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Leaving Puppy Outside Problems


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Hello to all. This is my first time on the forum. I have a 9 week german shepherd who initially we left inside the house for the first 3 days as he was quite sooky :whip: We then started to get him used to being outside as I was returning to work from holidays. For the last 5 days he has adjusted to sleeping outside at night too.

He was a mess the first day. We left him for short spurts (1 hour) and then went outide etc.

He adjusted ok for a couple of days and has now gone full circle and is back to barking, crying and banging on the door.

Depending on what time of day it is, I am sometimes forced to go out there as I dont want to upset the neighbours.

Everyday we play with him for atleast 3 -4 hours (in the morning before work and at night), we also walk him daily and take him places.

He insists on having company. If I give in, he comes inside after a tantrum, he doesnt want to stay inside, he wants me to go outside and sit there. He doesnt even necessarily play with me. He has a favourite toy and goes and plays with that.

He sleeps infront of the back door on his dog mat. He doesnt not want to sleep in his kennel, so i placed the mat there to keep him warm.

My breeder has told me to just let him cry. But it feels very unkind. And as I said, sometimes because of the time, I dont want to upset the neighbours.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

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Why don't you want him inside while you work? Cause you kept him inside the first few days he thinks that is his den. Afteralll you are inside too!!!!!

If you really want him outside, warn your neighbours it can take at least a week before he is more quiet. This providing YOU ignore him when he howls and show yourself (praise) if he is quiet. NOT the other way around.

Give him lots of toys to play with but rotate them so he does not get bored with them.

Give him a bone when you leave so he is occupide.

good luck

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I wouldn't recommend getting two puppies all at once. It's twice the work and often harder to get the puppy to reach it's full potential when your attention is split. It's ok for people who know what they are doing, but most people advise against it.

For the first few weeks you really should be trying to bond with the dog as much as possible. Do you always want him to sleep outside? Puppies do great sleeping in a crate beside your bed or at least inside the house. They belong with their pack and you are their pack.

If he's been ok for a few days and then restarted his tantrums then it's probably an exitinction burst - the behaviour comes back again sometimes even stronger. It will pass but only if you remain consistent.

Personally I prefer puppies to be able to be inside most of the time, but still be reasonably happy outside by themselves. I think he's had too much too soon and it's only going to make him clingier.

GSD's are family dogs, they want to be part of the family and that means even the boring, sitting around stuff.

If you really don't want him inside, then try and make outside a happy fun place. Personally I think some dogs never fully adjust though and want to be with you no matter what.

Nat

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Separation anxiety can be one of the hardest things a new dog owner has to deal with.

He must learn to be on his own, and starting with short periods and gradually increasing the time is the way to go.

Don't make a fuss when you leave and return.

Reward with treats/toys when he spends even the shortest time outside quietly.

Once he gets into a routine and learns that you will always come back, he will improve .

Make sure he has a comfortable and safe area outside and plenty to keep him entertained, ie. bones and chew toys

Your breeder is right. You have to ignore him.

Try doing a forum search on separation anxiety and you'll get some previous discussions to read.

I don't think getting another dog is an option until this one is happy and well adjusted.

Good luck, it just takes time.

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Thank you for all your replies. I had my first shepherd until he was 12. His son until he was 13 and another shepherd x most recently until he was 11. Except for my first dog, they have all 'overlapped' at the puppy stage, so there were no problems with adjusting to outside. So I can definately see the difference of not having two!

If I knew it wouldnt be an even bigger drama later, I would leave him inside now but I dont want problems later on.

Can I ask at what age people think is suitable for having a pup outside alone? The breeders let the pup sleep outside (obviously there was a lot more of them). I have had 2 friends who recently got pups each and both of them kept their pups outside with any problems??

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Sorry I just don't agree, dogs like company, a puppy especially likes to play. In every instance I've had, one dog on it's own wants your attention 24/7, add another dog into the equation, your not needed as much.

Riles

Fair enough, but I find most behaviourists or dog trainers disagree. On most of the groups I am on and reading I have done, people prefer to wait until the pup is at least 18 months old so he can be fully socialised, trained and bonded until another dog is added to the pack. And even then, a lot recommand getting an older dog, or a dog at least 2 years apart in age.

Dogs like company, sure, but it's good for them to bond to the person and become a well adjusted young adult before a second dog IMO.

Nat

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Understand Tess :mad

Just know that when I first had Rubi, when there was no other pup around, she was FULL ON and destroyed HEAPS and moped a lot, when new foster would come in she was fine.

Guess it's like I always say, different strokes for differnt folk and everyone knows their own individual situation.

Take Care

Riles

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Guest doggy-wuver

I think 9wks is just to young to expect a puppy to live out side.

plus there is the potential doanger of the pup getting stolen from your yard.

