I agree it wasn't doing any good being impatient.
But to be clear I wasn't doing anything to intentionally scare him. I didn't give vacuuming much thought, absolutely none of the 5 dogs I have had previously have been scared of the vacuum ever, so I just turned it on. Now he goes outside while I vacuum. But on his breeders advice I put it in a neutral place where he sees it sitting harmlessly, he will now walk past it calmly.
As far as the camera that was an accident too, I took a picture of him and it was the last one so the camera automatically started rewinding making a loud hum which scared him.
He has a crate in the house that he can go in to get away from everything. Our house is not very loud and noisy. My one year old isn't a screamer so our days are relatively peaceful.

On the advice of Crabtree(THANK YOU) I added the water from a tuna can to his food and he scarfed it up. So that is a VICTORY. At least he won't starve.

And I finally found a toy he loves. The pocket tugs that Ed sells. I bought 2 so when he picks up the first I slap the second on the ground and back he comes running.

So we are on the road to a great relationship. Hopefully it only gets better and better.

Stubby's mom,

Everything you said about what he has been exposed to as far as short run aways and such is true. No dead scent yet though. I think he was to become more of an explosives dog honestly. But he hasn't had any basic obedience, only sit. But I have been working on that and he now has a nice platz too.

I am staying strictly motivational with this pup.

Thank you all for your concern and making me realize that I was expecting way too much.

It is good to know there are people who will tell you like it is.

If I were you, I would stick with just doing run-aways for awhile just vary the place and situation. This lays a good foundation. You don't want to bore your dog, but even when you do blind searches I would go back and do a short search or run-away once in awhile. Take it slow with the obedience, just have him do a few commands like come, sit, maybe a down and his general house manners. It's better to work on obedience after he has been searching for awhile. Good luck with your boy and please let us know how he is doing!

Good luck with your new dog. I agree with the allowing him to settle down theory, but I would take it a step further and do no runaways with the dog yet- He is not even 6 months old yet- This is the time to build the drive and love for the toy- He needs to be out and socialized and playing intensly with that toy with as many different people as possible- Just take him to training and have all the members play with his toy and then put him up- I cant stress how vital the play aspect is. If the dog is just now settling into his new home doing the runaways may confuse the dog. We always cement the play foundation from 5-7 months and then start training. Starting to early will cause problems down the road when the dog stresses or becomes confused.

If your pup stresses easily taking him to a new situation without that solid foundation of play with strangers he could have a very negative experience and become fearful of the new situation and you will have a devil of a time bringing him around again- Take it slow and easy and keep it positive but get him out and get others playing with him and get him used to the travel.

Patton,
That's good news. Give that young pup time, you will be amazed at the change in his demeanor. The genetic make-up is there. You introducing him too different stimuli will develope the traits you are looking for.
Remember, you will have this K-9 for it's lifetime. Do as you would with a child, let it's enjoy the brief puppyhood.
Keep everyone posted. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Although I can appreciate the well-intended pleas for Patton to "calm down for heavens sake" and "your scaring the little baby", I find it hard to think someone is being un-reasonable or should not be just a wee bit concerned when their new pup dosen't eat for a couple of days. That being said, I would not make too much of a big deal around food time. Put it down and after 15 minutes or so if the pup dosen't eat pick it up. If the pup is healthy, he will eat when he is good and hungry enough.

Chuck, you are 100% correct. My response really wasn't directed solely at the original post of which the concern was not eating. As I was reading all of the other posts it seemed to me that the pup was just upset in it's new surroundings and I felt that time and patience would cure the not eating problem because I agree that a healthy pup will eventaully eat.

I understand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Well it seems the pup is eating. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Patton listened, problem solved. Patton keep us posted on the pup progress.