Monah

Oh the joys of puppies. Most of mine have been fine. The latest one was not going to go to sleep so I slept on the floor by her crate (slept??) with my hand in there on the first night. Next night I just had her by the bed (crated) with my hand in it. Gradually over a week we moved her away and then into another room. (I put my pjs in it too) She loves her crate and runs to get to bed every night (with a little treat) and has never had an accident or cried since 9 weeks of age. It's all very well to just let them cry but you do have to think about the rest of the family (work/ school) and the neighbours. Our dogs are all big but our littlies always slept on the bed. If your daughter is happy with this, and I don't think spitzs grow very big, I'd leave the pup where it is but I just love having the doggies in bed :rolleyes: Agree with the others though, you do need to start as you mean to go on. You'll have the crying again if you let the pup sleepwith your daughter then decide it's a no no. Crates really are terrific.xxx

OOOOH sounds like you're talking about my viz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

;) had a good laugh about the heater. We had our ducted on all winter BUT also had the oil column heater on with rugs either side, for the viz and the cats!!! She may not seem to have much appetite as she is little, i found with my little malt cross he was full after a little palm sized meal. Their tummies are really little, he ate less than our cats, he was only 5kg. One biscuit would fill him up for hours. Sounds like you have a real live wire there! Very active!!! I don't know if you need to worry about bloat, esp after exercise. Wouldn't feed before. Myabe just keep letting her know what you need from her, and enforcing it, but because of her age, activity level and breed, you may find it doesn't 'click' properly until she's more mature. I think when you mention she stares blankly and doesn't want to, that's exactly it, she doesn't want to ;) This may be the times youhave to be a bit of a meany and make her do it, even if only for 10 seconds, then treat and say good girl etc. This will pay off later, I know from experience, having also had many frustrating moments!! I spent 12 months trying to get my dog to do some agility, weekly, then one week, she just did it. I was stunned, everyone was stunned. Because she knew the names of the equipment and what was expected through me going over it tonnes of times, it all came together. I was so close to giving up and didn't because she's very clever, just fearful. THis also practically cured her fearfulness and gave her confidence, so a double whammy for us. Good luck, keep trying. She's just a baby and so gorgeousxxxxxx

Hi, I'd definately leave off the bones too, just in case she hid it somewhere outside etc. and it could become a big problem when you least expect it. Also, I've seen on some of the doggy programs, when they have a problem teaching drop, they sit on the floor with legs bent, pup on one side, and lure the pup under their legs with a treat. The pup has to end up on it's tummy under your legs, once they get the hang of this and realise what drop means, they seem to be OK. You'd have to be quick with the reward so she understands what she is being praised for.xxxxx

There is a puppy development calendar on this puupy sight. Have a look, it's really great. Suggests that pups of your age have 'selective' deafness!!!!! Lots of great stuff on it.

Hi again!! When you say you're at work does that mean she's home alone? Just wondering whether, if she is, a REALLY big play/run/wear out session would help her behaviour. She may just be full of beans. At that age they are sort of out of the puppy sleeping thing and ready to go go go. With having dinner, if you have a crate that is handy for these times, otherwise either put her out of the room if poss. or we have rugs for each of our dogs and they have to go on there. Our youngest is 8 months. We just have to keep saying ON YOUR RUG and putting her there if she doesn't go, (praise)then she must stay. If you keep her toys from her, maybe you could give her a special toy to occupy her on her rug or whatever, or one of those hide chew things. Easier said than done I know. Otherwise, seeing as she is little and can't stick her head on the table like mine can you could just completely ignore her while you are eating so it's no fun for her at all. Also difficult. All a bit trial and error I'm afraid. Good luck.xxxxxxxxxx And you're right, it is the terrier in her, but they are also highly intelligent, great fun, full of the joys of life. I nicknamed mine my happy chappies! ( and other unmen tionable things at times!!!)

