[rebma9999]

Hello! My name is Amber, and I am new to this site and had a few questions I was hoping someone could help me with. I tried to look through the previous topics to see if I could find my answer. I didnt really see anything, so forgive me if I over looked it.
I work from 8-5 each day and have been keeping my AB puppy named Cash (my boyfriend is a HUGH Johnny Cash fan) in our bathroom while at work. I have been using the potty training pads while he is in the bathroom and he does ok. Most of the time he pees on the pads, but sometimes he misses. Same goes when me and my boyfriend are at home. We always try to tell him no if he misses and to go outside. Anyway, my question is, how old does he need to be before we try crate training? I feel like with him only being 8 weeks old, that is to young to try to crate him for 9 hours while at work. Ive been reading that most puppies do not have control over there bladder until they are older than 12 weeks. I hate to think everynight when I get home I have to give him a bath and wash his kennel. I also feel like it is a little inhumane at this age. Am I wrong?
The other question that I have is while he is in my bathroom, he has started chewing on the door frame of our bathroom and the base boards. I give him plenty of chew toys to try to keep him entertained, but here lately he has been chewing on those things instead of the toys. I dont want to have to keep replacing these things! When I am home he trys to chew on anything else around the house. I tell him no and give him a toy instead. This usually works for a little bit, but then he just trys it again. Is there anything I can do or give him to keep him from chewing on things? I am open to any suggestions! I dont want to have to replace all of my furniture! haha.
Otherwise Cash is the cutest thing and already a big boy. I took him to the vet on Friday and he is already at 19.5lbs! I hope to post pictures soon! Thank you for any help!

 

[ambulldogpup]

I would start crate training at 3 months old atleast. 9 hours is a long time for any puppy though, maybe you could consider hiring a dog walker to come to your house when your at work and have him or her take Cash out of the crate for a little walk and then put him back. Or you could, even though this is exspensive, enroll your AB in doggy daycare were he will play with other dogs all day when your at work and be tired when you go to pick him. Those are just a couple suggestions of mine. Hope I helped and good luck!

 

[rebma9999]

Thanks for the suggestion! I may have a hard time finding a dog walker since I live in a small town, close to the country. But, I may look into the doggy daycare, at least for a little while anyway. I dont guess you have any suggestions about the chewing problem do you? This may just be a puppy thing, I dont know.
Thanks again!

 

[SugarBear]

Thanks for the suggestion! I may have a hard time finding a dog walker since I live in a small town, close to the country. But, I may look into the doggy daycare, at least for a little while anyway. I dont guess you have any suggestions about the chewing problem do you? This may just be a puppy thing, I dont know.
Thanks again!

A puppy can never have enough chew toys.

 

[ambulldogpup]

Thanks for the suggestion! I may have a hard time finding a dog walker since I live in a small town, close to the country. But, I may look into the doggy daycare, at least for a little while anyway. I dont guess you have any suggestions about the chewing problem do you? This may just be a puppy thing, I dont know.
Thanks again!

For the chewing thing, the crate would solve that immediatly. It is a puppy thing, but they will not grow out of it unless taught that chewing on furniture and things are not good. Chewing is also a habit of bored dogs, possibly going for longer walks everyday and training more obedience could easily stop the chewing problem.

Have fun, and I would love to see pictures of your little AB :wink: !

 

[rebma9999]

Thanks again for the tip. I will hopefully have pics posted tonight!

 

[PeterC]

LOL!!!!!! Welcome to having a pup. crap and more crap. Piss. Hey, that is part of the fun.

The above posts are correct, you must keep the dog in a crate. Even if the door is open, it teaches the dog that his area (crate) cannot be messed with. As for the piss, they cannot control their bladder and they will miss all the time.

Cost saving measure. Use newspaper instead of expensive pads. Just dab some of his urin on it or use the old newspaper he pissed on underneath. he wil go to it like magic.

Chewing. Toys help. However, think about the REASON your dog bites. In most cases, dogs bite to relieve stress. Stress is being away from you. He loves you . So, when you leave, give him your old underware. I swear this helps. Your scent, to a dog, is your urine and the cells the sloff off your body. So, leave that with him when you are away. It may not solve your problem, but it will decrease the barking and the chewing....maybe.

As soon as the dog is 6 months old, he should be able to hold on until you guys come home.
Feed him less in the morning and more when you get home.

Don't be so hard the the young pup. He may not be able to control himself and he will not understand the corrections too well. At this age, he cannot chain the punishment to the deed very well.

Just be patient. If you can come home for lunch.........now, that will be a huge help.

 

[rebma9999]

Thanks for the tips! I never heard of the "underware" trick, but at this point Im willing to try anything! :lol:
Thanks again!

 

[Family of 5]

I have to tell ya.....there is NO way I would ever consider leaving Bubba in our bathroom by himself for 9 hours. Dogs this age IMO, must be in a crate. Bubba would eat the plumbing if I left him in there by himself. Come home and he'd be working on removing the jacuzzi tub .
8 weeks is a great age to start crate training. Not only does it keep your house from being eatin but it also gives the dog their own space. Don't think of it as jail. It is a training tool but it is not to be used as a punishment. You may be looking at some whining time but trust me...it's worth it. Before you know it your bully will go into their cage on their own.

As for the 9 hours alone....I would try my best to get home and let him relieve himself. I personally don't believe in pads but everyone is different and it's a person preferrence.

Good Luck to you. We are all in for one helluva ride