[Luvs]

Originally Posted by eva247

Hi everyone,
I have had my rottie male puppy for 3 weeks now - he (Kane) is now 10 weeks old.
Kane is not allowed upstairs or on the sofa, I feed him in his crate (to make sure he sees it as a positive place to be), he pees on his newspaper area either in the crate or at the far end of the kitchen (apart from the occasional pee or no.2 on the carpet!)

I personally wouldn't put newspaper in the crate for him to pee on. Your puppy will learn not to pee where he sleeps, but putting newspaper in there for him to piddle on will prevent this from happening. You are teaching him that it is ok to go potty in his crate. I don't let my puppies go to the bathroom in my house from the first day they are brought home. Of course ALL puppies have accidents but I don't encourage them to go inside by putting newspaper down, I feel this just makes potty training take that much longer.

Originally Posted by eva247

(a) I have been socialising him as he is not fully vaccinated by trips in the car to the supermarket, school, train station, etc and stand outside with him in my arms so he can see different people, sounds, etc. Kane seems fine around other animals but humans is a different issue - when I have him in my arms so many people come to me wanting to stroke him (as he is a right little cutie!) but he always growls and attempts to bite them unless I hold their hand first! basically, I am finding that anyone who approaches him that he doesn't know, I have to hold their hand and stroke it and then Kane will sniff them and lick their hand otherwise he will growl and bite them (the same with my 8 year old daughters friends - she has to do the same). Is this Kane being protective towards me and my little girl? and am I doing the right thing by responding in this manner?

He may do better if you let him approach people instead of letting them approach him. Let him approach on his own without you forcing him. Most puppies will let curiousity overtake them and eventually go up to people. It just takes some a little longer than others ;) One thing to remember is be sure not to coddle him when he is afraid of something or someone. If you coddle him when he is afraid you are telling him that he has a reason to be afraid. Instead, talk in a very happy voice to the person or object that he is afraid of and ignore the fact that he is afraid of it.

Good luck with your new boy! It sounds like you are off to a good start. Be sure and post pictures when you have gained full member status. :D