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DaBess · Nov 10, 2007, 09:32 AM

I got a 3-4 month old pit bull just last Thursday. I bought from a friend of a friend who said they fed it twice a day and pretty much an outside dog. I carried the dog to my car since I figured the dog might run away if I tried to put down. It seems like she has a fear of getting picked up since I sort of struggled picking her up.When I took it home it didn't walk around at all. I figured it just needed time to adjust.

I carried her to the garage since that's where I set up her food and she ate like she hadn't eaten all day. Afterwards I tried to show her how to get inside the house but she just sat there looking at me. Figuring that she would at least follow the way I showed her, I just started watching TV for about 5 minutes. Then I heard whining so I picked her up and brought her inside.

The only time she would actually walk is if she's going to go potty. She just goes back to where she were before sitting and stays there. Whenever she wants to eat, she would whine and whine when here food is barely 10 feet away. Had no choice but to carry her there. She also never had a name, they just called her puppy. But I decided to name her Peanut. Now she oesnt respond to me at all. She is almost 2 ft long and weighs roughly around 30 pounds. It takes a toll on me having to carry her all the time and honestly it's getting tiring... FAST.

I want to give this dog a fighting chance since this is my very first pup. Any advice would definitely suffice and greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

katieperez · Nov 10, 2007, 09:56 AM

Oh wow, sounds like little Peanut has a lot of issues that need to be worked on. The biggest one being her confidence. All pups will need some time to adjust to a new home and will be a bit nervous, but my goodness, she should at least be walking around, sniffing new things, and showing some curiousity. She definitely didn't get the proper socialazition earlier in life when she needed it most. Thank you for giving this puppy a better home and a shot at a happy life. Our dog experts will pop in and give you advice on how to socialize her and build her confidence. I can tell you that it will take a lot of time and above all patience. Please don't get fed up with her and give up. Oh and another quick tip, don't carry her to her food. A lot of dogs tend to get nervous when a person hovers over their food trying to make them eat. Show her where it's at then walk away. Usually, the dog will go eat it. Give her lots of love and encouragement. Hopefully she'll start to warm up and walk on her own to try to discover new things in your home. She's still young, so she certainly has a good chance of coming around.

labman · Nov 10, 2007, 02:22 PM

That is all quite strange even for being in a new home. I would definitely get her to the vet next week. Take any medical records you have. If she hasn't had any shots or you don't know, don't worry about it. Most of the early shots don't take. It is easier to give a series of shots, than tell when is the right time for the one that is all they need.

I thought this was going to be another ''won't walk on lead'' question. Won't walk at all? Perhaps try the same thing as works well on lead. If coaxing won't get the puppy to move, drop back and run by in baby steps calling ''Go, go, go!'' in a happy, excited voice. Don't push her too much for a while, giving her time to adjust to her new home. On the food, perhaps let it set, and wait until she walks to it. If she doesn't eat or a day or 2, it shouldn't hurt.

Here are some things you can do to give her the leadership she needs and help bond with you:

''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.

For more help, read through the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251802

RubyPitbull · Nov 10, 2007, 03:05 PM

She does need to see a vet. DaBess, please do this as soon as possible. Since this was a "friend of a friend" who kept her outside all the time and now at her age, was looking to get rid of her, you might be in for a bit of heartache. There has definitely been some sort of damage, either physically or mentally (or both), for this puppy not to walk or follow you around. When you walk her to go potty, does she appear to have any trouble with walking, act skittish, or have a low energy level? At that age, she should be a very bouncy and happy outgoing girl. Please have the vet check to see if she has any fractures or extensive bruising. They won't be easy to find as broken bones, but give the vet as much information as you can about her background and tell them exactly what she is doing and not doing. I also strongly suggest you speak to the vet about recommendations for good trainers in your area. This dog needs to be evaluated for disposition by someone who really knows what they are doing. Once you know what the issues are (medically & socially), you can start working on getting her through them. If she has been abused and/or not socialized properly, at her age, there is definitely hope for her to come around. But, please be prepared to put in the time to really work with her. Pitbulls in general, but particularly ones that have a difficult time early on, need a lot of hands on training to ensure they are properly "balanced" dogs that will not attack people, especially you, her new owner. Understanding your role as the leader will be key here. Please review the link that labman has given to you. It is chock full of very good and useful information.

Please post back and let us know what the vet says and how your pup is doing. We will help as much as possible, but I do believe that you are going to need "hands on" help which is difficult to do online.

froggy7 · Nov 10, 2007, 06:18 PM

I definitely agree with Ruby and labman about this needing a vet and a local, hands-on trainer. However, I am curious... does the puppy not walk at all, or will she walk for short amounts? I'm just thinking that if she has been chained on a short leash all her life, she may not comprehend that she CAN walk more than a few steps without having something stop her. Still, this is all stuff that you should discuss with experts.

