7 week old puppy adjusting to new home

[Hayden]

Alright so I've brought home Odin and he's a little young. Is afraid of going outside so it's hard for him to potty out there. All he wants is to be picked up or hide between my feet. Any advice on this?
I have the kitchen gated off but he screams when left alone for even a second. If he's not in my lap he's whimpering.

 

[Regalis]

As I said in the other post - this is pretty normal for his age. You have to be strong and consistent. You can not baby or coddle him as it reinforces the behaivor/fear. He HAS to learn how to be left alone. Ignore his crying and he will learn. If you give in, he will only learn that throwing a fit gets him attention and/or what he wants.

For outside - find a treat or toy he really likes. Use this to encourage him to explore along with acting/sounding excited. Here again, babying or coddling will only reinforce his fear and lead to bigger issues down the road. Lots and lots and lots of positive exposure. Keep it short so as to not overwhelm him. I'd also try to introduce him to as many new people as possible so that he doesn't end up fearful of strangers.

It will be challenging for a little bit. But consistency and patience will reward you with a happy, balanced pup.

 

[squeedobie]

As I said in the other post - this is pretty normal for his age. You have to be strong and consistent. You can not baby or coddle him as it reinforces the behaivor/fear. He HAS to learn how to be left alone. Ignore his crying and he will learn. If you give in, he will only learn that throwing a fit gets him attention and/or what he wants.

I cannot agree with this more. I mentioned in another one of your posts that Blitz throws epic ragefits when I kennel him to leave, or kennel him for any length of time period. I am working at it now, but it's hard and I have a long haul ahead of me. It has been 12+ years since I last raised a puppy and forgot (was spoiled by my previous doberboy) how crucial it is to institute puppy basics when you first bring home your puppy.

Please, the best thing you can do for your pup is to teach him to be dependent and confident and that starts with not babying him when he exhibits those behaviors you mentioned. Don't coddle him when he cries. Distract him with a toy. Pay no attention when he seeks attention because of something new/strange. Encourage him to investigate it and build his confidence by exposing him to new things. Whatever you do, do NOT not-socialize him because you think it's "too much" for him. You'll only create a fear-aggressive (and extremely unhappy) dog with the potential to do massive damage.

 

[My2Girls]

But just remember he still doesn't have all his shots yet so keep the outings to safe places. (Home Depot/Lowes in a cart with towel on the bottom, or any of the Bass Pro shops/ Cabela's).

 

[JanS]

I agree, he's young and in a totally different environment so it's going to take patience and consistency, but he will get through it.

But just remember he still doesn't have all his shots yet so keep the outings to safe places. (Home Depot/Lowes in a cart with towel on the bottom

Yes, this is a very important point to stress. I carried our pups everywhere in public places until they had their last set of shots.

 

[squeedobie]

Very good point, @My2Girls! If you have a Tractor Supply they also allow dogs in (leashed). Until your puppy gets a little bigger, it's probably a good idea to put them in a cart with a towel like My2Girls suggested.

 

[Lucian]

Hi Hayden
I brought my little guy home too early too. He was also only 7 weeks old. I wish I would have known how important it is for them to be with their Mom and litter mates just awhile longer. They really miss out on so much.
When I brought Anduin home, he too cried and whined. He didn't want to be alone. I think it's the major change that they are going through that makes it like this... where is my Mom and where are my brothers and sisters. I would spend time with him, play with him and he would fall asleep. His crying lasted only a few days until he became more used to his new surroundings.
When taking him out and getting him potty trained, I would take him as soon as he woke up, after he finished eating and in between times when we would play. Like Odin, Anduin was a little timid and unsure as what to do outside. I would stay with him and play with him and get him to follow me and as soon as he went to the bathroom I gave him praise. It wont take Odin long to get the hang of it! He is at his very first stage of learning. The crying and being unsure will fade away and he will become more confident.
I want to give a little bit of advice too so as to maybe save you some headache in the near future. Start teaching him as soon as you can that it is not okay to put his mouth on you. At 7 weeks old pups have not quite learned bite inhibition. Anduin at one point was the spawn of satan himself...
Odin is such a cute little guy, would love to see more pictures of him

 

[mila_the_doberman]

Hi Hayden
I brought my little guy home too early too. He was also only 7 weeks old. I wish I would have known how important it is for them to be with their Mom and litter mates just awhile longer. They really miss out on so much.
When I brought Anduin home, he too cried and whined. He didn't want to be alone. I think it's the major change that they are going through that makes it like this... where is my Mom and where are my brothers and sisters. I would spend time with him, play with him and he would fall asleep. His crying lasted only a few days until he became more used to his new surroundings.
When taking him out and getting him potty trained, I would take him as soon as he woke up, after he finished eating and in between times when we would play. Like Odin, Anduin was a little timid and unsure as what to do outside. I would stay with him and play with him and get him to follow me and as soon as he went to the bathroom I gave him praise. It wont take Odin long to get the hang of it! He is at his very first stage of learning. The crying and being unsure will fade away and he will become more confident.
I want to give a little bit of advice too so as to maybe save you some headache in the near future. Start teaching him as soon as you can that it is not okay to put his mouth on you. At 7 weeks old pups have not quite learned bite inhibition. Anduin at one point was the spawn of satan himself...
Odin is such a cute little guy, would love to see more pictures of him

I love this I say hang out in the yard as much as possible. Just sit on the grass and let him hang out in your lap - give him treats and verbal praise when he seems calm and not whimpering - creating positive association. As he moves from your lap - don't change spots, this allows him the assurance that his "home base" is still there and will allow him to feel more confident as he begins to edge away from you. My two cents anway The good news is your doing a great job already, so in just a few days I'll bet this sweet boy will be a lot more steady in his new home!

