Problem Puppy

[Andromeda]

I am encountering a number of problems with my 5 months old Pomeranian and any help or advice would be appreciated:

1. Confining pup - I have to work full time and my pup usually stays home by himself for about 8 hours Mon – Thurs. I used a pet/baby gate to confine him to the lino area during the day. The gate has little holes in between which the pup can see through.

Problem: Pup climbs through the gate by stepping through the holes and goes to the carpet area to pee/poo, rip the carpet apart and basically chew on anything that he can.

2. Bored pup – He has a kong, squeaky toys, rope toys, chew toys, all sorts of balls to play with but he is still bored, hence trying to jump over the gate to destroy the rest of the house. What else can I do so he is not so bored and do not have so much energy in him during the day? Walking him before work is not really possible as I am already waking up at 5am everyday to prepare for work and feed him etc… I only get an average of 5-6 hours of sleep so I am relunctant to wake up any earlier. I do not feel it is the right time to get another dog to accompany my current pup as he still has a few issues to deal with and I would like to bond with him more before having the responsiblity of a 2nd dog.

3. Separation Anxiety – not exactly sure whether he does suffer from this but he does bark like crazy when I leave the house for work and is so happy when I come home. In the meantime, when I am away he will try to destroy everything he can get his paws onto.

Attempted solution: I feed him right before I leave so he doesn’t have to see me go but I think he has now figured out that as soon as he gets feed I will leave, so he will not eat his meal straightaway and will start following me once I put his food bowl down. I tried to act normal and not give him any special attention before I leave or when I come home but he still barks for ages. I have tried standing outside the door and see how long he barks, it was 15+ mins continuous barking with occasional 0.5 second breaks in between.

4. Barking – in addition to barking before I leave, he is very sensitive to noises and sounds, whenever a car drives past or even when there is a bird outside he would be barking (the aggressive type).

Attempted solution: say stern NO and try to tell him it is ok, there is nothing to worry about… but he still keeps barking. What can I do to discourage him from barking so that it will not become a habit or serious issue further down the track?

5. Toilet training – with me being at work most of the day, it is more difficult to train him. I do have a crate but he hates going into it. Since he is confined to the lino area during the day I’m not sure whether I should crate him when I am home.

Attempted solution: I have tried crate training him and when I let him out of the crate and take him to the newspaper, he simply would not go on the newspaper. I stay with him on the news paper for 10-15+ mins and he still will not go on the newspaper Once I let him go, he will run to the carpet to pee within 5 mins. After meals or play, I usually take him to the newspaper as well but he still refuses to go on the newspaper. I am already into my 2nd bottle of house training aid (liquid type where you put a few drops on the place where you want your dog to pee) and it looks like he just don’t get it. He doesn’t understand why I put him on the newspaper and would just stand there and look at me. When he does go on the newspaper, I do give him lots of praise and treats.

I understand that patience and consistency is the key but he is 5 months now and things are not improving at all. I am desperate for help...

[Miranda]

Why can't he stay outside, he'd probably be much happier? The sound sensitivity could be due to lack of socialisation, have you been getting him out and about to get him used to different sights, sound, people, dogs etc.? Puppies need a lot of work when they are very young (especially prior to 16 weeks of age). It sounds as if you don't really have enough time to devote to this dog and as a consequence the dog is bored, frustrated and destructive, it is a common scenario. Not very helpful I know, but that is my opinion after reading your post

[shoemonster]

To fix the baby gate issue you could attach cardboard over the rails so he can't get through and can't see thorugh

Our guys go everwhere with us when we're home and as a result when we go to work they sleep all day

I walk them in the morn to tire them (which I know you can't do) but if I can't I walk them at night

You could try the treat balls that let treats fall out, they might cure a bit of boredom

Telling them off when they bark will never stop them from barking long term (I know it's frustrating though)

Aparently teaching bark on command is a great way of stopping barking, not sure how it would work with your guy but might be worth a go (idea being if they learn to bark on command there is no benefit to barking unless asked)

oh, can you put a doggy door to outside or a run?

That would give him the option of being in or out and may be fun for him

[Andromeda]

Thank you for reading my extremely long post... I do apologise for that...

Due to full time work I am unable to spend time with him during the day but I do try to spend at much time with him as possible when I don't have to work and would play ball with him every night.

