need some help and advice with this new pup

1787 Views 25 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Sylvs, Nov 7, 2011

rise

Discussion Starter · Nov 4, 2011

Hi all,
So I could use some feedback from all you experienced Doberman owners on a few issues I am having with my 11 week old male dober pup, Sy.

1. This guy has very little interest in chews or kongs stuffed with peanut butter. I've given him bully sticks, kongs with pb, and antlers. I was counting on at least one of these things being appealing to him so he could sit and entertain himself with one of these items a few times a day, or when freshly crated. Alas, he has little interest in them. He also doesn't fetch! So going outside with him and getting him to chase a ball around the yard to tire him a bit isn't an option! I welcome suggestions on what worked well for you when your pups were young.

2. One week in, and housebreaking isn't going anywhere. I've taken the approach to let mistakes slide, and just give lots of positive reinforcement for when he does it right. He poops probably 4-5 times a day, and urinates 2-3 times per hour while awake, small amounts each time. He doesn't seem to be making a connection at all and has showed no signs of signaling when he needs to potty. I take him out OFTEN, and as a result it seems he is not developing any bladder control. Today I've started saying "uh oh" when he starts to go in the house and grabbing him up and running him outside, where he then finishes the job to much praise and treats. I hope this will move us along. I welcome thoughts on this as well.

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Amelia_

· #2 · Nov 4, 2011

Hey there, congrats on your new puppy!

Would love to see pics!

1. Hmm I've never heard of a puppy not being interested in toys/food before. Is he stressed at all, or does he seem content? Does he eat alot during the day? It could be he's still settling in and he will start playing as he gets a bit older.

2. 2-3 times an hour? That sounds like alot, is it when hes excited or he just does that? Has he had a vet checkup? Alot of people will probably suggest crate training, I used a different method which worked for me in a couple of days. I would take him out every hour and say 'toilet....toilet' and then 'GOOD BOY!' when he goes. If he started going in the houe, I would pick him up and run him outside (pee going everywhere, hah!) and said 'Toilet, toilet!'

Good luck with your training!

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rise

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 4, 2011

He does seem content and happy. I have a 13-year-old lab and he spends most of his time trying to get her interested in playing with him, which she *never* does. The rest of the time he spends chasing and biting her tail. He will suck on his hedgehog a bit, and chew for minute or two on a bully stick, or take an occasional lick of a pb stuffed kong, but nothing holds his interest. I will start setting an alarm and taking him out each hour. We were going every 15 minutes which seemed to almost defeat the purpose. We were out so often it didn't hold any specific meaning for him.

He has a vet appt tomorrow. I will take a urine sample in for her to check the specific gravity and just make sure it looks ok.

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Amelia_

· #4 · Nov 4, 2011

I think it helped my boy that it was quite cold outside and he wanted to come in, so he learnt that he got to go in straight away if he went to the toilet, so he would try and go even if he couldnt go after about a week

Good idea about the urine sample, I'd try and get one from his first pee of the day so its nice and strong, not diluted from drinking throughout the day.

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Audrey1

· #5 · Nov 4, 2011

You've only had him for a week? Be patient and consistent and kind. I would take the pup out before he needs to pee in the house i.e. you must anticipate and get the timing down. Then wait with him outside and as soon as he does, praise like crazy. It may mean you have to stay with him outside for 10-15 minutes, but soon enough he will be housetrained and it will be worth it.
If you are not consistent and not clear, he may not understand what is wanted of him.

Maybe he is a little shy/nervous and isn't comfortable playing with toys yet and thus is concentrating more on how he needs to pee....? hehe, just a thought.

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Dobs4ever

· #6 · Nov 4, 2011

How old is he - what kind of socialization did he receive prior to coming to you?? Was he inside with people to help build a people bond??? Does the puppy respond to you when you call ??? What does the breeder say? They should be able to give you excellent input if they train and show if not they might not know how to help you.

So The vet check is a good thing - it is unusual for a male to have UTI problems at this age but not impossible. It is just going to take a lot of work. Not all dogs have good ball drive and that is why the pedigree and titles in the pedigree might give you some insight on drives you should expect. Good luck and keepus posted!!!

Are you crate training??? It can really heop with potty training as well and leashing the puppy to your waist so you keep up with him.

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Darkevs

· #7 · Nov 4, 2011

definitely have your Vet check him for a urinary tract infection....................who knows, if he is a bit 'sick' he may have a fever and just not feel like playing much.

how old is he?

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rise

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 4, 2011

I will try and answer some questions in this thread. He is 11 weeks today. At his breeders he lived indoors with was crate trained. I am crate training him now. I was taking him out about every 15 minutes. So often, it seems, he isn't making an association between outside and potty. He pees right away outside - like a champ - and I say good boy, go potty, good boy. But that hasn't slowed him down inside. He will be playing then boom, squat. I had read you should not correct that, just wisk him outside and praise him when he goes out there. But after a week of this and him seeming to make no moves to the door when he has to go, I decided a gentle "uh oh" when he starts to go inside might help him understand that I don't want him to potty in the house. I will try this and see if it helps. I was spoiled with my lab. She was housebroken in 3 days.

