Please help first time puppy & Rott owner questions

[AZPaws]

I don't have much to add, since everyone has given such great advice. :) I just wanted to say good luck, and don't give up. And remember, if he's kenneled away from you (ie, in the living room, etc) and he's whining, carrying on, don't get up to yell at him. The urge is great, I know. hehe If you can rearrange your bedroom so he can be in there with you, or even have him just outside the door, that would be best. When we were crate training ours, we made sure we fed them in their crates, and at random times during the day put them in for a few minutes here and there, with a chewie or a toy. Even now, Anna gets fed in her crate. She then hangs out in there for a little while before I let her outside with the others to go potty and to come back in to be sociable. try to make sure that your pup doesn't just associate the crate with you leaving or anything like that, which is why I would recommend putting him in a few times a day while you're home, so he understands that it's not a bad thing. :)

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[sinkorswim]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Seems like this pup is spending an awful lot of hours crated.

Gina

I am sorry,,, we both work in this family.. I am not fortunate enough to have my life revolve around my dog, no matter how cute he is. I have an entire family that I must care for in the best way possible and share my waken free time with. Its not enough for any of us, but we do the best we can.

[JDUCE]

I don't think it is a bad thing that people have to work, but your puppy is still young and that is a long time to be in a crate. Now as the pup gets older it is not that big of a deal. Do you have someone that could come in a let the puppy out?

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by sinkorswim

I am sorry,,, we both work in this family.. I am not fortunate enough to have my life revolve around my dog, no matter how cute he is. I have an entire family that I must care for in the best way possible and share my waken free time with. Its not enough for any of us, but we do the best we can.

I did not mean to be rude...and I do realize that people work and have a family. But then maybe you should not have gotten a puppy? Many people opt for an adult dog when they must leave the dog for hours at a time.
How many hours a day is the dog crated total?

You could also set up a "safe room" with newspapers or puppy pads in it. It will take forever to housetrain a pup that must relieve itself in it's crate.

If you could find someone to let the pup out at least once a day for just a month or two it would be great. Then with the pup more mature he will have to spend less time in it.

Crates are great tools...but they should not be prisons.

Gina

[doggie]

dogs are pack animals and need to be with the pack, if you cant incorperate this animal into your life you are in for major problems. build a kennel outside with shelter and room to run. for while you are at work, at night i would put the crate in the bedroom, my dog sleeps on a rug at the foot of my bed.she is now 7.

[AZPaws]

I may be out of line, being new here, but I firmly believe that if you do not have time for a puppy you shouldn't have one. To me, my pups are like my children. I would not have a baby if I didn't think I would have time for it. We both work in this family as well. My partner works 80 hours a week, and I work 40, but we still manage to make sure our pups get the love and attention they need. Maybe, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, you should reevaluate whether or not you have the time this puppy needs.

[doggie]

rottweilers need to be part of the family. they need time attention and education. if you dont do critical socialization at a very young age, you could and probebly will have problems as the dog matures. people as well as animals. we are a family here to and we both work and have ouside interests, all i am saying is that a puppy needs to be brought up just like a kid. you cant leave them home all the time, obviously some times there is no choice. we incorperate our dog with alot of the kids activities, i.e. going to the park and for walks/bike rides/hiking/picnics and family gatherings, as well as specific dog days such as obedience, tracking, and just playing, oh yea and pet assisted therapy. a working dog is a happy dog.

[fruitandnutz]

IMO new puppies are like new babies in any household, they both take time and lots of love and care to get settled-in. Rotties are great companion dogs and they do (for the most part) like to follow you around and just be with you in general. They are pretty time-intensive, but then anything worth having in life generally takes time and effort. What made you choose a Rottie?

The puppy-kinder classes should be great fun as well as a real learning/bonding experience for both of you. It'll also help to swap stories/tips with other puppy owners and help get Smokey socialised. So many people miss the importance of classes like these in the early days. Kudos to you for making the time and effort to take Smokey.

As with most puppies the first few months are the most imprintable - ie what they learn during this period tends to stick with them for life, so where possible their experiences should be positive with lots of love and affection, which I'm sure Smokey gets from you and your family.

Personally, I don't think it's ideal to crate a young puppy during both the day and at night, but if this is what you have to do then I think the suggestions re. placing the crate in your bedroom, putting a T-shirt (or similar item which smells of you), over the top, creating a snug and cosy environment in the crate and giving Smokey treats/food in the crate as well as placing toys in there and leaving the door open when he's in there sometimes will all help.

Ultimately, you want Smokey to see the crate as 'his cosy place' (not too territorial) and somewhere he likes to 'hang out'. However, if Smokey's in his crate most of the day, then he may come to regard it as a punishment, rather than a nice place to be.

Most important of all I'd say, is really do take the time to enjoy Smokey's puppyhood and to let him enjoy it too (Rottie puppies are such loveable characters). It passes all too quickly and the time and effort you put in now will be reflected right back at you as he grows into an adult.

Best of luck! I'd love to hear how he gets on.

[Judi W]

Is it perhaps a bit extreme to say that because they work they should not have gotten a puppy? There is nothing I have read to indicate so. I don't think the poster implied that they are excluding the pup when they are home, just wanted help with the racket at night. Most of us work. A kennel run with a shelter is excellent for daytime if it is not possible to have someone allow the pup out to relieve itself half way through the day, however that certainly does not mean they shouldn't have a pup.

