puppy is 7 months old. 2 weeks ago I started putting Boogie in the kitchen (big nice kitchen) with a child gate w/ toys, water when im gone during the day and at night when i sleep.

the reason i am doing this is because I used to let her run of the house too soon when i was gone and he was weeing on the carpet and getting into things like chewing things she wasnt supposed too, (even tho had tons of chewy toys everywhere) when i come home, i let him run and play thru the house (supervised) and teach her commands. I also let her play w/ my older dog until they get to0 rambuncious and then i put him back in the kitchen.

sometimes when i play w/ my other dog alone, my pup who is in the kitchen starts yelping and crying some. i ignore tho and dont give in.

is this okay? i make sure i spend time w/ her when i come home and before work. but until she is fully housetrained i dont want her to wee on the carpet and chew on things that she isnt supposed too.

i just wondered what im teaching my pup. she doesnt seem too misarable. she hasnt wee weed in the kitchen yet and i notice when i take her outside she does go potty better.

Please advise.

It's the amount of time she's alone for that is really the issue, do you have to leave her long?

She wont play with her toys when she's on her own much, most toys are made to be played with someone, and are pretty boring on their own. Get some interactive toys, like treat balls or kongs that you can stuff with food to keep her occupied. Get a selection and vary which ones you give her, to keep her interested.

On it's own, it's not cruel. As long as she gets enough exercise, mental stimulation and attention, she will be ok. It's important to teach her to accept being alone, but make sure she doesn't get stressed by being left for long periods, as that will cause you more problems when she's older.

Do you take her to puppy classes? That's a good opportunity not only to learn how to train your dog, but also for socialisation for your puppy, a chance to talk to other dog owners, both expert and novice alike for you.

my husband wont let me take her to obediance school, even tho i would pay for it. he thinks its a waste of money and something that can be done themselves. dont know why he is so worried about it if he isnt paying for it. but then then i hear him grumble that she is hard-headed.

however my husbands way of disciplining is slapping the dog (not hard, but the principle) i told him do not hit or slap the dog. i try to train w/ treats and praise. he is the one that wanted the puppy to begin with. i diddnt particularily want a puppy right yet, cuz i know the responsiblity that comes w/ a puppy, but i am learning and doing all the work. my husband is too slap happy and i dont like that.

I must admit if it were me, i would ignore my husband ;) and take the pup to classes :D Perhaps he would eventually start to go with you, and hopefully realise that being slap happy is not the correct way to raise a pup. Do go along first yourself to see if you like the trainer and the way the classes are run, as puppy classes, just like others, vary.

One point your hubby may have missed is that it is very important to socialise pups with all sorts of dogs - large and small, bouncey and quiet, because otherwise later on, you c0uld have problems such as nervousness and aggression, caused by lack of proper socialising. I would always recommend anyone to go to classes.

If possible, too, get yourself a copy of one of the up to date puppy books - one of the best and most comprehensive is by Gwen Bailey called "The Perfect Puppy"; there is also "The Ultimate PUppy" by several different authors which seems good, but it is much more expensive. They not only explain why pups do things such as mouth, but also how to prevent it and how to train, also how to cope with adolescence.... and so on. My view is that it is an invaluable book for puppy owners and I have'nt yet seen one that touches it for down to earth common sense, fun and also good photos!!! :)

Best wishes
Lindsay

keep the dog - leave the husband :D

I agree Chloe, my hubby would never slap any of my dogs as he know's what will happen to him. All the animals are mine, my hubby didn't really want dogs, he will let them out, walk them now and again and feed's them on the odd occasion but that's as far as it goes. I do everything else that need's to be done.

I do recommend going to training classes, it's the best thing I have ever done. It does help if your dog get's attacked like mine at 12 week's old by a GSD running at you and lifting her in the air, as the owner run's across and kick's her out of the way to get at his dog as by this time she is running round our legs. Then two week's later by a dog that was in the yard with no gate shut and the dog flew out at her.

I don't know how I would have coped with her if it haden't been for the training class that I go to. She has gone from attacking every dog that moves to letting them be around her as long as they don't jump on her. Where people are concerned she still doesn't like them much but will tolerate them. It's been worth all the blood sweat and tears oh and the money spent.

Have a real think before you get any problems. Good Luck

Tracie

Just for once I agree with a women, not going to make a habit of it though ;)

Robert

;) :D

when hubby slaps the pup you slap him! see how he likes it, my guess is he wont like it at all. Tell him too stop being such a bully and pick on someone his own size.

Providing this is a genuine post and not a wind up I am of the opinion that it might be better to return the pup to its breeder?

Left alone a lot and slapped, no formal training or controlled socialisation :( :( Poor pup

Try talking to your husband in a foreign language that he does not understand and then slap him when he does not do as you tell him - this is EXACTLY the same as you say he does to the pup

Christine

I agree with Christine - sounds a miserable life for a puppy.

I agree with all - slapping is definately not an option! If you can't get to classes because of the hubby then why not try buying one of the really good books on training - it's better than nothing at all - although classes would be great for the pup , and you too. Try 'The Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey ISBN 0-600-58581-6 priced £12.99 for starters.

I've found training to be really rewarding and it has built my confidence too.
Nikki

what no slaps for the hubby........................... not even a slap on the nose with a rolled up newspaper............................ and then locked in a room on his own for a few minutes........................ and then perhaps rub his nose in any mess he makes.
Hold on what am I saying here, wifey may get ideas..................delete all that.

Robert :D

Well said Robert!! Couldn't agree more. Puppies come to us with blank pages for us to write on. If you write well you raise a well adjusted, happy, trusting puppy. One that is slapped and punished may not wee on the carpet but I bet it has a lot of other problems as a result which may not be recognised until later!

I'd go with Chloe - keep the pup ditch the hubby or treat him in the manner he sees fit to use on the pup.

Elaine

most men would happily pay for that treatment Robert.Hehe

Emma, any ideas how much and where, please reply discreetly ;) lol

Robert

Nikki, is willow farm the puppy farm that advertises in my local paper???

I think it depends on what you men as slapping . with my dachshund all you have to do is shout and thay know they have done somthing wrong and will stop their tracks or run!!!!! as for the slapping i dont hit my dogs but if they have done somthing wrong they i do TAP them on the nose and shout Dont do whatever thats bad , then call her a bad dog in my most dissaproving voice , i think that gets it through . as for dog training it does work and lets the puppy socilise , but i think you need to do it propperly, we have trained all our dogs from puppys . the one training thing i think is usless is the click reward one , that is totaly pants are really hasnt worked

thanks for you replys. when my husband slaps its like a pat on the butt, i tell him dont hit the dog but i dont think its violent, but i keep telling dont do that.