Since he is so small and the place I am renting does not have a very secure yard I am relunctant to let him stay in the yard by himself during the day.

I do realise there might be a lack of socialisation (because he seems to be very defensive when there are other dogs around)...but he has been to puppy pre school, walks around the neighbourhood and I have been taking him to the beach etc during the weekends...

Teaching him to bark on comman might be a solution... I'll try to do some research on how to teach this trick...

I understand that puppies do need a lot of work and I am prepared to put the effort in but at these stage there appears to be so many issues and I am hoping to put a stop to it before it gets worse...

[shoemonster]

There's a thread on bark on command in the training section

Here it is!!!

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=9497

[Lozzie]

Its a pity about the backyard- my dog used to do the same when left inside (except luckily she would always pee on the lino) but if she is outside she is as happy as a pig in mud when we are not home, don't hear a peep from her and no SA.

There is no way you could temporarily secure the backyard without costing you too much? Have you tried setting up toys for her? I was reading somewhere else that someone puts a treat under an icecream container with a weight on top, then they have to figure out how to get it out. Also, big smoked marrow bones are good, as are the treat balls. Also cardboard boxes ;)

[Dog_Horse_Girl]

I am encountering a number of problems with my 5 months old Pomeranian and any help or advice would be appreciated:

1. Confining pup - I have to work full time and my pup usually stays home by himself for about 8 hours Mon – Thurs. I used a pet/baby gate to confine him to the lino area during the day. The gate has little holes in between which the pup can see through.

Problem: Pup climbs through the gate by stepping through the holes and goes to the carpet area to pee/poo, rip the carpet apart and basically chew on anything that he can.

2. Bored pup – He has a kong, squeaky toys, rope toys, chew toys, all sorts of balls to play with but he is still bored, hence trying to jump over the gate to destroy the rest of the house. What else can I do so he is not so bored and do not have so much energy in him during the day? Walking him before work is not really possible as I am already waking up at 5am everyday to prepare for work and feed him etc… I only get an average of 5-6 hours of sleep so I am relunctant to wake up any earlier. I do not feel it is the right time to get another dog to accompany my current pup as he still has a few issues to deal with and I would like to bond with him more before having the responsiblity of a 2nd dog.

3. Separation Anxiety – not exactly sure whether he does suffer from this but he does bark like crazy when I leave the house for work and is so happy when I come home. In the meantime, when I am away he will try to destroy everything he can get his paws onto.

Attempted solution: I feed him right before I leave so he doesn’t have to see me go but I think he has now figured out that as soon as he gets feed I will leave, so he will not eat his meal straightaway and will start following me once I put his food bowl down. I tried to act normal and not give him any special attention before I leave or when I come home but he still barks for ages. I have tried standing outside the door and see how long he barks, it was 15+ mins continuous barking with occasional 0.5 second breaks in between.

4. Barking – in addition to barking before I leave, he is very sensitive to noises and sounds, whenever a car drives past or even when there is a bird outside he would be barking (the aggressive type).

Attempted solution: say stern NO and try to tell him it is ok, there is nothing to worry about… but he still keeps barking. What can I do to discourage him from barking so that it will not become a habit or serious issue further down the track?

5. Toilet training – with me being at work most of the day, it is more difficult to train him. I do have a crate but he hates going into it. Since he is confined to the lino area during the day I’m not sure whether I should crate him when I am home.

Attempted solution: I have tried crate training him and when I let him out of the crate and take him to the newspaper, he simply would not go on the newspaper. I stay with him on the news paper for 10-15+ mins and he still will not go on the newspaper Once I let him go, he will run to the carpet to pee within 5 mins. After meals or play, I usually take him to the newspaper as well but he still refuses to go on the newspaper. I am already into my 2nd bottle of house training aid (liquid type where you put a few drops on the place where you want your dog to pee) and it looks like he just don’t get it. He doesn’t understand why I put him on the newspaper and would just stand there and look at me. When he does go on the newspaper, I do give him lots of praise and treats.

