Dog Thread Part Deaux (Is Dr. Phil around?)

Townhallsavoy · « **on:** December 22, 2009, 08:30:00 PM »

My wife and I got a puppy a few days ago. We've been talking about getting one for months. She's a beautiful, playful three month old Foxhound mix.

The problem? I just realized I don't want ~~responsibility~~ a dog in the house.

It's been three days since we got her. What should I do?

*My wife's never had a pet before.*

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2009, 09:32:18 PM »

Try and give her back to where you got her from and if she is adopted from the shelter, just take her back there. Even if you didn't get her from the pound, take her to an animal shelter now. Go ahead and do it now though. The animal shelters will find a good home for her.

Another option would be that you can act like her "foster parents" until you find someone that will take her. GO to www.petfinder.com and there is an on-line community where people want to adopt pets from "foster parents". That is what I would suggest since you already have her in your home to begin with.

It doesn't get any better if you really don't want her. If you can't take the time to treat her like she needs to be treated, find her a good home.

Token · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2009, 09:37:24 PM »

Shovel to the head will usually do the trick. Especially at such a young age.

AUsweetheart · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2009, 09:42:14 PM »

I had a few moments of buyer's remorse after rescuing Brew....I was used to going where ever, whenever...and suddenly I had to think about something other than myself. It's a complete household change and you have to give it a little time. Christmas is a hectic time to try and train a new puppy...things will settle down after you have some time to focus on her. Once she's housebroken and aware of the boundries in the house it will be a totally different story. I think she'll add a lot to your life...and she'll add another dimension with you and your wife. Our dog actually completes our little family.

Just be patient...she knows you are her person already...but you are still getting to know each other.
And I don't think you are a responsibility shirker, THS.

If it doesn't work out...we have a few selfless puppy rescuers on this site.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2009, 10:02:51 PM »

Give it time. We have 3 inside dogs. They're family.

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2009, 12:12:25 AM »

Quote from: AUsweetheart on December 22, 2009, 09:42:14 PM

I had a few moments of buyer's remorse after rescuing Brew....I was used to going where ever, whenever...and suddenly I had to think about something other than myself. It's a complete household change and you have to give it a little time. Christmas is a hectic time to try and train a new puppy...things will settle down after you have some time to focus on her. Once she's housebroken and aware of the boundries in the house it will be a totally different story. I think she'll add a lot to your life...and she'll add another dimension with you and your wife. Our dog actually completes our little family.

Just be patient...she knows you are her person already...but you are still getting to know each other.
And I don't think you are a responsibility shirker, THS.

If it doesn't work out...we have a few selfless puppy rescuers on this site.

This helped a lot.

The wife finished up Christmas shopping today, so I was left alone with the pup for five hours. I spent about three of those five hours dealing with poo/pee in the house and absolutely no going outside of the house. I think that stimulated the frustration....

Saniflush · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2009, 06:57:17 AM »

Quote from: Townhallsavoy on December 23, 2009, 12:12:25 AM

This helped a lot.

The wife finished up Christmas shopping today, so I was left alone with the pup for five hours. I spent about three of those five hours dealing with poo/pee in the house and absolutely no going outside of the house. I think that stimulated the frustration....

Just be glad you didn't have to clean up after Jumbo.

GarMan · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2009, 08:54:54 AM »

Quote from: Token on December 22, 2009, 09:37:24 PM

Shovel to the head will usually do the trick. Especially at such a young age.

The microwave is always an option, but make the popcorn first.

Godfather · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:02:47 AM »

Quote from: Townhallsavoy on December 23, 2009, 12:12:25 AM

This helped a lot.

The wife finished up Christmas shopping today, so I was left alone with the pup for five hours. I spent about three of those five hours dealing with poo/pee in the house and absolutely no going outside of the house. I think that stimulated the frustration....

SCHEDULE...a puppy is like having a child, they need structure. THS biggest advice I can give for potty training. #1 get a crate (if you don't have one) it needs to be a crate that can be adjusted as the dog gets bigger, but that a partition can be used to keep a smaller space for the pup. MOST dogs will not wet or poo where they sleep hence you want to keep the area of the crate somewhat small. When you go out or go to bed put her in the crate, never use the crate as punishment...it should be her home.

#2 Get her on a schedule, most dogs will shit right after they eat...they have the digestive system of a duck. So, as soon as you feed the dog take her out maybe 5 minutes after shes done. Also do NOT let her graze on the food, put the food down and let her eat it if she doesn't eat it after 15 minutes pick it up...she doesn't get fed until dinner time. At dinner same thing, you need to get her on a schedule!

#3 Peeing is a wee (pun intended) bit harder. A good rule of thumb is that a dog can normally only hold their bladder for the number of months they are +1. So if the dog is 2 months old chances are she can only hold it about 3 hrs. What I use to do is set a timer and basically take the dog out every 60 minutes...tell her go potty and then praise her when she does.

