urgent help please with rescue puppy messing in house and barking, barking, barking.

[ErnestTheBavarian]

We got rescue puppy about 8 weeks ago. He is about 8 months old. We were told he was very scared (he was!, and still is, but improving) and that he was house trained. He is small, about 5kg, looks like a gremlin, probably something like cross between terrier and chihuahua We have another dog. Just turned 9 labrador-mix female. Also rescue. She is a really easy-going, gentle dog and was always pretty quiet, but would bark if the doorbell rang, that sort of thing, but would stop quickly.

The first few days were ok. No accidents in the house. and he was silent. The first 2 weeks we genuinely thought he couldn't somehow 'speak' because he never made a sound.How wrong we were.😑

The barking is a huge problem. Now, during the day if we are there we can try to distract and it's improved to the point that sometimes they don't bark. but if we are not in the room, they bark in unison , deep labby bark and high-pitched hysterical barking, constantly, at the slightest noise from outside or elsewhere in the house. It's got to the point I can't go to the loo at night cos I know downstairs they'll start barking in a frenzy and wake up the entire house or street. When we get up in the morning, as soon as they hear the slightest movement they start, and it can be a couple of minutes before you're down stairs.

Please tell me I can fix this. It's so, so bad.

And the accidents in the house, it had improved, but then we went away for 2 weeks, and had to change his food. in the week we've been back, he has gone indoors every night except 1, and also during the day. Last night he went in the house about 5 minutes after returning from walk, and I still woke up to 2 poos and a wee.

Please tell me this will improve!

After 8 weeks, while we have made a lot of progress, I am feeling pretty unhappy this morning.

Do you think going away for a couple of weeks has provoked some separation anxiety? It could be that just as the dog was starting to relax and trust you, in his eyes you left him?

Where were the dogs whilst you were away?

Oof. Sounds awful op! I'd get a behaviourist in asap for the barking, especially as your older dog is affected too. Does the rescue provide support?

White noise machines can be helpful for noise sensitivity. Or maybe sleep downstairs for a bit. Housetraining you will have to go back to basics and do as you would with an 8week old puppy - out every half hour and after every activity; loads of praise/treats when he goes in the right place; ignore accidents. You might need to take him out overnight for a few weeks.

You are expecting a lot from this pup I think. He's a baby, with a presumably difficult start; he's only been with you 8 weeks and you've been away for 2 of those. He hasn't had enough time to settle in and understand what's expected of him. You probably need to slow things down a bit.

He's a rescue pup
You've had him 8 weeks
You've changed his food (twice probably)
He was (is) scared, but coming out of his shell.
you've been back one week.

poor little thing must be so confused (&scared). It was unfair to get a rescue then go away for two weeks.

most dogs will make their presence known when they hear you in the morning.

get up for a wee at night, take the poor little thing out for the toilet.

lits of praise/treats when being good & quiet, Go to him when he barks and a firm 'no'. Treat/fuss when he's quiet.

patience. .

Something we should think about

The human has approximately 1 billion neurons in their brain while the canine has appoximately 500 million. This is a comparison of the two species and the silly expectations people place on dogs:

1. Human - Given two plus years to accomplish potty training.

2. Canine - Human wants canine potty trainined in two weeks or they will have to rehome the dog....Please take the diaper off your eight month old human and let them crawl around your floor, lets just see the results....

3. Human - Gives human babies pain relievers and various numbing agents to help appease the pain of teething.

4. Canine - Demands Dog Trainer tells them how to reprimand their dog for chewing.

5. Human - Encourages young humans to run and play with endless forms of mental and physical stimulation.

6. Canine - “I have got to teach this dog to calm down!!!”

7. Human - Given 20 plus years to complete an education and become a productive member of society.

8. Canine - Expected to behave flawlessly after 6 weeks of training.

9. Human - Given sick and personal days from work and endless excuses for poor performance.

10. Canine - Expects to perfom perfectly 365 days a year with no questions asked. Canines
    are also not allowed to feel bad or forget.

11. Human - Expects a pay raise anually for the job they perform.

12. Canine - Humans demand their dog perform more every year and don’t believe they should reward the dog for the work they perform.

Dear human....If you don’t train, don’t complain!"

