I have a new puppy about 12 weeks old. I keep him in a 10 X 10 kennel most of the time. What is best advice ?

Question

I will be very busy with college course and work for next 3-4 months. If I can only spend a few hours a day with the dog (Rhodesian Ridgeback), will this suffice? I will have to get away to be able to study. He seems to get more aggressive with his biting, although I can't tell if its playing or just geting mean. Maybe I should get another dog to keep him company. I hate to give up so soon, but I want the best situation for both of us.

Answer 1

WOW! With a Rhodie you are heading for a train wreck..they are THE breed that requires the most socializing and training... Training won't keep until your semester is over....The most important thing for a Rhody is to get him out and about as soon as he is vaccinated..he needs to meet new people and dogs daily..or at least 3 days per week..Getting him a playmate will only compound the problem..
A solution would be to enroll him in a doggy day care 2 or 3 days per week...this would get him socialized and some basic training..Be sure to choose one with references, and that allows dog free play time...Your puppy will be the darling of the day care, and all will be fine...Day care for large breed is about $14 per day here, and a bit less if committed ahead....that would cost you about $140 per month...for a good experience for your dog, and peace of mind....

You always try the most positive method first:
Some ideas for discouraging finger chewing: when your puppy clamps down, let out a very loud YELP in imitation of a hurt puppy. Then, fold your arms and ignore him for 10 minutes. With very young puppies, this sometimes works wonders - it's the same thing that happens when they get too rough with another puppy. The wounded puppy yelps and runs off, refusing to play for a bit. The yelp must be startling enough to stop the behavior. If nothing changes, you probably weren't a good enough actor.

That should do the trick, . however, if it doesn't fix the problem this will work:

To introduce an element of "natural discipline", grasp the recalcitrant pup by the scruff of the neck with one hand, place your other hand over the top of his muzzle, gently pressing his muzzle towards his chest as you say, in a low, growly tone of voice, "No BITE". If they begin to throw a tantrum and thrash around trying to bite, just hold the line until they "give in" and "say uncle" (quit resisting). You should not find it necessary to get aggressive with a young puppy. Simple restraint is usually enough to get the message across.

Answer 2

If you don't have time for one dog, DO NOT get another. Although they might entertain eachother, they will both require time and training from you, especially at this age. My first reaction is to say give your dog to someone who actually has time for a dog. HOWEVER, most people have more time than they realize, they just lose some of it doing unimportant things like watching TV or surfing the 'net. If you can really make your dog a top priority (which you should, he is your responsibility), you will find you have time to train him and do your work and classes. Take a good look at your schedule and fill in lots of small periods to interact with your dog. Play for 10-15 minutes in the morning before you leave. You should study at home, you need to train the dog that he can't always be the center of attention, but then you can also take "study breaks" and play or do a quick training session with him. Find a dog park nearby where he can work off some energy and sociailize with other dogs and people. If you have a friend or neighbor who could look in on the dog while you are gone for long periods, that would also be great. Get a book on "clicker training" -it works great and is best learned in short sessions. It also helps with high energy dogs.
Good Luck.

Answer 3

Why in heaven's name did you get a little puppy that you can't care for properly. No, a few hours a day is not sufficient. Dogs are pack animals and must have some sort of social stimulation. If left alone most of the time they become destructive and aggressive because they are so bored and lack exercise. Any kind of biting should not be tolerated as it will escalate in intensity if you don't stop it right now. You as a pet owner should be totally in charge or before you know it the dog will not respect you and want to be the dominant one of the group. I strongly suggest that if you plan to keep this dog for it's entire life that you pay to take it to day care when yyou are away and obedience training immediately. If you don't have the means to do this then find a rescue for Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. Keeping this dog isolated is cruel and getting another one is just compounding your problem

Answer 4

OK, this is going to sound critical, and it is, but: what were you thinking? Getting a puppy takes lots of time and as a student, you admit you don't have it. Also why do you want a puppy that lives in a cage. What's in it for you? There's certainly a dismal life of social deprivation in it for him. Dogs in a cage are little better than fish in aquariums. And don't try to say that you'll spend time with him outside. We all know you won't. Even if you try your best, how long will you stay outside in the freezing winter or the 100 degree heat and humidity? And if you don't find it pleasant, what do you think your dog thinks of it? OK lecture over.

