[NuckingFutz]

I got a puppy about 3 weeks ago. Still getting to know eachother, trust, bonding that kind of thing. When I figure out how to get his picture on here, I will post it. He is a little pup, a Chuaua (can't spell). I was told that he was found in the lobby of the apartments without a collar. A week after that one of the employees said she knows who's dog it is and she called him to come pick up the dog. So I waited for like 15 minutes for this guy to show up. During that time, the clerk told me that the owner didn't want the dog as he was more of a cat person.

The guy finally showed up with his collar and leash (it was way too big for this little guy, could have slipped his collar so easily). I asked the owner if he wanted the dog and he asked if I wanted him and I said yes. So I get to keep the dog. He even has his registration and vaccine tag. So for the past few weeks this little dog has taught me a lot. He's taught me that someone has been smacking him on the head if he had a potty accident in the house. He would flinch if I put my hand near his head to touch him. Still does sometimes.

Upon further examination of this "dog", I checked his mouth and found that his molars had barely crowned, light bulb moment, this dog isn't a dog, it's a dog about 7 months old...surprise! Oh boy, someone hit a helpless puppy in their attempts to potty train him. I hate people like that. That is the number one reason people turn their pet into a shelter... pet owner and pet didn't connect on the potty training (which will happen if you hit a dog for an accident instead of using puppy pads and crate training. I am being patient. The results have been so far is that he doesn't pee in the house anymore. I think the real trauma came with the poop. I am taking him out about 5-6 times a day and he will pee, but when it comes to pooping, not much success. I get the poop on the puppy pads, occassionally he will go poo outside, but this is not an everyday occurance. I know it's only been 3 weeks and he was traumatized, but I am getting frustrated with myself (and not taking it out on puppy) and don't know what to do next. Currently, when I see poop on his pad (he always does this when I am not around), I take the pad and pick it up and take it and the puppy outside. Do I just wait for this to just click in his brain?

I have also replaced his old yucky collar with the gentle lead collar (he's still getting use to it, but it's fit correctly and I know he needs to get use to that as well).

So now he's got a new mommy, seems to like me and I like his gentle puppy spirit (to be really honest here, this dog is really ugly but I am trying to focus on the inside spirit of this dog). As a new mommy, he now has been changed from regular dog chow to Science Diet puppy formula, has real toys (throw toys, chew toys, plush toys, an old pair of my socks, raw hides for lil' fellas. And he probably gets taken out a whole lot more than when he was with his previous owner (I think 4-5 times a day is about right).

So, if anyone can give me feedback on how I'm doing as a new puppy mom (this is so not the Persian cat experience I was hoping for). I would never give him up though. I did save his life. If the apartment manager had not have found someone like me to take him and care for him, I think he'd be old news in the bio hazardous waste bin at the local animal kill shelter.

Anyway, any thoughts you have for a new pup mom? I'd really appreciate it.

Oh bless you for taking the poor little critter in...sounded like he needed someone just like you! And I loathe people who mistreat animals, too...

And gentle leaders really are the best to walk dogs on...you have the most control and they can't hurt themselves (although they often find them annoying.) My now ex-boyfriend got one for his beagle/lab mix and she never pulled me down again when chasing a squirrel, whew.

As for the poop, if he's got the pee thing down, I would ask the vet for sure. There is usually at least one vet in every clinic that specializes in cat and/or dog behavior and can advise you. The fact the dog differentiates between one or the other as far as knowing what to do makes it a far more complicated question. Most likely he is traumatized as you say, and I wouldn't even know how to get around that, except to give him a treat when he poops outside to give him the idea that something good happens when he does that on a walk.

What's your new addition's name?

[NuckingFutz]

Ah, yes, his name is Shlomo. It's an old Yiddish name from Europe. Will post pics of him soon...almost bed time and will be checking out chat before I sleep.

Thank you for your encouragement!

[Sabrina]

Oh he sounds precious. Thank you for taking him in, the poor little thing. I'm sure you are going to bring each other much joy.

[gayleggg]

Thank you for taking in the little guy. Sounds like he had had a rough life up until then. Sounds like you are doing everything right. You didn't say if you were taking him for walks but sometimes walking them will bring on the urge to poop, especially after they eat. I have trouble with my maltese. Due to my husband giving treats after they go outside to potty, unfortunately, it make my little gut always in a hurry to get back inside. Then later have accidents. That is a husband trainging problem rather than a dog training problem. We still have issues because my husband doesn't make him stay out long enough to get his business done. I work so my husband is the main caretaker and he loves him to death but is a bad influence. We also didn't adopt the little guy until he was 10 years old and serendered to the shelter. Good luck. There is nothing like the love of an animal.
Gayle

[NuckingFutz]

I finally talked to someone that had also had a suggestion I hadn't thought of (he lives in my complex and knows that the puppy potty place is also a "puppy party place" as many dogs can be out at once and want to play with one another.

