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The doghouse

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Original poster

Top tips for new shoodle

111 replies

Tomlettegregg · 06/10/2023 09:32

We're picking up our puppy this weekend. We've done lots of research but would love existing owners to give any top tips on toilet training and correcting barking.

We're crate training initially for sleep and have been told to let them cry which seems mean but I want to set him up for success as he isn't allowed upstairs.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tomlettegregg · 20/10/2023 23:10

He's 12 weeks. I do understand but he was doing longer stretches in there happily and now seems to have regressed.

OP posts:
Lougle · 21/10/2023 02:49

He's just been in the zone for a fear stage, then. You might need to start again with the crate and treat it as if he's never spent time in there happily.

I watch Kate Olsen on YouTube (My Service Dog and Me). She says the best way to accelerate your dog's learning is to train the dog you have, not the dog you want, and to understand that the dog you have might be very different to the dog you had last week, yesterday, two hours ago, or even 5 minutes ago. By observing your dog's behaviour and dealing with what you see, you'll be able to move him on more quickly than if you get stuck in thinking 'you used to do this just fine.'

Justmemyselfandi999 · 21/10/2023 03:49

I'm not sure what trainer is advising you, but the fact they've encouraged puppy pads is a huge red flag, as is advocating separating the pup from you. Find yourself a force free APBC licensed behaviourist. You are at pups critical imprinting stage, what you get right or wrong in the next few weeks will lay the foundations for life. You've made mistakes already, if you don't rectify soon you'll potentially have long term issues. You are inadvertently teaching pup to bark, you are creating separation anxiety, and you are preventing toilet training. Lots more homework should have been done before pup arrived home. Please get reputable help ASAP before your dog becomes another rescue centre statistic.

Newpeep · 21/10/2023 07:31

My puppy was 8/9 months before she was ready to have any forced separation. That’s normal. We were with her 24/7 until then and she is not in any way needy. Quite the opposite in fact. She chooses to be alone a lot of the day. My husband had a major operation last week and her life has been upended with a lot of forced separation in the house which she’s not used to at all. We had no time to prepare her. She’s been absolutely fine. Not even waiting by the doors or gates, just chilling for well over an hour while I help him. She knows I’ll be back.

My neighbour got a pup at the same time. Forced separation. Pup must be alone from day one. He can’t be left for a second now without panicking. Of course they’re all different but being with them 24/7 while they’re really little doesn’t necessarily make them needy.

Secure dogs cope with change. It takes time to build that foundation. Our last dog was a rescue but we did the same with her. She went on to be left daily (with a long break) while we were at work with no issues when she was ready.

Original poster
Tomlettegregg · 21/10/2023 20:54

Thank you but the trainer is very experienced. He trains airport sniffer dogs as well as being an accredited therapy dog trainer but appreciate lots of people do things differently. Even Cesar Millan has critics. Anyway I'm going to persevere with giving him lots of time. I do think expecting a dog to be with you 24/7 till 8 months is unrealistic. Most people don't do that with children.

OP posts:
Lougle · 21/10/2023 21:04

@Tomlettegregg Cesar Milan is not a great example to use. He is widely criticised because he is cruel.

Newpeep · 21/10/2023 21:10

Tomlettegregg · 21/10/2023 20:54

Thank you but the trainer is very experienced. He trains airport sniffer dogs as well as being an accredited therapy dog trainer but appreciate lots of people do things differently. Even Cesar Millan has critics. Anyway I'm going to persevere with giving him lots of time. I do think expecting a dog to be with you 24/7 till 8 months is unrealistic. Most people don't do that with children.

Good luck then. I think you’ll need it with advice like you are getting and a combination of breeds that are both predisposed to be quite needy and will need extra help with separation.

Newpeep · 21/10/2023 21:13

Lougle · 21/10/2023 02:49

He's just been in the zone for a fear stage, then. You might need to start again with the crate and treat it as if he's never spent time in there happily.

I watch Kate Olsen on YouTube (My Service Dog and Me). She says the best way to accelerate your dog's learning is to train the dog you have, not the dog you want, and to understand that the dog you have might be very different to the dog you had last week, yesterday, two hours ago, or even 5 minutes ago. By observing your dog's behaviour and dealing with what you see, you'll be able to move him on more quickly than if you get stuck in thinking 'you used to do this just fine.'

That’s a really good point. Puppies in particular have real dips in confidence and especially through adolescence. You need to train the dog that you have that day and take things right back if you need to.

Logoplanter · 21/10/2023 22:50

From reading your thread you appear to have had a young puppy for about 2 weeks and you seem surprised that he hasn't mastered toilet training and being left alone for short periods of time.

Did you do any research before you got the puppy? How long were you expecting it to take?

I've never had a dog so can't help but I think you may have unrealistic expectations of your puppy and what life would be like with them. I love dogs, but the time, effort and commitment they need is something I can't give them currently, and that's one of the reasons we are a cat-loving household. Well, and the fact cats are ace too.

I really wish you and your puppy the best of luck. It is good that you are asking for advice.

Original poster
Tomlettegregg · 22/10/2023 07:10

I'm not surprised I'm just asking because I want to do right by him. I've always had dogs so I'm fully aware of the dedication they require and like lots of people waited till I was in a position to have the time to give him. He doesn't need to be separated from me in the short term but I am mindful that won't always be the case.

