STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Aww! What a cutie! I am not a dog owner (sad face), but a friend told me the following:

"Our trainer told us about the rolled up newspaper method. She explained that every time Max (their dog) chews up a pillow, eats our food or does something naughty when we arent looking, we are supposed to take a section of the newspaper, roll it up, and hit ourselves over the head while saying "he's a puppy! he's supposed to do these things, don't be so stupid next time!"

I thought that was funny! So good luck. I know my sister got some sort of furniture spray that supposedly tastes bad. Their dog, Bailey kept chewing the (leather) couch and pillows!! I think it was lemon juice or something? Have fun!!!

She's adorable!

Re: training - I believe crate training is supposed to be the most effective method, since a dog won't want to soil its "house." However, since she's only 10 weeks, it will probably be a while until she gets the hang of it. She's still a baby! I can't vouch for the effectiveness of crate training since I gave up after 2 months. My dog barked all the time when she was in her crate.

When you catch her mid-potty (if she's going somewhere other than where she should be going), make a loud noise to startle her and take her outside to finish her business. Then when she's gone in the correct spot, give her lots of praise and a little treat would be good too. Also, take her out when she's done eating/drinking/playing/sleeping. She'll probably have to go after doing these things. And do not, under any circumstances, rub her face in it or yell at her if you notice after she's gone potty in the house. She'll only think you're crazy or learn to be afraid of you.

I'm not sure if the search function is working, but I think there's a thread where Elle gives some pretty good advice.

My dog has a congenital bladder problem and so she still goes potty in places she shouldn't if she has to, so I'm not much help.

-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Monday 23rd of November 2009 10:30:28 PM

We crate trained and also watched our little guy like a hawk. He got this "look" every time he had to pee, so we would scoop him up and take him outside. When he did his business successfully outside, he got a treat. He learned really really fast!

I also learned a dog will do anything for a treat!

Daisy is SO ADORABLE!!!!

and yes, I highly rec the crate! use it ASAP! I trained both my dogs that way. One's a GS and she learned in just a few days, as so did my little dog. It's the best thing out there. and if she has an accident outside, as you see her doing it, you yell (scare) and lead, (don't pick her up!) her outside always the same route. do you know what I mean? like always to the right of the couch towards your back yard, not sometimes to the left. choose one path.
and YES she will cry! put her in it during the day when you guys are going about your normal schedule and she see's you. it might take a few days for her to stop crying. but it's all worth it in the long run. ignore her when she's crying.
after, I always had the crate door open and my little dog would go in there and sleep. that's her home and loves and is comfortable in it. when we leave the house, instead of leaving her outside. we would crate her up. No worries on having the house a mess or any accidents when we come home. plus it keeps her out of danger at the same time!

good luck!