Well, she is so cute I think she could wrap me around her little paw!!! I think you are spot on with the toys. Only let her have them on your terms, you are the 'source' of all her toys and food and FUN. She'll soon realise that if she 'comes', sits etc. she will get a treat or a toy or tug game. Terriers are pretty stubborn (I've had many, mostly lakelands) and really will 'teach' you what they want, ie with the handfeeding etc. You just have to resist and be more stubborn As you said, she wont starve. MCM has excellent advice that you can use with all training. It's just repeat and consistency. I've done it with mine and bugger, now one of mine wont even go out to the loo if I dont go through the door first so it can backfire. She will really push the boundaries, but these little dogs are extremely bright (my ohs cousin has bred them and has aust. champion agility and trackers!!) and she will learn very quickly with the correct instructions. Soon, I'm sure, she will be really fantastic. Just stick to your guns (even when she gives you THAT look, you know the one, we all do. Poor me, I don't want to!). Try not to let her dictate to you about the leash. She HAS to be on one, so she'll just have to get used to it, there's really no room for non compliance with this one. If treats don't work for the leash, I'd give her a loud ARGHHH when she plays up, sit her in the heel position and start again until she works out that she is staying on the leash. As soon as she does the right thing, walks nicely even for a few steps, praise and reward. Deep breaths She's adorable!!!!

Well, firstly, yes, you have to remain calm. Sorry. Is she the little dog in your avatar? Cute. Have you tried getting and keeping her attention with food or a toy when training? She may just need a reward each time for a while (or longer) until she gets the hang of things. Being very firm will help. If you are 'trying' to go through the door first, for example, she must NEVER go first (while learning), otherwise, being clever, she'll just think she can always go first, that you aren't serious. Same with everything else. They only need once (think table begging etc), getting away with it for them to think that they can always do it (whatever 'it' may be). Also seeing as she is young, she only needs a couple of very short training 'sessions'. Tell her once, ie SIT. not a hundred times, then it's not frustrating. She must learn that if you say something she has to do it. If she is rewarded every time, hopefully she'll eventually do it occassionally without the reward, then all the time,maybe The more upset you become, the more excited and out of control she'll be. Sometimes it can be a viscious circle, you start to worry about it already before training, that you are going to have trouble, then you do, then next time you worry again. Have a break for a few days and don't make it a battle of wills, it isn't. I've (and I'm sure many of us) have also had lots of frustration. Once you have a couple of 'wins' with her, you'll feel on top of the world and wonder why you got upset. I feel your pain!!!!!!!!! Really! Good luck. She's adorable.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx At 7 months she needs to learn you're no. 1.

All I can say is, STUNNING!!!!!!!!!

Oh wow, he is gorgeous!!!Sounds like he may just need to be worn out. He's a pup, constant supervision and just keeping everything out of his way until he's older will help. In our family, if something gets destroyed, it's the humans fault for leaving it in the way. As for the nibbling, sounds like a 'play', excitement thing. A loud ARGH, and maybe just stop walking, then start again. and repeat until he gets the message. Just a thought, may or may not work. He is so lovely. Contact the shibu person on dol. Shibus may respond to certain types of training that shibu people know about. You are so lucky to have him!!!! My latest pup is 9 months and has eaten furniture!!!! My girlfriend got home from work the other day to find her latest dane, 5 months, had eaten her timber bed :rolleyes: Your shibus other behaviours sound fantastic. I think he's a real find!!!

