*Potential News* update :) having some issues

[chocolatepuppy]

I still miss Sassy alot, there are times when I feel nothing has changed and she's still here. I still find little traces of her around here, and every time I do it breaks my heart that she died so young, I hope she isn't mad. He won't replace her, no one will, she was her own kind of dog, very different from any dog I've ever met. Miss and love you my little character, thanks for sending us our new angel.

Sassy won't be mad Alyssa. She'll be happy to see you happy again. There's plenty of room in your heart to still love her and to love your new dog.
I'm so happy for you! Can't wait to see more pics of Mikey!

[Moesha]

I am very happy for you too. Being able to help another dog in need is a very noble thing to do. We all know Sassy isn't being replaced. You are just giving another dog a different part of your heart.

[Alysser]

Hi guys, sorry I couldn't update straight away! We picked up Mikey, he's about 30 lbs, such a cute little man He came with most of the stuff we need, we just need new tags and a tie out for the yard, and a posture dish. He hasn't been the best dog, but not that bad. It's only his first day and he must be a little confused. He is adjusting well. He peed on the carpet 3 times -.-, the first being when he came RIGHT into the house. He is potty trained though. He's such a sweetie though, a true character at best. I can't desribe all of this in one post I just hope he gets used to us. He also stole my moms slippers and my shoes, which we all thought was funny. He's being crated for now at night and when we aren't home and he isn't allowed upstairs yet. I took 33 pics, here's 8 of them:
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...19#post2192919
Hiya! close up of his handsome face.

On the way home:




Rubber chicken!!!!

[Alysser]

He's a bit abnormal, his favorite spot on the couch is the back of the couch, not the actual cushion


You gots frito feet!


I thought this pic was funny, he looks like he just passed out from being wasted LOL. That's a toy by the way not, real beer. lol


handsome young man, king of the hill.

By the way, his birthday is on tuesday!

[Alysser]

Thank you guys so much for the comments on Mikey. I cannot get over how adorable he is. NO accidents in the house today. Yes, I just knocked on wood. He did have a bit of a humping issue a little while ago, after saying no and not listening I decided to use the squirt bottle method. Worked like a charm. He follows ME everywhere, he's a velcro dog. I love him so much. I'm not gonna say he's my heart doggie yet, I'd like a sign but he is certainly "clicked" with him. He happens to be from a breeder, which of course you all know I discourage with a passion, but it was not me who bought him. Apparently, he might have ended up in a shelter. To me I adopted him. He's such a sweetie. He just put his head on my knee and looked me in the eyes..Awww

ETA: I forgot to mention. He was purchased(i have his papers) on December 26th, Sassy's birthday. I think that's a good sign right there!

[Riptide]

ETA: I forgot to mention. He was purchased(i have his papers) on December 26th, Sassy's birthday. I think that's a good sign right there!

I think someone definitely wanted you to have this dog Congratulations, he is adorable!

[MonicanHonda]

What a cutie. Lol I love the back of the couch position. My fave. haha

[Alysser]

Thanks guys!

I appreciate it, I really do


I need some help though. Overall, Mikey is a pretty good dog. But he doesn't listen, he steals things such as pillows and shoes. He already ruined a pair of old sandals that my mom had, she didn't really care about that, but he doesn't listen either. I don't know how to stop this. I think he's just looking for attention because if we ignore him he leaves it alone, but I dont want to "ignore" him because he's going to keep thinking it's okay to do it.


Now a second problem. He peed in the house 5 times now. I was told by the women he was potty trianed. I know he's still adjusting. But I need advice...we don't know any sure way of when he has to pee/poop. I've been taking him in the front and back for peeing and pooping and pottying. Should I just take him in one spot? What do I do when he does pee in the house? I am so confused. I was 5 when we got sassy so I don't know how my mom trained her. I know hitting and yelling isn't a way to train a dog, and I haven't done it, but I would like to know the best option. He is apparently potty trained and then he pees in the house. He's 2 years old.

