We took our puppy out 2 times this weekend for his first walks. Both times we were out for 1 or 2 hours and he didn't do toilet once and yet as soon as we came home he used the garden. Any reasons why he didn't go when we were out? Also he barked or growled at everyone human or dog we walked past, why was this? He is a west highland terrier who is 12 weeks old. Any tips would be appreciated.
2007-09-16 06:40:51 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
We weren't walking for the full 2 hours as we took the car out to the moors. He was only walking for an hour at the most, probably less than that.
2007-09-16 06:54:05 · update #1
I had the same with a puppy i once had, he'd refuse to go loo on the walks, then get into his garden and be busting to relieve himself, I think it is that the pup associates his garden as his toilet area, and feels that if he did it elsewhere you may tell him off, (he has been trained to use the garden rather than the house / car) he will get used to it, but bless him, it'l take a little time,
The barking & growling is totally just new to him that he doesn't understand, the more he goes out and interacts with people, cars, buses, pushbikes, motorbikes... they will all become normal everyday things to him in time. Just tell him on approaching anything to leave it, and praise if he walks passed well. its him just getting used to the outside world.
2007-09-16 08:11:22 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
One or 2 hours is far too long to walk a puppy of 12 weeks!! It is perfectly normal for a pup not to go to the toilet while he is on strange territory - some take up to 12 months before they will go outside their own garden. He is barking/growling because he is not used to all the new sights & experiences. Keep taking him out - take him in the car if necessary to places where he will meet new people & dogs to get him socialised & enrol him in a good training school.
2007-09-16 06:47:10 · answer #2 · answered by anwen55 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The pup's young,... the more walks and out of home environmment, the less he should feel threatened and confused,.. hence the growling/barking. Don't make an issue and just proceed with outings.
My dogs sometimes do the same,.. walk for hours and once home in yard,.. then they relieve themselves!
(just like some people can't use public toilets, but wait till they're home! lol)
Try training with words,.. saying "peepee" when walking and once he does praise each time,.. he should get the hang of it and then do on command.
My dogs do now.
2007-09-16 06:50:56 · answer #3 · answered by deltadawn 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's used to doing toilet in the garden, so it's not altogether surprising that he wasn't keen to go elsewhere.
As for the barking and growling - this puppy needs socialisation classes fast! Such a young pup should not be behaving like this. He needs to spend time with other dogs, cats and children, under supervision of course. Find out where you can enrol in puppy training classes to teach your dog how to be a good member of society! Ask round local vets because they often do free ones, or just look in the yellow pages.
Chalice
2007-09-16 06:54:34 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Start with short walks. Go to training classes...they're fun for you and him and he will learn to socialise with all dogs and people and learn how to behave too. The pooping thing is normal...I had the same with my pup. He would love his trips to the park but never did a wee or poo until we got home to his familiar territory. You train him to go outside not in the house and he gets the hang of that then you expect him to do it elsewhere!!! Confusing at first but he will soon get the hang of it! My pup took about 2 weeks of daily walks before he "performed" so don't worry. It's all new to him and he's learning so give him time and plenty of contact with friendy dogs/people then plenty of praise when he gets it right!
P.S try not to tense up yourself when you see dog/person approaching as he will pick up on that...be relaxed. Hope it goes well and good luck x
2007-09-16 08:20:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
make sure he has his rabies shots and all that before taking him out in public a lot. He just isn't used to the surroundings that you are putting him in. He isn't used to that. At home, the garden is his territory and that's where he is comfortable going at. For barking and growling at other surroundings, that's totally natural. they are now entering the territory that he is trying to make sense of. He most likely won't hurt anyone or anything. Just keep taking him on walks and socializing him with others. if you don't then he will become aggressive to new things.
2007-09-16 06:52:41 · answer #6 · answered by Susan 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My dog is almost 2 years old and won't go anywhere except in his own yard, in a small area he has designated as his bathroom area. It doesn't matter how long we are out or what we are doing, he absolutely refuses to go anywhere but in the yard. So, I've learned that before we go anywhere I need to let him outside to do his business. As far as the barking, he is still pretty young and obviously hasn't been socialized with others much, so he just needs more socialization with humans and dogs, and that should help him stop barking at everyone.
2007-09-16 06:50:35 · answer #7 · answered by jlynp84 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The reason he barks and growls at people and other dogs is because you didn't socialize him and show him these things when he was younger. you need to show him these things more often so he will get used to them and stop being aggressive. He probably didn't go to the bathroom on the walk because he didn't know he was supposed to. He's probably just doing what you taught him to do by going in the garden.
2007-09-16 06:46:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
He might of felt scared when he was outside. Then, when you got home, he probably felt safer. Here are some tips on how to potty train your dog to go outside.
What if my puppy has an accident?
He will. Do not punish your puppy though. If you catch your puppy in the act then clap your hands or pick them up - this will make your puppy stop going. Get him outside FAST and let him finish up out there. Reward him for going outside. Clean up the mess with petzorb (or some other odor removing cleaner) which will remove the odor completely.
Do NOT rub their nose in it, swat them with a newspaper, or isolate your puppy. It will only teach them to not go in front of you.
If your puppy is going frequently in the house you are probably not supervising them enough. Watch and learn their cues. If you feel you are watching and your puppy isn't getting it you can always have them checked for a Urinary tract infection.
If your puppy piddles when you greet them, this could be submissive urination. This would be a problem that is usually cured by ignoring the behavior and letting your puppy calm down before touching them when you first see them.
This article not only applies to puppies, but shows how to potty train a dog of any age. If you can't supervise your dog, please put them in a crate to help curb accidents. Remember, dogs go where they go most!
This can be a trying time, so have patience and you will get through it.
Good luck!
2007-09-16 06:49:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Its still early days yet really.....he's only just got used to being toilet trained at home, and still thinks that this is the only place to do it......also, I guess he find new people and places quite scary!! Does your vet hold 'puppy parties'. Its a great way of socialising your pup. also, find out if there are any dog training classes in you area ( might even be some at your local church hall) Again, its a good way to socialise your pup....and train him at the same time!! Just stick with it....you'll soon get there! good luck, and enjoy your outings with your pup!!
2007-09-16 06:51:54 · answer #10 · answered by murphywingedspur 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