog's heartbeat, or leave a radio playing softly just to give the pup some assurance that something is there.

Hope this helps you! Best of luck with the new pup!

 

[Vonkhan]

biting spree:
Give her plenty of stuff to chew on, esp. bones
Everytime she tries to bite, say "AAAAA!!!" in an anagry tone
Light slap on the nose or hold her jaws together

housebreaking:
u gotta spend a lot of time with her. every time she poops/pees inside, hold her nose to the mess till she whines and take her outside immidiately.
put her in a crate during nights - she might poop in there a couple of times, but she'll stop. first thing in the morning, let her outside the house to go potty.
be with her till she poops/pees outside and reward her when she does.
take her out after playing, eating, any activity.

crying:
this'll stop with time, no worries - just make sure she's warm. a soft-ticking alarm clock is supposed to help, but i never needed to use one

 

[nan0bug]

feed the oversized rat some antifreeze and get a pet fish.

 

[faenix]

Haha thanks for the advice guys, I dont know, it had a massive poop attack today.

Antifreeze? Hrm....

nah

 

[Xionide]

Some cat lover is going to post here any minute now

 

[faenix]

Hrm, on second thought, antifreeze for any cat owners out there.

Thanks xionide.

I hate cats.