New puppy owner

[EmmaLouise87]

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Hello everyone.

New dog owner and hoping for a bit of much needed advice please.

I recently brought a shih-tzu/jack Russell mix dog which is now 9 weeks old. Had him for around a week. Got to admit when first brought him home he seemed too good to be true. Seemed very smart, didnt take long for him to pick up good toilet habits and didnt take long to get settled in his crate.

A week has passed and his behaviour is getting worse. Hes biting a lot more, not listening to commands and very hyper. Also taking him longer to get settled in crate. He seems to be a high energy dog so I try to keep him amused and play but he gets too hyper and wants to bite me.

Hes not had all of his jabs yet so cant take him out for walks. I try to run around in the garden with him. I make sure to reward him when good and try to show him when hes being bad.

Any advice on good ways to discipline a naughty hyper puppy please? Im scared of doing it wrong and it will scare him and he could hate me. Got to admit feeling very down and sad over it and worried he wont grow into a loving pet. Want to do the best for him.

Thanks for listening

 

[JudyN]

Don't worry - it's normal to feel out of your depth with a new puppy, and finding it difficult to deal with this whirlwind of teeth and energy!

First - he's absolutely not being naughty, he's just being a puppy. Everything is new to him and he is such a baby still. There's absolutely no need to discipline him - it's counterproductive. And it's too early to expect him to obey commands - it's better to call them 'cues' (because no one likes being commanded what to do) - even if he has learnt the words. They say if you teach a dog 'sit' in the kitchen, he only knows how to 'sit' in the kitchen - not in the front room, or the garden. And he won't be able to focus on your cue and sit if there's 101 other exciting things going on in his brain...

I'm guessing the most pressing problem is biting. Have a read of this article: Puppy biting

A good way to keep him entertained can be to give him a big cardboard box to shred - maybe fill it with smaller boxes/twists of paper with healthy dog treats in. Chew toys are good too - anything to keep him occupied and give him an alternative to shoes, chair legs, your legs and so on.

It would be worth getting a good puppy book: a couple of recommendations are Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann and The Puppy Primer by Patricia McConnell.

 

[JoanneF]

Hes not had all of his jabs yet so cant take him out for walks

He can't go on walks, but it's a really good idea to take him out tucked into your jacket so he starts to experience all of the sights and sounds of the wider world from a safe place. As long as his feet don't touch the floor he will be perfectly safe.

 

[EmmaLouise87]

Don't worry - it's normal to feel out of your depth with a new puppy, and finding it difficult to deal with this whirlwind of teeth and energy!

First - he's absolutely not being naughty, he's just being a puppy. Everything is new to him and he is such a baby still. There's absolutely no need to discipline him - it's counterproductive. And it's too early to expect him to obey commands - it's better to call them 'cues' (because no one likes being commanded what to do) - even if he has learnt the words. They say if you teach a dog 'sit' in the kitchen, he only knows how to 'sit' in the kitchen - not in the front room, or the garden. And he won't be able to focus on your cue and sit if there's 101 other exciting things going on in his brain...

I'm guessing the most pressing problem is biting. Have a read of this article: Puppy biting

A good way to keep him entertained can be to give him a big cardboard box to shred - maybe fill it with smaller boxes/twists of paper with healthy dog treats in. Chew toys are good too - anything to keep him occupied and give him an alternative to shoes, chair legs, your legs and so on.

It would be worth getting a good puppy book: a couple of recommendations are Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann and The Puppy Primer by Patricia McConnell.

Thanks for the advice. Course I dont want to discipline him but want to teach him to behave and its not ok to bite. He actually drew blood and making me nervous which isnt good for either of us. I am struggling so much at the moment, always worried im doing the wrong thing. Feeling overwhelmed with all of the information out there on the internet.

Is cardboard safe for him to chew? would he try to swallow it? Worry about him choking on things. x

 

[EmmaLouise87]

He can't go on walks, but it's a really good idea to take him out tucked into your jacket so he starts to experience all of the sights and sounds of the wider world from a safe place. As long as his feet don't touch the floor he will be perfectly safe.

