Hi all! (Puppy problems)

Hi

Just thought I'd say hi and introduce myself.

My name is Julie, mum to 2 kids a boy of 16 and a girl of 9.

We have just decided to buy another black labrador pup just over 3 weeks ago now called Benji. Its coming up for a year now since we lost our beloved sooty, a female labrador. Benji is absolutely adorable, but we're just having a few concerns as not sure whether its normal for a pup coming up for 12 weeks to still be so nervous?

He literally hates any loud noises especially the hoover and runs for cover under the sofa everytime I put it on. He's also got to following me around everywhere I go even stands across my feet when i'm washing up.

We have introduced him to next door's jack russell he was fine at first then just started whining to come back in the house. Also tried introducing the lead which is proving to be quite hard as he screams and wont budge atall.

Would be grateful for any tips/advice yo may have.

Julie

Hi Julie wecome to Dogsey .
It sounds as though your puppy hasn't been well socialised. Puppies should really be introduced to as many sounds/sights/ scents as possible by the breeder to help them to be confident and unafraid of things. .

You could try desensitising your puppy to the Hoover. Turn it on some distance away (using the attachment may be best if it isn't moving ) then ignore it and play with your puppy/ give high value treats like chicken so he learns to associate the hoover being on with good things .

What do you do when he follows you around and sits on your feet. If you don't want him to do this don't reward the behaviour with attention ,ignore him/walk away/ no word no eye contact . Remember to give lots of praise when he is doing something you want him to do like sitting in his bed.

He needs to associate the lead with good things, try putting it on before you feed him/put the bowl down some distance away/let him walk to the bowl and eat with the lead on. When he walks with the lead on give lots of praise.

If there are two of you play a little game, put the lead on and take it in turns to bend down with a toy or treat and call the puppy to you, then give lots of praise. (I know this may sound odd but try wiggling your shoulders when you bend down this is a play gesture and puppies love it).

If he won't walk outside try picking him up and carrying him a few yards from home then let him walk back. When he walks give lots of praise in a bright voice.
There are two Dogsey article here which may be of help to you..

http://www.dogsey.com/dog-articles.php?t=8050

http://www.dogsey.com/dog-articles.php?t=14526

Hi Minihaha

Thanks for the advice will come in useful.

The two links you gave are also very useful advice too.

Thanks again.

Jules44

Hi, we had very similar problems and more with our foxhound puppy. She had been in isolation at the dogs trust from 9 weeks to 14 weeks so had encountered nothing. You need a pocket full of treats at all times! Also, I would invest in a harness for outside walks as Dizzy was petrified of traffic noise too!

At puppy training she would hide under the chair. She is now 6 months and although a little nervous still is coming along great.

Keep exposing her to everything on a daily basis and you'll be amazed how quickly she will get there.

Good luck

Ali xx

Hi Ali

Thanks for your reply, its nice to hear i'm not the only one encountering similar problems with their puppy.

I'm also thinking of taking Benji for training, how old was your pup when she started her training.

Jules44

Hi Jules as soon as a puppy is vaccinated it can attend training classes but take care to get a good trainer who doesn't use methods which will make your puppy more nervous.

Trainers who belong to the APDT have a code of practice which forbids the use of harsh methods.

Here is a list of their trainers..
http://www.apdt.co.uk/local_dog_trainers.asp

No. If the vaccination takes, it is still 2 weeks until it builds up enough antibodies to do any good. And before any immunity from the mother wears off, they won't take. See http://www.avma.org/animal_health/br...o_brochure.asp

Puppies really need to be in their homes by 7-8 weeks to be socialized to the conditions in the home. The period between 6-12 weeks is a dangerous time. One sniff where a sick dog relieved itself in the last 6 months can bring on parvo or another life threatening disease. Fail to expose it to strangers, including men, women, children, noise, etc. and you could end up with a misfit you can't take out in public. They also need continuing contact with other dogs, but it must be limited to ones you know are getting good care. http://www.apdt.com/po/news/docs/Messer_Nov06.pdf

Correcting problems from puppies lacking early socialization is slow and difficult. Control your emotions. Your stress will only add to their fear. Keep things positive. Act like you really like the hoover and other things. Talk to it, pat it and praise it. Treats can be a positive tool.

Obedience training is one important part of helping dogs with their fears. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. As you praise the dog for following your commands, it will build its confidence.

Play tug of war with the dog and lose. However at the end of the game, take the rope or toy and put it up, less the dog becomes confused about who is top dog. Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

Finally, make sure it has a den to live in. If you are not using a crate, buy one. The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work. Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going in. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding time for more than one dog.

Yes I agree one should wait two weeks after a puppy has completed its vaccination regime before mixing with other dogs and that is exactly what I would have said had this question been about 'how long do I wait before taking my puppy out vaccination'.

However this question is not about vaccination and when generalising about taking a puppy to training classes I was assuming people would take into account the advise given by their vets, most vets suggest allowing a ten days/two week period before taking a puppy out on the ground.

Although there is a place for the crate and any puppy certainly needs a safe quiet spot for its bed, I think the last thing a nervous unsocialised puppy needs is to be enclosed in a plastic crate where the world is hidden from view , it should be allowed to potter around parts of the house freely getting used to sight sounds and scents .

Hi Jules,

Dizzy was about 17 weeks when she started training. She was allowed to approach people at her own pace and has soon come round. It was really hard at first because she was too terrified to even take a treat. The local vets has been great for helping out too. She visits them quite regularly for a treat and a fuss. Do you know of anyone with an older friendly dog? Dizzy has taken alot of confidence from other dogs behaviour. If you don't you may be able to find someone at your local training classes who will be able to offer some support. We couldn't get Dizzy out of the house on her lead to begin with and now we can't keep her in!!!! The vacuum is still scarey in this house but she is getting better, my kids treat her and play with her whilst I get on with it.

Persevere as they are still quick learners even at this age.

Yes, and when you make dangerous statements like being able to take a puppy to training class as soon as it has its immunizations, I will point out how wrong you were.

I am well aware you and others here have very strong feelings about puppy care. I am totally unaware of any backing for your views. I find you completely in tolerant of anything except the way you have always done things with no good reason behind it.