Quote: robert holloway

.... I'm having 1-2 weeks of acclimatization where Case is always tethered to the kitchen table (my house is open plan) or in his crate.

Robert, what we mean here (almost always) when we say "tether" is to tether the dog to the person.

You will be amazed at how this contributes to bonding, to you learning the dog's potty schedule very fast, and to the dog learning that he follows you.

It can seem a little awkward at first, but believe me, it is the best thing since sliced bread.

When I adopt a dog, he is usually one of three places for quite some time: outdoors with me, tethered to me inside, or crated. We may play indoors untethered, but I am right there. He does not have a chance to get into any trouble; he is set up to succeed.

And of course he goes lots of places with me.

I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever tied any of the dogs to a fixed object. It might happen for a minute while something unexpected is going on and the crate is two rooms away or something, or maybe I have not yet taught "place" or "down" and he is in the kitchen with me, but these are by far exceptions to the usual.

I think you will read many experienced folks here who are very enthusiastic about tethering a new dog or a puppy to the owner.

Hi Connie

Case reveals a little more to me each day as he becomes more comfortable.

We'll definitely look into Marker Training.

We seem to get a box of goodies from leerburg every day - what fun!

Rob

Re tethering

Great learning for me. Huge thanks.

I'm about to cook dinner and will then "tether" Case to me. Never to the kitchen table again.

Bad handler, repeat after me, bad handler.

I've got one thing right. After 5 days case has not had a single moment when he got in trouble!

Rob

You will eventually proclaim the benefits of tethering a new dog to yourself to other new owners!

I was sorry I had not learned of it until recent years when I saw what a jump-start it was with adoptees for learning about each other, potty, and much more.

Connie

Case is currently sitting lying on his rug about 3 feet from my desk. Much better than 12-15 feet away attached to the kitchen table.

had to move a rug as he was looking at chewing the edges :-)

I've also created a loop cord that goes over my shoulder so that he follows me around in the house.

Thanks so much
Rob

 Quote: Robert Holloway

had to move a rug as he was looking at chewing the edges :-)

Rob

You might also want to give him a good chewie (toy, antler, etc.) instead of the rug.

Connie,

Already did - smeared cream cheese in a Cuz Ball

Do you recommend and chews he can work on for a few hours - non toy?

Rob

 Quote: Robert Holloway

Already did - smeared cream cheese in a Cuz Ball

Do you recommend and chews he can work on for a few hours - non toy?

Rob

I have been buying both of these:

http://leerburg.com/1182.htm

http://leerburg.com/1302.htm

It depends on the dog, but two of my smaller dogs will work on those bully sticks for weeks. (They don't get them all day; they are a nice surprise for an hour or so every other day or so.) I buy the biggest.

 Quote: Robert Holloway

chews he can work on for a few hours - non toy?

A frozen marrow bone inside of a Kong (a black XXL one is the best for this). The dog will be able to lick the marrow out with difficulty but not chew the bone itself. The key is just the right fit, it should be extremely difficult to get the bone into the Kong.

eta: to make it even more lasting fill the Kong with the bone inside with cream cheese and freeze the whole thing. Add a piece of bacon before the bone. Chances are your dog won't be able to get the bacon out. Drives them nuts.

 Quote: ana kozlowsky

 Quote: robert holloway

chews he can work on for a few hours - non toy?

A frozen marrow bone inside of a Kong (a black XXL one is the best for this). The dog will be able to lick the marrow out with difficulty but not chew the bone itself. The key is just the right fit, it should be extremely difficult to get the bone into the Kong.

Wow! I never thought of this!

I have stopped all recreational bones because of the "crack that sucker open and damn the dental issues" dog I have, but that's a great alternative.

Note: Marrow is usually best introduced gradually to avoid the squirts.