Lenn

Ok, so about a month ago my wife and I got a new puppy. He is approx 3 months old now and is performing exactly as I expected a puppy to... he chews up clothes that he pulls out thru the laundry hamper, he is getting better but still uses my carpet as a restroom within minutes of taking him outside (yes he goes outside, too), and he chases the cats... er cat. My female cat got his *** good one day so he won't mess with her now. Just the smaller male cat. Here's my problem. At night, we keep him in a 2'x3' kennel in the spare bedroom. We have it covered in a blanket and backed up against a wall so he can feel secure in it. It is always lined with a towel or some form of bedding (wich he pees on every night...grrr love the laundry). We usually put him "to bed" in his kennel at around 10-10:30 when we go to bed. Depending on the morning, he is up between 4:30-5:15 EVERY morning. He announces his awakened state by endlessly barking and whining. It's killing me especially since some mornings I don't get home until 6am and wanna sleep. We have kenneled him every night since we got him and he seems to not be learning that he will be in there until someone comes and lets him out. I guess I have been spoiled since my older dog (5yo hound Danny) is perfectly house trained, never ever barks (even when taunted with a treat), is good to go for the day if we need to leave for a while and is in bed himself by 8:00pm like clockwork. He will remain in bed until we get up in the morning. How can I "assist" my newest dog (Reme) in learning not to bark in his kennel in the mornings? The culpreit:

shotgun

Lenn, the basic problem is your pup is bored and wants some interraction. Remember dogs are pack/social animals and it kills them to think there might be something going on and they're not involved. All they really want is to be with YOU!

You can't compare the two dogs as they all have different personalities.

Try putting a radio near the kennel set to a talk-radio station. Put a piece of clothing in the kennel (old, un-washed t-shirt is perfect).

When he starts in the morning, take him out, give him ample time to do his business, put him back in the kennel, and put the kennel in your room where he can see you (he might go back to sleep). If he doesn't, you might just have to get up (sorry).

Or, if you or your wife is ready to get up spend lots of time playing with him.

Remember, he's no different than an infant - lots of time, love, and patience.

Good luck!

Cute dog by the way.

Lenn

Thanks man. I can not believe I had not thought of the radio thing yet... Is a TV ok? Also, what else can I use in place of an old T-Shirt? I ask since he will eat it... literally will tear it up, chew it up and swallow it.

shotgun

TV might work (the light from the screen would **** me off if I was trying to sleep). You can use anything that has your scent/odor; old leather gloves? Bury the t-shirt in the bedding?

Lenn

Cool. I will try something. I appreciate your help. I am close to wits end. This was one of the main reasons I didn't want a puppy. NTM- as he gets older and older, he looks more and more like a Jack Russell... FAIL. As of now, its a love/hate relationship.

gone postal

As far as house training goes, when he goes outside, praise the heck out of him, reward with a treat, etc.

If you catch him in the act going in the house, immediate punishment is okay, but if it's more than a couple minutes after the fact he's not going to know what the heck you're punishing him for.

Just a suggestion, bounce the question off of this forum:

http://petoftheday.com/talk in the dog behavior section. You'll get plenty of answers.

Lenn

I remember hearing on HGTV or some crap like that, that with an almost involuntary action such as using the bathroom, you have 2.3 seconds for reprimand before they have forgotten... until they learn where NOT to go.

MHC-F150

Lenn,

Everyone has provided excellent advice.

You can't expect a puppy to hold its bladder from 10pm-6am, it's like a baby, when it goes it goes. You'll just have to start making more frequent trips outside, and like another stated, praise him with a treat anytime he does his business outside. And yes, it's tough not to punish them if you find they pee'd or chewed something up, but you just can't unless you catch them in the act or immediately after. Buy the guy a lot of chew toys, get your scent all over them (leave them in the hamper for a week) and interchange the toys every couple days so he doesn't get bored with them.

I had the hardest time with my Bulloxer, especially with chewing, but has gotten much better now. He's learned to go outside for the bathroom, but when we have guests he does get a little too excited at times and has an accident here and there. He's learned to chew only his toys, but if he finds something new and interesting, he does have a relapse here and there. Can't tell you how many new pair of shoes I had to buy my wife.

shotgun

You sure your dog is chewing on them?

Keep you eye on your wife...watch for her holding a paper towel smeared in bacon grease in the closet....

MHC-F150

Hmm, a thought.

You know he never touches or touched any of my shoes, just the wifes and my oldest daughter (13yrs old). Which they both love shoes and are always wanting a new pair.

Shotgun, you just may be onto something.

The culprit then:


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