re: Ever give up on a puppy?

I am on my sixth rescue but first puppy. I have never had a problem- the more love you give, the more gratitude they show. But with the puppy, we use the crate for sleeping and when we are not home as he chews. He goes to daycare during the day for socialization and to wear him out some. Everyday gets better. Go to a pro trainer and give him a chance. Or find him a home with someone who will. Some children do not love animals. You can't teach that. It isn't always easy. Dogs are as different as children.

Beatings will continue until morale improves....

One of my dogs, was a puppy someone gave up on. I got her when she was 4 or 5 months old. She is two now, I have another dog that is a year older than her, but the girl who had her before me got her for her daughter. The girl worked and during the day they would have to leave the dog in the kennel for 11-12 hrs a day, she is full of energy. She is a mixed breed, but its obvious she has some jack russell in her.

I had the girl bring the dog over to my house before I agreed, just so I could see how things would start off with her and my other dog. I told the girl I would more than likely take her, but asked if I could think it over for the rest of that weekend. Obviously I agreed. At first I had my work cut out for me, but the more time I spent with her the better she got. She is now one of the sweetest dogs. Still full of energy, but as a result my other dog gets a lot of exercise. Your dog is just a puppy and has probably not had much human social contact, you just have to take time with the dog. Get some of that spray for dogs that you spray in areas you dont want them piss & shite everywhere & take her outside often.

As soon as you get up in the morning take the pup outside. You want her to get use to doing her thing outside. Just take some time with her.

Training and teaching a dog has nothing to do with fear. You don't know what you're doing. Dogs are cousins of wolves, they are pack animals. Your family is the dog's pack. You have to be Alpha wolf. It's about your dog trusting you to lead the pack not about the dog fearing you.

Rarely comment, but the puppy threads always get my attention:
12 years ago I got a golden retriever puppy with hopes of her becoming a service dog for a family member. It was my choice to use clicker training because it is a kind method of training that even children can learn to use. Works like a charm, B.F. Skinner in action. All you need is a clicker, a couple of training books, and a huge dose of self-control. I think Petsmart still uses this method, but some of their trainers are better than others.

You must be absolutely consistent and never, ever resort to yelling or hitting. No exceptions. Measure out the dog's food for a day with a few treats mixed in and make the dog earn it's keep by following commands.

Accept the fact that a misbehaving dog is your fault. You have failed to communicate with your dog, don't understand its developmental needs, or how to manage its environment effectively. When my puppy and I were at an impasse, I had to stop and make plans for breaking the targeted behavior down into smaller parts. Trainers and reference books help with this.

For example, potty training begins with you taking the puppy outside on a leash at scheduled times after scheduled feedings or crate time. Give the chosen command word when you notice the puppy is about to go, click and reward as soon as he finishes. Once the puppy does his business, release from the leash for play. Control the environment inside so that the puppy is either crated or is carefully monitored. That continues until the puppy is developmentally ready to be successful with bladder control.

If I didn't know what to do about an unwanted behavior, I had to put her in a safe space so I could regroup before resorting to punishment, make a plan, and try again. Usually rewarding strings of rapid fire commands that she already knew made both of us feel better before we moved on to learning the new behavior.

I chose to not use a marker like Cesar Milan's "eh" noise for unwanted behaviors. Redirecting usually worked for me.

We transitioned away from treats and the clicker once she outgrew the rowdy teen stage. I pulled it out again several years later to teach a few hand signals to replace verbal commands.

Research about how to train to a crate correctly until your puppy matures and realize you will have to spend extra time to undo the unwanted behaviors that have developed.

If any family member isn't willing or able to follow through with the training plan, you have to accept total responsibility for training. Even though a total novice, I was able to train our dog to do some complex service dog tasks.

Unfortunately, she developed a health problem and couldn't be a service dog, but she has been a lovely pet.

You don't have a moral obligation to give this dog a happy life. Get rid of it and don't feel at all badly.

Ignore all of these people acting like its a crime to treat a dog like the property it is. You don't hold onto property that you don't want.

Give it to one of these dog worshippers in here who will evidently gladly take on the burden of raising an exceptionally stupid and problematic puppy.

And for the record I'm not saying beat the dog or make it miserable. I'm saying give it away.

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Ever give up on a puppy?
My wife and I made the largest mistake of our married life.

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Contact the foster owner you got it from. They understand that some people just can't handle dogs. They will either take her back or find another foster. Don't punish the dog. And don't get another one. A fish is probably best for you.

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uway

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Never get a dog.

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Never get a dog.

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Why? Because of my reality-based belief that we shouldn't treat other species as if they have human rights?

I will always own a dog. I will never treat a hopelessly wayward animal as I would treat a troubled child. It doesn't make sense to do that.