He is active and engaged. He just doesn't seem particularly toy and treat driven at this time. Mostly he just wants to pester the lab. It is what he knows, after all. I thought I might give those two a little space from each other, so he can hang out with us some and play with toys and I can get a better feel for what he is interested in.

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Toby'shuman

· #9 · Nov 4, 2011

I don't think a gentle Uh-oh when he is tiddling inside is going to do him any harm. Just for heavens sake don't escalate it to things like rubbing his nose in it.

With my boy (I have to admit he was as near as damn it clean when he came to me) I reinforced his going out with praise and a particular word with which he could associate going to the toilet with. With regards going out, I would take my Dobe out every hour on the hour and in between if he looked as if he was milling about. I always stood with him until he had been to the toilet which as it was winter was sometimes a little unpleasant but it helped him know he was safe and protected.

I have had many dogs in the past some of whom were mucky little tubs inside the house and have found that you have to have the patience of a saint.
Have you tried paper training?
You probably know what I mean by this, but you place paper down on which he is allowed to go, slowly move the paper towards the door and then outside.

At 11 weeks old I wouldnt worry too much, give him time, consistency, and lots of praise.

By the way I am by no means an experienced Dobe owner, so perhaps some of these guys will be able to advise you a lot better.

GOOD LUCK.

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Adara

· #10 · Nov 4, 2011

rise said:
I will try and answer some questions in this thread. He is 11 weeks today. At his breeders he lived indoors with was crate trained. I am crate training him now. I was taking him out about every 15 minutes. So often, it seems, he isn't making an association between outside and potty. He pees right away outside - like a champ - and I say good boy, go potty, good boy. But that hasn't slowed him down inside. He will be playing then boom, squat. I had read you should not correct that, just wisk him outside and praise him when he goes out there. But after a week of this and him seeming to make no moves to the door when he has to go, I decided a gentle "uh oh" when he starts to go inside might help him understand that I don't want him to potty in the house. I will try this and see if it helps. I was spoiled with my lab. She was housebroken in 3 days.

.

At this point, the uh oh goes to the human, not the puppy

You may want to see if he has a UTI. My last 2 puppies had to go potty about every 15-20 minutes. The more he goes inside, the more he thinks it is ok. And of course the mroe he goes outside, the more he gets that he is supposed to go outside.

A week isn't very long in the scope of the potty training process.

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Toby'shuman

· #11 · Nov 4, 2011

Adara said:
At this point, the uh oh goes to the human, not the puppy You may want to see if he has a UTI. My last 2 puppies had to go potty about every 15-20 minutes. The more he goes inside, the more he thinks it is ok. And of course the mroe he goes outside, the more he gets that he is supposed to go outside.

A week isn't very long in the scope of the potty training process.

I do so agree, we don't expect our kids to become clean (out of diapers) in a week so why would you expect a pup. I know a puppy matures a whole lot faster, however, they are just babies, so perhaps if the vet gives him the all clear, (I do hope he isn't ill) his human will give him lots of praise and love until he gets it right.

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rise

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 4, 2011

Toby'shuman said:
I do so agree, we don't expect our kids to become clean (out of diapers) in a week so why would you expect a pup. I know a puppy matures a whole lot faster, however, they are just babies, so perhaps if the vet gives him the all clear, (I do hope he isn't ill) his human will give him lots of praise and love until he gets it right.

Guys let me just be clear. I in no way think that at 11 weeks this pup should be house broken. But after 1 week of taking him out every 15 minutes I didn't see that we were making any progress what so ever, so I wanted some input from others. It's good to hear others have had puppies that urinate every 20 minutes or so. I think the error I've been making is not grabbing him up midstream and taking him outside. And I would never harshly scold, nor rub his nose in his urine, ever.

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Toby'shuman

· #13 · Nov 4, 2011 (Edited)

rise said:
Guys let me just be clear. I in no way think that at 11 weeks this pup should be house broken. But after 1 week of taking him out every 15 minutes I didn't see that we were making any progress what so ever, so I wanted some input from others. It's good to hear others have had puppies that urinate every 20 minutes or so. I think the error I've been making is not grabbing him up midstream and taking him outside. And I would never harshly scold, nor rub his nose in his urine, ever.

I hope you don't think I was having a go, I wasn't. I was merely agreeing that sometimes we and I include myself in this forget they are babies. Dobes are so clever, so quick that at times it takes your breath away. I have found it oh so easy to forget at times my boy doesnt understand what I am saying, just that he recognises commands / reacts to training that when I come to think on it took time to get through. Regards the nose rubbing, I apologise if you thought I was accusing you of this.