GSD puppies are very cute and playful. people will steal them in a heartbeat.

I will never leave my dog outside. she inside with me all the time, she only goes out to go the loo and I am alway with her when she does that.

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Hi, I have a 14 week old pup and have just started leaving her outside for short periods when we're out (and when we're home as well). Snuck back in so she couldn't hear me at first and all was quiet - I think she slept as she was very active afterwards! She then had two longer days (6hrs each time) outside and so far so good - wtih plenty of toys and treat ball etc. Mind you, I didn't stop worrying the first day back at work, but I think we're both getting better at it!

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In any case a door mat is not a haven or a den for the little pup. If you insist on keeping him outside then you will need proper housing for him.

Thanks for your replies. Just a note though that i most definately have more than a mere rug for my pup! Infact he has 2 kennels to choose from. One is very close to the house and is big enough for me to fit into. It has a new bed, toys etc and pup has no interest in it!! :mad The second is at the rear of the yard in the fenced area, for if someone enters and we need to lock the dog up. So we set up a kennel there aswell to make them happy.

He just has no interest in his kennel. He only wants the mat. I have put the mat in the kennel and he simply drags it out and then sleeps on it!!

I have also tried sitting in the kennel with him until he sleeps and then trying to sneak out but he never goes back in there on his own.

I think there is a definate advantage of having the older dog around as they follow and learn from them.

Regardless, if any one has any ideas for teaching him how to stay in his kennel then im all ears!

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He is too young and should be inside with you.

Certainly get the pup used to spending time away from you, left alone in the garden etc. That should be done slowly so the pup doesn't get distressed or anxious.

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Be patient & be far,he went from his littermates to sleeping in the house for 3 days & then to sleeping outside,i dare sayat present hes confused .

Whilst most people say i play with my dog for so many hrs most dogs dont care about that ,most dogs are just happy to have touch time,see you time & quality time.

There is no reasons for you to have problems being a house dog if trained correctly .

I dare say all this pup is looking for at present is reassurance that some form of life form exists.

Personally i like my dogs to have the best of both worlds that being inside/outside & find they adjust well to outside when they now there routine is to come in when we are home etc.

Basically give the pup a chance to settle talk to the neighbours & ask them to inform you of any noise & go from there.

Personally our dogs are sold to homes where they will be inside.

As to 2 we sell many pups as 2 or have people buying another in the early stages ,it isnt hardwork nor do the dogs bond any differently but the most important thing to remember is you dont get another just to solve a problem you gat another because your committed to 2 pups otherwise just work with the 1 & in a few weeks all will be fine

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I would have to echo several people and say that nine weeks is far too young to be left alone. While it is important that puppies learn from a young age where their sleeping and living quarters are, I think you should also temper it with a consideration of your dog's age. At nine weeks, he is not fully vaccinated and is therefore more suspectible to disease. Some good advice I received from a vet nurse was that a puppy should not be left unsupervised outside, because they might accidently ingest something that can make them ill - for instance, garden mulch, which adult dogs can handle but puppies may not.

Why is the puppy being made to sleep outside - and it seems, being made to live outside? Is it because you might not be at home to clean up any mess? If so, perhaps a better idea is to confine your puppy to a small area like your laundry, or use a crate. If you use the laundry, you might want to paper-train your puppy initially, in case you cannot let him out for a toilet.

Also, about the right age for a puppy to live outside. Following on from the above advice by the vet nurse, I would probably suggest you should wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated, which is around 12 weeks of age. However, it depends on your puppy.

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What about rescuing or fostering an older dog? Then you don't have two pups to train...? Just a thought. We got a 2 year old rescue lab, then a pup a few weeks later.

They are both fine outside together, no problems at all. Take the older dog away for even 5 minutes and the pup goes insane.

Other than that...laundry or garage maybe?

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Thanks Damon. I have now placed kennel number 3 next to the back door and it seems pup is happy. (the other 2 kennels being bolted to the ground).

I really don't get it. Why get a puppy if you want it to live outside with minimal contact with you? You are at work all day but the pup must sleep outside at night as well. Dogs make wonderful companions if given half the chance. They do need to be with their humans.

Just in regards to this anne. I have come to this forum for help. This is because i care for pup. I have been in contact with the breeder, vet and also read up for advice. Both times now you have been quite negative towards me and i hope you can appreciate there are dog owners out there that love their pets Very much but do not let them sleep inside. You make it sound as though i am not taking care of my pup. I am up everynight to check on him, even if he hasnt made a noise. i am with him every morning. he has someone other than me with him ALL day. and he has me again at night until bed time. So in regards to 'minimal' he spends maybe 7 out of 24 hours alone, most of which he is sleeping.

Many thanks to everyone that has offered constructive help and advice and not negative comments that do not help anyone.

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