Quote: Mike Arnold

Ms. Lee,
It is OK to re-live the time you had with Levi but you must try to put that awful time off to one side when trying to train the puppy, or you do the puppy and yourself an injustice.

So, you have a puppy. It needs you to manage its adjustment into the family. It is not a replacement for Levi. It is a new member of the pack.

I do apologize if I have come across as insensitive.

Not insensitive, I totally agree. He isnt a replacement and that was one of the biggest things i made myself go over and over; making sure we got him for the right reasons and not to try to replace what is irreplacable.
Having a new little one to love and focus on and give yourself to is very healing though, and can fill a spot you didnt know was empty before. He is a doll too and a serious handful, i had been able to keep the two separate in my mind until the damned screaming started. Its hard enough to listen to them freaking out without the emotional connection that cry brings on.
Crate training came pretty naturally to our other three dogs whom we have done it with, so this has been a challenge to say the least.

I dont rush over and let him out, I give him a few minutes to see if he will settle down and if not I stand out of sight and use one of my sons toys that makes crazy noises that catch his attention long enough for him shoosh and try to hear it better, then once he is quiet I let him out and treat.

15 minutes is a huge improvement, the first couple of times he went in he was shaking and screaming in fear and got so upset he both peed and threw up all over himself within 5 minutes.

He was neglected at best at the place he was born so he had to learn to be comfortable in the house and with people and everything that goes with being a dog in a family. I think being locked up just sent him into panic mode.

We started over by feeding him with the door open, then the kong with the door open and if he tried to come out with it I would put it back in the crate.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

.... 15 minutes is a huge improvement, the first couple of times he went in he was shaking and screaming in fear and got so upset he both peed and threw up all over himself within 5 minutes.

He was neglected at best at the place he was born so he had to learn to be comfortable in the house and with people and everything that goes with being a dog in a family. I think being locked up just sent him into panic mode.

We started over by feeding him with the door open, then the kong with the door open and if he tried to come out with it I would put it back in the crate.

I'd keep a small notebook journal. These are huge steps.

Of course, I'm a huge believer in logs: basic ob, potty (if a UTI problem is suspected), vet visits..... training goals and then dates with what did and didn't go well....

You are doing GREAT.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

.... 15 minutes is a huge improvement, the first couple of times he went in he was shaking and screaming in fear and got so upset he both peed and threw up all over himself within 5 minutes.

We started over by feeding him with the door open, then the kong with the door open and if he tried to come out with it I would put it back in the crate.

I'd keep a small notebook journal. These are huge steps.

Of course, I'm a huge believer in logs: basic ob, potty (if a UTI problem is suspected), vet visits..... training goals and then dates with what did and didn't go well....

You are doing GREAT.

So im doing this correctly? I dont want to make it harder in the long run but the crate needs to be a positive place and freaking out so much they vomit and soil themselves isnt the same as letting them cry it out.

Im pretty experienced with dogs, even went to school to train them and never did anything with it
But this little guy is a challenge for sure. And so cute I want to smoosh his little face with his one ear up and one ear flopped

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

So im doing this correctly? I dont want to make it harder in the long run but the crate needs to be a positive place and freaking out so much they vomit and soil themselves isnt the same as letting them cry it out.

Oh, heck, yeah. Those are the perfect steps.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

...the crate needs to be a positive place and freaking out so much they vomit and soil themselves isnt the same as letting them cry it out....

100% right!

Those were the precise steps I would take..... tossing something wonderful in there, leaving the door open, feeding him in there ....

I was sitting here holding him reading through this thread again and realizing how helpful he is to our healing just by being small and soft and a baby, and something positive to focus on.

Well until he makes me bleed or tries to run off with my ponytail.

But wow when we brought him home he fit on my lap curled up on both thighs with no problems.
Now he has to sit up with his paws on my shoulder and still has a back leg hanging off my lap. His coat is nearly all blond rather than the reddish orange when we got him and his ears are huge and nearly erect. He looked like a pitiful little mutt but truly i see his huskyness more everyday.
He is gonna be big boy I think 13 lbs already at 10 1/2 weeks!!
Its amazing what good food and love does for a dog