arkiegirl3
My only child left home on Sat and I am experiencing the Empty Nest syndrome. I think a playful puppy will be a good companion and help get my spirits up. I live in an apartment and need ideas for small, short-haired dogs that won't grow too big.
Please - no chihuahuas- those are sooo ugly!
Cookie - I am home 24/7....disabled but not handicapped, so I can go out often with the dog. I've never trained a dog - ever, so although I'd have the time, I don't have the experience of doing it. Thanks for the questions.
Mya - thank you for the question...although I love cats, my sister lives in the same apt building and vists often, and she is severly allergic to cats. Also, I think a fun, playful pup will help lift my spirits better than a sleepy cat will.
Answer
There's the Dachshund (wiener dog), Brussels Griffon, Boston Terrier, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Toy Fox Terrier, Rat Terrier, etc. We need to know a lot more about your lifestyle to suggest a breed that would fit in well. How much time you have to exercise the dog, what you're looking for when it comes to energy levels, trainability, how much time you are away at work, etc. It all depends. There are a lot of smaller breeds that would probably be a good fit, but i'd need a bit more to go on to really suggest what would be a good dog for you.
Edit: That helps a little bit more. It's good that you're home all the time to care for a puppy considering they need a lot of care when it comes to things like potty training. Because of the apartment life, I wouldn't suggest the Miniature Pinscher. I own one that is currently sleeping in my lap, but she's a handful. She barks at anything and everything, they are very energetic and while intelligent, they also like to wander and explore so they can be quite the little escape artist. Not quite right for an apartment.
The Dachshund would do pretty well in an apartment. The French Bulldog may as well, but the bulldog is known for some health problems. Not sure if you have any preference on the short faced breeds. The Italian Greyhound is pretty docile and while they do have energy, they're more of a one person kind of dog. They don't need all that much exercise, are small enough for an apartment, and very friendly and loving. They're all pretty intelligent, and would fair well living the apartment lifestyle. You can check shelters or rescue organizations. They have plenty of smaller dogs that you can meet first hand. Small breed puppies are unlikely however.
As for training, all you'll need is a basic book on basic training. Sit, stay, lay down, drop it, things of that nature. They're fairly simple to teach. All you need is consistency. For instance with sit. Tell the pup to sit, and push them into the sit position. Pick up his bottom, say sit again, push him into the sit position and then give him the treat. Do this a few times just so he can get the idea. Soon enough, he will do it himself. Then praise praise praise. You can even hold the treat above their head and move it back. They'll naturally go into the sitting position when you do this, but it generally only works for "sit".
As for potty training, get a crate. A crate is gold when it comes to potty training. So when you go to get the supplies that you'll need for the dog such as food, dishes, toys, or anything you're picking up, get a book on training your puppy. They help tremendously for both you and the dog.
There's the Dachshund (wiener dog), Brussels Griffon, Boston Terrier, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Toy Fox Terrier, Rat Terrier, etc. We need to know a lot more about your lifestyle to suggest a breed that would fit in well. How much time you have to exercise the dog, what you're looking for when it comes to energy levels, trainability, how much time you are away at work, etc. It all depends. There are a lot of smaller breeds that would probably be a good fit, but i'd need a bit more to go on to really suggest what would be a good dog for you.
Edit: That helps a little bit more. It's good that you're home all the time to care for a puppy considering they need a lot of care when it comes to things like potty training. Because of the apartment life, I wouldn't suggest the Miniature Pinscher. I own one that is currently sleeping in my lap, but she's a handful. She barks at anything and everything, they are very energetic and while intelligent, they also like to wander and explore so they can be quite the little escape artist. Not quite right for an apartment.
The Dachshund would do pretty well in an apartment. The French Bulldog may as well, but the bulldog is known for some health problems. Not sure if you have any preference on the short faced breeds. The Italian Greyhound is pretty docile and while they do have energy, they're more of a one person kind of dog. They don't need all that much exercise, are small enough for an apartment, and very friendly and loving. They're all pretty intelligent, and would fair well living the apartment lifestyle. You can check shelters or rescue organizations. They have plenty of smaller dogs that you can meet first hand. Small breed puppies are unlikely however.
As for training, all you'll need is a basic book on basic training. Sit, stay, lay down, drop it, things of that nature. They're fairly simple to teach. All you need is consistency. For instance with sit. Tell the pup to sit, and push them into the sit position. Pick up his bottom, say sit again, push him into the sit position and then give him the treat. Do this a few times just so he can get the idea. Soon enough, he will do it himself. Then praise praise praise. You can even hold the treat above their head and move it back. They'll naturally go into the sitting position when you do this, but it generally only works for "sit".
