Advice For New Puppy At Home

[inbox]

Hi i just recently got my puppy (japanese spitz) and just wanted some help with training him. He's 9weeks old and he stays in the house for now.

What we have been trying for the past few days is toilet training him. What we did was divide the room and laid out a newspaper on a rectangular pad

in the corner for him to use

He has used this like half the time but the other half is any random places in the area. We have been praising him every time we see that

he has done it at the right place.

We tried to restrict the place even more so where he can only got out to the pad from his crate where he sleeps. But this didn’t work at all as he

somehow hit the fence around him and got out and did the deed somewhere else.

Also I was thinking of locking him up in the crate I got him during the night but I was worried he'd do the deed in his bed area. Is this a good idea?

I was thinking of getting some fake grass and use that instead and hope that works out better any thoughts on this?

Also how much per day should I be spending time with him? I know the first couple of days I spent too much time and a friend of mine told me to lay it off

because he was getting aggressive when I was around.

Also the main reason I haven’t let him use the backyard(its small though) for the toilet cause I'm waiting on the advocate to use but really when I'm not

there he'll be in the same area and will need to learn to do it on that mat.

Are there any natural remedies for protection from fleas or anything harmful to my puppy to apply in the gardens around?

Also I have noticed that he wakes up every 2 hrs every night i think, am i feeding too much to him? Or is he too young to hold it in for now?

Edited July 5, 2008 by inbox

[sas]

What we have been trying for the past few days is toilet training him. What we did was divide the room and laid out a newspaper on a rectangular pad

in the corner for him to use

He has used this like half the time but the other half is any random places in the area. We have been praising him every time we see that

he has done it at the right place.

With a puppy, they may not be reliably toilet trained until they are 4.5-5 months old. One of the most important aspects with toilet training is that when you're home with puppy you never take your eyes off them, you watch for their toileting cues and take them to the toileting area. Remember the times puppy will need to toilet such as as soon as waking, after meals and play.

When puppy starts to toilet, give calm praise using your toilet word such as "Good Toilet". After puppy has finished playing gives lot's of praise and have a bit of a play.

Any accidents puppy has inside the house will need to be cleaned up with either a special pet accident spray or white vinegar and wate to get rid of the scent that tells the puppy to toilet in that area again.

We tried to restrict the place even more so where he can only got out to the pad from his crate where he sleeps. But this didn't work at all as he somehow hit the fence around him and got out and did the deed somewhere else.

You want to have the toileting area at least 1.5 metres away from the bed and feed area, dogs naturally will not want to toilet in these areas.

Also I was thinking of locking him up in the crate I got him during the night but I was worried he'd do the deed in his bed area. Is this a good idea?

Crate training is a fantastic way of toilet training a puppy, do read up on how to crate train first. When crate training a puppy you only want a crate large enough for the puppy to stand up and turn around, anything bigger gives the puppy an option of toileting in the far corner. In addition you will probably be best off having the crate in the room with you as 'some' puppies will cry to let you know they need to toilet, to start with this may happen 2-4 times per night. If your puppy isn't a crier when it needs to toilet you'll need to set your alarm up to take puppy out to the toilet.

I was thinking of getting some fake grass and use that instead and hope that works out better any thoughts on this?

Doesn't really make a difference, dog knows it's not grass :rolleyes: Thing to understand is puppy doesn't have much care factor of where it toilets.

Also how much per day should I be spending time with him? I know the first couple of days I spent too much time and a friend of mine told me to lay it off because he was getting aggressive when I was around.

The puppy isn't going to become aggressive by you spending time with it. What you are probably experiencing is some rough play and challenging behaviour that the puppy would normally do with it's litter mates i.e. who bites hardest wins. It's your job as the puppies new guardian to read up on positive leadership and how to become your puppies leader and how to set boundaries. General rule is, don't let puppy get away with anything now you don't want it to do when it's older.

Play biting and even more serious nipping is a common issue with puppies, it does not mean your puppy is aggressive, it's simply being a puppy and seeing what youre boundaries are.

Also the main reason I haven't let him use the backyard(its small though) for the toilet cause I'm waiting on the advocate to use but really when I'm not there he'll be in the same area and will need to learn to do it on that mat.

Get your puppy toileting in the area where you want it to toilet as an adult, toileting outside is fairly normal and I wouldn't discourage it, praise puppy when it toilets on the lawn as well, you want your puppy to toilet when you take it for a walk or to a friends place on the grass, you don't want to puppy crossing its' legs so to speak whilst it's waiting for it's matt to show up.

Are there any natural remedies for protection from fleas or anything harmful to my puppy to apply in the gardens around?