[beeniesmom]

When I housetrained Beenie and Frankie, I had them tethered to me with a leash at all times. Once an hour, I'd take them out and after they did business outside I'd make a big deal about it and squeal and give small treat. Over time, increase time to 2 hours then 3 then 4 etc...

When a mess happens in the house and you catch them WHILE THEY DO IT, you scold: BAD DOG in firm voice and take him outside to finish.

Mickey just doesn't know where to go yet... that's all. It's a new house.
Also, is he neutered... he may be trying to make the house smell like him since it's a new place. Males that are not neutered tend to do this more.

[Seravieve]

Congrats on the new pup! How exciting!

I know how frustrating it is when they keep going in the house.. When we had Mia and then Treo, they both peed several times within the first few days. Mia peed twice on our bed and several times in other various places. Then Treo peed once on the bed.. and also several other places. She did it in the middle of the night as well, even though she was restrained to one little 2.5x2.5 area, including a dog bed.

I agree with BeeniesMom, tethering and going outside more frequently works. And definitely praising as well. Stay outside until he'll go.

When Treo peed in the house, we'd bring her back to the spot, say a firm No or two, roll her over and then take her outside. I only caught her in the act once... I screamed to get her attention, in hopes that she'd stop, and rushed her outside. It only took a week or so before she quit going in the house. We were letting her out in the middle of the night there for a while, but now she can hold it from 930 or so until 715ish in the morning. It takes time, but they all figure it out eventually! =)

[Taz_Zoee]

We got Taggart when he was 6 months old and had no clue if he was potty trained or not. He did have several accidents in the first few months. Now that boy has a bladder of steel. He can hold it longer than Zoee.

BUT, last weekend when he was at my brothers, my parents live right next door to my brother, and Taggart was at my parents house. He actually lifted his leg and started to pee on my moms couch! When she told me that I said no way, he doesn't lift his leg to pee. He still squats. She said her and my niece both saw him do it. The only thing I can think of is he must have smelled Sprite, my moms found dog, on the couch. I couldn't believe it! I was so glad he was still squatting to pee because I don't want a dog peeing on everything like our Cocker did.

Anyway, it will take time for him to adjust to your house and your rules. Consistency is the key. And I would probably take him out the same door each time to potty. Then he'll learn to go to that door when he wants out. And as others said, praise, praise, praise when he goes outside. I wouldn't punish when he goes inside. But I'd probably yell, or make a loud noise, if I caught him in the act just to startle him so you can get him outside.

[Casper]

We had the same problem when we first adopted Ethan (regarding peeing inside). The only thing that worked for him was to take him outside religiously every 45 minutes. Luckily he would hold it at night.

He soon taught us that when he nudges our hand he needs to go out, so life is a lot easier these days.

About Mikey's stealing and chewing things. Gosh, I don't know. Ethan went through that phase, but outgrew it quickly... I don't remember how we solved that problem.

Is there any way that you can confine Mikey to only certain rooms of the house? For instance, we keep a baby gate up so our dogs are no allowed to go down the hallway or in the kitchen unless we are with them. This might eliminate the chances he gets to get his "hands" on things he isn't supposed to have.
If he is bored, maybe a kong filled with treats will keep him from being destructive.

Good luck, It sounds like Mikey never sleeps!

[Daisy and Delilah]

I had the same problem with Delilah. The lady I got her from said she was potty trained but I wasn't seeing it.

It was a long hard road to do it but I finally got her trained. It boiled down to watching her all the time and taking her out every hour(I still do). I have the luxury of being able to do that right now but not everyone does. I actually had the carpet taken out and laminate flooring installed because of all the "accidents". Thank goodness she's fine now. I know she was basically terrified when she came here because of a new place. Now, she owns the house, I just visit her.

I noticed there was a baby gate at her former owner's house. The two dogs were confined to a certain area when they weren't around.

My Chis never chew anything so I really have no experience with that.

Alyssa, I think Mikey might just be getting used to his new home. He's still confused, That was what I thought about Delilah too. Hopefully things will level out soon. He is such a cute little boy.