I understand that patience and consistency is the key but he is 5 months now and things are not improving at all. I am desperate for help... ;)

You are having so many issues, and I think they're all related. In fact, I think your pup does have SA and every behaviour you describe is a symptom of SA. You are sort of on the right track, but in my experience, there are other things you can add to what you are doing:

1. Exercise is vital - both physical and mental. You say you haven't time to walk him of a morning, but you must find the time. Walk at a brisk pace for at least 20 minutes, and incorporate some basic obedience into every walk. This will help tire him out in body and mind. A tired dog will sleep! If a dog is sleeping she can't be destroying your house.

2. Obedience work - if you haven't already begun, try to fit in some basic obedience every day. This will help your pup to learn that you are the alpha and what you say goes, and that everything good comes from you. A dog doesn't care who is leader, as long as they know someone is!

3. House training - you haven't got the pup trained at all. Start from the beginning. That is, confine the dog when you cannot supervise, take the pup out on a regular schedule, and praise profusely for the right thing, ignoring the wrong thing. Do not train to paper - poor pup just gets confused. If you want the dog to toilet outside, take it out! ;)

4. Routine-making - your dog needs a routine, every dog does. It doesn't matter if the routine varies sometimes, but dogs do like to know that their day has structure. Without structure, the dog becomes less inclined to behave as we would like - with it, and they can predict what comes next and at least be ready for it.

5. Dog walker - having someone visit your pup during the day will help with so many issues, including house training and destructive/vocalising behaviours. Find someone you can trust absolutely with your pup and even if they only come one day per week, this will probably help. Similarly, day care is another option, again, even if it's only one or two days per week.

6. SA - your dog displays SA behaviours including toileting indoors, destructive behaviours, and vocalising. You must address this b/c the behaviours will escalate. Have you completed 'alone training' with your dog? I think if you have, it hasn't been completely successful. You can begin alone training again and only progress to the next level when the dog gets it right. The idea is that you teach the dog that it's OK to be alone and to be happy alone. Begin by leaving the dog for a moment (you leave the room) and immediately return. Build on this until you can leave the house and immediately return. It seems to me that b/c your home time is spent with the dog every second, that the dog now expects this level of company and is fretting when that doesn't happen. Have you got a DAP diffuser? DAP = Dog Appeasing Pheromones. If you haven't got one, I would suggest one, b/c they work in most cases. I've got two dogs with SA and two DAP diffusers, plus the DAP spray for car trips. This stuff works! It works for all kinds of anxieties and phobias.

7. Destructive behaviours - you haven't dog proofed adequately if your dog is destroying your things. Get down to the pup's level and remove anything that it can reach. If it's out of reach, it's out of harm's way. If you leave it there, how does the dog know it's not a toy?

8. Boredom - I don't think your dog is bored. But if you think this is part of the problem, then provide more activity-based toys and vary them from day to day. Providing a stuffed kong every day is great - give the pup their breakfast in the kong rather than a bowl and ensure you do not provide this until right before you leave. The dog will associate your cues to leaving with the kong and won't even notice that you've left b/c the dog will be far too busy to notice. Treat balls in various forms are also great b/c they keep your dog busy and working. Treasure hunts are great for the same reason. Suspend a kong from a secure point, upside down, and just above the dog's head level for even greater work and rewards. There are so many more things for your dog to do than just roll a ball over the floor!

9. Sensitivity to outside noise - what sort of company does the dog have? Do you have the TV, radio or CD on for company? If not, try it. My dogs have company and it helps. Lilly the greyhound has the TV (same channel every day), Ruby has classical music on a CD repeat all, and Molly has the radio. They barely notice external noises.

I'm sure some of what is above will help - I know you feel that you're doing everything possbile, but please re-think and perhaps try some of the above. Obedience work and exercise are both vital in helping to overcome the behaviours you are faced with. Calming the anxious dog are also vital and if you can't afford a DAP diffuser, at least see your vet for advice. You can also try things like Rescue Remedy.

I hope this helps. ;)

Oh, the baby gate thing - block the dog's view any way you can...less inclined to escape through something that now seems 'solid'.

[KitKat]

1. Exercise is vital - both physical and mental. You say you haven't time to walk him of a morning, but you must find the time. Walk at a brisk pace for at least 20 minutes, and incorporate some basic obedience into every walk. This will help tire him out in body and mind. A tired dog will sleep! If a dog is sleeping she can't be destroying your house.