Some people use Lime on their lawns, I've not used it before and I'm unsure how safe it is to use with puppies. Do you have a flea problem? Just your typical spot on treatment you buy from the Vet is more than suitable.

Also I have noticed that he wakes up every 2 hrs every night i think, am i feeding too much to him? Or is he too young to hold it in for now?

Absolutely normal and to be expected, almost like a toddler who is toilet training, they want to learn but sometimes they're just too young to start and don't have full control or recognition.

[LuvMyCav]

Good luck with the toilet training, I agree with the advice you've been given. It's also worth remembering not to put any water in the crate at night to lessen the need for toileting during the night. I agree that you should keep the crate near you at night so that you can hear if your pup needs to go outside.

The "aggression" you spoke of is more than likely puppy mouthing. You have to teach your puppy that it is not acceptable for them to put their teeth on your skin so any time pup does that, make a loud yelp (even if it didn't really hurt at all) and stand up, turn away from them and stop the play until they are calm. You have to do this every time and they come to realise that teeth on a person means no more play. Anybody else who interracts with the pup should do this too. It's takes time but you'll get there in the end.

Also, in answer to your question, there's no rule about how much you should play with your pup. No doubt he will still be sleeping a lot but play is an important part of his day too when he's awake and you can use it to teach him good manners as well (eg no play biting). And as he's too young to take out for a walk he needs something to burn up his energy. Obviously he needs to know that he can't have your undivided attention every minute of the day but when you're toilet training, you're pretty much keeping a very close eye on them at all times anyway.

I agree that it's good to teach your pup to toilet outside so I would start that ASAP. That way you can put him outside after every meal, as soon as he wakes up, after a play and generally every hour and wait with your pup outside (no play until the business is done) then use the phrase you've chosen (good wees or whatever) and plenty of praise. It's a bit hard to do any of that using the mat because it can walk away from the mat but when you go outside he can't go anywhere.

I've never put any flea stuff in my garden. Unless there's a particular flea problem out there, you don't need to treat the garden, just the dog.

Hope it all goes well. :rolleyes: Enjoy your pup.

[inbox]

Hi thanks for all the replies so far.

About the tiolet training.

He is kept in the spare room at the back of the house for now, but we plan to move him to the laundry once its cleaned up. I'm just worried what my pup would be up to at night in my garden as there would be spiders and sort outside. Once headed out the room, he'll be on a balcony where i would need to place him down the garden (1m high) for him to tiolet there. Also theres so many places he can hide that I'm also worried he will simply run off somewhere and wont come back at my call at all. This is the main reason i would like to train him inside or i suppose the balcony.

I just think if i left him inside and if he does the deed like hes not suppose to, he would get confused that he can do it either inside or going out the balcony?

Also im worried from the balcony, that he will jump off this height or head for the long stairs to the backyard. Unless i set up the pen i have on the balcony and place him in there or lead him through the door in it? I tried this this afternoon but he kept jumping around trying to get out but he did eventually pee but not on the tray i had in there with him.

Also I'm not very comfortable with going out at night or even leaving the door open for him. Also about the laundry room, its really tight and it would be like half a metre we can place the tray there for him to do the deed.

I will try to convince my family to allow him to stay in my room, reason being they dont like the thought he would do it in the cage without warning. Hence i would like to try prove to them by the above options i have.

Unless this is really all the wrong way around this and that i have to hope in the future he'll learn to hold it in when im not there? or even while left in the cage? I was thinking as a routine, after feeding him, taking him or enclose him with the pen in an area with the tray, playing with him if he can do it then locking him in the cage? Problem is id think hed be too scared in the small area in the pen to do anything.

Also feeding areas, I have been feeding him in the same room, should i keep to this? or move this outside like the tiolet thing?

And about nail clipping, I have tried to do so but he just keeps moving around so much that i just cant. Ive been trying to calm him down with treats but as soon i start to hold his paw to try cut hed just wiggle too much and even with another person to help im too worried ill cut him.

I've also noticed with brushing, I try to brush him daily but he keeps trying to bite either my hand or the brush, i cant tell if he likes the brushing or not. Any tips about brushing as well or direct me to some posts?

Sorry if these issues have been discussed else where but its just getting confusing for me with so much information and variations. And thanks again

[helen]

I would recommend taking him to a good puppy pre-school for some socialisation and training to begin with.

Also if you want some good puppy training information go to http://www.k9events.com

[Dogsfevr]

If you back yard is totally secure there is no reason for it to escape.Puppies need to get out & be a dog.They will become frustrated,confused & board if they dont get outside stimulation.

