I've had my puppy for only 7 hours...

Shenelle · 11-03-2009, 04:16 AM

...And I feel like I just gave birth!!

Prior to picking up our newbie, I have a 4 year old male Westie, Duke. He's a totally fun, spunky, cocky attitude-like dog. We decided to adopt another Westie, thinking it would add some more spice to our life. We got Dutchess from a breeder. Similar scenario for Duke. However, I didn't receive Duke until he was a year and a half. So I got to bypass the chewing, poop eating, 2 am crying fests, etc. As soon as we brought Dutchess home, we let her out of the pet carrier. Duke seemed fascinated for a whole 20 seconds, before crawling in the pet carrier so he could verify himself, that there was no more unwanted house guests in there.

I knew tonight was going to be rocky. First off, I have a polar opposite schedule than the breeder. I go to bed around 4 am and wake at noonish. However, I caught a cold and felt like going to be earlier than normal tonight. But that was cut short by high pitch crying fits out in my living room. I have a nice sized pen for Dutchess, with all the trimming: a bed, training pad (Which she has been using to pee and my carpet for pooping), toys, etc. Of course, her crying, gets Duke all worked up.

I guess my only concerns are right now, are the following:

1. Poop eating, really? Is this just a stage or can I pick something up at the pet store to detour this part of puppy-hood.

2. The crying - When I first put her in the pen, I took Duke to my bedroom, and shut the door. He pawed at for a few minutes before realizing he was stuck there for awhile. I could hear her crying, but I turned on the fan so I could zone out of it. Two hours later, she was whelping so loud, my fan was worthless. I came out to the living room, saw she pee'd on the mat. I took her outside, along with Duke. She didn't do anything but sniff around in the 20 degree weather. I brought her in and replaced the training mat. In the meantime, she pooped on the carpet and I caught her eating it. I didn't scold her, instead, just placed her on the training mat and said 'potty' a few times. I walked away, came back, and she had tinkled a bit. Yay! So than I locked up the pen, and laid next to it, sticking my finger in between the plastic to pet her. I think she has finally fallen asleep. But when the crying starts up again, do I ignore it? I know she is wondering how the hell she ended up here and is full of anxiety. I just don't also want to cave in to every little cry.

3. Training pads. Those buggers are pricey. If she tinkles a bit on it, does it need to be replaced right away or can I hold out for a 2nd tinkle?

4. Leash. I know she is super young (12 weeks). The leash seems to not help at all. In fact, she really hates it. But I don't trust letting her out without it, even though her running skills are more like flopping around skills. Any suggestions?

Well, that's all the questions I have right now. I know it's the first night and it's all to be expected, but I've combed through my 'Puppies for Dummies' book and didn't get too much help on the questions I have above. Any advice, would be great!

Thanks

skelaki · 11-03-2009, 06:17 AM

1. Poop eating is normal but something you want to discourage. There are commercial products you can get or you can just add about a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin (NOT the pie mix) to her food. Also, try to pick up the poop immediately whenever possible, and start teaching her the "leave it" command.

2. She's a baby and would not be left alone in a dog pack. Either put her crate in your room at night so she's with her "pack" or put something in the crate with her that has your scent on it. A stuffed animal often helps as long as it's large enough to cuddle and strong enough to withstand puppy chewing. My puppy has a Mickey Mouse she sleeps with that I got in the baby department at Wal-Mart.

3. You may need to stay out longer or it could be using pads and going out is confusing her. But, she's very young, just a baby and housebreaking takes time and patience. Yes, it's ok to let her potty more than once on the pad. And if you belong to Sam's Club or Costco check them out for puppy pads.

4. She has to be leash trained. You start out by having her wear a collar (remove it when you crate her). Once she's ignoring that, attach the leash and, under supervision, let her just drag the leash until she gets used to the feel of one. Then start picking up the leash and gently, with lots of praise and even a few treats, start encouraging her to go with you. The more matter of fact and upbeat you are about the whole thing the faster she'll learn that the leash is a good thing.