OP posts:
FrodoBagginsToeHair · 22/10/2023 10:05

Tomlettegregg · 21/10/2023 20:54

Thank you but the trainer is very experienced. He trains airport sniffer dogs as well as being an accredited therapy dog trainer but appreciate lots of people do things differently. Even Cesar Millan has critics. Anyway I'm going to persevere with giving him lots of time. I do think expecting a dog to be with you 24/7 till 8 months is unrealistic. Most people don't do that with children.

It’s worrying you’re using Caesar Milan as an example. He’s the worst thing to happen to dogs in recent years and if you’re using techniques advocated by him then it explains why things might be going wrong for you

ReturnOfTheRainMac · 22/10/2023 10:32

Well you're very unreasonable not to post a picture!

Puppies are shit. An absolute nightmare! I wouldnt let him sleep with you u til he fully understands his place in the house. My dogs have only ever been allowed on the bed/sofa once they are aware it's a privilege.

Wolfiefan · 22/10/2023 22:01

Trainers can be experienced but rubbish! If a puppy isn’t comfortable being alone then you don’t leave it. If you do then you simply reinforce that being left is scary.

Original poster
Tomlettegregg · 25/10/2023 07:59

I am failing hard at toilet training. This dog is very smart. He only wants to go inside when I'm distracted making a tea or washing up or in the toilet myself. We practically live outside but he'll hold it and as soon as we go in he'll do it inside. I am taking him after food water and play and at intervals but he will not go enough for me to praise and reward the behaviour and reinforce it. Any tips?

OP posts:
Lougle · 25/10/2023 09:28

Has he ever been told off for toileting inside?

TootenCarMoon · 25/10/2023 09:32

Dreading to think how many thousands of pounds you’ve paid for this mongrel ‘shoodle’

Anonanonanon1 · 25/10/2023 09:47

Take puppy out for a wee and if nothing happens carry him inside and don't put him down. Take him back outside 10 minutes later and try again.
Repeat until it happens. Toilet training is creating a pattern of behavior so zero opportunity to go in the house.
My puppy had to be taken out every 20 minutes for the first couple of weeks. I didn't take my eyes off him unless he was in his crate where he wouldn't wee or asleep.
To add to the joy it was November and during the second lockdown. I caught covid after a week of him arriving and it's only me at home so you can imagine how much fun that was.
He learned the concept very quickly due to creating a good habit straight away.
Not sure why a puppy pad in the garden is being suggested by your trainer. Your puppy will smell where he's had a wee before without that.

Original poster
Tomlettegregg · 25/10/2023 22:50

Thanks team I'll give this my best shot. Really helpful @Anonanonanon1
@TootenCarMoon I paid 2200 for him. Not ashamed of that at all. He has insurance, vaccinations, training and the obvious regular cost for food, shampoo and toys. It's expensive having a dog. I know that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tomlettegregg · 25/10/2023 22:53

@Lougle no we don't chastise him for going inside. Just clean it up straight away but they're so smart I'm sure he can pick up on body language.

OP posts:
Lougle · 25/10/2023 23:07

Are you using an enzyme cleaner when she has an accident?

Original poster
Tomlettegregg · 26/10/2023 00:02

Yes it's bioenzymatic. Rufus & co.

OP posts:
namestevalian · 26/10/2023 00:38

You need to be up in the night letting it out to toilet ... buy an alarm clock and a notepad . I'd have it out every 2 hours over night

namestevalian · 26/10/2023 00:39

Tomlettegregg · 06/10/2023 22:31

Honestly this is why people probably don't post for advice here. I'm more than happy to be told there's a better way to do things.

So no pad in there. Take them out regularly during the night and sleep nearby. Absolutely fine.

She does recommend treats and toys in there and serving meals to start with. If you disagree please tell me why and what else to try.

Never ever leave your dog with toys or treats . Choking risk

Lougle · 26/10/2023 06:14

Tomlettegregg · 25/10/2023 22:50

Thanks team I'll give this my best shot. Really helpful @Anonanonanon1
@TootenCarMoon I paid 2200 for him. Not ashamed of that at all. He has insurance, vaccinations, training and the obvious regular cost for food, shampoo and toys. It's expensive having a dog. I know that.

How much you paid is irrelevant. I paid a lot less for my Labrador puppy but I still paid more than I would have liked because I chose a breeder who has used a particular stud dog that I liked (a show dog who won his class at Crufts for the last two years) and I had a particular need for biddability with a bit of drive, so liked the ¾ show ¼ working combination of the litter. They both had extensive health testing. Plus the dam was on the smaller end of the lab scale, which appealed because our dog is going to be an assistance dog so having a Labrador on the smaller side is helpful for portability.

You made the choice you made and I'm sure your puppy is wonderful. It's probably worth getting a couple of books on the two breeds that your puppy has heritage in. Then you know what traits you're dealing with.

I was told no collars, leads, or harnesses in crates (even in the car) because they are a strangulation hazard. We only have an old towel in the crate on top of vet bed, and her monkey soft toy for comfort.

tabulahrasa · 26/10/2023 08:11

Tomlettegregg · 25/10/2023 07:59

I am failing hard at toilet training. This dog is very smart. He only wants to go inside when I'm distracted making a tea or washing up or in the toilet myself. We practically live outside but he'll hold it and as soon as we go in he'll do it inside. I am taking him after food water and play and at intervals but he will not go enough for me to praise and reward the behaviour and reinforce it. Any tips?

Honestly - housetraining just goes like that sometimes.

Just keep taking him out, as soon as he wakes up, after feeding, playing and at 15-20 minute intervals.

The last dog I housetrained was 13 months old, I was out there literally hours waiting for him to need to go 🤣 at least puppies have little bladders.