DaBess · Nov 11, 2007, 11:59 AM

The vet was appt only and I didn't get to another one in time. I'll look for another vet on Monday. But for the whole walking thing, she is starting to come around. At times she would walk around in the house but within a few feet from her sleeping spot. Whenever she's in the backyard though she walks a lot, but since I live in seattle it is so cold she just walks back to me.

RubyPitbull · Nov 11, 2007, 12:57 PM

DaBess, your original post stated that you had her since last Thursday. When I read it yesterday, I assumed you meant the Thursday before this past one. If it was only Thursday of this week, then you only had her for two days. Two days as opposed to more than a week is a huge difference. If I misunderstood, and it was Thursday that you picked her up, then it may very well be something as simple as her adjusting to her new home. When any dog is taken out of the environment it is accustomed to they don't understand what is going on. They will be very confused and scared. This reaction is very normal with all dogs, but she may be slower than others to adjust because you are handling her so completely differently than she is used to. Froggy made a good point with the possibility that she may have been tied up on a short lead. You just need to be patient with her. Obviously, you are doing something right in that she is starting to come around. She needs to know that you are her leader now. I cannot stress enough how much proper socialization is important to a dog's mental health. Right now, keep her on a lead and keep her with you. Even if it warms up and she wants to run around in the backyard on her own, don't let her. Always have her "tethered" to you and watch everything she does. This week get her into the vet for a complete health evaluation and get the names of trainers, as suggested. Keep us posted as to how you both are doing.

DaBess · Nov 12, 2007, 04:09 AM

Hey rubypitbull, I'm sorry if I didn't make it clear, lol. I picked her up on 11/08. I bought her a harness and a 6ft leash. I let her walk on her own in the backyard with the leash but she doesn't like it when I tried to lead her. She just sits there like a stump and I don't want to force her. Should I just let her lead me?
Also I'm trying to give her a set schedule on eating but she doesn't eat at that time. I read somewhere that I have to be strict on the schedule even if she doesn't eat for 1 to 2 days. Is that true? I usually just leave her food bowl full and let her eat whenever she wants.
I checked around for a good vet but are they all that expensive? The most cheapest one I found were $400 for a "puppy package". I want to give her what she deserves but I just don't have that kind of dough right now. I hope I find a cheaper one soon.

bushg · Nov 12, 2007, 05:37 AM

Dabess if you have a petsmart around they have pets insurance and a vet inside the store. Their puppy package should be a lot less than that. They expalined to me that a lot of people get it and then cancel after the puppys first year.
There are also clinics where you can take them in for their shots, some vets will even have, maybe some hours where they just see a tech and get their shots at a lower fee.
As far as spaying her there are many programs that give out vouchers to get puppys spayed/neutered, I gave out 3 this week to people at work they will be gettting their dogs altered for 25 dolllars - 35 dollars, they are also giving those people shot discounts if given that day. *edit* applications for vouchers
There are many local programs, just call around, Google spay/neuter vouchers, or spay /neuter programs for your state or surrounding state. Ask the local vets if they know of such programs, call the vets in the next town over or the closet largest town. You will be surprised at how much help is out there. Good Luck

katieperez · Nov 12, 2007, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by DaBess

I checked around for a good vet but are they all that expensive? The most cheapest one I found were $400 for a "puppy package". I want to give her what she deserves but I just don't have that kind of dough right now. I hope I find a cheaper one soon.

Holy cow! $400?! That's got to include the altering. I've never been to Seattle but that seems outrageous! Typically, and office visit for a check up is around $30-$40. Then of course you'd pay for her shots. And a fecal exam should be done too. If she needs meds, you'll pat for those too. It adds up, but not to $400. You are right, keep looking, I'm sure you'll find a clinic with reasonable prices. Good luck!

labman · Nov 12, 2007, 08:00 AM

That $400 sounds high starting with a 3-4 months old that won't need all the shots a younger dog would. A combo now, rabies before long, and maybe another combo later the first year. Does it include heart worm and flea remedies, spaying? I don't keep track of it, but I may spend that much starting with a shot at 8 weeks plus the flea and heartworm remedies.

Many feeding problems stem from over feeding. Evaluate her as in LongLiveYourDog.com - Life Span Study - Rate Your Dog If she is OK, you can continue leaving the food out. That partly depends on your schedule. One important reason to stick to a regular feeding time is that along with a regular exercise schedule, it allows you to plan when the dog need its bowel movement.

