I have a new lab/pit puppy- 10 weeks

[elektrasmom]

Hi,
My husband and I are first time (ever!) dog parents to a 10 week old labrador/(probably)pit-bull puppy. If you don't mind, I'd like some advice or just reinforcement to assure me that what we are doing is OK.

We have had Elektra for a week and seems to be a good dog, she already knows "sit" and is getting the hang of "stay". She is doing well with housetraining, but I worry that we are confusing her with one thing: We are crate training her and taking her outside to go, but just in case we have a paper down on our kitchen floor. So if she is out playing, she will just go on the paper (most of the time, we are averaging about one accident a day). Is this bad? Should we take away the paper?

She is also very attached to us. She won't really eat that well if we are yard/hexagon, because she wants to play. When we are not in the gate, she won't play alone, instead she will sit by the gate and wait for us and eventually fall asleep.

The other thing is that we are having a hard time walking her. She will go outside, do her business and head for the door again. We try to get her walking, but she fights us the whole time. It is a struggle to just get to the end of the block, she keeps trying to turn around and get home. I tried luring her with treats, but it didn't work. When we are heading home, she tries to run back. The only thing that I can thik of is that we have a lot of dogs on our block and that she is scared. However, I want to make sure that she gets enough exercise and that she learns who is in control.

Those are my concerns, otherwise, we are having a great time with her. Luckily, I am a teacher and my husband is a full-time student right now, so we only leave her alone for an extended period 1-2 days a week.

If anyone is still reading this (sorry about the length) I have one more question about how to introduce her to other rooms in the house. We have been keeping her in the kitchen for now and want to teach her to behave in other rooms without peeing/pooping and staying off of furniture.

Thanks so much in advance for your help. I really want to make her a great, friendly, well-behaved puppy!

Elektra's mom

 

[bubbatd]

Happy puppy-hood !!! Take her around the house on leash with you . I'd get rid of the paper . Also , get a good puppy book ... I recommend " How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With " ---Reutherford and Neil . Good luck and pictures !!

 

[Maxy24]

I agree, take away the paper, if she seems like she is gonna go or has not been out in a while (2 hours) take her out. take her around on a leash and make sure all the rooms are puppy proof and she won't try to eat anything. You said you want her off furniture and the best way to go about that is to never let her get on in the first place. Do what Grammy said and have her on the leash so you can prevent her from going on. If she is about to jump up call her name and if she stops give her a treat, she will learn it is better to stay off the couch. You run the risk of her going to the bathroom on the floor until she is fully house broken. Make sure she gets lots of praise and treats as soon as she goes potty outside. Now about the walking. Try putting him in the car and driving somewhere where you plan to usually walk him, where your home is close but just out of site and pull over. Then walk him to your house and see if you can then get him to happily walk back out. NEVER try to physically pull him out of your yard because it will make her nervous. If he still does not want to go out, then put him inside, go get your car and try again. this time don't go straight home, walk the entire walk route, go to your car ad then walk him home and see if he will go back out. The whole walk give treats if he will except them and make the walk fun. Maybe stop somewhere and play a game with his favorite toy. If he will still not leave from your yard stop for that day. Try the next day and do the above again. If after a week he will not willingly go try having a friend with a dog (if the dog is dog friendly) go on a walk with you (or you could try this first) and see if he will go when the other dog is present, eventually he will go without the other dog. Now if when you do the car method he is petrified when you get out of the car, play a game right out side the car and don't make him walk, give him treats for any confident or outgoing behavior, don't force him to do anything that worries him or would make the experience scary. Keep taking him out like this until he is comfortable to do the entire walk. Then do as stated in the car method before.
Most dogs, once out there, will be completely comfortable to do it again but, of course, there are exceptions. Hope I could be of help!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Hi,
My husband and I are first time (ever!) dog parents to a 10 week old labrador/(probably)pit-bull puppy. If you don't mind, I'd like some advice or just reinforcement to assure me that what we are doing is OK.

Welcome to Chazhound and puppyhood! Feel free to ask all questions, surely some have some good advice to give.

We have had Elektra for a week and seems to be a good dog, she already knows "sit" and is getting the hang of "stay". She is doing well with housetraining, but I worry that we are confusing her with one thing: We are crate training her and taking her outside to go, but just in case we have a paper down on our kitchen floor. So if she is out playing, she will just go on the paper (most of the time, we are averaging about one accident a day). Is this bad? Should we take away the paper?

Yup, take away the paper, you do not want to confuse her.

She is also very attached to us. She won't really eat that well if we are yard/hexagon, because she wants to play. When we are not in the gate, she won't play alone, instead she will sit by the gate and wait for us and eventually fall asleep.

Well, she is a puppy, a young one at that. I wouldn't be too concerned, but do encourage independence. You do not want this puppy to have separation anxiety or the like anytime down the road.

The other thing is that we are having a hard time walking her. She will go outside, do her business and head for the door again. We try to get her walking, but she fights us the whole time. It is a struggle to just get to the end of the block, she keeps trying to turn around and get home. I tried luring her with treats, but it didn't work. When we are heading home, she tries to run back. The only thing that I can thik of is that we have a lot of dogs on our block and that she is scared. However, I want to make sure that she gets enough exercise and that she learns who is in control.

Our nearly 4 month old puppy, still isn't quite sure of the leash. Start with it in your home, around the house. Let the puppy know it's an okay thing and isn't going to attack or anything. Also, your pup has not had all of its shots yet, so I wouldn't be taking it out in public, on the ground yet. Do be cautious.

Those are my concerns, otherwise, we are having a great time with her. Luckily, I am a teacher and my husband is a full-time student right now, so we only leave her alone for an extended period 1-2 days a week.

Awesome! Puppies are so much fun. It's great that your schedules fit so nicely around a pup.

If anyone is still reading this (sorry about the length) I have one more question about how to introduce her to other rooms in the house. We have been keeping her in the kitchen for now and want to teach her to behave in other rooms without peeing/pooping and staying off of furniture.

Hold your horses on this one. Let her get 100% reliable before introducing other parts of the home. TRUST ME. Our pup just discovered the stairs. *sigh* lol

Thanks so much in advance for your help. I really want to make her a great, friendly, well-behaved puppy!

Elektra's mom

Hope people have been helpful. You're on the right track!

 

[kidsanddogs]

Congratulations on your new puppy! I agree with taking the paper away. I think it's unnecessary and confusing. Your pup will learn to go outside. Just remember that at such a young age, there may be an accident or two. Don't get too excited about it - just quietly take Elecktra outside and praise her for going there.

Socializing is necessary for your pup, but do it gradually so she develops confidence, after her shots are complete. My guess is that when she's a little older her confidence and curiosity will make her more interested in her surroundings. There are all kinds of things you can do to socialize - I have a list of the variety of things at http://loveyourdog.com/fieldtrips.html. Also my page on a puppy's first year might help give you some goals for this first 12 months with your pup: http://loveyourdog.com/firstyear.html.

Good luck! I'm very envious that you have a sweet pup running around your house.