:confused: Hello, this is my first question here and I am hoping that it is successful.


I have a 9 week old puppy that I got almost 2 weeks ago. He and I have been really successful in the potty/crate training. The first couple of days he made a lot of mistakes, but then after the 4th I picked up and his subtle signs and for awhile he was mistake free. From the first day he never once pottied in his crate. If he had to while inside he would CRY and WAIL his heart out and it was a very distinct wail as opposed to the crying for loneliness. At night he wouldn't go at all he would fall asleep and then at about 6 he would cry that cry and we would go outside to his potty area and he would be praised like crazy. For some reason, this morning he woke me up like usual and we went outside. He didn't have to go at all, which was puzzling. I went upstairs and in his crate he had peed and pooped. I thought maybe I was just really tired and missed his cries so I wasn't THAT worried. Then, later when I put him in his crate to feed him he did it again. Then, again when he was supposed to be sleeping like he usually does.

I moved the partition up and made it smaller and took out the towels he had in there just like my books told me to do. Now I am just lost and confused and frustrated and have NO idea what to do. He is crying at this moment in his newly adjusted crate and I am watching him from the corner of my eye to make sure he doesn't start to go.

His vet appointment is in two days and hopefully this isn't a health issue.

Thank you I really need help!!

Madeline

There are some problems I have had have successful experience solving or at least the same resources that have helped with them has solutions that sound good. That is a problem I see frequently, but nobody seems to have a good idea. Much of what you are doing should help. It could be stress, or a challenge to your leadership. One thing you could try is a Kong filled with peanut butter. He could get too involved licking the peanut butter out to worry about being shut in the crate.

You need to be teaching him you are the leader whether it is an issue in fouling the crate. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete (http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/) Here are good ways to use with a young puppy:

''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.