Shih tzu- first day home -?????????

Question

Hi,
I posted a question a while back and decided- yes, i would make a good shih tzu owneer. so, adopting a 19 month old from a reputable breeder- has been in shows ( he doesn't have the best markings but won one ukc) so well trained, microchipped and getting neutered this week. we met him and he was amazing- sweet lovable, friendly, answered to name- great on leash, followed commands-sit, etc...
anyway, we are getting him in a couple of weeks and i'm curious about how to handle the first day home. though he is house trained, it is a new house and routine. crate training stuff on line all talks about getting him used to the crate by coaxing him with treats, etc.. well, how would that get him used to it in one day... should he sleep in the crate- do we need to crate train him. also, all sites say to keep crate in room where we hang out. we have a split level and its mixed b/w dining room up and family room down - do we move crate, do we then move it to our room where he will sleep. we do have a 2 room area downstairs- linolium where he can hang while we are at work and school but we don't hang there much as a family and sites all say to start dog off in area of house where he will spend day-
please help to clarify all this for me.-
thanks,
ira

Answer 1

You should really discuss this with the breeder you are getting the dog from and see what they have been doing. Chances are that they have already got this dog properly crate trained and you will only need to maintain what they have been doing (i.e. crating at nite time or when you leave the home during the day). I would think that following their established routine would be a good idea and familiar to your new dog.

Answer 2

My girl's crate was in the kitchen (it's a rather large kitchen) because which was adjoined by the morning room on one side and the dining room in the other. The only time they were in their crate was when were were out of the house or sleeping, all the other times I would have the puppy with me.

Purchase a LONG lead. They have 15-50 ft leashes (and everything in between). When doing things around the house you can tie the leash around your waist and have the puppy with you. (Dusting, doing laundry, straightening up etc). You can also section off a portion of the house w/ baby gates.

The crate should be seen as a good thing and the dog will go there for solice and refuge along with naps every once in a while. The more you use the crate the more comfortable the puppy/dog will be with it. Never use it for punishment. Leave it one spot. Moving it around may ad to hardships with the crate training and confusion for your dog.

If you want something in your bed room consider getting another crate or a doggie bed.

Put a few chew toys in there. If the dog has has problems going into the crate then coax her in there, but what got my dogs RUNNING to the crate when I said "kennel" (that was our code word) was the treat the got for being in there.

I gave them special liver treats ONLY when they were in their crate - no other time. They loved them and knew they would get goodies for being in there.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Start it the way you intend to continue it. Since he is housetrained and command trained, it's going to take him a couple days just to be sure the rules are still the same in this New house. So he probably will have a couple accidents--I would leave him in the kitchen when I am gone just so I'd be able to find it/clean it up quickly. But if he isnt used to being in a crate and you don't intend to always have him sleep in the crate, you need to teach him the New rules for this New house.

Did you get the dog intending for him to stay in the linolium area downstairs? Or intending for him to have free roam and be with the family when you are there? The decision is up to you, neither one is "better"--but do what you intend to be doing next week after he has adjusted.

but it will help with that initial fear and confusion if he has LOTS of together time on his first day. He will just be scared--everything he has ever known is gone and he doesn't know if its for the better or not. So make sure to hold him lots and reassure him throughout this scary couple days.

Answer 4

Since your new dog is already house trained, house training him in his new house will be simple. You only have to show him where to go - you have to show him where the door is and it would be good if you go out with him the first couple of times. Then you just need to learn and be aware of his signals when he needs to go. You should have no trouble with that.

As for crate training, if he's a show dog he must already be used to being in a crate, but I'm confused why you'd be moving his crate all over your house. He's house-trained, way, way past the chewing stage - why are you planning on keeping him crated so much of the time? I've never had a dog who was crated past the age of about 8 - 9 months.

While he's new in your house, it makes sense to crate him while you're at work (at least until you find you what his behaviour's like), but why not put a bed in your room for him at night. The first few nights, you could confine him to your room if you like.

If you want this new dog to become part of your family and be a companion, he can't spend a lot of his time crated - he needs to be with his new family to ever bond.

Answer 5

If the dog has been shown, he is very familiar with a crate - probably spending most of the day in one at the shows. So, you don't need to coax him into it with treats. The breeder would be able to give you the best information regarding the best way to handle him at home.

All crates are different. If he is used to a wire crate and you put him in a plastic one, it will feel completely different to the dog because he can not see as well out of it and it is darker. Ask the breeder where he sleeps now. I don't think that a dog has to sleep in a crate. My dogs are all crate trained, but sleep on a pillow in our master bedroom. My dogs would rather rest at my feet somewhere than go to a crate to lie down.

If you are going to be gone, I would put the dog in a crate, especially until he gets used to the house and understands where he needs to go to be let outside.

Talk to your breeder, she'll be able to give you the best information about this particular dog and what she thinks will work best for him and you.

Answer 6

If he has been to shows he is very familiar with a crate so that is probably not going to be a problem. His first day home should be a quiet day. Close off all the rooms you can so he must stay in the living room. Place his bed in a quiet out of the way area to allow him his own comfort zone. He will probably just want to be with you though. I would suggest 2 crates - one in your room where you plan for him to sleep at night and one in the other part of the house for his quiet zone.

Take him out often so he gets used to going outside and won't be tempted to "mark" inside. He may anyhow because it is new. It doesn't mean he is not housebroke he will just want to mark his territory. Hopefully by watching him carefully the first few days you can avoid this.

Answer 7

I am not sure if this will be helpful or not. I crate trained my bishon that we got at 9 wks. Now at 4 yrs he loves his crate. We still lock him in when we leave the house and at night. He runs to the crate when we are getting ready to leave and when we are getting ready for bed. Our bedrooms are upstairs and his crate is in the livingroom-dining room area. We never move it except for cleaning and travel. Most times when we travel for long distances, we set the crate in the back of the van and he rides in it. If its just a short ride he sits in the back seat.

Anyway, back to your dog. Getting him used to the crate along with the new home would be best. Set a routine and stick to it. My dog still likes to get a "cookie" to take to bed with him. He takes it and runs to the crate wagging his tail.

Best of Luck with the new arrival

Answer 8

If he was shown he should be familiar with a crate. His breeder will give you his personality info, feeding and medical history.
Leave the crate in one place. He will be fine with that and will learn quickly where he is to sleep. Transition into a new home is relatively simple. Show him the ropes and he will adapt in no time. He is coming to live with YOU. Don't adjust your household to suit him. Shih Tzu's are very adaptable little dogs. He will be acting like he has lived with you all his life!

Answer 9

Will you be getting anything that she had in her former home? I mean, will those who are giving/selling/adopting the puppy to you give you any particular belongings that use to be hers? If so, this would be great! It would do her good to have things that are familiar to her. Much depends upon the particular dog. Some adapt very easily. Others not so much. You could try limiting her to a small area of the house at first, such as your bedroom. Leave her in there for a while and give her things that she can call her own (bed, toys, etc...), and then gradually allow her to "sniff out" the rest of the house, if you know what I mean.

Answer 10

The best thing to do is keep it down stairs at all time and when your gone put him in it. Show him where it is and put a toy in it, as well as a blanket to make him feel at home. Once you show him, where it is he'll find it on his own. Just make sure, when he starts acting funny, it means he needs to be brought outside.