We got our rescue at 6m. Crate training for the first 3m was key to her feeling safe and secure in our home. Solid routine based around the crate. Sounds as if she doesn't know how to relax and the crate is amazing for that as it's her den. She's only barky at delivery drivers.
It's worth a go

Agree with the crate training

Also focus on rewarding and encouraging the behaviour you want to see. Initially reward will be food.

Break it down into separate areas:

• toilet training
• barking training
• food manners
• separation training

You need to build trust with your new dog. It will take and while and will need focus.

With the barking reward for calm behaviour, do not punish by putting in crate. You'll need to keep leaving the room for short periods and going back and rewarding when they are quiet. If they are not quiet calm them then reward.

Our routine with a 7 month old rescue

-crate overnight

• 7am out of crate, cuddles and play, water, toilet place (repeat toilet word)
• 7.30 crate for more sleep

-9 am big walk and toilet

• 10 am home and training/play. Sit, paw, leave, wait with treats

-10.30 breakfast and quiet play in contained area -11am crated and sleep until she wakes up -1pm I'd usually walk to the local village and back or have lunch somewhere so she experiences other people and places. Toilet -2pm sleep in crate -4 pm walk and toilet, play and training. -5pm crate for sleep -6.30/7pm out while we cook and she had dinner until -8pm zoomies and play time -9pm crate

• 10.30 out for a quick wee at toilet place and crate for the night.

We did this for three months. Giving her more freedoms during the day after that but she was crated until 11 months at night.

No crate needed at 12m. Now at 14m she is trusted and happy alone for several hours when we go out.. Only barks at unknown delivery drivers. Perfectly toilet trained.

The dogs stayed at home with our son. He was happy enough and only had 1 or 2 accidents in the 2 weeks, but since we returned it's every night, bar one. so yes, definitely, upset by our departure.

We do have a dog trainer/behaviourist, but she's away for 2 weeks now. She has been very helpful. He does seem quite traumatised, and spent the 1st 2 weeks hiding under the coffee table, and was terrified of even going into the garden. He would run out, go to the loo then run back in. He's a lot braver now and is happy to play in the garden. We are only just at the point of taking him for walks.

I guess I'm frustrated at the toilet regression, because it had been ok. But it's the frigging barking. It's actually affecting everyone because we're all getting woken up several times a night and it's making normal living, like going to the loo, or, for teenagers, stuffing their faces at 2am, impossible.

OK, so I'll go back to toilet training basics and not get so stressed about that, and I might indeed just sleep on the sofa for a few nights to try to deal with the nocturnal barking/ nocturnal toilet training. Thanks.

Luckily, on the positive, the 2 dogs get on really well together, my Labrador is so gentle and he really follows her lead, and they play so well together. Super cute. At home. When not weeing and pooing everywhere.

He pukes in terror in his crate. I'm not sure I could or should put him in it. It's in the front room. I put treats in it and his food. He's at the point that he will stick his head in it to eat, or grab a treat. But cried and puked last time I tried to put him in it and don't want to cause him any more stress.

He has made a lot of progress. I guess the toilet regression coupled with the disturbed sleep is not a good combo.

If I sleep on the sofa, will that not cause further separation anxiety when I go back to my room?

Do you cover his crate at night? It worked for our pup when little - takes away some of the external stimuli. Also radio left on may be helpful

Poor guy. I’m not sure I would be ok with crating him if he’s terrified of confinement. As a bit of a half way house, would a pen help if you have space? It would give him a place to retreat to and be calm without feeling trapped.

don’t know how big he is though, if he’s a Great Dane then that’s not going to work!

He's knee high to a grasshopper. 🤗

Aww! Well maybe that’s worth a try? I have a dachshund and he is super clingy and does not like to be separated from me which makes life a little hard.

Crating him didn’t work so we went the stair gate route and it’s helped massively. He can still see me if I’m doing other things and he doesn’t feel trapped.

You’ll get there. It’s definitely going to feel tough with non stop barking etc. Do you do the whole let him bark, then when he stops even for a second tell him good boy quiet and treat him? Doesn’t always work though but may be worth a shot if you haven’t tried it yet.

Also at night time I did what I had to do with a baby. Sit in the doorway and make shushing noises and gradually move away. Then the next night I started a little further away. That worked pretty quickly!