We had many more problems than this with our vizsla when we got her at 12 weeks, inc. fear biting and hiding behind things, scared of dogs, strangers, children, anything behind her etc. We spent a LOT of time training, puppy school, obed, agility(for confidence and it took a year for her to 'use' equipment without freaking out). She also had no bite inhibition as she was a singleton pup and had never had others to experiment on. We are pretty soft, never had any doggie probs, so it was quite a shock to say the least. With lots of work, very firm rules, consistancy and a professional behaviourist, we now have the most wonderful, gorgeous, obedient dog ever. She's so great, nearly 2, and I'm over the moon with her. I'd love a hundred vizs if I could. They are now THE dog. She is still very demanding and will always have a more dominant personality than our other dogs, but she's an amazing dog and we love her to bits. Please get prof. assistance. Most of your post is normal puppy stuff, but if the dominance and lack of respect is not nipped in the bud now, you will have a really big problem, which you obviously realise, hence your post. zoomies at night are really common for the first 12 months, that's pretty normal, but the other stuff is not. I agree about teaching the pup to sit, then maybe say OK so it knows it is allowed to eat, and not interfere with the bowl etc. There are NILIF and Triangle info on dol which I found excellent and very helpful. Our dog was also mouthy, until my hands bled. Nothing stopped her so we used a water spray bottle and a very loud ARGHHH! She stopped within a week. I was too nice and gentle about it before. Now she is never without a soft toy in her mouth and has never mouthed us. Anyway, Ireally wish you luck, 'brain' training will also wear a pup out without the stress of physical (growing bones) stuff. I'm certainly no expert but just posted so youknow you're not alone.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx big hug for you I can't stress enough about how important it is to have your pup assessed by a behaviourist and a program drawn up for you. Saved me!

Jane Harper. Helped me with my viz!! She's terrific.

Richard is great. We are seeing him for our Spin. His staff even take their pets to work with them. He's very professional, very nice, spends a lot of time explaining everything, all options and outcomes and doesn't sugarcoat anything, tell it like it is. I'm very impressed. Was shocked at the account though!! ;) It was only about a quarter what I thought it'd be.

A vizsla of course!!! But you have to be with them most of the time, indoors, and HEAPS of kisses and cuddles. Superfast and super intelligent!! I've seen 3 manchesters (one family) doing agility, and yes they are terrific at it and a nice sized, neat dog. My ohs cousin has a tentie who has her highest agility trophies etc., she's been faster than all the borders

:D My husbands cousin has a 7 year old female desexed tenterfield who has her agility champion (oh dear I don't know what it's called, but she cannot go any higher, she has gone as far as she can, top of the tops), and she is also a tracking champion. She's a very amazing little thing and very capable of keeping up with my viz on long walks (10 ks or longer!!). She also runs by the bike and is very loving and cuddly too. She has the longer legs that some of them have. I'm not a big tentie person, but she's really amazing, so is her mum (retired). I've seen min schnauzers do really well too. There are probably many others. Oh yeh, someone comes here and competes with 3 manchester terriers. They all look identical (to me!!!), and are thoroughly fantastic! I think I'll be after one one day.xxx And of course it goes without saying, poodle!!!!!!

Everyone is right about the vet manipulating the legs etc. to see if hp is possible. My dog is 7 months and hp definately turned up on the xray, even I could see it.Duncandougal, there are 2 ops for dogs over 12 months, just one if under that age. Maintenance is good but if they need an op its best to go with it as hp can be very painful for the dog. HP can only be diagnosed with an xray, for me it was best to eliminate (or not) this first rather than run around trying to fix something that can't be fixed (except with op). At least I know what to do now, treatment etc. and exactly what the problem is without guessing. Good luck, it may be nothing, at least you;ll know. (fingers crossed for you)xxx

;) xxx

:rolleyes: Very well said. I ( ;) ) have 2 'pups' exactly a year apart, one 8 months, one 20 months. Nearly 2 years of chewing. All I can say is , wear them out, supervise, supervise supervise. Where I am the dogs are (for their safety too), otherwise they are in their crates (indoors), yes I work, but am able to pop home, very lucky. With any dog, esp young - out of sight = IN trouble ;) IF anything is chewed here (someone doesn't supervise) it's the human @#$^%^ who is in trouble for being slack and lazy. Sorry, I don't know any magic way of stopping chewing.

