very early days with new puppy, 12weeks old. they do learn fast!!! He has started to rush through any doorway where he thinks I will close the door either to leave him or move to another area in the house. He seems to work out my every move. If we go outside I make him wait so that i lead the way, but even with this, when  he knows he can't make a run for it he leaps backwards as if he is scared. ( he howls when i leave the room most times, but I try not to enter until he is quiet, sometimes this is not always possible, the same with his crate, goes in fine at night but creates in the day) this is probably all linked , but any thought appreciated.

Hi

From your post i get the impression your pup is anxious about being left alone so that is why he rushes to get through the door.

I would suggest childgates instead of doors because pups can still see through them. I have 3 in my house and they work very well.

What sort of pup is he? and how long have you had him? :)

As well as the childgates i would suggest practising leaving him for a few moments with a stuffed Kong so that he starts to enjoy being on his own for just a few minutes....you can gradually build it up. It's vital he gets confidence and feels happy being left, or you may have problems on a much larger scale later.

Does he chew at all?

Lindsay
X

He is a novia scotia duck tolling retriever (toller for short!!). He has been with us for nearly 3weeks. Child gates are impossible in our kitchen as it is on a split level and has bifold divider doors in between. here is where the main problem is . he does chew, but funny enough when i leave the room he doesn't continue with his chew, the same happens in the crate, if i put him in with the chew it remains un touched, while he is with me in the kitchen, he chews away like a good un!! I have adopted the regime of jan fennel, as i do with all my dogs, and this has worked fine for me. but as we all know each dog is individual. we have two other dogs, but i don't allow a free for all access all the time , so that he learns to be alone,(and doesn't rough and tumble too much as they are both fairly large ) when i leave him in the room with our older bitch he seems okay, still rushes for the door initially but does settle quickly. I when i re- enter i don't make a big fuss.
I always enjoy reading the opinions of others on this board. thanks.
michelle

He isn't from Paludic here in Dorset is he? :)

Sorry, when i asked does he chew, i meant does he chew in a destructive way <g>

It may just be puppy stuff, esp. if he settles with the older bitch. It would be natural for him to rush for the door if he was alone...or anticipating fun...It may be good to shorten the time he is alone and start to gradually build it up again; perhaps he was alone for too long originally and now dislikes it.

Lindsay
X

Lindsay,
Has Sally S had more pups? I haven't seen her since easter.

Hallo,

Nearly missed your post :)

I rang her about 3 or 4 weeks ago now and unless i am going mad (which is quite possible - i am so busy at the moment!!) she said she had some pups again. I am guessing it would be the 3rd litter....but not sure.

I know she usually has a waiting list of owners for them. They must have the best start in life with her as their breeder! :)

Lindsay
X

lindsay, no he is from Bev Foreman in Bedfordshire.
Sorry i misunderstood about chewing. the only thing he has a go at is the fringe on the rug !!My trainer advised to leave the doors open for a while, instead of shutting them straight away, when i am around to take the emphasis off the shutting door.we'll give it a try.

i have a friend with a toller! she says they are hard work & can be stubborn!!!!!!!

what i would do if gates are not a option,is get him happy with the door,stand in the doorway with the door open with a load of titbits & teach him "in" & "out" or "kitchen"/"hall"(whatever),just throw a titbit into the kitchen & give the command you want to use,then throw another bit,so hes rewarded for staying in there & command again,then throw one out of the kitchen & use your other word when he gets it,to get him to like being in the kitchen do a higher % of throws into the kitchen. when you think he sort of "gets it ",you could move out of the doorway & back abit so hes happy to be in the kitchen with out you!,by throwing the titbits further & further back into the kitchen it should encourage him to move further back into the kitchen & away from the door.

to start with dont even shut the door at all until hes happy doing the above,then do some throws, shut it & open a few secs later & do a couple of throws,  build up the time you leave him slowley.

when you do have to leave him,leave a radio on & maybe a smelly(of you!) jumper outside the door so he can still smell you!