New Puppy

[almeloche]

I got a Rottie pup about 2 weeks ago. We went to the pet store to look for some stuff for our other dogs and saw her and instantly fell in love. Normally I wouldn't go to a pet store for a dog but we couldn't stop thinking about her. Her name is Dyna, she is from a local breeder and is AKC registered.
She is doing good for the most part. We have her crated while we are gone, because that is what our older 2 do. We have been having a few potty accidents inside her cage at night or even during the day. My husband works from 6 am till about 5pm but has come home as late as 8 many times. I am a full time student. I leave for clinicals at about 6 am and am not home until about 6 pm. because I have to travel an hour to and from the hospital I am at. I am not sure what to do about her going in her cage, when we are home she goes out about every 4-5 hours. I need some help on the cage/ potty training part of things. I know that as puppies their bladders are weak and that is why going out frequently is needed. I guess my question is, about how long will it take for her to know that she doesn't potty in the cage.

We also have just moved in to a house with a fenced in yard. I let her out side after she had an accident in the house to let her know that she goes potty outside not on the dinning room floor. She started to dig. She dug 2 holes one was a good size hole but the other was at the corner of our house & fence and that was huge :( . I am not sure what to do to get her to stop other than to be watching her like a hawk and to tell her no when she does it. I also do the "kish" and a tap with my fingers to startle her (if she lets me get close enough to touch her) but when I do that she yelps as if I was trying to kill her. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Oh did I mention she is my first puppy. Our oldest (Angel) is a Pitt, chow, Shepard mix, we got her when she was about 2 yrs old. And our "middle child" (Laila) is a pure breed Pitt, we got her when she was 8 months old. So we never had the pleasure of making them ours.


Thanks,
Amie

[chumley]

I would suggest hiring someone to let your puppy out during the day when you are not home. In my opinion, unless you are leaving info out, that amount of time to be left alone is not good(being nice here). Your puppy cannot "hold' it for that long.

[lacroixel]

Originally Posted by almeloche

We went to the pet store .......I wouldn't go to a pet store for a dog but we couldn't stop thinking about her. she is from a local breeder and is AKC registered

Your first problem is getting her form a pet store, read through the sticky posts in the breeding section and I think you will see why, as far as AKC and local breeder I dont want to sound mean but they dont mean much. Anyone can say they are a 'breeder' and anyone can register pups. Just because they are purebred does not mean they are quality.I hope that when she comes of age you will spay her, then get her health check for hips elbows heart and eyes....

Originally Posted by almeloche

We have her crated while we are gone, .... We have been having a few potty accidents inside her cage at night or even during the day. My husband works from 6 am till about 5pm but has come home as late as 8 many times. I am a full time student. I leave for clinicals at about 6 am and am not home until about 6 pm. because I have to travel an hour to and from the hospital I am at. I am not sure what to do about her going in her cage, when we are home she goes out about every 4-5 hours. I need some help on the cage/ potty training part of things. I know that as puppies their bladders are weak and that is why going out frequently is needed. I guess my question is, about how long will it take for her to know that she doesn't potty in the cage.

Ok anything more than 2-4 hrs in a crate at an age below 12wks is torture on a poor puppy. She cant control her bladder, she does not want to soil herself but has no choice when her humans dont come home ALL day. It would be like telling a baby human not to pee in their diaper!

When she is around 12wks she should start being able to hold it longer, but I am wondering why you brought home a new dog when you both have such busy scheduals? They are a LOT of work... did you read up on the breed before hand? Are you planning on taking her to puppy classes? This is not an adult rescue, she is completely devoted to you to shape her into the adult she is going to be.

