New Dog need help with a few basics

LaserSailorRy

I brought home Heidi yesterday, she's a 7 month old German Shepherd mix. She's a little timid, but I'm sure that's due to being in a new place. She spends most of her time lounging near the couch, but will occasionally make a round of th house (with me following). I just set up the crate today so last nihgt I let her sleep near the couch, while I slept on the couch. She was leashed to my hand so I'd know if she moved. I've only had her for two days so far and I want to make sure I'm doing this right.

1st: How much does a 7month old need to go potty? How much time is normal for her to sleep?

Crate Training:

I'm keeping her toys in the crate, so if she wants on she will have to go in there, also during the day I keep her water inside, so if she wants a drink she has to go in. I can't touch her while she's inside or she'll get skittish and try to get out. Once she's done lapping up the water, I praise her. I push the water farther and farther into the crate and so far she's going for it. I did try closing the door and leaving but she wimpered and pawed at the door until I relented and let her out. After that I had a hard time getting her to go in and she wont go in without the water or a treat.

Housebreaking:

So far everytime she tried to go in the house I've been there, a quick "No! No!" and take her outside where she finishes and I praise her. Should I be giving her a treat as well? or is praise enough?

She also appears to be afraid to go outside, should I treat this as a seperate problem and try to get her out more or just force her across the threashold when she has to go. If I think it's time to go I take her out, I have to pull on the leash to do so but she comes with much reluctance.

Also (sorry for all the ?s) should I try Obedience training while I am housebreaking or should I wait?

Thats all so far, I've been reading other topics and will keep on doing so. She's such a gorgous and loving dog that I really want to get it right with her.

Curbside Prophet

Welcome to our forum! Please share some pics of Heidi!

New dogs are like new pups, regardless of age. Thus, house training should be like that of a pup. That means she should be taken out regularly (hourly). Why so often? More opportunities means more opportunity for reward (reinforcement for potty behavior). More reinforcement means she'll learn the behavior quicker.

As far as sleep is concerned, it really depends on the dog. Why do you ask?

You'll have to make a choice. Either use the crate or don't. I recommend using the crate but if closing the door was too much, it's just that, too much. I prefer a slow approach meaning more time and trials entering the crate. What you really need to do is help build her confidence with some obedience training, keeping it fun, and once she's learned a few behaviors you can begin incorporating the crate as part of the games.

If this were a puppy I'd say let the puppy get use to the crate on her own, but a puppy is more flexible that way. An adolescent dog is different, so a slower approach is recommended here.

Try saying "outside" instead of "no". "Outside" may not mean anything to her now, but if you use this cue before walks she may come to learn what it means quicker, and attach the behavior with outside. IMO, yes, celebrate her outdoor potties with food. Once she finds some comfort and outside becomes interesting, going outside will be the reward for potty, but now that she's new don't be afraid to tell her how successful she is.

This is where a long lead in addition to your normal leash may be helpful. I would actually abandon her at the threshold, keeping a hold of your long lead to enjoy the outdoors by yourself. Chances are as she becomes more attached to you, going outside to be with you won't be so bad, especially if you can give her reason to enjoy being outside.

Don't wait, enjoy your time with her, and what a great way to feed her than to have fun with obedience and use her daily ration of food as rewards.

LaserSailorRy

Well it's just that she doesn't seem all that interested in playing. She'll chew her toy a bit then just sleep. Unless I leave the room that is, then she has to follow to see where I go.

Curbside Prophet

Give it time. What she's showing you today may not be what she'll show you tomorrow or next week. As time passes, and much like a blossoming flower, she'll reveal her true personality given time. She's on an environment overload, a little unsure, so acting passively is what's working right now.

Has she been cleared by a vet?

LaserSailorRy

She got an exam at the shelter. Aside from kennel cough and being pretty thin she checked out well. She was also spayed at the shelter. I have a free visit to a local hospital for a wellness check in the next 14 days. I'm wating until July 10th so the wellness check can include removing the stiches.



Can you believe somebody left ths little beauty alone on the side of the road? Thank God a good samaritan took her to the shelter. I'm going to smother her with love and hope that fixes any possible problem.

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Curbside Prophet

Yes, and thank doG a big-hearted soul though enough of her to take her home. She's lovely!

gingersmom

She's gorgeous! Enjoy your new companion, and let us know if you have other questions.

LaserSailorRy

Yay! Some great sucess today. Not only is she cute but she is also smart. I think after a few practice sessions she has gotten over her fear of outside (I think now it was a fear of the door or going outside as opposed to beig outside).

I was using the wrong toy to play with her. I had a rope with two knots on each end. I bought a KONg and The KONG is good she likes it with stuff inside. She entered her crate to check it out a few times, without any prompt or toys inside.

EDIT: So now it's time for bed and I put her into her crate. Immediatly she digs up part of the bedding and starts crying, pawing at the door. Should I just leave her there for the night or what?

allison

Hiya,

Everything that I have learned on this forum and from stuff that I have read says NOT to let the dog out of the crate when he or she is barking/pawing/scratching etc. This reenforces that if she cries, she gets out. You want to let her out when she is calm. Don't make a big deal when you put her in (or take her out of) the crate. Just put her in and ignore her. You might have a few restless nights, but in the end it will be worth it to have her feel her crate is a safe place. My Ozzy just figured this out! He goes in to curl up on his own now and I have only had him for 11 days! The people on this forum are so awesome and one of the main things I learned from them is to be diligent and patient!

Good luck!

LaserSailorRy

I think she's learning to appreciate her crate. I can put her in with very little problems and allow her to sleep, she cries for about a 1/2 hour then goes to sleep. I can crate her during the day nd work in my room. She just lays there and watches me.

I take her out every two hours or so to potty, if she potties she gets 15 minutes of playtime outsde her crate. If she doesn't potty she goes back in for an hour. Each day I'll extend her playtime by 5 min.

I worried however that this wont teach her that pottying inside is bad. Will this work alone? I want to have her out and see if she tries to go potty, then say "outside" and take her out.

But she is improving, day by day. But man do her farts stink . . .

gingersmom

I'm glad to hear that your new dog is getting used to the crate. The routine that you are using, letting her out and then if she goes potty outside, letting her play, is a good one. It will help her to learn what is *right* and if she gets that down, you won't have to worry about teaching her what is wrong.

You may want to evaluate what she is eating if her farts are that stinky! There's a great deal of info in the Dog Food forum about ways to choose a high-quality diet for your dog.

LaserSailorRy

I was mostly kidding on that, I don't expect my dog's butt to smell like flowers . . .

But I am trying to figure out a good diet for her. I'm interested in feeding RAW. She needs to gain weight, she's so skinny.

gingersmom

I hope you figure out a way to get her to a healthy weight!

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