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Need Help From Someone With Dog Experience
By Filler2001 07-29-2011 09:09 PM
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NOTE: Regarding my podcast blogpost, that's going to be impossible for obvious reasons stated below.
 Hi, everyone! I just got a new puppy a few days ago, a German Shepherd to be exact. His name is Zeus and he is close to four months old. Since I've been home with him, I have been spending 8 hours a day feeding, walking, and playing with him. Since we crate train him downstairs, he's been whining all night. That said, I love him to pieces, but I've been totally overwhelmed (even with my brother helping with the overnight stuff and my dad helping when he can). To put it into perspective, the first night I had him I cried twice, alone, in the bathroom. I'm awful at training, and I've only been keeping him alive and slightly closer to potty trained. I have no understanding of trick teaching, and I'm afraid that my next year will be totally consumed by this lovely yet stress inducing puppy. Don't get me wrong, he's friendly. He means no harm. However, Ive been having really extreme anxiety during my nights with him (even sleep walking to help him when he didnt need help -- shows how much Ive been worrying). I think it comes down to two things: 1) My dad is only off 3 days a week, and my brother is only home sometimes during the summer (he basically has the night shift with him -- and is going back to college soon, so he will be out of the picture). Not only that, but I will be away from home for an entire week (next Tuesday - Tuesday the week after...8 days in all), and my dad is only off for four of those days, my brother two of the others. That leaves two days where no one can take care of him (just today I watched him from 6am until 8pm -- 14 hours. The two days before were worse. He pooped about 3 time and peed 4...could have been more. My yard has no fence, so we cant just leave him be for the day with a full bowl of food. Not only that, but I go to school at 6:20 am-3pm starting early September, now with no brother (keeping me awake at night, not allowing me) and a dad, once again, off from work 3 days a week (only two during school nights/days). If its anything like this in a month, at the bare minimum I totally lose my social life and ability to do homework for this puppy. My fears of not being able to take care of him during this week long trip to Florida (from MA to go on birthday vacation with aunt/cousin -- plane tickets purchased) and the start of the school year have inspired the aforementioned anxiety and crying most, knowing how unintentional neglect would be being incredibly unfair for the dog if I have to give him away to another family (not to mention the bond I've already built with him). I just feel overwhelmed and trapped. The worst part is, the dog being picked is totally my fault. It was my decision to get him, and I totally ignored the "it will be a lot of work" warnings. I will not neglect the dog, and I will do everything in my power to make sure he is treated the way he deserves, but I have no idea if that will be enough. 2) The other big fear is a really absurd one about the dog eating something its not supposed to and dying. He almost ate a rat poisoned rat the other day but I lodged a stick behind his teeth and got it out before it got into pieces. Other than that, he's tried to eat ants, sticks, grass, flowers, weeds, mulch, and coins. I know I should avoid the last one, but should I be pushing the dog away from all of the other things? I know he's a predator, but I'm really worried about his well being. His diet isn't even secure yet...he still has loose poops. If I could get a bit more time away from the dog (to not need 14 hour days with me and him), train him to sleep through the night, and be totally secure in knowledge of his safety while not neglecting him, I would be set. Thanks for any help you give guys, I desperately need it. PS: When I look up anything relating to anxiety and puppies, there is absolutely ZERO things to help owners with anxiety and tons of articles for the puppy. |
 Comments (Total Comments: 3) |
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Mad39er
- 07-29-2011, 11:55 PM
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You need to calm the
 down. The dog will react to your anxiety and run with it. A German shepard puppy will be a lot of work but you need to schedule more time in your day to accommodate him, more than likely by getting up earlier than you usually do.You don't need to be there 100% of the time with the dog. You do need to be 100% in control of yourself and your emotions because this and every other dog will give you feedback based on your body language and emotional state. Crate the dog at night and go to sleep, it will whine and cry but it will have to learn to get over that, you're not helping it by catering to it or smothering it with attention. Try to get the dog on two meals a day followed by a regular walking schedule. One in the morning, one at night when somebody is available and maintain a regular feeding schedule. You need to develop a routine that will give your puppy structure and allow you some sanity. I walk my dog in the morning before her meal so she works up an appetite and when I get home around 8 to 12 hours later. A dog will pee and poop as much as it is able to, if you're available to take it out more often, do it as they will cue you into their needs. My dog will poop on average, if somebody is home, 3 times a day and pee as much as she can based on her water intake. During a work week she's walked once in the morning and twice in the evening/night. Don't treat the dog like a dog. Treat it like a child but don't be afraid of training it. Since it's a German Shepard it's a working dog, you will need to give the dog a job of some kind and get it properly socialized so you don't give yourself a headache when it becomes territorial and turns your house into it's castle. And for those two days nobody is available, hire a dog sitter. |
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ethwang
- 08-03-2011, 12:01 AM
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Agreed with the poster above--it seems that you are overreacting a bit to the situation. It is nice to see yourself so emotionally invested, however, as it seems that many people just treat their pets as toys these days.
The whining is very normal--pets get anxiety like humans do when they're put into unique situations. I had two puppies at the same time and they whined quite a bit when they were first separated from me. The best thing to do is to make your puppy as comfortable as possible in his cage before you go to sleep--put some blankets down, give him some toys, and maybe turn on a light. Feed him a treat before you leave so he associates something positive with you leaving and give him a treat when you see him in the morning. Under no circumstances should you be coddling or letting him out of his cage if he whines--this will teach him to do it every time he wants to get out. He needs to learn to get used to the routine--just make it as nice as you can for him. The pee / poop frequency lasts until they are about a year or so--their bladders haven't fully developed. My dogs peed/pooped at a similar frequency but can now settle for going 2-3 times a day. This will pass! As far as eating stuff goes, make sure you are feeding him enough each day. A puppy needs a lot more nutrition as he is still growing. Make sure the food you are getting is puppy-oriented as it will be more protein dense. If your dog is trying to eat random stuff, it's very likely he isn't getting the nutrition he needs--make sure you also keep his diet consistent and don't change up foods very much. Try putting some pumpkin or carrots into his food so he has a bit more fiber--this will firm up his stool. I also put together a schedule for my own sanity--keep a schedule of his feeding and walking times so you can accomodate your dog but also get him used to when he will be able to go. This will help keep his bowel movements regular and also help with your stress. A puppy is a ton of work--but it is worth it! They are resilient animals and just need some structure, love and dedication. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions I can help with. Love your dog, but please don't stress out!! |
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Romis
- 08-10-2011, 07:35 PM
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something you might want to try to help with the whining at night, if your puppy was still sleeping with siblings or with the mother it might still be missing that comfort or "sound" to sooth it to sleep.
you could try either leaving something on like a radio, etc or often a Wind-up clock wrapped in a towel laid on top of the kennel will sound like a 'heartbeat' and can your pup a distraction |
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