Originally Posted by almeloche

We also have just moved in to a house with a fenced in yard. I let her out side after she had an accident in the house to let her know that she goes potty outside not on the dinning room floor. She started to dig. She dug 2 holes one was a good size hole but the other was at the corner of our house & fence and that was huge :( . I am not sure what to do to get her to stop other than to be watching her like a hawk and to tell her no when she does it. I also do the "kish" and a tap with my fingers to startle her (if she lets me get close enough to touch her) but when I do that she yelps as if I was trying to kill her. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Awesome you have a yard but that may not be enough for long, you need to walk run play with train and stimulate her. She is like a toddler, but worse! She needs a job she needs direction and she needs attention. Her digging is a cry out saying "MOM I AM BORED!!! GIVE ME SOMETHING TO DO!!!!"
Maybe a kong full of kibble and peanut butter or a cow knee from the pet store. Something to keep her busy, throw the ball for her run with her and train her. She is your kid now!

Originally Posted by almeloche

Oh did I mention she is my first puppy. Our oldest (Angel) is a Pitt, chow, Shepard mix, we got her when she was about 2 yrs old. And our "middle child" (Laila) is a pure breed Pitt, we got her when she was 8 months old. So we never had the pleasure of making them ours.

As far as her being your first puppy CONGRATS! It is amazing and amazingly hard to raise a good dog, and a rottie is no exception. They are high maintnence dogs, a working breed who needs love, training, and a job! I am also curious what you are feeding her, how old she is, and if you could possibly get in touch with the "breeder" to find out if her sire and dam have their health tests done....

Also utilize this site for all the information you can, read the stickies in each section, search the site and read alot! It is just like birhting a human baby anyone can be a parent only the self prepaired can raise good human beings...Same goes for our doggy friends!

GODD LUCK! -Liz

[smokn12r]

WOW???!!!! Really?!

Ok I'll say I frown on pups from the pet stores only because they more than likely come from mills. As consumers purchase those pups (which need loving nurturing & attentive homes) that same consumer is supporting the mill production indirectly. Now having said that....

A pup that routinely soils their crate, they are teaching themselves it's ok to do that regularly because its becoming habit forming. If you take her out every 4-5 hours when you are home... IMO that is not enuff to break the cycle. My pup is 10 weeks old, I take him out every hour... (out of his crate and outside to relieve himself). The only time he's in the crate longer than that is overnight. Your pup needs other choices to amuse herself other than digging... like walking, training, learning the neighborhood, playing with you or your husband.

Working the hours that you do... its very difficult if you can't make it home for lunch to allow her to 3P (Play Pee & Poop). I'd seek help as someone else suggested to take her out while you are at work? Best of luck! Wishing you all the best!

Food for thought... when I was single and had a 8 week old Rottweiler pup... I'd take her out in the morning 530AM for a nice long walk for 3P... then into her crate. Then at my lunch 1130 I'd return home to take her out again... 3P... back in crate til 5PM'ish back home to 3P.... then I'd hit the gym for my workout... back home by 7pm... to play with her again.

I think that kind of schedule (if permitting.. and that is a big if). Would allow for your pup to hold her bladder and still get the stimulation and rest that she needs.

[brunie's mom]

The reason she is soiling her crate is because she comes from a pet shop and from a puppy mill. What do you think "local breeder" means?? She's been living in a crate for her whole life and been allowed to use it as her latrine.
Pet shop/puppy mill dogs learn to poop/pee where they sleep. You will have a hard time changing things around.

There is so much wrong with what you are doing. Tapping her on the nose is not good. It will only make her afraid of you. Putting her outside because she peed in your house????

Please do some reading here....you really need to understand the behavior of a puppy without some education.

Get enrolled into Puppy Kindergarten classes with her...so you can learn how to teach her. Also because she is poorly bred, be prepared for some health or temperament problems in the future.

Gina

[AngelBunny]

I wish you'd found RDN before you found that pet store.

Google puppy mills. That's where Dyna is from.

Start reading everything in this forum, Puppy Development.

[SarasMom]

How old is your puppy?

I'd say she is going in her crate because she is a pet shop puppy and they do go in their crates out of habit. BUT, even though that may be the case, you are leaving her crated WAY too long. My 6 month old pup is just now holding it 6 or 7 hours at night. He starts crying to go out after that. When he's running around the house, I still take him out every hour or 2.

