Hi - we adopted an 11 week old pup called Jasper, who's gorgeous, although I'm finding it quite hard! We're working on crate training - he hasn't been left alone in it yet, but he will settle down if he's fussing and I'm there. We don't want to push this as it's very important he still trusts his crate, i guess. I need to get him walking on a lead as he's very stubborn about not wanting to poo where we need him too! I put the lead on him and he just chews it - except when it's just been sprayed with bitter apple. He's going to be a big dog so lead training is really important from the get-go - what should I do? Many thanks,
Rebecca

PS - he ignores me when I call, too - although he usually comes for my partner, who spends a lot less time with him...any clues!

They will chew on the lead for several reasons, but at Jasper's age, it's more than likely because he really doesn't know what he's supposed to do yet. Are you training with treats or other rewards? With a pup that age, simply acting excited will get him to come to you, mainly to see what's causing all the fun. Use opportunities like that to say the command word and then praise/treat when he shows up at your feet. Pups can be afraid or leery of new situations, so walking on lead should be reward based to, until he realizes that fun things happen when that leash is snapped on.

Unfortunately, he doesn't come when I'm excited - he just watches confusedly. Steve thinks it's an alpha male thing and that he thinks I'm just part of the pack. I'm hating this...

I am training with treats but he doesn't seem to respond to me with wagging tail, etc as usual pups would. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Apart from maybe he senses my frustration

PS I forgot to mention that whenever I leave the room, he pees or poos almost instantly. I daren't shut him in the crate yet as we've only just started crate training and I don't want him to distrust me - or the crate which he sort of likes.

Take time to bond with the puppy. He'a still very young and training takes time. Expose him to new things and situations without putting him at risk and just spend good quality time with him. Praise wanted behaviors and ignore unwanted behaviors. Be consistent. If you still see that he responds to your partner and not you after a few more weeks, when he's had his immunizations, look for a puppy class and YOU take him. It will give you better insight and help him bond with you.

Thanks very much Ann, that's really good advice. It's hard for both of us enclosed in a smallish flat without him being able to run off collie energy! I hope he turns out to be as much labrador devotion! I've got a bit of time out for both of us - he's in the crate with the door closed (!) and think he's fallen asleep. Lunch...May I e-mail again for further advice?
Thanks,
Rebecca

Absolutely...post anytime you want ideas. And let us know how it's going! There are others here that will have good advice....they must be busy with life and dogs at the moment.

To build on Ann's post. Here is an article I wrote for my website.
http://www.abetterdog4u.com/articles/bonding_with_your_new_dog.htm

There are alot of article that my help. Here is the main articles page.
http://www.abetterdog4u.com/articles.htm

BTW, it not an "alpha" thing ... he's just confused and is not able to read you. After you spend the time to bond, you will be able to talk to each other. He will be able to read you, and you him.

The big thing is to pay CLOSE attention to him. Learn what he likes and dislikes. Watch his body language. When you communicate with him, use the same body language and even the same words. EXAMPLE: dont use the word "come" one time and the next time use the word "Here". This will only confuse him.

Thanks Michael,
We had a much better day yesterday - I got a few tail wags! Can I ask a question about crate training? He settles down in it really well at night, but at the moment we open the door when we go to bed so he can relieve himself during the night. (I take him out early to try to avoid the first-thing-in-the-morning poo but so far it ends up on the puppy mat!) Are we getting this wrong? If we shut the crate and he needs to poo, he'll whine and then learn that we let him out if he whines...confusing! Also, we're feeding him on Hills complete and for a little dog, his farts are just something to behold!!! Very stinky poo as well, although solid - is Hills good? Thanks guys!!!

Oh and another thing!! Any one have any ideas where dogs with their first jab can meet other dogs/exercise safely? SE London...Thanks.

To begin, I'm not much on puppy mats. I think its confusing to the puppy to think its OK to poo in one spot in the house and not in another. If you puppy wines while in the crate, pick him up and take him outside ... This will send a MUCH clearer signal that he must be in the grass to poo or pee.

As for farts, it will take a bit of time, but when his system gets used to one type of food it should go away or at least reduce by quite a bit.

Sorry i cant help with the London thing ... Im in the States. Gilly may see your post and be able to help more. I think she's in Yorkshire.

Forgot .. on the food issue. Hills is a good food. In fact, all commerical foods must meet minimum guidelines or they cant sell it. Just look for ONE good "puppy" food and stay with it.

I always tell ppl to buy the best food that they can afford and stay away from fillers as the main ingredient. (corn is the most wildly used here)

OK great! We'll put up with the farts for a while longer! At least it gives us a giggle. I agree about the puppy pads - he thinks where we put one in the hall is his own personal toilet. He's scared of crows, i discovered today - quite funny! Thanks for your help, we'll try the crate again tonight and hope we catch him when it's poo-time.
Rebecca

I remember with Baloo (first puppy ever) getting up at midnight, 3am and 6am until he was about 3 months old, then 1am and 5am for another month or so. He had only a couple of accidents in the house, and both were my fault because I brokje that routine. The accidents were when he was about 10 weeks and I was sick. I remember wearing warm clothes to sleep in and keeping my boots at the foot of the bed because there was a foot or more of snow outside and I didn't have time when I would wake up to go through the whole change of clothes thing. I thought it would never end, but it did.

droggit wrote:

OK great! We'll put up with the farts for a while longer! At least it gives us a giggle. I agree about the puppy pads - he thinks where we put one in the hall is his own personal toilet. He's scared of crows, i discovered today - quite funny! Thanks for your help, we'll try the crate again tonight and hope we catch him when it's poo-time.
Rebecca

Keep the faith ... stay with the routine and it will work out. It's really no different than feeding a baby. But as he gets older it will get better.

Thanks guys! We had our first locked-in-the-crate-without drama last night - pee at 2am and both ends at 5am. Not bad. Farting is supreme!

Great

OMG! Steve and I made it out of the house together to have coffee, leaving Jasper in his crate - we got back in 30 mins, he was calm (although he'd played with his coop cup!) it's a miracle. We let him out, played and peed, and he went straight back in for a sleep. We bought PAD pheromone spray from the vet. Things are looking up - maybe we can actually start to enjoy puppy-ownership soon.

Wow this is a big thread, thats what I get for being gone long!

I think Mike and Ann nailed it on the head though. You want to take him out constantly though, it'll help prevent accident. Sometimes though if your pup doesn't want to simply go out and do his business right away, simply play a little. Exercise helps stimulates bowel movements.

The DAP diffuser will help! I hope that you continue to have good experiences like that, Don't give up, its hard at first but after a couple weeks you'll be fine

I'm SO VERY glad to hear this!!! Well done!!!

Steven_L wrote:

Wow this is a big thread, thats what I get for being gone long!

I think Mike and Ann nailed it on the head though.

Well .... someone's got to do your job when you are out goofing off!!! Right Ann????

Betterdog4u wrote:

Steven_L wrote:

Wow this is a big thread, thats what I get for being gone long!

I think Mike and Ann nailed it on the head though.

Well .... someone's got to do your job when you are out goofing off!!! Right Ann????

I wasn't goofing off....*twidles thumbs*....well at least not completely