New dog

[kaxter]

Hi everyone - first time posting in months and first time on this thread.
I've been lurking in the doghouse section for exactly one week because one week ago we brought home our first dog and I have a lot of questions and may need advice in the future.

He is not quite a rescue dog but nearly - his owner was just about to give him to local rescue centre as he was not able to look after him properly since his marriage breakup. I'm not 100% sure of details but it seems that the dog was left alone a lot since the break up and was not getting proper attention, walks, exercise etc so the owner decided to look for better circumstances for him.

So that's roughly how we came to meet. Anyway, so far so good. He is a cross between a Cairns and a soft-coated Wheaten terrier and very cute. 2 years old, house trained, very friendly and probably more than a little overwhelmed at the change in circumstances. I would say he is anxious but getting better each day. We are family of 5 (3 kids) and there is always someone home with the dog, either myself or my husband and my DD aged 10 is his principal carer as she was the one absolutely determined to have a dog.

If anyone is still reading(?) I have a couple of concerns and would be grateful for advice.

The first is that he jumps up a lot. On everyone. The first couple of days he was quite 'humpy' but that has settled. He still jumps up and tries to lick hands, faces.

The second is that I don't think he was walked too often with his previous owner. He is not great on the harness and he goes crazy when he sees another dog. We have been walking him every day and will continue to do so. I'm wondering how long it will take to train him to walk calmly and also how to go about training so that if we let him off the lead he won't go running off into the sunset? I dare not let him off yet but I would love to give him a good run whenever possible. Our garden is not big enough but there are great spaces nearby that would be pretty safe provided he has a bit of sense.

Thats it for now - but feel free to give random bits of advice as well!

[lotsofdogshere]

Has he been castrated? Did his previous owners take him to any dog training classes? I found taking foster dogs along to our local dog training classes was great in socialising as well as beginning to help unruly/nervous/anxious dogs to learn. It also builds and strengthens the relationship between you and your dog. Plus - best of all, you get individual advice and support about your dog.It will definitely help you with teaching the dog to walk on his lead nicely, and also to work on establishing recall. Generally speaking, I keep rescue dogs on lead or at least a week or 2, meanwhile build up good recall in the house and garden by using tasty treats like a tiny bit of hot dog sausage or cheese, which you give to the dog along with enthusiastic praise each time he comes when called. Good luck, he sounds a cute dog.

[yesbutnobut]

Sounds lovely OP. There's lots of good videos on dog training on youtube - especially the 'Kikopup' ones. WIth the jumping up you need to ignore the dog until he's got 4 feet on the ground. You can cross your arms and turn your back to help him get the message. Out and about you'll need to be vigilant that he's not jumping up at strangers and it's important that every family member reinforces what you're trying to do (otherwise he gets mixed messages). You're probably keeping him on a lead for the time being in any event.

Sounds like he hasn't been well socialised. I second going to training classes. This will give you confidence in what you're doing and, just as important, you'll build a bond with your dog. Best of luck!

[Notonaschoolnight]

I have a 15 week old wheaten and what you've described (jumping up and pulling on lead) are massively part of a wheatens character I'm no expert and I'm not saying you can't train it out of him but I've been told it wont be easy for us as they're intelligent, independent, stubborn terriers.. During my deciding which breed I met with lots of wheatens well out the puppy stage who had all had the usual training but all still showed the main wheaten characteristics ( you must have heard of the wheaten greetin?) of jumping up, licking to death, pulling on lead and very dodgy recall. As a first time dog owner I was still charmed regardless hence why I now have one, but I admit the jumping up outside while everywheres muddy is hard and when I'm watching other dog owners with their dogs trotting dutifully beside them off lead I think my god as even in the garden I have to have my own weight in chicken in my hand to stand the slightest chance of her coming to me when called.

For all the negatives thought there are big positives!

[kaxter]

Thank you so much for replying. I got home from work to find our lovely new dog sitting calmly in the sitting room with the rest of the family. He is definitely jumping up less than he had been when he first arrived but still seems to be pretty happy. He got no less than 4 walks today with DD and I hope they are forming a strong bond.

He is neutered in answer to your question lotsofdogshere. His previous owner didn't bring him to training classes and that is something we will definitely do.

I just watched a couple of the kikopup clips on youtube, I must get proper treats for him and spend some devoted time to training. Its hard to get my 4 yr old to understand the need to train him but the other members of the family are in on it so thats good.

All in all I am really thrilled with k-dog. He is super sweet and I have a feeling this is is all going to work out with a bit more time and patience.
Thanks again!