Hello. Well I had started to go out with him, carrying him and for first couple of times he loved it but now he wriggles too much and worried its stressing him out x

 

[JoanneF]

If you think he is stressed, whatever you are close to (people, traffic, sounds, other dogs - anything) might be too close for him to cope with. Try going out at quieter times or stay further away from the things that might be causing this. Always try to work within his comfort zone, you cannot resolve anxiety while the dog is in a state of anxiety.

 

[EmmaLouise87]

I dont think he is stressed/anxious with noise. He seems actually quite fearless. I think he simply wants to get on the floor and explore which of course he cant at the moment

 

[JudyN]

If you're worried about the cardboard, give him something small - say the inside of a loo roll - and watch carefully. My dog always spat it out, but of course some dogs will eat anything.

Remember that people managed to bring up puppies successfully before the days of forums and the internet, before we could go out and buy books about it, and all through the days when we were told we had to be 'alpha', 'leader of the pack', and so on, and choke chains seemed like a good idea. And you wouldn't expect a 6-month-old human baby to know how to behave, or a toddler to be good even when they're really excited, or tired. The best way to teach him not to bite is for the fun to stop when he does it - turn and walk away, shut a stairgate behind you, and don't say anything. Then go back and when he bites, do it again, and again, and again... He will learn, but it will take time. Some people find giving a sharp yelp and then turning away works, but this gets some dogs worked up more. I'm guessing this is more likely to be the case with a terrier cross. Do read the link I gave on puppy biting though, there's more there.

And try to enjoy him - puppies can be full-on little sharp-toothed demons but they are also great fun!

 

[JudyN]

Oh, and just to add - like toddlers, puppies can have full-on tantrums. And like toddlers, you're better off just ignoring them (and trying to work out how to avoid the situation in the future).

 

[JoanneF]

If you think he is stressed, whatever you are close to (people, traffic, sounds, other dogs - anything) might be too close for him to cope with. Try going out at quieter times or stay further away from the things that might be causing this. Always try to work within his comfort zone, you cannot resolve anxiety while the dog is in a state of anxiety.

So frustration rather than anxiety maybe.

Again,you could keep him far enough away that he is aware, but not getting worked up.

By the way, payment for advice is taken in puppy pictures ...

 

[EmmaLouise87]

So frustration rather than anxiety maybe.

Again,you could keep him far enough away that he is aware, but not getting worked up.

By the way, payment for advice is taken in puppy pictures ...

Happy to share. Thanks for advice x

 

[EmmaLouise87]

If you're worried about the cardboard, give him something small - say the inside of a loo roll - and watch carefully. My dog always spat it out, but of course some dogs will eat anything.

Remember that people managed to bring up puppies successfully before the days of forums and the internet, before we could go out and buy books about it, and all through the days when we were told we had to be 'alpha', 'leader of the pack', and so on, and choke chains seemed like a good idea. And you wouldn't expect a 6-month-old human baby to know how to behave, or a toddler to be good even when they're really excited, or tired. The best way to teach him not to bite is for the fun to stop when he does it - turn and walk away, shut a stairgate behind you, and don't say anything. Then go back and when he bites, do it again, and again, and again... He will learn, but it will take time. Some people find giving a sharp yelp and then turning away works, but this gets some dogs worked up more. I'm guessing this is more likely to be the case with a terrier cross. Do read the link I gave on puppy biting though, there's more there.

And try to enjoy him - puppies can be full-on little sharp-toothed demons but they are also great fun!

Thanks for the advice. Maybe I am trying too hard and I do worry a lot. Think for sure he will be so much better when can take him for walks. my friend has the same mixed breed and hes a lovely dog x

 

[JudyN]

Oh, he is lovely, but he does look like a rascal! What are you feeding him, by the way? Some foods can make dogs more hyper.

 

[EmmaLouise87]

Oh, he is lovely, but he does look like a rascal! What are you feeding him, by the way? Some foods can make dogs more hyper.