[sinkorswim]

Originally Posted by AZPaws

To me, my pups are like my children. I would not have a baby if I didn't think I would have time for it. We both work in this family as well. My partner works 80 hours a week, and I work 40, but we still manage to make sure our pups get the love and attention they need. Maybe, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, you should reevaluate whether or not you have the time this puppy needs.

First I want to thank everyone for the valuable advice on dog training..
I have asked my father, (who is retired) to start letting our puppy out for 1/2 hour to an hour around lunch everyday. This breaks up the dogs routine making his stay in the crate no longer than 3 1/2 hour at a time durring the day. I have also started feeding the dog in the crate to help him feel more comfortable. He has a radio playing 24 hour Christmas music.. he will either like it or drive him crazy... I tried to purchase a Kong tonight on the way home but they were out of the small & medium sizes.. Try somehere else tomorrow..

My family schedule:

..... 6am to 8am the puppy is walked and played with
..... 8am to noon. crate time
..... noon to 1pm play time with grandpa
..... 1pm to 4pm is crate time
..... 4pm to 10pm is interact with the family
..... 10pm is bedtime
Thats basically 9 hours a day that the dog is in direct contact with this family. Thats better than 33%. Sad to say but there are families with children out there who could only wish they had that much interaction in their family. Much less a pet getting that much time.

Also I contacted my vet and the trainer; who we have signed up to take the puppy class with at a National pet chain, about putting the crate in our bedroom. The vet said he doesn't let his dogs inside ever, they are in an outside 6x8 kennel. My dog trainer said NO NO NO, do not put the crate in your bed room.

Second, if I were to guess the majority of you, WHO ARE UPSET WITH ME , do not have children or your children are grown and gone and claim that your pets are some sort of substitute for children. My child is my blood and he is priority in our life. Our dog is loved and played with every second that we can.

But, our dog is a pet. A pet that we will continue to love, train, play with for the rest of its life..

[Judi W]

Sounds like a great schedule to me.

You might want to see if you can locate a locate a local obedience club for training. The AKC website has a terrific search engine for clubs by state. The stores are probably fine for puppy, but they have very little room to even move around so any training for leash work, walking etc. is quite constricted indeed. Also, you might find the instruction limited. If you have a training club within transportation distance you will be working with people who have a large background of actual training where the rubber meets the road so to speak, better facilities and a larger range of experience and expertise.

[majicka]

I have to agree w/ Judy on the training..We joined our local AKC club this year and I'm so thrilled we did. We drive 40 minutes to go there and in my opinion worth every minute. Plus a kennel club offers so much more than training!


I wouldn't see a problem giving him a large kong if you can't find the small or medium ..hey it will just keep him busy longer

I would go w/ the medium if you can find it..the smalls are really really tiny.. Also get a few of them if you can..makes life easier. I usually stuff a few of them and toss em in the freezer. I usually toss mine in the dishwasher to clean them.

It sounds like you are taking the right steps towards raising a wonderful dog!

[keller27]

I put Khori's crate beside my bed. I had a plug-in freshner (lavendar) We sleep better with that plugged in. I also plug in the Comfort Zone. The Comfort Zone also comes in spray form. It gives off a scent to calm down the stressed puppies. I also have the Comfort Puppy, that has the heart beat. Last by not least he has one of my T-shirts in with him. The first couple of nights, he just quietly whimpered to go outside, and he has been quiet ever since. He was 10 weeks when I got him, and he is 17 weeks now.

[SABELLESMOM]

Your schedule certainly sounds reasonable. And big congratulations on your new pound pup adoptee, Smokey! I'll bet he's happy to have a family to love him.

Still, 13 weeks is a long time to remain with littermates, so naturally, he's going to complain when alone and crated. You just have to tough it out. He'll be fine.

Try getting to some training sessions. They are fun and you won't regret even one minute of time & effort put into training. A well behaved, trained, socalized dog is a welcome addition to any home, and a bonus if he can remain when guests are present.

A reliable down-stay goes a long way at mealtimes, for instance. You eat in peace and the dog lies somewhere in the room. Then, when company arrives, a down stay may help during those first hectic moments, when you need him out of the way...not over excited and knocking granny over. He can mingle later.

Anyway, enjoy this fabulous little guy! Puppyhood doesn't last forever. And they can be danged cute, too!

[JaniceH]

Just after I got my puppy at 7 1/2 weeks, I became very poorly. I lived on my own and had no one to help me. She slept with me for the first couple of nights, but when I tried to leave her in her crate, Teazle really did howl, cry, bark, whimper all night and the fact that I got no sleep really did debilitate me, so I know how you must be feeling. I used DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheremones) which releases the scent of a lactating bitches pheromones into the air when plugged in. I didn't want to use it as I felt such a failure, but the difference it made was amazing. Teazle slept all through the first night and has done ever since. I stopped using it after a while.

And please don't beat yourself up about having to leave your pup. Your daily regime sounds fine. I work full time too, and was fortunate enough to be able to arrange for someone to come in at lunch time to let her out and play with her. Teazle is now nearly 16 months and is left on her own without anyone coming in now. However, once at home she has all my love and attention until we go to bed. I do feel guilty when she is left, but although I can't give her 100% quantity of time, I do give her quality. Where I go, she goes, even if it just walking to the shops in the village to buy something.

And she still sleeps like a log until I get up in the morning !