#4 Try to take her out the same door, and when you do take her paw and scratch it on the door. Then take her out and follow rule #3. Like I said dogs are a creature of habit, mine will scratch now when she needs to go out.

#5 Praise...Praise...Praise

#6 PATIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#7 When a dog pees or shits in the house...it is your fault. You need to keep an eye on her, there are usually sign when a dog is about to go (see excessive sniffing or the dog circle). They cannot open the doors themselves and they can't talk..you have to be diligent...but don't worry they will get it and so will you.

Buyers remorse happens with everyone. Dogs are a big responsibility, but they are also great fun, hell I spent last night wrapping a damn gift for my Sadie last night. I love that damn dog.

Finally, Jumbo needs to see her immediately!

Kaos · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:14:20 AM »

When a dog pees or shits in my house, it is their fault and I beat them with a rubber hose for said transgression.

We once had a dog that stayed inside. If she felt offended or slighted in any way she would find somebody's shoe and take a shit in it. So if you had to restrict her to a certain area because you were cleaning or whatever, her sensibilities would be offended and as soon as you weren't actively staring at her? Shit in a shoe.

My dogs stay outside now.

Buzz Killington · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:14:29 AM »

What Godfather said...All of it.

Crate training is by far the best thing you can do for your puppy, and yourself. It will help teach the puppy how to communicate with you and it will keep you from having to clean multiple messes in every room in your house. We also used the puppy pads to help with the peeing, but they only worked as well as we let them. You still have to keep a watchful eye on them and let them know they need to do it outside too.

I have been where you obviously were as you typed this, and I know just how frustrating it can be. Keep up the good fight, and before long you will be amazed at how you ever made it this long without a dog.

AUsweetheart · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:30:00 AM »

GF and Buzz have the right of it.
Just keep in mind that she desperately wants to please you.... be patient until she learns how.

K, I can't even begin to address the shitting in a shoe issues.

Godfather · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:39:11 AM »

Quote from: AUsweetheart on December 23, 2009, 09:30:00 AM

GF and Buzz have the right of it.
Just keep in mind that she desperately wants to please you.... be patient until she learns how.

K, I can't even begin to address the shitting in a shoe issues.

His dog hates Chizik too.

Saniflush · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:48:52 AM »

Quote from: Godfather on December 23, 2009, 09:39:11 AM

His dog hates Chizik too.

I bet Chizik would shit in his shoe.

Quote

Just keep in mind that she desperately wants to please you.... be patient until she learns how.

This is why dogs are better than women.

Godfather · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:52:55 AM »

Quote from: Saniflush on December 23, 2009, 09:48:52 AM

This is why dogs are better than women.

Yeah but then you gotta clean the rest of the peanut butter off your dick.

Saniflush · « **Reply #15 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:59:59 AM »

Quote from: Godfather on December 23, 2009, 09:52:55 AM

Yeah but then you gotta clean the rest of the peanut butter off your dick.

Well it's ok. Cause it's your dog.

Godfather · « **Reply #16 on:** December 23, 2009, 10:35:58 AM »

Quote from: Saniflush on December 23, 2009, 09:59:59 AM

Well it's ok. Cause it's your dog.

no no...we got it.

chinook · « **Reply #17 on:** December 23, 2009, 10:39:51 AM »

the godfadder offers some excellent advice about crate training...scheduling...and etc. if you plan on traveling with her purchase a traveling crate rather than a wire crate.

i don't agree about teaching her to scratch the door, especially if you have wooden doors. as she becomes trained for outside business...she should come to you and you'll begin to recognize "open the fucking" door look.

also, don't use...i repeat...don't use...potty pads inside.

if you don't want to spend much time learning and reading about obedience training, i would suggest looking around for a class or two. the skirt and you should both attend. a well behave dog is a respected dog.

Godfather · « **Reply #18 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:03:00 AM »

Quote from: chinook on December 23, 2009, 10:39:51 AM

i don't agree about teaching her to scratch the door, especially if you have wooden doors. as she becomes trained for outside business...she should come to you and you'll begin to recognize "open the fucking" door look.

This is true our door is a french door without the mullions so she just scratches the glass which doesn't do anything. I have heard of people using a bell. Basic premise take a small bell and attach it to the frame, when you go to take the puppy out take her paw and hit the bell. Then immediately take her out, she will start ringing it when she needs to go.

Ogre · « **Reply #19 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:08:52 AM »

18 posts in and no Old Yeller reference? Color me disappointed.

When we bought our second dog (Baxter), I wanted to give him back for a solid week. He cried, howled and barked non-stop when you left him. Pissed and shit all over the house. We worked through it (through my own personal house-breaking methods) now he's part of the family.

Stick with it. You'll be glad you did.