If you do need to get her on a regular schedule, follow this:

Put down the dish with what the dog should eat, and give it 15 minutes to eat. Then take it up. Do not give it anything to eat until its next scheduled meal. In a few days, it should be eating what it needs. Continue to check its ribs and adjust the food as needed. This is not easy. I had a Shepherd go 3 days on a few nibbles. I was a wreck, but she was fine. It is almost unknown for a healthy dog not to eat what it needs. Unfortunately, in too many cases, it is less than the package says, and less than the owner thinks the dog should have. Many dogs are quite good at holding out for tastier chow. Like kids, sometimes it calls for tough love.

RubyPitbull · Nov 12, 2007, 08:24 AM

This is the first time I have heard of a "puppy package".? Boy, I knew the vets were realizing pets were big business and I have noticed an increase in costs over the past 10 years, but that seems ridiculous. You do need to shop around Da Bess.

Regarding the walking on a leash, if your pup was tied up outside all day, this is all new to her and she will be resistant. DO NOT allow her to lead you. You need to lead her. I know I need to prepare a write up on what I do that I can copy and paste here, but I haven't found the time. Maybe labman has one.? In the meantime, this link is as good a one that I can find that is close to what I do. Teach your dog to heel in one day

One of the basic training issues is to get your dog to "heel." When you choose a vet this week, find a good trainer through your vets' recommendation and enroll her in dog training classes. At her age and weight, she is too big for puppy training classes. You will find that most of the people there have very small dogs and she may be too rough with them when they allow play time at the end of class.

In the meantime, take a look at labman's link posted above. He has a wonderful list of recommended reading. Go to your local library or Barnes & Noble/Bordersbooks, and see what you can find from that list. Sit down and go through the books prior to checking out. Pick out one or two that you feel are helpful.

Pitmation · Jan 7, 2008, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by DaBess

I got a 3-4 month old pit bull just last thursday. I bought from a friend of a friend who said they fed it twice a day and pretty much an outside dog. I carried the dog to my car since i figured the dog might run away if i tried to put down. It seems like she has a fear of getting picked up since i sort of struggled picking her up.When I took it home it didn't walk around at all. I figured it just needed time to adjust.

I carried her to the garage since that's where I set up her food and she ate like she hadn't eaten all day. Afterwards I tried to show her how to get inside the house but she just sat there looking at me. Figuring that she would at least follow the way i showed her, I just started watching tv for about 5 minutes. Then I heard whining so I picked her up and brought her inside.

The only time she would actually walk is if she's gonna go potty. She just goes back to where she were before sitting and stays there. Whenever she wants to eat, she would whine and whine when here food is barely 10 feet away. Had no choice but to carry her there. She also never had a name, they just called her puppy. But I decided to name her Peanut. Now she oesnt respond to me at all. She is almost 2 ft long and weighs roughly around 30 pounds. It takes a toll on me having to carry her all the time and honestly it's getting tiring....FAST.

I want to give this dog a fighting chance since this is my very first pup. Any advice would definitely suffice and greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

DaBess-

I wish I could help you. Has your situation gotten any better? I rescued a Pit/Dalmation mix on November 19 and I can't get him to walk anywhere I want him to go. He will run around in my backyard and play for hours, but as soon as I put a collar and leash on him he freezes up. He's 6 months old and already 50 lbs. I had to carry this dog into the vet office - it was rather embarrassing. Do you have any suggestions? All I can figure is in his former life he was changed or tied and wants no part of it now.

labman · Jan 7, 2008, 04:02 PM

Pitmation, if you go back to my first post to this thread, I give a simple technique that should get any puppy moving.

RubyPitbull · Jan 7, 2008, 04:17 PM

Yes, pitmation, follow labman's first post (& his link) on this thread and my post #12. Sounds like your dog may not have ever been trained to wear a collar and walk on a leash. It takes dogs time to adjust to being restricted if they have been allowed to roam free. Just be persistent, gentle, and patient. Do this exercise for 5 minutes two or three times a day. Then after a few days, extend the time to 10 minutes, a few days after that, 15 minutes twice a day. See how it goes and post back if you are continuing to have problems.

labman · Jan 7, 2008, 04:46 PM

The one other thing is the drag line, just a short leash with no handle. You can buy them, but any cheap leash with the handle cut off will do. You just put it on the dog and let it get used to running around the house with it on. Keep a close eye on it. You don't want to find the dog hanging from what it jumped over.

I tend to forget the drag line because I never used one. I start my puppies on the leash the day I pick them up at 7 weeks. They walk on leash from the kennel lobby to the car.

DaBess · Jan 7, 2008, 07:15 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I got the problem under control now. Now my main problem is making her walk next to me. She walks in a zig zag ahead of me. I'm trying to get her enrolled in an obidience class but they're so dang expensive. Even with the price, there's still a waiting period of about three weeks.

labman · Jan 7, 2008, 08:06 PM

Got any kids? With somebody the right age in the family, 4-H dog training is a great idea. In my area, clubs form soon after the first of the year. Even many urban areas have 4-H. For info look in your phone book under government listings for extension or cooperative extension offices. Ask specifically about a dog or canine club.