If your worried about spiders & things biting your pup & i can safely say you will not enjoy being a dog owner for the next 14 years,you will become paranoid & it will pass on to the pup.

it will have just as much chance of been bitten inside as out.

Most breeder raise there puppies from paper straight to lawn so this pup may already be very aware that grass is for toileting & playing.Important aspects for a healthy dog.

[sas]

About the tiolet training.

He is kept in the spare room at the back of the house for now, but we plan to move him to the laundry once its cleaned up.

Ideally you want to have the puppy in the area where it's going to be long term, maybe get a hurry on with cleaning up the laundry.

I'm just worried what my pup would be up to at night in my garden as there would be spiders and sort outside. Once headed out the room, he'll be on a balcony where i would need to place him down the garden (1m high) for him to tiolet there. Also theres so many places he can hide that I'm also worried he will simply run off somewhere and wont come back at my call at all. This is the main reason i would like to train him inside or i suppose the balcony.

Your house and yard need to be puppy proofed. Walk around your yard and look for any areas your puppy could hurt itself, fall or get out and fix those areas.

I just think if i left him inside and if he does the deed like hes not suppose to, he would get confused that he can do it either inside or going out the balcony?

Yeah, that's not a good start for toilet training.

Also im worried from the balcony, that he will jump off this height or head for the long stairs to the backyard. Unless i set up the pen i have on the balcony and place him in there or lead him through the door in it? I tried this this afternoon but he kept jumping around trying to get out but he did eventually pee but not on the tray i had in there with him

Yep, you'll have to puppy proof your balcony. With my breed, we can't have them running up and done steps so many Dane puppy owners build ramps, you can do so pretty cheaply if you do it yourself.

Also I'm not very comfortable with going out at night or even leaving the door open for him. Also about the laundry room, its really tight and it would be like half a metre we can place the tray there for him to do the deed.

Containing is fine whilst a puppy, just make sure you use the same toilet training method i.e. scented toilet training pads.

I will try to convince my family to allow him to stay in my room, reason being they dont like the thought he would do it in the cage without warning. Hence i would like to try prove to them by the above options i have.

Many families are open to crating as it gives them a piece of mind that the puppy won't be running around the house. Not all puppies cry but if you lift the water bowl an hour before bed, toilet puppy before bed and then get up 2-3 times during the night then you should be on the right track. My puppy was sleeping through the night at 11 weeks but they're all different.

Unless this is really all the wrong way around this and that i have to hope in the future he'll learn to hold it in when im not there? or even while left in the cage?

Ideally you don't want to confine your dog for long periods of time when you're not there unless it's in a proper dog run outside, if you have a backyard, puppy proof it and utlize it.

Have you considered a dog run? You can get them from eBay for pretty good prices.

Edited July 6, 2008 by sas

[sas]

I was thinking as a routine, after feeding him, taking him or enclose him with the pen in an area with the tray, playing with him if he can do it then locking him in the cage? Problem is id think hed be too scared in the small area in the pen to do anything.

You need to decide on one method and stick to it otherwise you're just confusing the puppy.

Also feeding areas, I have been feeding him in the same room, should i keep to this? or move this outside like the tiolet thing?

Keep the feed area away from the toileting area.

And about nail clipping, I have tried to do so but he just keeps moving around so much that i just cant. Ive been trying to calm him down with treats but as soon i start to hold his paw to try cut hed just wiggle too much and even with another person to help im too worried ill cut him.

This is all about taking control of the situation. Many people once they get their puppies pratice restraining the puppies, i.e. having the puppy on their side, it's commonly referred as submission, but I guess this particular one isn't too harsh or dangerous when dealing with baby puppies. With my own puppy I would use the nail file when he was sleeping, puppies sleep very deeply and even if they wake up they tend to be too doopey to care too much.

I've also noticed with brushing, I try to brush him daily but he keeps trying to bite either my hand or the brush, i cant tell if he likes the brushing or not. Any tips about brushing as well or direct me to some posts?

Perfectly normal. In puppy pre-school we were taught to teach the puppies a command called "Feet", what this is, is you get something the puppy can step their two front feet onto, depending on the size of the puppy, perhaps some yellow pages, in one hand you treat the puppy and in the other hand you brush the puppy. The puppy will soon come to enjoy brushing as it associates brushing with good things.

