April 21, 2011

My new pup is afraid of my husband. How can we fix this? Also, what about pee pads? Do you recommend them?

Full Question:
Hello,

I have read dozens of Q&A responses on your web site and several of your articles in search of what to do about my puppy. I have a 11 week old, 2 pound, Cockapoo that I have had since she was 8 weeks old. I am sure that in my quest for raising her to be a good, well behaved, puppy I have probably confused her so I want to make sure that whatever I do from here on out is a final approach! Here are my 2 main problems with her:

(1) I think she may hate my husband. Recently when he swooped her off the ground to cuddle her, she turned around and bit his hand ? hard! She pees on him nearly every time he picks her up (she never pees on me!) She also runs and hides from him behind the washer and dryer and won't come out! He is a loving guy and loves animals - he wants to love her but she is making it really hard! Please help!

(2) Like I mentioned above, she bites. I read online that there are 2 types of biting in puppies (1) playful - chewing, and (2) pre-aggressive - snap and release (often out of fear, anger, etc). I think my puppy does both types. I hold her snout and say 'No' firmly when she does either bite and I have also started something that I believe you may refer to on your web site as the alpha roll (I roll her up tightly in a towel and hold her to my chest (where she can't wiggle free) and watch TV for 30 minutes a day). She is so little (2 pounds) and her bites don't really hurt (I just think they are a bad habit) so I am not afraid of her reaction to this. Is this a good idea? What should I do about the biting?

I also have an additional question about crate training. I go to work at 8:00am and might not get home until 6pm (10 hours in crate). 80% of the time my husband is home at 4:00pm (8 hours in crate). I thought this would be too long to leave a puppy in a crate and we live out in the country (so can't have a friend drop by to take her out) SO I am currently leaving her in the laundry room with a pee pad (which she uses 80% of the time) during the day and doing the crate training in the evenings, weekends and at night. Should I be doing the crate training during the day? Using the logic I have read my 11 month old puppy can physically only hold her bladder for 4 hours. I don't want her to become accustomed to going to the bathroom inside the crate during the day. Help!

Finally, do you have a preference on the type of crate? Wire 'cage' vs. carrier style?

Keri
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
Hi Keri

It sounds to me like maybe your pup is intimidated by your husband. submissive urination is a normal dog behavior that subordinate pack members exhibit to let the dominant one know they are no threat. maybe if he toned it down a bit and waited for her to come to him instead of looming over her she would become more accepting. Men tend to intimidate puppies just because of their deeper voices and larger size. I would probably keep a light leash on her though, so she can't go under or behind things. Following our puppy groundwork is what I recommend for all puppies, no matter what their size.

I have a couple recommendations for you. I would get our puppy DVD, we give this to all of our puppy customers and never get a question on how to raise a pup. You can purchase it with our eBook on House training Solutions.

We also just finished a DVD on Pack structure for the Family Pet, and it is excellent. It covers how Ed and I live with our dogs, you can read the description on the web page.

We go over many details on crates in the house training ebook, but I personally like the plastic airline type kennels for my puppies.

I hope this helps.

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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