What pets do you have? Feel free to post pics!

[Joe Paul]

He's CUTE 

[paddbear0000]

Angela, give him some time to adjust to his new surroundings. That's most likely why he isn't eating or drinking much. It's not unusual. He's not peeing or pooping much because he's not eating or drinking much. He may also not like going outside to go because he's used to going on newspaper and he's confused. Have you tried the newspaper trick I told you about?

[Ang]

bird,dog,fish,crab.


in  the  past,  rabbits,hens,lizards.

[Chris]

Another thought is the dog food. If it is something different as in brand, that takes time to get use to also. Was he also brought up using a water bottle compared to a bowel of water is another thought along with getting use to new surroundings.

Good Luck

[angela515]

I had better luck today. He finished his bowl today, so that's a great start. He drank alot more today as well. He had 2 peeing accidents in the house today, but still managed to go outside as well, even #2! 

He fell asleep in my bed next to me while I was watching tv, so I put him in his crate, where he slept all night like a good lil puppy with no problems. When we awoke this morning I immediately took him outside where he did his business quickly, and then poured his water and food, he ate some drank some, took him out 20 minutes later and he went again.

paddbear- Yes, I am doing that and also looking for his tell tale signs he's gotta go so I can get on top of it right away. Also, I used a piece of yarn, and hung a little bell on the door that I use for him to go potty out of, and everytime I take him out, I help him ring it and I say potty and then take him out, my hope is to teach him this is to tell me he needs to go, I read it somewhere, I don't remember where though.

Chris- I have him on the same food he's been on since birth, I think he was just getting used to everything and his new home. Plus, we have 15 people in this house right now for the holiday, so.. until they leave, it's very loud and chaotic, I don't fully expect to get real comfy comfy until they been gone a few days and it's back to normal here.

Susie- Yes, I watch him. He is great.  Also, I did take the shirt off that night, and it's not been back on since... (however, he will wear it sometimes.. he didn't seem to dislike it one bit, so I think once in awhile is fine, but maybe not while I am potty training and he's getting used to everything, lol.)

[boxman55]

congrats on your new dog To me the sweater looks like a dress may be he is confused does he lift his leg or squat  just kidding...Boxman

[paddbear0000]

I tried the bell trick with Zoe, but she never took to it.

[angela515]

Just a little update: Cody is doing much better now that the house went from 15 people down to it's normal size of 6 people. 

He is eating, drinking, sleeping and he's even learned to ring the bell to say he wants outside, however he's only done it twice so far, but i'm so proud of him he seems to be learning quickly. He has learned to climb the stairs but not to go back down them yet, and he loves to cuddle and when it's playtime, boy does he love to play.

I'm so grateful to have him as part of my family now. 

[paddbear0000]

Okay, so who's lost ornaments or had decorations eaten thanks to their pets? I've already lost a glass ball ornament thanks to a tail, plus a tree branch (the tree is artificial) to teeth!

[Falkenbach]

I don't decorate for Xmas (too lazy) but I've heard plenty of stories of destruction - bull terriers can be pretty destructive without even meaning to. They are just so bulky and clumsy, and if they take it in mind to go bolting through the house, then they will - and you'd better not stand in the way or they'll just knock you over (same goes for Xmas trees!) 

I have heard stories of those glass ball ornaments being EATEN  (

[paddbear0000]

Yeah, Lab tails (or even lab/pit tails) are extremely destructive! They'll clean off your coffee table in a second! Or your tree. 

[kitkatz]

I lost the entire Christmas tree to cats who climbed it to the top and knocked it over on top of the dog.  Scared the dog out of her mind.

[Falkenbach]

Yeah, Lab tails (or even lab/pit tails) are extremely destructive! They'll clean off your coffee table in a second! Or your tree. 

  When I had my old bully/pit cross he used to clear the coffee table with his tail. He was just the right height. The remote controls and any glasses of water/coffee etc would all go flying. He didn't notice, the tail would just keep wagging.

[kidney4traci]

Angela - that is one CUTE pup!  Have fun!  Will try to get pictures of my two one here.  I have two Italian Greyhounds. 

[kidney4traci]

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/stephMAH/dogs.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

These are my two dogs, Shamu and Lucy.

[kidney4traci]

These are my two dogs, Shamu and Lucy.

[Chris]

Are those young greyhounds or the smaller Italian greyhounds? After adjusting the color of the picture on my computer, I could see them, but they seem smaller than the greyhounds I am use too, so just asking.

[kidney4traci]

They are miniature greyhounds.  The mom is the one without the hat, she is 7 years old and her pup Lucy is now almost 4.  They don't always wear outfilts, this was just on Thanksgiving and it was cold for Houston.  Can't imagine them having to "go" outside in the snow!  They would freeze, they don't have any fur really.   Also, they don't even like it when it rains, I have to make them go out then. 