Poor love. She's sounds as if she doesn't know her boundaries and she's anxious with a new place.
Go back to basics with crate training. Its quick to get them happy with it. Feed only in the crate with door open. Treats thrown inside with the marker 'place!' When they go inside.
Ensure when they go in they are tired and they have a comfy bed and start shutting the door for short periods. Allow them out then coax back in with a toy or treats.
Ours whined and cried for a few minutes but soon realised it was best to settle down and sleep. It was just FOMO
If it wasn't for the crate our one would have been extremely anxious. The run of the whole house was far to much for her. When we dropped the crate too early thats when the accidents started. The crate is great for any time outs or anytime you need to leave for extended periods.

We got a 5 year old GSD, but had some of the same issues. It takes a lot more time! She’s an ex breeding dog who was kept in a big box for years, so we didn’t crate her at all. She has beds around the house so could find a safe space. Don’t suddenly change a food, it’ll lead to an upset stomach. Take him out regularly for toileting, it’ll turn into a proper routine in a while.
My girl didn’t bark for weeks, then this huge, deep bark erupted from nowhere. Again, it took time to settle down.
We made a point of leaving her alone for a few minutes each day, so she got used to us coming back. She’s happy with her own company now for a few hours if we have to leave.
It’s all basically time.

Thanks. It's reassuring. It's the feeling of going backwards not forwards but it's clear I just need to be more patient. I can do patience.

It's the nocturnal barking, not knowing how best to fix that, but definitely need to tackle it, urgently.

If he's so scared of the crate I'm not sure I should even try it.

I changed his food ( gradually) to the same as my other dog's. But then we ran out while we were away and my son hadn't realised so that's why he's had the food change, which was annoying, but now he's on his proper food hopefully he'll settle down again. He does have a tummy upset I'd say. I'm astonished such a tiny thing can actually produce so much!

You went away for 2 weeks. That has started something off. Do NOT use a crate. The poor thing is frightened and lonely (for you and your family) and fears being abandoned. Who looked after the dogs when you went away? Perhaps that person shouted at/hit/frightened the dog.

The messing about and changing the food is the other thing. You brought that on yourself. Instead of whatever it is you're feeding the dog with now, try plain food for a few days - poached fish (no bones), steamed chicken (again, no bones) and some plain, boiled potatoes. If your stomach was off, you'd have plain foods and allow your gut to settle. Same thing.

How about trying one of you sitting on the floor with him with some pieces of chicken. When he barks at noises ignore him totally, look the other way, but when he's quiet feed him the chicken. Get someone else to take your lab out while you do it. Then gradually move on to someone else moving upstairs, ringing the doorbell, etc.

Also if anything scares him to the point of vomiting don't do it! Get rid of the crate and try a roomy open top pen instead.

If he's toileting overnight and terrified of the crate, can you not put his bed in a pen in your room for now? It will help so many of your issues - no more nocturnal barking (as they won't set each other off), toilet training (as he'll be able to wake you before he has an accident) and he won't be anxious as he'll have your company all night as well.

As for the daytime accidents - the only way to deal with those is to let him out as often as possible (I'd go for at least once an hour) and to confine him to a room with wipeable floors when you can't watch him, so that least any accidents are easy to clean up.

All of that combined with keeping him on a set diet should really help.

I also wouldn't crate a rescue who appears traumatised by the crate.

Do the two dogs sleep in the same room for company?

Thanks. The timing wasn't great but we had looked for a suitable 2nd dog for nearly a year when he turned up and we decided to take him, I really didn't think 4 to 5 weeks before the holiday would be such a oi ironed as he would be staying at home with one of us. Our other rescue dog was really no bother so this has been a bit of a shock to say the least. My son is very, very calm and patient and absolutely not a shouter or hitter. They are very close. Puppy snuggles up with ds.

The 2 dogs sleep together in the front room.

Dh would not have puppy in bedroom. Not at all. I'll try sleeping in front room for a few nights.

OK. Here's hoping things will calm down. Steadily if not quickly.

Might look I to a play pen, but as he won't be able to get to our other dog and essentially imprisoned I'm not so sure if good idea. We still have crate from ddog but she stopped using it ages ago. But he just goes under coffee table to hide so not sure additional crate or pen necessary.

Dh would not have puppy in bedroom. Not at all. I'll try sleeping in front room for a few nights.

Either way is fine, but you'll get more sleep if you're not cramped on the sofa

DH might not be happy to have the puppy in the bedroom, but is he the one getting up and dealing with the nocturnal or early morning barking everyday?

Have taken him out a million times and he's not done a wee or poo since about 10 am. 😣