Dogs need to be part of a pack. The second best thing you can do for him is find him a home now while he is young enough to still charm prospective owners. The very best thing you can do is bring him into your home and into your life. Sell the cage and buy a crate. When you don't have time to watch him, he is in the crate or on a leash attached to your belt loop. You will be amazed, but spending time with your dog in a home situation will make him a better dog and a happier dog. It doesn't take hours a day to train a dog. Just small blocks of time many times a day.

The "aggressive" biting is really just play. He doesn't know that your skin is more tender than puppy skin. He thinks you are having a good time with him (and he is too, because he is WINNING!) Dogs are designed to have excellent mouth-eye coordination. There is no excuse for him touching you with a tooth as long as he knows that is what you expect of him. As it is now he is getting rewarded for the behavior because you continue to play the game with him. To teach him your expectations, play safe games like tug on a toy, fetch (and the all important bring it back). While playing if he even touches you with a tooth, the game is up. Immediately leave the room taking the toy with you. Wait a short time out of two or three minutes. Go back and play some more. Repeat often, and be absolutely consistent that if he touches you with teeth, you leave. He will learn that if he wants fun, he has to play by YOUR rules.

As for your idea of getting another dog: Dog math works this way: 1 good dog + 1 bad dog = 2 bad dogs. On the one hand, yes, if you insist on making your dog lonely by leaving it outside all the time, then certainly get it another dog so he can have some mental stimulation. But make it a year old dog or even two or three years old. If instead you do the right thing and you bring it into your home, you will find two dogs to be more work while you are training your puppy and teaching to be a good dog. Best to start the one dog off right, then add a second dog once you're happy with the one you've got.

Answer 5

Don't keep your dog outside all the time. That's a recipe for an aggressive dog who's totally unsocialized to humans.

Adult dogs do okay with being home alone for a max of 7-9 hours daily, but puppies need someone to take them to potty every couple of hours. Can you get a dog walker to come?

You can make it work if you bring the dog inside, crate-train, get a dog walker and when you are home, devote that time to the dog, especially in the training/playing department.

Honestly, a puppy was a bad choice for your situation. Adult dogs do fine in working families if trained properly for alone time, but puppies need so much more attention. Also ridgebacks are powerful high prey-drive dogs who can and will turn aggressive if not trained.

Ridgebacks are fairly rare dogs, so I have to wonder, did you go really out of your way to get this dog? And why, if you were going to be so busy?

Answer 6

Puppies require LOTS of time and attention in order to grow up into well socialized dogs as well as to learn proper housebreaking. A puppy that does not receive enough attention will not be able to learn how to behave properly. Another dog will only give you more work at a time when you seem quite busy. Dogs need a pack leader (YOU). While 2 dogs may "keep each other company" they will not grow up to be good canine citizens without the human direction that they need. Can you enroll him in puppy school? There are lots of places that take dogs for so many hours a day to teach them and socialize them. Good luck with whatever decision you make!

Answer 7

Dog will need at least 2 walks a day, 20 minutes each time. A dog that is confined to a small area or on a chain most of the time will become frustrated, and in turn, agressive.

A R.Ridgeback will become a large dog and will need a lot of space and excercise. A companion animal would help, but if you can't provide a good life for a pet, its best not to own one.

Always remember to put yourself if your pets place, and ask if you would be happy.

Answer 8

Give him alot of chew toys because he will start growing in teeth so he'll want to chew alot.

For biting, you would want to take him for and hr long walk a day where it is kind of crowded and there are other dogs. All pups need to be socialized!

Also, you can adopt an older more trained dog to be his "here." kind of like some one you look up to!

Don't forget exersize! I Rhodesian probably wasn't the best dog to get if you arent around that much, but everything will probably be fine!

Hope it works out out :)
-Jocy

PS: A friend you have could watch him! Elderly love dogs and dogs help them too! If they have dogs too, ask them to watch him. I'd also be good if they were retired and have nothing to do, then your pup will have alot of attention! I'm sure it will work out.

Answer 9

Ten foot by ten foot, I hope? I'm afraid you are in for trouble, your dog will need more than a few hours a day and two will only make it worse. If you are working and going to college, you will need time to study and other stuff. Your puppy needs at least an hour of exercise a day and then play time with you. It would be best if you found a new home for your friend.

Answer 10

Training is great for any dog at any age. It gives you more control over them and gives them something to do which is usually why the bite (trying to get attention). Best of all it gives you and the dog something to do together that only takes less than an hour a day.