Almost a week together now.....

[Jenna & Cider]

I brought Cider home last Saturday and Sunday I had my infamous breakdown. A big "Thanks" to all you lovely folks on this site who responded to my cry for help, I read your comments and started regaining some composure!

Cider was great with going potty outside, didn't have any accidents in the house..... until yesterday. Monday I went back to work and had him gated in a small hallway with his toys and his crate. I came to check on him and let him outside at lunch and the good boy was laying in his crate and didn't have any accidents! I was stunned, same thing Tuesday and Wednesday. Yesterday however, I came home 20 mins later than usual and he had peed on his dog bed. I knew something was odd when we went outside and instead of peeing immediately, he just wanted to play. That's when I went back and took a closer look and saw he had soiled his little dog bed. When I came home in the evening, I let him out first thing and he was so excited and jumping around outside that I went to check if he'd peed somewhere in the hall again (his bed was removed and in the wash). He didn't make an accident but in the time I was peeking in the hall, he had followed me in and peed behind me! I was so bummed because he was doing so great! Is he testing me?!

I was wondering if I should just crate him now while I'm at work to reinforce the potty training?  He still barks and whines when he is first put in his crate. It's a process to get him into his crate right now anyway. I've been trying to get him to go in on his own and sometimes he will but he's very stubborn! I have been keeping such a close eye on him at home and letting him out often and maybe that's why he's been flawless up to this point?

He's also becoming much more active. He's been nipping quite a bit now, I guess he's more comfortable in his new home? I've been using the bitter apple, saying no and holding his mouth and saying no...I know this will take time. I know he's a pup and he's playing but I want to put the kabosh on this early!

He also seems to pick and choose when he "knows" his name. He does not come to me unless he wants to. He is letting me put the leash on him now at least without too much resistence. Baby steps I suppose!

I'm really looking forward to puppy training classes on Sunday. I feel like every teachable moment is so critical and I'm terrified I'm not responding correctly to fix the behavior. Just wanted to type it out what I was thinking, I hope I'm not boring anyone to death!!!!

 

xoxo Jenna & Cider

 

[Judi and Daisy May]

Daisy did the same thing...and yes Ginny the high pitched OWWW instantly stopped her however only for a few seconds...lol...but the more I did it the less she bit....Great advice!!

[Judi and Daisy May]

Hi Jenna...yes setbacks are a part of having a puppy....I agree with everyone here about crating....I'm a stay at home mom so I don't crate Daisy but on occasion I have started to cause for some reason the only thing (knock on wood) that she destroys if we are gone for a period of time is Kleenex. So if I am gone for longer than an hour I will sometimes crate her. All my other dogs had always been crated and have always done great. It sounds like your on the right track of enrolling Cider in obedience class. I did for Daisy and it was great. I did it more to try and bond with her cause I had recently lost my dog of 12 years and I felt it would be something special that me an Daisy could share and it was!!! And just wait till you see how fast Cider will respond. These lil babies are like sponges and they soak up the knowledge....Keep up the good work!!!