Need tips for raising a happy, healthy puppy

I have some questions on puppy behavior because I have never had a puppy before, (*though enjoying every minute of it).

1. Maggie is glued to your side if you walk around outside or bring her inside, but when you leave her alone outside she starts crying and barking, I feel so bad when I have to put her outside, is there anyway to stop all the crying?

2. Maggie HATES a leash and collor. If you put her collor on her she sits and scratches her neck all the time, and when you put on the leash she wont walk and she bites it.

3. If you put her in her crate she will sit there and cry and bark until you let her out, how do I stop this?

4. When you play with Maggie or hold her she trys to bite your hands and she growls at them if you try pet her face, if she bites my hands I take them away from her and replace them with a toy, am I doing this right.

5. What age do puppies start teething and how long does it last?


I hope you guys can answer all of my questions (I know all you smart people will be able to.)

#3 - Try putting a dirty (already worn) article of clothing in there. That way she will be able to smell you. Also, make sure you have plenty of toys in there for her to play with. If you leave the room, turn on a radio for her to listen to.

#4 - Yes! You are doing this right. Maybe tell her no when she trys to bite your hands. Do not whip them away from her-- she may think that you are playing.


I am sure other people can help you with the other questions, and make sure you buy a puppy book! (I probably have one for you, also.)

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Originally posted by Toby's my baby

1. Maggie is glued to your side if you walk around outside or bring her inside, but when you leave her alone outside she starts crying and barking, I feel so bad when I have to put her outside, is there anyway to stop all the crying?

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The only way to stop it is getting her used to it. Give her a toy or something to occupy her outside, then leave her out for a set time (10 minutes at first, perhaps) and do NOT let her back in until that time is up, no matter how she cries. (Put on headphones with loud music if you have to!) Then increase the time gradually. Do NOT make a big fuss over when she comes back in. That would make it rewarding to cry her way in.

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2. Maggie HATES a leash and collor. If you put her collor on her she sits and scratches her neck all the time, and when you put on the leash she wont walk and she bites it.

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Try a softer feeling collar, make sure it's not too tight. She WILL get used to it, if it is there all the time. Just watch her carefully, make sure she doesn't get a foot stuck in it or anything.

Then, once she's used to the collar, you can add the leash. Again, don't give up, don't reward bad behavior. She's a pup, she'll adapt. Stay strong!

Any chance of taking her to puppy kindergarten?

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3. If you put her in her crate she will sit there and cry and bark until you let her out, how do I stop this?

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Same as #1. Give her something to do, a chewy or something, then do NOT let her out until you decide it's time to. She'll get bored of whining eventually.

Thank you so much for the information you have given me, Maggie has several new toys and we keep toys in her crate and outside and in the house all over.

Her leash and collar behavior is getting worse. If you try to put a collor or ever touch the back or front of her neck she growls aggresivly. It isnt her normal playful growl it sounds like she is going to attack you, PLEASE help me with ANY information that you can give me, Thank you!!

Hiya,


I would like to know how old the puppy is.

Apart from that I have not read the other answers you have been given so, as usual, if I repeat or go against what has been said it is not intentional.

The age of the pup is crucial to understand the following behaviour.

The crate is understandable at any age - the theory behind crate training is deeply flawed, in my opinion. As a pack animal that is rarely a sole babe, being shut away from the family that is trying to intergrate it is deeply damaging.

The pup learns nothing, is lonely, and may become protective of , what it sees as, "it's own space". Wild dogs have no such thing.

I have been away from this site for some time and am aware that different opinions cause friction - if you wish to email or PM for more info please feel free.

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Originally posted by carrie
Hiya,


The crate is understandable at any age - the theory behind crate training is deeply flawed, in my opinion. As a pack animal that is rarely a sole babe, being shut away from the family that is trying to intergrate it is deeply damaging.

The pup learns nothing, is lonely, and may become protective of , what it sees as, "it's own space". Wild dogs have no such thing.

I have been away from this site for some time and am aware that different opinions cause friction - if you wish to email or PM for more info please feel free.

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Hi Carrie,

Just want to say that I agree with you about crates. Not just
the crates themselves, but the way they are used in almost every
aspect of "in the house" behavior of dogs. There are however
many people (not dogs) who say that using the crate has helped
train their dogs to be more pleasant to live with.:D Liz & Smokey.

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Originally posted by Toby's my baby
Thank you so much for the information you have given me, Maggie has several new toys and we keep toys in her crate and outside and in the house all over.

Her leash and collar behavior is getting worse. If you try to put a collor or ever touch the back or front of her neck she growls aggresivly. It isnt her normal playful growl it sounds like she is going to attack you, PLEASE help me with ANY information that you can give me, Thank you!!

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You have some great advice & I think she has some behavioral issues that could easily be solved. But since you say it is especially bad & getting worse with her neck area it may be possible she has an injury that affects her neck, like a neck or back injury, maybe even a shoulder injury. Can you notice anything abnormal with that area? Does it seem to bother her like an injury would?
Good luck!

Maggie is 8weeks old

As far as I know she hasnt had any injuries to her back or shoulder, when she sits up she sometimes falls on her back, maybe she hurt it when rolling over or falling down?

I am going to make a vet appt. for tomorrow if possible to get her shots and see if she has had any injuries.

Yesterday, I went over to get to know Maggie a little better. When I would pick Maggie up, she would nip and bite at anything she could get her teeth on. Of course, I was holding her toy, she I showed it to her. She gave her toy a quick nip and then started squirming and whining to get down. I tried to make her stop by putting her down and giving her something that she COULD chew on, but the biting did not stop. When she tried to nip me again, I said, 'Hey!', or 'Ouch!'.

Any tips for the biting?


Let us know how the vet app. goes, Beth!

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Originally posted by carrie
The crate is understandable at any age - the theory behind crate training is deeply flawed, in my opinion. As a pack animal that is rarely a sole babe, being shut away from the family that is trying to intergrate it is deeply damaging.

The pup learns nothing, is lonely, and may become protective of , what it sees as, "it's own space". Wild dogs have no such thing.

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I'm just curious as to how it's deeply damaging to use a crate? I'm not agreeing or disagreeing. Just wondering where you have gotten that information from and if you have any sites that support your belief? Or any experiences where crated dogs are damaged?

I'm using a crate for my puppy, and, he and I both like it. Again, I'm not arguing, just very interested in your opinion, and, how it's damaging to my Finn to have a crate.