I do hope your pup is okay and that with time he will be clean in your home and that you will keep us updated as to his progress. :kiss:

LindaH

· #14 · Nov 4, 2011

Yep, Parker had to go outside every 15 minutes, bout ran me to death, but it didn't take him long to catch on. He was subtle tho, just going to the door and if I didn't see him, he had no problem whatsoever peeing there.

You have to really watch to make sure you aren't missing any clues.

Just keep taking him out every 15 minutes. I will warn you Parker was probably 5 months old before that slowed down. You just have to watch them like a hawk, but seriously, any mistakes in the house are your fault, not your puppy's.

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EmilyB

· #15 · Nov 5, 2011

None of my dogs like peanut butter, or antlers, so I don't think that is weird. And I think he will enjoy a bullystick more once he has adult teeth!

You can try light cream cheese in the kong instead, with a few kibbles or small treats that come out as a surprise.

There are several treat toys that a puppy will love, they can push them around and out comes a treat.

Find chews geared to puppies that are healthy. Sweet potato might be an option.

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RedFawnRising

· #16 · Nov 5, 2011

Are you always taking him out on lead, and staying with him?

Do you always go to the "designated potty area" in the yard?

Both those things will help.

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Nubis'sDad

· #17 · Nov 5, 2011

Crate training is your blessing in disguise.
Does he go out the same door?
Its only been a week, he is still a little unsettled and not getting it, patience.
My pup I have had 2 weeks will often come nudge my hand and I know. I ask if he has to pee, his little nubby tail wags and I praise him, good boy\Nubis.lets go pee and more praise. Because casually I get him to sit before entering or leaving doors. A handful if times he has gone and sat in front of door and dad is elited and lots of praise bcuz between the nudge and sitting at the door is a desired behavior. Ultimately my goal is a vocal alert or when asked, he will simply go into a sit position.
But that will still take time as he is still a pup.

rise

Discussion Starter · #18 · Nov 6, 2011

Progress! I have had the last three days off to hang out with this guy and he's making some real strides! This morning I left the kitchen door open while making breakfast and he went out in the yard to poop. The last three times he has needed to urinate he has walked to the back door and stood there. Woo!! A friend if mine gave him a small raw cow bone from the freezer and he has spent hours enjoying it this weekend. I am glad I found something he enjoys as a treat.

Another question for the board - do any of you have a slow eater? This pup takes about 1 1/2 hours to get through his bowl of kibble each meal. He eats a few bites then runs off and sniffs or plays then returns to the bowl for more. His breeder mentioned he was a slow poke eater. The issue this creates is on the days when I work it's tough to get him fed, exercised and tolieted and ready for his crate when he stretches his meal over almost 2 hours. Anyone have thoughts?

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vivienne00

· #19 · Nov 6, 2011

rise said:
Progress! I have had the last three days off to hang out with this guy and he's making some real strides! This morning I left the kitchen door open while making breakfast and he went out in the yard to poop. The last three times he has needed to urinate he has walked to the back door and stood there. Woo!! A friend if mine gave him a small raw cow bone from the freezer and he has spent hours enjoying it this weekend. I am glad I found something he enjoys as a treat.

Another question for the board - do any of you have a slow eater? This pup takes about 1 1/2 hours to get through his bowl of kibble each meal. He eats a few bites then runs off and sniffs or plays then returns to the bowl for more. His breeder mentioned he was a slow poke eater. The issue this creates is on the days when I work it's tough to get him fed, exercised and tolieted and ready for his crate when he stretches his meal over almost 2 hours. Anyone have thoughts?

Fabulous progress! Yay for the human!

About the food. Most of us don't tolerate the slow eater and we don't like food being down for so many reasons - another dog can eat it, a cat can, it can go "off", you don't know if he is sick or not.

Most of us have followed a 15-20 minute rule. What isn't eaten in that time is removed and ignored. The next meal is normal size (not bigger to compensate for what he didn't eat earlier). You keep at this until he starts to get Hungry...

In some cases it has taken a week. At least he is eating something. Are you feeding him an all stages food or a large breed puppy food? Does he like other foods? Since he likes the cow bone, maybe he would be better suited to raw food? He should be getting 3 meals/day right now, not 4 (just in case you are doing 4). As much water as he could need.

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Nubis'sDad

· #20 · Nov 6, 2011

I won't tolerate a dine and dash pup. I rather he finish it in one session, as prev stated.
What initially worked for me when getting Nubis Is my hand in the dog food so I imitated other dogs eating it by the noise,
Gradually we are now playing baseball, as its 3 times put away for a few seconds than told to finish. Of course I compensate in the next meal and praise. Today 2 strikes, he finished it all and now his resting at dads feet.
Prev dogs worked everytime.

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