If you cannot rearrange your schedules to tend to this puppy, I suggest you find a doggy day care. But if she's too young for full vaccinations, that could be a problem too. Any way either of you can change shifts? Maybe get a pet sitter to come over every day. You really need to do something. Puppies are like babies and need quite a bit of attention early in their lives. I spent a few years working in child welfare and I'll tell you that kids who don't get early nurturing have serious lifelong problems. Dogs and human babies aren't exactly the same, but results of leaving this pup without attention for extended periods isn't going to be pretty.

Kudos for coming for advice. Please read read read and keep asking questions. :)

[AlaskaCub]

Pet store puppy or not, no puppy can hold its bladder for 12 hours. If you dont want the puppy soiling itself , you'll have to figure out a way to get your puppy out of the kennel and outside every 2-3 hours at most. Your kinda defeating the whole purpose of using a crate/kennel to housebreak a puppy when you force the puppy to go to the bathroom in the crate/kennel.

[NikoJ]

Gosh, I can't even hold it for 12 hours myself. Maybe you can set up a penned area that is attached to the crate. Put some potty pads in the penned area and teach the pup to potty on those. Of course the better solution would be to have someone stop by a time or two during the day to let your pup stretch her legs and empty her bladder.

I guess it is safe to assume that she is also only being fed twice a day. I too am wondering how old she is and why you are placing such high demands on a what is essentially a baby. Not trying to be harsh, just bewildered with your expectations.

[brunie's mom]

I was so upset that anyone in this day and age would buy a puppy from a petshop...I failed to see some other important points of your thread.

I know that you may feel like you've been picked on...but it may save someone else from making the same mistake. That's how we learn.

You are leaving this puppy WAY too long in a crate and alone. If you want to try to housetrain her..she should be going out every hour. This puppy is being left alone far too long....and if you had bought her from a proper breeder they would never have sold you a puppy.

Also...you already have two females....one with Pitt/Chow mix, and one Pure Pitt....both breeds tend to be dog aggressive...and can be aggressive with other female dogs. Now, you've added another female also a breed that tends to be female dog aggressive. Since she is a puppy...things may go well for the first year....but after that I would never, ever leave your older dogs with her. There could be blood, or even death.

Honestly, with your circumstances...long hours alone...and with two female dogs in the house already...I would try to re-home her. It could be the best thing for her.

Gina

[California]

Poor little pup. You're not giving her much of a chance to succeed. Other from what has been already mentioned above. She needs to be socializing and LOTS of it.

Best thing to do is to re-home her but with this you must take the responsibility of ensuring she goes to someone willing, capable and knowledgeable enough (or willing to learn FAST) to care for her properly. Do what's best for her.

[pajagre]

You shouldn't crate a dog longer than 5 hours, especially a puppy. They need to go quite often. IMO it is cruel to expect the dog to hold it that long. Of course the pup will have to soil in her bed if you don't let her out. Get a pet sitter or neighbor to come over and let her out.

[smokn12r]

I think finding a suitable home is the best case scenario for all (other pets, owners, not to mention the Rottweiler) involved.

Some pups can hold their urine and fecal matter longer than others. My 10 week old male has no problem going through the night (approx 6-7 hours) with no problem (and has never had an accident in his crate). His first urge in the AM is to eat and drink... followed by his morning walk for 3P. But the difference is I make it a priority for him to have numerous opportunities to go outside.

But to crate a pup for 8-12 hours a day is a recipe for disaster. You need someone to take your pup outside every hour on the hour to break the habit she has. Which I honestly don't know if you have the ability to do so.

I think your heart was and is ... in the right place. I hope you find a means to correct her habits.

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by almeloche

Oh did I mention she is my first puppy. Our oldest (Angel) is a Pitt, chow, Shepard mix, we got her when she was about 2 yrs old. And our "middle child" (Laila) is a pure breed Pitt, we got her when she was 8 months old. So we never had the pleasure of making them ours.