If your dog is at least 4 - 5 months old, start with a good 6' leather
leash and a sturdy slip collar, the metal chain ones with the rings on each
end. You want the shortest one that will go on and off easily. If you walk
with the dog on the left, pull the chain through one loop forming a "P".
Facing it, slip it over its head. The free end should come over the neck to the leash, and the other end should drop slack when there is no pull on the leash. Before 4 months use a conventional flat collar to protect the tender young neck.

Easier dogs will give up their pulling with a few good snaps of the leash
combined with a stern "Bad dog!". One gentle technique I
like is to just stop when he pulls. He wants to go. If you move forward when
the leash is slack, and stop when he pulls, he should quickly figure out the
only way to get to go, is not to pull. This is about teaching him not to
pull, not getting somewhere. The man that taught it to me said "If in a half
hour you haven't made it out to the front walk, fine, you have taught him a
lesson. Pulling the dog backwards is a good technique too,10 feet the first time or two.

Still, you may want to switch to a head collar. The leading brands are Promise, Haltie, and Gentle Leader. They have a strap going around the dogs nose looking something like a muzzle. They work by pulling the dogs head around. No other way gives you such great control with so little force. The prong collar is now a
dangerous relic of value only for its macho looks. Do not consider using one
without hands on instruction from somebody with plenty of experience with them.

All but the most recalcitrant young puppies can be controlled before they are 4 months old with the flat collar and patience. If you must have something more with a younger puppy, use a fabric restricted slip collar. These are sort of a cross between the conventional flat collar and the slip collar. Some of them are adjustable, Good for a growing puppy. They have a fabric loop at one end with a metal ring holding the other end in the loop, allowing it to slid back a forth. Find one, or adjust one to where it will go on over the puppies head, but will not tighten up past a snug fit around the neck. Put it on the same way as the metal slip collar. The service dog school my Pepper belongs to uses them on all their dogs, puppies and working dogs, except where they must use a head collar.

jessica x · Jan 7, 2008, 08:43 PM

Hi.
I agree with everyone. Peanut needs to see a vet. That's number one. This will rule out that something physical is not wrong.
I'm not sure where are living, but depending on your city and location, the Humane Society might be a good option. Our town's Humane Society is a multi-million dollar facility (all private donations), and they have reasonable vet fees and very reasonable training and pet therapy seminars. The pit bull is one breed they strongly support. I volunteer there myself).

However, your city's Humane Society may not offer such services... beyond shelter and adoption. Still, I think it's worth a call to see what they offer. You could also ask them if they recommend a local vet... because if they do not have one on-site, they have to use someone.

Other than physical issues, there is clearly emotional and social issues here. My assessment, as a dog-lover and someone who works with dogs often, is much the same as everyone else's.
Peanut is in shock. She was not treated well during her early months, so she's confused.
The GOOD news is, she is still very young and you sound like a wonderful person. You can work with her.

Some things you can do:
1. Keep the tone of your voice very positive, high in pitch, and uplifted when you speak to her. Praise her A lot. If you have to carry her in the house, speak to her as you do. For example, "Here you go, Peanut. Good girl! Look at you." Put her down and then walk away as your patting the back of your leg saying "come on, peanut. good girl, good girl". Then just walk in the room you want to be in and sit on the floor.
2. Look at her but don't stare at her. (Very important). Staring at a dog is a sign of aggression. An aggressive dog will attack and a timid one will retreat.
3. Be light on discipline right now. She NEEDS to learn she can TRUST you. That you love her. Of course, if she's biting, that's a NO. But if she starts to get into something, don't punish. For example, if she final starts to get courage to chew something in your house, even if it's your shoe, make sure that punishment is not the first thing you do. Replace the shoe with a toy she can chew on and play with her.
4. Get her to play. This will still be an instinct in her. She's too young to have lost it yet.
5. TREATS. TREATS. TREATS. Use them.

Lastly, go light on the leash walking. It's definitely an advanced skill for dog. You may just have to get a very long leash and just sit outside with her. Let her run around... BUT SIT OUTSIDE WITH HER. You need to stay with her... everywhere. She has been left alone all the time,. so she thinks she should be alone. YOU will have to put yourself with her in every situation. Soon enough, she'll learn she's supposed to be with you. When that happens, you won't even need to worry about her walking on a leash. :)

Good luck.

labman · Jan 11, 2008, 11:10 AM

Some things are so obvious, they get left out. In my post #18 on walking a dog, I didn't mention removing the training collar after the walk. None of the training collars should left on the dog when not on leash. I take mine off leaving it with the leash at the end of the walk.

Thanks to danidac7 for letting me know about my omission.