Lillysmum, i think you'll fild the pup is only 5 months old...tooooo young as far as i'm concerned to be taking a brisk 20min walk each day. Some fetch play etc might be a better option...

To me the pup sounds like he's trying to work his mum around his paw...

As to the toilet training - I'd look as the possibility of putting paper over the entire lino area where he is when you are at work. Slowly start shrinking the newspapered area. But when you are at home take him outside to toilet if you can, put him on a lead and give him a toilet 'word' and encourage him to go at that.

I did this with my GSD pup (mind you he was quick to train) but he wasn't confused by the use of the paper and going outside with a word etc.

Andromeda - Sorry I can't be much help...but little dogs are harder to work with then bigger dogs i swear! :D

[Andromeda]

Lillysmum, thanks for your suggestions... I'll certainly consider your advice!

My pup is an indoor dog so he doesn't toilet outside... he only goes inside the house... he is getting a bit better now.. sometimes he will go on the newspaper but I think he prefers the carpet... He loves to chew on the carpet and rip it apart... hence I try to put something on top of the carpet to stop him from destroying it (e.g. boxes)... but then he'll try to chew whatever I put on top of the carpet! Could it be because he is teething??

I am still trying to think of ways to confine him other than the pet gate. I tried to put two big cardboard boxes together and the pet gate behind the boxes to confine thim but he chews through the boxes and climbs over the pet gate to go to the carept area.

Another thing that I forgot to mentioned in the first post is that we have just recently moved into a new house (we have been there for 4 weeks now). It could be because he is not used to the new house and area that he is being sensitive to noises etc?? He doesn't really bark when he was younger.. he seems to have discovered his bark/voice ever since we moved into the new house.

I do agree with KitKat that he is trying to work his mum around his paw... I am trying to be stricter with him now and let him know that i am the top dog at home... although it can be hard sometimes when he put on his innocent face!

[Kavik]

I think re preferring carpet to toilet that they like somewhere soft - more like grass.

By far the easiest of mine to housetrain was my GSD, he was crate trained from day 1 and was very easy to housetrain. It was also easier as I had moved out of home and could provide a more consistent approach than the crazy atmosphere with my parents

I have only recently moved house as well and the dogs have been rather vocal (they had been really good at the last place!). But I found out today by talking to neighbours that there are rabbits and bandicoots on the other side of the wire fence, and that would explain it :D You gotta love Kelpies! So we will be getting a new fence that the dogs can't see through!

[Dog_Horse_Girl]

My dogs are indoor dogs too, but their toilet is outside...I'm not sure what you mean when you say your dog's toilet is indoors. Perhaps you could elaborate?

If the gate isn't working, why not use a crate instead? A crate is a very useful tool for pup raising and especially for house training (unless your pup is accustomed to living in its own waste, as some pet shop pups are) b/c most dogs don't like to live with their messes.

And yes, you must be a strong leader, or your pup will jockey for position as top dog...that's no way for a human/dog relationship to continue.

HTH.

[pnsdc]

could you perhaps train the puppy to a tray like a kitten?

[Andromeda]

What I mean by he toileting indoors is he toilets on the newspaper inside the house.. well that is what I am trying to get him to do.. he only goes outside the house when we go for walks..

Since I am working full time, I don't think I should crate him when I am at work. I only have problem confining him when I'm at work, when I am at home he doesn't try to climb over the gate. He doesn't pee/pee in his own crate and is not accustomed to living in its own waste...

I did try to train him to use a kitty litter/tray when he first arrived but he prefers eating the litter (the crystal beads which sticks in his mouth) instead of going inside the tray to pee... so I thought may be I should train him on the newspaper first and then put newspaper on top of the litter in the tray...

Nonetheless, I am determined to walk him before I go to work and hopefully he will be less energetic during the day and cause less problems.

[Dog_Horse_Girl]

The whole point of house training is to stop the dog from toileting inside the house...rather than teaching him to go somewhere you would prefer such as newspaper. Why isn't he taken outside to the toilet except on walks? Or do you mean that every time you take him out, it is for a walk?

Most dogs, once they're reliably house trained, can hold it for several hours...my three can hold it from well before I leave for work until I get home. That's usually 6am (let out first thing), perhaps with another let out just before I leave but not usually, and then let out at 6pm when I get home from work. So, 12 hours, give or take.