Thank you yes he is a confident little pup lol. At the moment he is on puppy dry food pellets (salmon and potato kind) but trying to bring in soft food now. He has a very short attention span so hard to feed him and keep him on a strict feeding routine.

Do you think its a good idea to set 3 feeding times a day. Give him around an hour to eat and if not throw away? Finding it hard to keep track on how much hes eaten at the moment because hes on and off all day x

 

[JudyN]

The usual advice is to feed four times a day till they are 4 months, then 3 times a day till 6 months, and 2 times a day after that. I think it's better to give him a set amount of time and then lift it - hopefully he will then be hungry for the next meal and eat it straight away. 'Grazing' isn't ideal for a dog's digestion, and some dogs can be stressed knowing there is 'unguarded' food just lying around.

How long to leave the bowl down, I'm not sure, as my dog would always hoover up the food as soon as I put it down!

 

[EmmaLouise87]

The usual advice is to feed four times a day till they are 4 months, then 3 times a day till 6 months, and 2 times a day after that. I think it's better to give him a set amount of time and then lift it - hopefully he will then be hungry for the next meal and eat it straight away. 'Grazing' isn't ideal for a dog's digestion, and some dogs can be stressed knowing there is 'unguarded' food just lying around.

How long to leave the bowl down, I'm not sure, as my dog would always hoover up the food as soon as I put it down!

Ok thank you kindly for the advice

 

[JoanneF]

He has a very short attention span

That's puppies for you!

 

[Finsky]

I used to get rid some of the hyper energy with my pups by holding onto a rope/sock and letting the dog do the hard work by having good tuck and pull of it. Every so often I would give a little shake of the rope to encourage the dog to tackle it even more...you can do this even when you are sitting down watching telly! And after good 'work out' I would then go lie down on floor with the pup and holding a longer lasting chew for it. The 'together' chewing session would calm the pup down and the same time I could sneak in few kisses and rub my face into the pups soft coat while it would chew away Once the pup was calmed down from the energetic play and got tired of chewing...I would guide it to its bed/cage for a nap. We used to do that almost daily...and now that mine are grown up, I still do same every so often. It is nice bonding activity.
Tired puppies can be monsters so make sure it gets enough sleep. Sometimes they just don't sleep enough for their own good and you will need to 'help' with it.
The playing and chewing also takes its mind away from other things it might want to do that you are not particularly keen. If it keeps its jaws busy on the chew...it will nip you much less. Lot of the interaction with pups involve distraction tricks...it is best way to get to do something else as they are naturally interested what you are doing...if they are bored, they will seek to do something to make it less so.
Yes it is hard work to keep puppy occupied and out of mischief..but this most tiring time 'only' last 6-8 months and then they start to settle to little bit more sensible stage of development. Try to relax and enjoy your pup's cheekiness.. laugh at all the funny things it does. Time goes quickly by when you are having fun and you will be soon missing it all! Take a lot of photos to remind you of this time..it is funny how our minds erase lot of details and only remember the big picture.

 

[lurcherman]

Judy and Joanne are spot on , also a terrier will give you a bit of grief, now, and later, when older you can be firmer in your commands, I walked a x jack who was a pain who wanted to attack on lead 90% of dogs it seen, she still does that with owner and daughter , not with me ! You got to not give a terrier a inch when there’s a problem, I’m firm, I’m spot on before the possible attack and at times deep voice vocal with a check on lead, best of luck in your journey, stay focused and consistent .

 

[EmmaLouise87]

Judy and Joanne are spot on , also a terrier will give you a bit of grief, now, and later, when older you can be firmer in your commands, I walked a x jack who was a pain who wanted to attack on lead 90% of dogs it seen, she still does that with owner and daughter , not with me ! You got to not give a terrier a inch when there’s a problem, I’m firm, I’m spot on before the possible attack and at times deep voice vocal with a check on lead, best of luck in your journey, stay focused and consistent .

Thanks for the advice. Had a better day today