Thanks. I have been advised to use glucosamine but will put her on the Joint Guard. Her elbows are fine, thank goodness. Both her parents had good scores. It's just a bugger. I'll try everything I can. She is having beach walks throught he sea every day from now on to strengthen her muscles. She's such an angel of a dog. Thanks for the info.xxx

Hi, one of my dogs has been diagnosed today with hip disp. She may/more than likely need a replacement op when she finishes growning. Both parents were scored and fine. My vet said it's never 100 percent and sometimes can be the genetics with both parents together. Anyway, that's beside the point. Has anyone any experience of this op and the healing period, which I'm told can be months. And how do you look after it in the meantime. I've had excellent advice, but just need re assurance from someone who's been there. Thanks guys. ;) :D

I'd check with the vet. You may have to get an older pup and make sure it has had all of it's vacc. if you want another soon. Say around 16 to 20 weeks olds. Parvo can live in the soil for several years. I would not risk having a pup around who is not fully vacc. during that time. Please check with the vet though, and maybe an older pup would be advisable ( only if FULLY vaccinated though).

This might sound really silly but we rescued a little malt cross in a similar condition years ago (had him for 15 years!! ) and although there is no nutrition in it, he was very very interested in our toast and crusts and nothing else. We worked out after a few days of him not eating 'doggie' type foods etc, that 1. he was terrified of the bowl and 2. he had never had meat etc. only toast crusts or crackers, this was all he'd eat! It took us a while to get him interested in other foods and we fed him straight from the floor or he would not eat. I thought it very strange too when he wouldn't touch mince or all the other goodies I tried. We just got his appetite up first with whatever he would eat and worked on 'diet and nutrition' when he was ready. Your girl obviously needs as much nutrition as she can handle though, and our vets helped a friends rescue great dane who was also like this. She now has to be on one dry food only as anything else upsets her stomach and she loses weight again. 18kg. is disgusting! Her 'insides' must be a mess! Good luck, you are an angel! ;) :D Also think giving her privacy whilst eating is good and a drip (if the vet thinks so).

I'm definately no trainer but have been through this with several dogs. Firstly, no means no. Yelping is great, but if he's coming back for more and taking no notice, instead of hiding hands etc, which he finds a challenge, hence a game, with all of you probably trying to get out of his way (i'm guessing here), get up and walk away, Ignore him completely. He may think he is near the top of the pack and it could get a lot worse in the next few months. Esp, if he is biting ears and cheeks. Being on the floor with him may just be showing him that you are to be gnawed on when he feels like it, because you are on the floor. The floor is for him (at the moment, until he learns). Wolfgirl had great suggestions. and as she said, be firm. I find the firm thing very difficult but have seen how quickly things can deteriorate when you 'give' an inch. Once the dog, even a puppy thinks a behaviour is allowed and is stopped but can still do it on the third or fourth try, you've lost. Labs are really lovely dogs and I'm sure yours will grow into a wonderful companion, but even though he is very cute, he must be taught what is acceptable. As you realise because you have posted about it. Is that him in the photo? He's gorgeous! Use a REALLY gruff, nasty tone, if nothing else works. He may be bomb proof!!! :D I was told with one of my dogs that she had no self control, and was shown exercises to teach her self control. This worked beautifully for us. Good luck.

Ah your dog is a gorgeous little thing. My viz is still undergoing 'kid' training at 18 months. She is frightened of them. I thought taking her out around kids might work but I think it didn't help at all. One on one is probably best. The treats idea is good too. I was told to have a 'nice' child have their back to the dog and drop a treat and keep this up (not all at once, just a couple of times a day or week) until the dog is happy to go up to the child. Take 'face to face' greetings very slowly once the dog is ready, after the face to back greetings. We haven't found a suitable child guinea pig , ours are grown up. But she's the first dog I've had even out of older rescues, who doesn't like children. It doesn't affect us so much now, but I'd like her to be comfortable with kids in case we have little visitors, or god forbid, grandchildren Alos important for when kids want to pat her as we go out a lot.