[LuvMyCav]

It's a bit hard to picture your set up but I would strongly encourage you to puppy proof your balcony and garden, then they are safe areas and you have no need to worry. I don't mean safe from spiders because all gardens have spiders etc. They are not usually a danger to dogs. I just mean to make sure there are no escape routes - block any gaps. I don't think you should be passing your puppy down over the balcony (if that's what you mean) because I think this would encourage him to jump himself. I also don't think toileting outside is going to be effective if you're not out there with your pup. You need to see him to praise him when he toilets and to bring him back inside so that he doesn't stay outside and have a play/explore when he's supposed to be going straight back to bed. Even if you use the balcony to toilet him, he still needs to learn to toilet outside in the garden as well. It's natural for dogs to toilet outside, inside toileting is only if the outside is unavailable (ie nobody is home to let him out and you don't have a doggy door).

Can you give us some idea of how long you plan to leave him crated during the day when you're out? The whole idea of crate training is to have them in the crate when you're not watching them. Assuming you're home, you take them out of the crate each hour to toilet outside. They don't have to go back into the crate straight away if you're free to watch them but as soon as you're busy, toilet them again outside and then back in the crate.

You don't leave them in the crate for hours and hours unattended because they will be forced to toilet in the crate and that will slow the learning down. Your dog should not toilet in his crate at night. Their mother teaches them as a tiny puppy to soil at the far end of the whelping box, never where they sleep so it's natural for him to avoid toileting where he sleeps. This is why the inside of the crate should be a small enough area for pup to stand up in and turn around but not big enough to toilet down one end and sleep down the other. If the crate is too big, partition it with a divider - (I used a piece of plywood). He'll let you know when he needs to go to toilet by making a noise and you get up and take him outside. After he toilets and you praise him, you put him back in the crate without talking or making any fuss. As long as he hasn't had water during the night you'll probably only need to get up a couple of times a night, soon only once a night and then he'll learn to hold on all night. Why not get your family to do some research on crate training (there's loads of info on the net). They'll see how it works and shouldn't have a problem with pup staying in your room. Most obedience instructors will recommend this method.

Best of luck, and let us know how you go.

[inbox]

Hi everyone thanks for all the input so far.

I haven't really left my puppy locked in the cage yet, instead its just his area in the room and the cage where he would usually sleep in the cage anyway.

Just some other questions i got

I've been trying to teach him his name but he gets confused with sit and his name now. I never really taught him to sit, all i would do is call him by his name and he would come to me and automatically sit. But also sometimes when i just say his name he will sit. How should i go about teaching his name and sitting?

Also hes got a problem with biting my pants. Whats the most efficent way to make him stop? By distracting him away from my pants with a toy of his?

One minutes he is obedient then 5 seconds later he would just grab hold onto my foot. I try to say off and try distract him from biting my pants with a toy but he keeps holding on.

Does he think its a game? or does he think he dominates me?

Also when i do actually distract him away with a toy he could come back 5seconds later and start again with my pants.

thanks again

[sas]

I've been trying to teach him his name but he gets confused with sit and his name now. I never really taught him to sit, all i would do is call him by his name and he would come to me and automatically sit. But also sometimes when i just say his name he will sit. How should i go about teaching his name and sitting?

Puppies sit a lot, don't be concerned about it as you haven't taught other commands yet. To teach the name, you just want the pup to give you attention, so you can start off this by saying the dogs name and then giving a treat, so the dog learns that it's name is a positive thing, just remember not to repremand your puppy by saying it's name only i.e. DANTE!

Then next you say the dogs name and only give the treat when the dog looks at you, this is also the watch command.

3 x 5 minute sessions a day and always finish on a positive note.

Next is to teach your puppy to sit, there are a few different ways to do this, one way which makes the puppy think is just to hold a treat out in front of the puppy at nose level and as soon as puppy sits say Good Sit and give the treat, or you can raise the treat above the puppies head as many puppies will sit doing this, but not all.

Also hes got a problem with biting my pants. Whats the most efficent way to make him stop? By distracting him away from my pants with a toy of his?

One minutes he is obedient then 5 seconds later he would just grab hold onto my foot. I try to say off and try distract him from biting my pants with a toy but he keeps holding on.

Does he think its a game? or does he think he dominates me?

Also when i do actually distract him away with a toy he could come back 5seconds later and start again with my pants.

It's a bit of both, it's a great game and it's a little challenging behaviour. You can try growling like his mother would do, this sometimes winds puppies up more if they're a bit full of themselves, you can use a water pistol, however when using a water pistol try and ensure the puppy doesn't see the water pistol otherwise they'll only behave when they see the water pistol, I used to keep it tucked into the back of my pants LOL

With the water pistol you can growl at the puppy and if puppy doesn't back off then squirt so puppy learns to listen to the growl so you won't always have to walk around with the pistol.

Just remember any repremand that you give needs to be followed up by praise as soon as puppy is doing the right thing, this is how they understand what you want

Edited July 7, 2008 by sas