What? (No, I am not yelling... just explaining) You do not have to raise a pup from young puppyhood to make them yours. Must be an "old wives tale" of some sort. It is certainly NOT true.

People have adopted, taken on, inherited, rescued, found as strays and kept dogs for many generations... dogs of ALL ages. Would you love a dog less because it wasn't with you from infancy? Of course not.

Bonding is possibly the closes attribute to what you may have been trying to mistakenly point out. Bonding happens when you work with, provide for, care for, feed, and above all... train and love. Take the time to train and love any dog. I can guarantee if you make the effort the dog will be as much "yours" as any puppy you've raised from infancy.

I have raised some form puppyhood and adopted others. There is no real difference in my feeling for them, nor should there be in yours. I love them ALL, and they love me. I even find the adoptees a bit more apprecaitive, from time to time.

Beyond all that... You now have Angel (2 yr +), Leila (8 mo +), and Dyna hopefully at least 8 weeks. Is that correct? How old exactly are Angel and Leila now? It may make a difference as, not to dishearten you further, but sometimes 3 females will not get along particularly if they are too close in age. The difference between Angel and Leila is in your favor but not a guarantee. Are they both neutered? It would be to your advantage if they were.

It seems to be a done deal that you now have three dogs. So lets deal with it, in a helpful way. Do Angel and Leila attend formal classes with you? What is involved in your training of them? This is important as you will not only have to maintain their training but soon begin training Dyna. You have placed a great responsibility upon yourself. Prepare to take the next steps in keeping your family functioning amicably.

Training is #1 on your list. Find a positively oriented (more rewards for what you want, than corrections for what you don't want) training class and begin. Plan on more than one session for each dog... especially the younger two. Be vigilant around the home. Supervise play interactions. Intervene if any form of play takes on even remotely negative attributes. This will be of lifelong importance and can change at any stage in development. The more vigilant you are, particularly in their youth, the better.

GOOD LUCK. I know you must love all of your dogs. It is exciting to get a new puppy. Be responsible and watchful.

[taim]

Depending on your puppy's age she probably has to go out much more frequently than you're able to let her out. An example schedule for an 8-10 week old puppy might be...

Time of Day Activity/Action
07:00am Get up. Potty break.
07:30am Breakfast. Potty break/walk.
08:00am Playtime. Potty break. Nap
10:30am Potty break. Playtime/Training. Potty break. Nap
12:30pm Lunch. Potty break. Playtime. Potty break. Nap
03:00pm Potty break. Playtime. Potty break. Nap
05:30pm Potty break. Dinner. Playtime. Potty Break/walk. Nap
07:30pm Potty Break. Playtime. Potty Break. Nap
09:00pm Potty break. Playtime. Potty break. Nap
10:30pm Potty break/walk. Bedtime.
02.00am Potty break - if necessary.

The short intervals and consistency help prevent accidents and teach the pup where to go to the bathroom. Essentially she should be walked every time after she wakes up, after every time she eats/drinks, and after every single play session. You also need to make sure her crate is large enough to stand up and turn around but not large enough that she can eliminate on one end of the crate and sleep at the other. You'll also notice a lot of people / play time in the schedule which is just as important at a young age.

I know I've been saving vacation and personal days at work for first few weeks when I get my puppy. Does your husband get any vacation time at work? Failing that I'd agree with others that you need to find someone to walk and play with the pup during the day while you're at. If you can't do either (and depending on the puppy's age) you may want to look for a new home that has time for her. Having a young puppy is a lot like having a human infant to care for - it takes a lot of time and effort. Please step back, look at the situation objectively, and decide what will be best for the puppy.

I know you're fairly new to these forums so I'll tell you that quite a few of the people who posted prior to this are long term members with both knowledge and experience whose opinions I've come to respect in my time here. I would heed their advice on crating, housebreaking, training methods, and corrections.