There is a park across the street and it was recommended to take my little Shlomo there and walk him until he does his business and then do the treat thing as you all say. He says just take the time in the morning walk and the dinner walk (we have 4 walks a day, everyday around the same time). I will let you all know how this goes as I will be taking him on a long walk for dinner walks tonight.

Thanks for sharing your recommendations and will use these as well. I also appreciate the support you have shown for me taking the little guy in. Have to go now, we are playing throw and fetch (he's so good at that and I enjoy the sound of his little feet hitting the floor so fast, it's so cute).

[unaluna]

What a great name!! It's definitely a big man's name! For a Chihuahua. That is great. Can't wait to see pics. Sounds like you are a good mom.

[lizardlady]

As others have said, thank you for giving him a loving home!

It sounds like you are doing everything right to help him learn about pooping outside.

[avlady]

That's good news hearing there are people like you out there!!!You are definately blessed to have taken this puppy in your home and caring for it. Nice name too!!

[NuckingFutz]

Still working on the pooping training...this is going to take a while.

In attempt to better understand the nature of the problem, I ordered some material over the internet (uh-oh, drum roll please) to help me specifically with my chihuahua and even if they have special needs (the previous abusive owner). So I ordered the material and something just seemed "off". The information was what one would expect from a dog training manual, but too generic. I found out after discovering some strange wording (like someone who was using a different language ran the info through a virtual translator. Come to find out after paying $37.00 that I got ripped off from a couple of guys over in India looking to scam people who need help training their pets! I did a review about their company from other customers and found out I will not get the money back from them even though they guaranteed it, but had I never discovered the problem, I would have been charged $37 every month to be part of their "elete" dog owner's club. I'm glad I caught it when I did!

So if anyone out there is looking for some dog training material, do not go anywhere near trainpetdog.com. If you see it, run! They have a fantastic marketing website with even marketing toward your particular breed of dog, with pressure and time limits to order at their "special price before midnight tonight". I went ahead and ordered before I looked at the reviews from people. I thought it was odd that when I paid for the course the green verisign lock didn't appear.

I immediately requested the money back from them via their "problem ticket" system as they have a 180 day money back "guarantee". Since they are based in India and other overseas places, there is not a whole lot the US Govt can do about it except warn people.

Aside from that, I'm trying to do the best for my little one. But after that incident with the dog trainer stuff, I found a lot more legit stuff (and free info) on what can be the cause of the "pooh" issue with Shlomo. I think he was hit and yelled at when he would pooh in the house (probably because the person didn't take the puppy out after he made a mess. I have noticed the little guy going pooh inside only when I'm not around.

It was recommended to me by a free website that I actually leash the dog to me (by putting the other end of the leash in my pocket when I am home) I'll be home a lot in the near future. That way, Shlomo can't go find a place away from me to go pooh and will have to go do pooh outside until he learns that poohing isn't bad, it's just not good to do it in the house.

[lizardlady]

This sounds kinda weird, but I wonder if when you find that he pooped in the house if you took him and the poop out side would he get the idea that poop goes outside?

Or, you said he is using the potty pads in the house, right? What about putting a potty pad on the ground outside when you take him out to poop? Praise him to the sky whne he poops on the pad outside. Once he gets the idea to poop on the pad outside keep making the pad smaller and smaller until it's gone.

[spondiferous]

I can't wait to see pics of him. I bet he's a little cutie.
I think that routine is the key to anything. I think like you said, it is going to be a long haul. It can be difficult to heal the neural pathways created by abuse and how animals relate abuse to certain things (even humans)...but I think it'll be okay.

[Open Eyes]

I found that when I took my shitzu's out and they poo'd I told them what they were doing as they did it and then told them "good boy". I also repeated "outside" so they came to understand what that meant too.

It just took time and "simple" words "repeated" until they understood the word and what "I" wanted. 7 months is still very young when it comes to a dog so just be patient.

Just a forewarning though, little dogs are known to have accidents in the house as they can't hold it as long as bigger dogs. You should have a set schedule of feeding and then taking the puppy outside to pee and poo.

I got to know some women that bred and raised chiwawa's (sp?) and they always had to have wee wee pads in the house because these dogs are on the nervous side and tend to "have accidents". Just so you don't think it is "you".

OE

[NuckingFutz]

I guess I don't have time for inpatients anymore. I have been doing everything but taking the puppy pads outside...I will try that. I praise and don't scold (I think that's why I'm having a difficult time with him now). Patients IS key.

He gets the praise and the rewards and kind words at the right times. Does everything right except the pooh thing. He pees outside.

Yesterday was kind of funny. Went outside with him for about an hour. Lots of pee, no pooh. Got in the house, got him a treat and then...he went into the bedroom while I was getting some water and he pooped (on his pads of course).

Going to the park again tonight with Shlomo and a puppy pad.