As for potty training, get a crate. A crate is gold when it comes to potty training. So when you go to get the supplies that you'll need for the dog such as food, dishes, toys, or anything you're picking up, get a book on training your puppy. They help tremendously for both you and the dog.
Has anyone ever kennel trained a Gold Retriever?
mcnppo1
If so how long did it take for the puppy to stop crying/howling? Is there anything I can do to help the process along?
Answer
Look at it from his point of view-- he's lonely!
How old is the dog? By kennel, do you mean a big outdoor kennel run or a crate? The following is for a crate, but is easily adapted to introducing a dog to an outdoor kennel as well.
You need to introduce the kennel/crate slowly. Make it a good place to be. Put in a few toys and a yummy treat. Shut the door for a few seconds, then open it. Gradually increase the time you leave the dog in the crate.
Any dog or puppy is going to go through a stage where they throw an absolute FIT about being confined. You just have to wait it out. If you release the dog while it's howling, it will take twice as long for it to be quiet the next time. You may have to wait several hours. Once you hear silence, open the crate and take the pup outside, then give a tiny treat when you put him back in the crate. Many times during my dogs' puppyhoods, I left the bedroom to use the bathroom during the night. When I would leave the room, the puppy would start crying. I spent many nights sleeping on the floor outside my bedroom for 20 - 30 minutes until the pup was quiet and I could go back in, take the pup outside, and go back to sleep. A few weeks' with interrupted sleep now will pay off in the future.
Also make sure you aren't expecting too much too soon. A puppy can generally 'hold it' at night for one hour longer than his age in months. For example, if your pup is 3 months old, he can probably go four hours overnight without having to relieve himself. During the day, your pup will need to go out more often.
An older dog can easily go overnight or for several hours during the day. My dogs go into their crates when I'm gone for the day and sleep the whole time. If you have an older dog that is just not used to the crate, take the time to get him acclimated to the crate, then put him in it, throw in a good treat, and let him work it out. He may carry on and howl for a couple of hours, then he'll relax, eat the treat and go to sleep. That's when you can let him out. It won't take long and you will have a dog that goes to sleep and rests quietly when crated.
Be patient. It may take a few weeks for a dog to become comfortable in the crate and view it as his den. Never use the crate for punishment, and it will eventually pay off.
Here's a link with more detailed information about crate training: http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html
Look at it from his point of view-- he's lonely!
How old is the dog? By kennel, do you mean a big outdoor kennel run or a crate? The following is for a crate, but is easily adapted to introducing a dog to an outdoor kennel as well.
You need to introduce the kennel/crate slowly. Make it a good place to be. Put in a few toys and a yummy treat. Shut the door for a few seconds, then open it. Gradually increase the time you leave the dog in the crate.
Any dog or puppy is going to go through a stage where they throw an absolute FIT about being confined. You just have to wait it out. If you release the dog while it's howling, it will take twice as long for it to be quiet the next time. You may have to wait several hours. Once you hear silence, open the crate and take the pup outside, then give a tiny treat when you put him back in the crate. Many times during my dogs' puppyhoods, I left the bedroom to use the bathroom during the night. When I would leave the room, the puppy would start crying. I spent many nights sleeping on the floor outside my bedroom for 20 - 30 minutes until the pup was quiet and I could go back in, take the pup outside, and go back to sleep. A few weeks' with interrupted sleep now will pay off in the future.
Also make sure you aren't expecting too much too soon. A puppy can generally 'hold it' at night for one hour longer than his age in months. For example, if your pup is 3 months old, he can probably go four hours overnight without having to relieve himself. During the day, your pup will need to go out more often.
An older dog can easily go overnight or for several hours during the day. My dogs go into their crates when I'm gone for the day and sleep the whole time. If you have an older dog that is just not used to the crate, take the time to get him acclimated to the crate, then put him in it, throw in a good treat, and let him work it out. He may carry on and howl for a couple of hours, then he'll relax, eat the treat and go to sleep. That's when you can let him out. It won't take long and you will have a dog that goes to sleep and rests quietly when crated.
Be patient. It may take a few weeks for a dog to become comfortable in the crate and view it as his den. Never use the crate for punishment, and it will eventually pay off.
Here's a link with more detailed information about crate training: http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html
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Title Post: Little dog help for apt. living?
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