Shenelle · 11-03-2009, 06:40 AM

Thanks for all the information. I got in two hours of sleep before she was crying again. This time, she pooped outside. It was a miracle. Totally worth the 5am wake up call! Duke seems rather annoyed though. I've had to move his food to keep her out of it and he's the kind of dog who, I fill up his dish, and he eats it over the course of hours. So he doesnt enjoy that being locked up in my office. My boyfriend goes to work at 6 am, So I am going to put her pet carrier in my room and gave that a try for the rest of the night. I just envisioned puppies being wayyyyy more sleeper!

moots · 11-03-2009, 06:42 AM

Female westies are usually extremely independent. I got mine at 10 weeks and she was put in laundry room (puppy safe) she only cried for maybe 4-5 nights? Each night was less crying, like day 1 was maybe 2 hours, ignored it all, day 2 another 1.5hours the by day 5 it was like 10-15 minutes. She started sleeping outside in her kennel at around 3.5months old and never cried being left alone in the backyard at night ever. I think she actually prefered it outside in a kennel with a backyard to roam because she never ever cried outside and to this day she NEVER barks at night. She usually use to cry herself to sleep in the laundry by 10:30-11PM so now that has pretty much been her bedtime since then.

As for the first week I ignored all of the crying, I made sure she didn't need to poo by feeding her last meal early so she could do it outside, so I'd just place a bowl of fresh water and a pee-pad for her for during the night. She also had all her toys which you'd hear he playing with.

Labsnothers · 11-03-2009, 02:00 PM

Poop eating does happen, but many puppies never do it. The best solution to stool eating, coprophagy, is cleaning them up before the
dog has a chance. You can try food additives, the home remedies pineapple juice
or canned pumpkin or the commercial products Forbid or Deter.

Why dogs do it is poorly understood. It may be diet related, but changing the
dog's diet might cause worse problems. Whatever problems it causes for the
owner, it doesn't seem to hurt the dog unless you are trying to clear up a worm
infestation.

For more information see http://home.gci.net/~divs/behavior/coprophagia.html

I have never had much luck with the old clock or radio tricks. What I do is lay down by the crate like I was going to sleep there. Usually a puppy may fuss a little, but then settle down and go to sleep. Once it is asleep, you can get up and go to bed.

Shenelle · 11-04-2009, 03:01 AM

So I am on my 2nd night... and I am in crossroads with the wimpering at bedtime. I'm not sure if I should go attend to her or just ignore it. Ahhh..

The thing that makes this the most difficult.... is my sleeping schedule. My boyfriend goes to bed around 11PM. I go to bed around 4 AM. I'd prefer not to bring her in to the bedroom for that time frame, just so she can cry and wake up Joe. He works at 7 AM. As of right now, I have her in a pen, in the living room. Is it better to swap to crate, that is smaller? And Duke, he currently sleeps in bed with us. So I am sure she feels out of place. The only option I got, is in the mean time, sleeping in the spare bedroom, with her in a crate, next to me...until the crying phase comes to an end.

skelaki · 11-04-2009, 06:09 AM

The pen is good but if you have a crate put it inside the pen with her bedding in the crate. This gives her a separate sleeping place from where she potties and plays.

If you have things on a strict schedule, as you should, if you are certain she doesn't need to go out, totally ignore the crying. Buy earplugs for everyone (and bake cookies for the neighbors) if necessary but never let her out until she's quiet.

Shenelle · 11-04-2009, 02:59 PM

So last night..I came out and slept on the couch until my boyfriend went to work. She slept the whole time, once I was on the couch. When he left for work, she began to cry/whimper. I took her out, it had been 3 hours of solid sleepig for her, so I gave her the benfit of the doubt. She pooped outside. Than I placed her in the pet carrier, next to our bed. She cried for about 10 minutes, than just passed out. 3 hours later, she started crying again. I took her out. Nothing. Than I put her back in the carrier, and she cried this time only for about 5 minutes. Than she slept till my alarm went off. It was AMAZING!!