[angela515]

Ok, so when I went to clinic last week... Cody scratched his way right out of his crate.. so it no longer zipped shut. Needless to say, I bought a new one, and the kind with a metal gate door instead of a zipper door. Now, getting him used to being in there is going to be hard, he of course whines and barks and scratches his hardest to try and get out... he *HATES* being left alone, if even for 1 minute (literally). Now I obviously have to try to get him used to by putting him in there while I am home for short intervals at a time... i'm just wondering how long this will take? I have blood draws to go to, and Saturdays we go grocery shopping... I have cub scout meetings with my son 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month and Pack meetings once a month on Friday... plus other dr visits and so on. Plus, i'm supposed to be crate training him for potty training as well, and because I was being a softy and didn't want to hear him cry I wasn't putting him in there and now I have no choice b/c he's making too many accidents in the house (both #1 and #2).. Soo... just want to get a ballpark figure of about how long this could take to get him used to it?

[paddbear0000]

Ok, so when I went to clinic last week... Cody scratched his way right out of his crate.. so it no longer zipped shut. Needless to say, I bought a new one, and the kind with a metal gate door instead of a zipper door. Now, getting him used to being in there is going to be hard, he of course whines and barks and scratches his hardest to try and get out... he *HATES* being left alone, if even for 1 minute (literally). Now I obviously have to try to get him used to by putting him in there while I am home for short intervals at a time... i'm just wondering how long this will take? I have blood draws to go to, and Saturdays we go grocery shopping... I have cub scout meetings with my son 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month and Pack meetings once a month on Friday... plus other dr visits and so on. Plus, i'm supposed to be crate training him for potty training as well, and because I was being a softy and didn't want to hear him cry I wasn't putting him in there and now I have no choice b/c he's making too many accidents in the house (both #1 and #2).. Soo... just want to get a ballpark figure of about how long this could take to get him used to it?

That is impossible to answer. It depends entirely on the dog himself. It could take days, weeks, or even never. Sorry, I know that's probably not what you want to hear!

[angela515]

Well,  , it wasn't, but then again it was, truth is better to know then a false reality. Thanks hun. 

[2_DallasCowboys]

Hi, Angela,

Cody is sure a sweetie!  I crate-trained
our youngest Shih Tzu, Rocky- it was the
best thing I ever did.  Our other two that
we had from puppies were very spoiled,
Nunzi was the worst about his potti training.
Our rescue S. Tzu Nicky was a wonderful
and well behaved little guy.
One thing I was told about the crate- do not
put the dog in with a collar on, it can proove
to be very dangerous to him, especially with the
metal cage type.
Sending hugs to your little guy,
Anne

[Aldente]

Ok, so when I went to clinic last week... Cody scratched his way right out of his crate.. so it no longer zipped shut. Needless to say, I bought a new one, and the kind with a metal gate door instead of a zipper door. Now, getting him used to being in there is going to be hard, he of course whines and barks and scratches his hardest to try and get out... he *HATES* being left alone, if even for 1 minute (literally). Now I obviously have to try to get him used to by putting him in there while I am home for short intervals at a time... i'm just wondering how long this will take? I have blood draws to go to, and Saturdays we go grocery shopping... I have cub scout meetings with my son 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month and Pack meetings once a month on Friday... plus other dr visits and so on. Plus, i'm supposed to be crate training him for potty training as well, and because I was being a softy and didn't want to hear him cry I wasn't putting him in there and now I have no choice b/c he's making too many accidents in the house (both #1 and #2).. Soo... just want to get a ballpark figure of about how long this could take to get him used to it?

I think you're on the right track when you place the dog in the crate while you are home.  You might also want to try and move the crate to where you watch TV or spend family time and put the dog in the crate while you are with him.  Extra special treats also help.  I learned to use pieces of cheese and slices of frankfurters (I never use the word hot dog when talking about pets  ) from a professional trainer. The crate should be a safe haven for your pet so never use it for a time out or when you might be angry.  We leave the crate door open and our dog often goes into the crate to take a nap.

Paddbear is right, however, it is difficult to say how long it will take.  Stick with the training routine and don't give in too quickly.  Animals, like children, try to wrap you around their finger (paw) with those big crocodile tears just to get their way.  Be firm and in control.

On a funny note, one day when my dog wouldn't leave my visiting two year old grandson alone, my grandson went into the crate just to get away.  If I didn't know any better I would say the dog was laughing with us.

[kidney4traci]

I agree, crating them seems to be hard at first ( harder on you because you have to listen to the yelping) but then they actually are better trained and actually seem to treat the crate as their "home" and feel very safe there.  You all will be happier in the long run.  It's alot like being a mom, just need to stick with the discipline and you will see results.  Hopefully sooner rather than later.  If you are the master like the Dog Whisperer says, that will help.  You can't let the little darlings run the house, they will pooh everywhere!  I have a dog door off our back door, so that helps, but at night we have to gate them into their room which is the laundry room right off the back door.  That way they don't have free reign of the house, but can go potty if they need to.  That has helped, and they don't cry at night.  It took us less than a week to train them to do that.

[paddbear0000]

I wouldn't suggest using hot dogs and cheese, like Aldente said. It can make your dog fat very fast and cause heart problems. Either use very tiny dry dog bone treats or a piece of their dog food. It's much better for them. And trust me, they still think the dog food is a treat. One of my dogs wouldn't even touch a brand of dog food at meals that we recently bought, but when we tried giving him pieces as treats, he loved it!