A Few Questions from a new dog owner...?

Question

I just adopted a 5 month old terrier mix from the Humane Society. This is the first dog I've owned so I have a few questions...I am seeing through research that I should take her out every few hours for potty...I've taken her a few times and she still hasn't gone? Also, when I go to bring her outside, I put her leash on and she will just sit there and not move...I have to pick her up and bring her out...any advice??

Thanks everyone for your help and support! I've figured out her "poopy dance", so we're off to a good start:) I think she is getting more used to her leash and I'm able to get her outside and to follow me a little with it.

Answer 1

Out after meals and play sessions for sure. Be sure to give it enough time: smelling around is part of the process of going and it could take a while. Also, she is likely already patterned to go onto a particular surface and may be hesitant to go if that particular surface (grass, concrete, paper, straw, etc) isn't available. If she really has o go, she will go (whether or not that is where you want her to relieve herself). Make sure she is closely managed (airline kennel, leashed to your belt, etc) while inside or you may have to train her both to go outside and not to go inside (the idea is to keep any inside messes to an extremely small amount, if ever). Praise lavishly when she squats and if there is a mistake, don't punish her - just take her outside and praise if she tries to go there too. Also note: a dog can be easily trained to eliminate on command by giving it a name like "potty" and saying it as they first squat then praising.

Answer 2

All animals need positive encouragement.

Dogs need a alpha male. (you - the master) Someone to listen to.

Use treats to coax your dog at first but also when the dog does something you asked for then praise the dog for the achievement. Try to not carry the dog. You will then become the slave.

You need alot of patience and plenty of time to train a dog to do anything. It takes 10 minutes each day for two weeks. per command. Food is usually the easiest reward but make sure that the amount of food you are using as rewards is subtracted from the daily allowance.

Kindness is the other great reward. Dogs love attention - including negative attention. So try not to focus on the bad things.

When taking your dog outside to go to the toilet. Do you take you dog to the same spot each time and use a word like 'potty' so over time the dog will understand what you require. Also if you take the dog to the same area each time it will save you searching all over for the presents they leave you as you would of trained your dog to go to the bathroom in the same area.

They usually go to the bathroom after they wake up. But please stay there until your dog goes to the bathroom and reward the dog with positive encouragement.

Good luck. Once you get the hang of it everything else will follow

Answer 3

The most important thing you can be doing right now is to take your new dog on as many walks, and walks as long as you are able. This is how a dog bonds with a person they don't know. It shows them you have leadership and that they can trust you. When she is more trusting she will potty better. She may not even know anything about a leash. The fact she just sits there tells me she doesn't trust you all the way yet. But for sure.... if you take her for walks frequently, the trust will grow quickly.

Answer 4

ok, #1: A fence should be around 3 1/2 feet tall. #2: ? #3: ? #4: I don't think a dog needs wet food every day. i don't think my dog has ever had wet food, and my vet never said anything about it. #5 A dog needs maybe 2 meals a day. #6 ? #7 If you want your house to stay clean, just make sure your dog is clean when in it. #8 You should give your dog a bath at least 1 a month, (unless he/she is really dirty), and yes, there is a special dog shampoo that you can buy in the dog isle at almost any store. #9 Yes, your dog's nails will need to be clipped, and I'm not sure if you have to brush your dogs teeth. It's probably best to though. Hope this helped!

Answer 5

O.K.,
First of all, a 5 month old dog, will be a lot more difficult to train than a 6-8 wk old.. Understand this --

Some dogs are stubborn - you take them out, they wait until they're inside to 'potty'. With these dogs you must persevere. If she doesn't go at first, call her out to the grassed area, and say 'go potty'. She will eventually understand this command, and will begin understanding when you say, 'go potty' (or w/e the desired command) he will 'go'. Sometimes potty-training pups takes along time. You must be patient.. I know from experience, dogs can be just as stubborn as people -- and more. The last thing you want to do is say, 'go potty' and then bring her in before she goes.. This will confuse her. Hope I've helped,

Nicole

Answer 6

how long have you had her? she may still be adjusting, and she's 5 months? do you know if she was abused before you got her? it may take her a little bit before she gets comfortable with you. also, are you sure she hasn't gone anywhere in your house? that may be why she's not going outside. and she will need to be leash trained. a lot of dogs will just sit there when you put a leash on them. it sounds to me like she's pretty frightened.

Answer 7

O.k. your a new dog owner.Well when my dog was a puppy i took him out after he naps and after he eats.Sounds like your puppy needs leash training.Your off to a good start if you reading up on training your puppie.Remember it is a puppie and it will take time and patience and love.When she actually goes to the bathroom outside tell puppy "good dog".And start walking it in baby steps and again when she starts walking say good dog!The puppy will catch on .