Dog Community

Stray Puppy

Posted : 5/21/2006 1:17:33 AM

Hi everyone, my name is Keith, I recently adopted a dog (Friday was my first day with her). Her name is Mya and she's 4 months. I have a few questions/concerns. The dog was bought in as a stray and it was the first day she was there (so no one knows much about her), but I fell in love with her instantly. She's a golden retriever/lab mix. I think things are going well, the first day I got her she had 2 "boo boo's" and I scolded her and now she goes to the door every time she needs to do her business. When we walk she always is curious about strangers, she always wants to go to them is this a bad thing? How would I keep her from running to other people. She also got spayed Thursday and sometimes it seems like she's depressed because all she does is lay down unless she's in the room all day while I'm at work, then she's energetic. I'm not sure if she's depressed or still getting use to her surroundings, the doctor said I should bring her in if she shows signs of depression. I think she understands the concept of no when I tell her not to do things but sometimes when I call her she just lays there, is there anything I can do to make her come when I call besides leaving the room and she follows? She also has a pesky flea I sprayed her today she didn't really like it, but I gave her some doggie ice cream to show that I wasn't being mean. I also want to know what's the best way to leash train her. I could also use some tips and tricks on house training. I give her a treat and praise her every time she 'goes' outside or does whatever command I tell her. Also sometimes she does not like to eat, what's the best way to put her on a regimen? I bought purina one and I don't think she really likes it, but I had the trial size beneful and it seems that's all she will eat. This is my first dog since I was a child so I'm excited

Here's a pic of her.[

]

AngelDog

Posted : 5/21/2006 1:33:19 AM

I just wanted to say that your fur child is so cute.

Keith

Posted : 5/21/2006 7:08:42 AM

thank you

loveukaykay

Posted : 5/21/2006 12:32:40 PM

Shes a young puppy and has never had to learn any house rules before.. Be patient with her and remember that she needs time to learn what you want when you say something. She will get te "come" eventually, just take some time each day to practice it with her, and dont get frustrated while doing this b/c it will only become more confusing to her... also dont work with her for too long b/c shes young and will quickly lose intrest. Its not b/c shes bad, they just cant pay attention for that long. Shes a very smart girl for learning that you want her to go outside to potty already, but dont be too upset if she does have more accidents, just keep working with her.

I dont think you should be taking her on walks yet, just let her rest up for a while before doing much with her. Getting fixed is hard on them, and shes probably just needing rest.

She is so cute, congradulations on your new family member!

Welcome!

schleide

Posted : 5/22/2006 12:43:56 PM

Hi and welcome!! Your puppy is adorable! I think that the best thing you can do for your puppy is enroll in a positive reinforcement obedience class. Make sure that the class is based on all positive techniques (rewards are used to teach appropriate behaviors, not corrections or punishments to stop bad behaviors). You want to make sure to introduce your dog to all kinds of people, dogs and situations now, and often, so that your puppy will be well socialized and like

eople and other dogs of all kinds later in life. Class will help you with this too... Good luck!!

huskymom

Posted : 5/22/2006 2:18:59 PM

ORIGINAL: keef When we walk she always is curious about strangers, she always wants to go to them is this a bad thing? How would I keep her from running to other people.

Its a good thing that she is not afraid of people. Introduce her to different people as much as you can. Different sizes, color, age, people in wheelchiars, on bikes you name it. Your job is to teach her how to greet them. Have her sit whenever she greets someone new.

She also got spayed Thursday and sometimes it seems like she's depressed because all she does is lay down unless she's in the room all day while I'm at work, then she's energetic.

How would you feel if you had this happen. Not emotionally but physically. Let her rest up for a bit. I surprised the vet didnt give you a timeline.

She also has a pesky flea I sprayed her today she didn't really like it, but I gave her some doggie ice cream to show that I wasn't being mean.

They make doggie ice cream?

Also sometimes she does not like to eat, what's the best way to put her on a regimen? I bought purina one and I don't think she really likes it, but I had the trial size beneful and it seems that's all she will eat.

You may want to look at some higher quality foods for her. They may seem more expensive initially but you feed less so its really not. I personally feed Innova. My dogs love it and they eat almost half of what they were eating on Nutro. To get her to eat when you want her too, make sure there is only food available at those times. Put her food down at mealtime, and if she doesnt eat it all in 15 minutes take it back up. Don't give her more until her next mealtime. She will eventually learn to eat when food is available.

Keith

Posted : 5/23/2006 8:42:59 PM

Its a good thing that she is not afraid of people. Introduce her to different people as much as you can. Different sizes, color, age, people in wheelchiars, on bikes you name it. Your job is to teach her how to greet them. Have her sit whenever she greets someone new.

I was just afraid if something were to happen, ex. someone breaks in my apartment, I wouldn't want her to just go up and start licking on the person, but I have no problem with her being friendly everyone seems to love her.

How would you feel if you had this happen. Not emotionally but physically. Let her rest up for a bit. I surprised the vet didnt give you a timeline.

The vet told me to resume activity gradually, I got a timeline and sheet for all the procedures and precautions I should take and I have been following them. I know she's in some pain which is why I'm trying my best to make her feel like this is her home.

They make doggie ice cream?

Yeah, its one called Dogsters, they sell them in the ice cream section of the grocery store.

You may want to look at some higher quality foods for her. They may seem more expensive initially but you feed less so its really not. I personally feed Innova. My dogs love it and they eat almost half of what they were eating on Nutro. To get her to eat when you want her too, make sure there is only food available at those times. Put her food down at mealtime, and if she doesnt eat it all in 15 minutes take it back up. Don't give her more until her next mealtime. She will eventually learn to eat when food is available.

Thanks, I will look for this when I go to petsmart. Hopefully they sell it because I haven't seen any other place that does here.

Mya is a very smart dog, I think she's already house trained, she's had 2 accidents so far (the first day we had her), yesterday when she had to use the bathroom she actually went to the door and tugged on the leash hanging on the door. And she has this other way of telling me by jumping on me and licking my hand then looking at my shoe, it's so cute. lol. I'm sure she will probably have more accidents but I think she is showing really good progress.