It took a while for Molly to fully understand, and she still has an occasional mishap, but she's mostly reliable after six months or so of training and reinforcement of the house rules.

[Pointers Rule]

Most dogs, once they're reliably house trained, can hold it for several hours...my three can hold it from well before I leave for work until I get home. That's usually 6am (let out first thing), perhaps with another let out just before I leave but not usually, and then let out at 6pm when I get home from work. So, 12 hours, give or take.

12 hours without access to toileting? Even in summer when they drink a lot of water?

[Nekhbet]

yes a litter tray would be ideal and you have the right idea!

Have you tried the paper based litters? From recycled newspapers?

Put a layer of newspaper in the bottom of the tray and then a little sprinkling of the paper litter on top. Gradually increase the amount of paper litter you put in there so the pup gets used to it and you will find it wont really like the taste of the paper stuff. If you are worried about the pee smell then put a little baking soda underneath the top layer of litter. Since dogs dont dig to pee/poo the pup shoulnt create little white tracks all over the place

I wouldnt expect a puppy or even an adult dog to hold on for 12 hours. Dont expect your pom to hang on for more then a couple of hours at the moment without somewhere to releive itself so training it to use a litter box now will be great for it in the future.

Maybe confine it to the laundry when you go out until it learns to stop climbing over. conversely get some snake mesh from the hardware store (really really fine chicken wire) and some cable ties to attach it to the gate. The holes are too small to cling on to and it cant chew its way through.

Edited April 17, 2006 by Nekhbet

[Dog_Horse_Girl]

I don't "expect" my dogs to hold it, they just do!

Yep, we have no dog door (have never had one), yep the dogs are all kept indoors (in this house, we have no covered area outdoors, not unusual given the type of housing OH's employer provides), and yep, they can hold it from the time they go out in the morning (usually around 6am) until I get home (again, around 6pm). If OH is not away for work, he gets home any time from 4pm...so that's ten hours maximum.

I guess that when a dog is house trained, they are less inclined to make a mess...also, we have two DAP diffusers that stop most of the symptoms of Separation Anxiety. Lilly did have quite a few toileting incidents before the DAP diffusers so I'm sure that this was mostly due to anxiety and not a lack of house training.

My dogs don't drink much water esp at this time of year but even in summer, they don't get very thirsty. They are raw fed, so again, that helps b/c their food is naturally moist. :cool: When I had a dog fed on kibble, he drank a LOT of water...and was kept outdoors through the day until he turned 11, when he was moved inside for his comfort and safety (he developed canine dementia and would often dig himself a hole in the garden and 'hide' from us!).

If the OP tries a DAP diffuser or some other form of anxiety relief, I'm fairly sure her dog will improve, not just the toilet training but all the behaviours he currently exhibits.

[Andromeda]

I mean every time I take him out it is for a walk or to the beach...

Where can I get a DAP diffuser from? Would pet shops such as pet barn have one and how much do they usually cost?

I've got a very small laundry... it feels kinda cruel to lock him in there all day..

The paper based litter sounds like a good idea... I used the crystal beads initially because I thought it would get rid of the smell and will absorb moisture but if baking soda will do the trick that I might give it a shot as well...

Thanks for all the suggestions... it is greatly appreciated...

[Dog_Horse_Girl]

If you are taking him for a walk every time he goes out, rather than just a quick toilet stop, of course he will take a long time to train. You don't want this to be "fun" for him...just a quick wee/poo and praise profusely then back inside.

You can buy DAP diffusers online or see your vet for advice/info/purchase. Bear in mind that a refill lasts about one month and can cost between $30 and $40 depending on supplier. Vets are more expensive in my experience. The diffuser itself (with one refill) costs anywhere from $40 to $80 again, depending on supplier.

What I'd suggest is remove the 'entertainment' from the house training. Take pup outside, give the 'go' command, and praise when he goes. Only reward him with a walk AFTER you get the result you are asking for, and fairly soon you should see progress.

My girls all "wee" and "poo" on command. Yep, it's a party trick but a very handy way to manage their toileting needs AND keep my carpet reasonably clean. Muddy paws? That's a whole other thread.

[jesskated]

as your dog grows it will be able to hold on for longer

Edited April 23, 2006 by jesskated