 

[Hayden]

@Lucian thanks that really helps! I'm just trying to figure out the let me out cries vs the I need to potty cries. So far he's had 2 accidents in the crate today and its hard for me to get him to go outside but im sure itll get better with time. I try to place him in the crate when he falls asleep. Is that okay?

 

[Viemarangelrock]

@Lucian thanks that really helps! I'm just trying to figure out the let me out cries vs the I need to potty cries. So far he's had 2 accidents in the crate today and its hard for me to get him to go outside but im sure itll get better with time. I try to place him in the crate when he falls asleep. Is that okay?

Are you taking him out to potty on a leash? If not, and you are trying to coax him out, it probably won't work. You lead him out and take him to a designated potty area. He needs guidance and reassurance.

 

[Viemarangelrock]

Sorry, forgot to mention...

It's important to thoroughly clean and deodorise any places where he has had an accident, immediately. Pups have very poor bladder control, and need to urinate at least every hour or two. They may also urinate spontaneously when they get excited. So, just clean up as quickly as possible.

Most importantly, keep calm. He's only a baby. Accidents will happen.

 

[Hayden]

Oh I know this is gonna be a 8 month process at least. I take him out on a leash but when I take him out of the crate I carry him to the potty spot because I don't want any accidents on the way there!

 

[Lucian]

When Anduin first came home I would pick him up and carry him outside to his designated potty spot. I only had to do this for a few days until he became more comfortable with his new home. I would also have his leash on when we would go outside. My scenario was exactly like mila the doberman said. I would take him out and sit on the grass and kinda get him to play and move around and explore. It's the cutest thing ever once they learn their name and you see those ears flopping as they run to you . As far as figuring out the let me out cries vs the I need to potty cries, I'm not sure that you would be able to tell the difference just yet. I think they are probably just cries for your attention. Once he learns what "lets go potty" is all about you will be able to tell a lot better. Right now it's going to be you being the judge on when you think he has to go and this is when the training all starts.
Something neat that you could do too is hang a small bell close to the door. Right before you go outside each time you can tell him your key word for going potty and jingle the bell. He will start to associate the bell with having to go potty and once he gets bigger he will ring the bell all on his own to let you know that he has to go. Dobermans are so smart.
As far as crating. I think it's wonderful and a great idea that you are teaching Odin this. I can't give any advice when it comes to crate training because Anduin did not have a crate. We had baby gates put up in the rooms we would be in at that time. I think though that you are truly rewarding not only Odin by teaching him this but yourself as well. It will give you peace of mind and Odin his very own special place. It's no fun to be woke up in the middle of the night because you keep hearing a strange noise so you get up and turn the light on and see that your dry wall has been chewed knee high
I'm going to be introducing Anduin to his new crate probably this pay day. So I will be going through probably the same thing that you are going through with the crying. Only difference is mine is 8 months old and is going to be crying a lot louder lol.
Just hang in there, it does get easier. They grow up so fast!

 

[Hayden]

So last night went better than expected. He fell asleep in my lap around 9pm and I put him in the crate and went to bed as well. No fuss unless he had to go to the bathroom which was expected. Now I'm taking him out to go potty and he won't go. But as soon as we get inside he pees or poops

 

[Regalis]

Are you rewarding him when he goes outside? That will help. But it's going to be a bit of a process before he really gets it, especially since he's so young.

 

[squeedobie]

Also try and keep him out until he does eliminate. A lot of times, they're too taken by the sights/smells of being outside and far more interested in them than in going potty. Our impatience wins out over their curiosity, we bring them in and bamo. They eliminate indoors. Make sure you reward like Regalis said, and also remember to cue them each time you take them out. Whether it's ringing a bell attached to the knob or saying "Potty time" or "let's go potty". They're smart, they will pick up on it quick as long as you're consistent.

 

[Hayden]

See he's not distracted he just sits next to me or in between my legs. I wait 10-15 minutes outside at the same spot as always. He'll get it eventually. Should I just reward with praise or with treats? I've just been making a big deal out of it verbally

 

[Regalis]

See he's not distracted he just sits next to me or in between my legs. I wait 10-15 minutes outside at the same spot as always. He'll get it eventually. Should I just reward with praise or with treats? I've just been making a big deal out of it verbally

Either or. It's totally up to you. I do a lot of training with treats, others use toys or praise.

While he may not seem distracted to you, he likely is. I'd try to keep him out a bit longer. Hell get the hang of it with consistency. You also have to remember that due to his age, he likely doesn't realize he has to go until the last second.

 

[squeedobie]

Try walking around when he's outside. With Blitz, I would have to walk around the yard with him until he went. I'd ask him if he had to go out, then when he was hunkering down to go pee/poo, I'd say "go potty" and reward him. That way, he'll really link the command with the action and you'll have an easier time of it. You can also reward with both verbal praise and treats - the bigger a deal you make out of it, the more likely he'll be to repeat the behavior to gain your approval.

 

[Hayden]

Okay I'll try to walk him around outside next time and wait a little longer. I always say "lets go potty" when im carrying him to the spot. I can already tell that he's getting more curious and not as timid. Already trying to climb his way up the gates in the kitchen.