Hi everyone,

I just got my husky puppy yesterday (his name is Dexter) after wanting a dog since I was a kid.... I've thoroughly researched the breed for around 6 years before getting one before anyone worries!

He's about 7 1/2 weeks old, light red and white, blue/green eyes right now that will likely be amber like his mother... he has had his first shots, de-wormed and been weened onto puppy food etc.

My husband already had 2 pitbulls when we met, they're house broken and gated in the upstairs hallway when we're not home. No issues there, nor with them and the new puppy.... they're just ignoring him for the most part at the moment, despite his best efforts to play with them a little LoL.

Okay so.... we get him home and he's running around like a little madman, skids across the tile like he's on a slip'n'slide and then sprawls out flat and lays there (multiple times)... his idea of fun I guess! But has no interest in any of the chew toys we got him.

We feed him the same food he was given by the breeder and he ate it.... all good so far. Took him straight outside after he ate and waited it out... he peed/pooped about 15mins later. Then we went inside and he ran around for 5mins then took a nap on the under-shelf of the coffee table. We set up the crate and let him go in and out as he pleased.... tried to tempt him in with a treat, no interest in the treat, or the toys when we placed those in there, but happily exploring everywhere else.

As we already had 2 adult crates for Zeus and Tiny we put one upstairs and one downstairs and placed boxes inside to block off most of the crate so he didn't go potty in there. The box was too long so we kept the back of the crate open and filled the gaps with smaller boxes....

We put the crate in our bedroom against the wall but with the open sides all facing me initially and let him explore it for a little while then took him outside for another potty break before bedtime. We placed him inside the crate and half-closed the door... he walked straight back out, so, repeated the same step multiple times with a treat, chew toy all in there... still no interest in them and he walked right out again. We then closed the door and literally within minutes he's yapping away wanting out of there... we walk around getting ready for bed and ignore him in hope he'd settle down. An hour later he's still yapping... tried to soothe him without taking him out, no success. By now it's 3am and so we decide to move his crate into one of our guest bedrooms. Put the crate in there against the wall, chew toys in the crate, fan closeby and put on the radio so it wasn't dead quiet and closed the bedroom door.

I woke around 5am and couldn't hear a thing coming from the room so left the door closed and went back to sleep. At 7am I woke up again to take him out to potty...... I opened the door... and i smell poop, see it on the floor in the corner of the room and..... he's not in the crate. As I look over to the opposing corner of the room, his head pops up. I pick him up, and take him straight outside. He'd got out of the back of the crate through a gap that couldn't be much bigger than 2"! Yep, I know, escape artists! He runs around the yard a little but isn't sniffing around so I took him back inside and put him on the floor next to the couch. He gets straight onto the under-shelf of the coffee table and falls asleep, at which point I laid on the couch and attempted a little more sleep with half an eye open. For the next 4 or 5 hours he periodically woke up and shifted position but didn't move from the coffee table. Around midday he gets up so I take him out to potty, he then drank a tiny bit of water but didn't want to eat. Tried again around 2pm and he ate. Took him outside to potty 15mins later and he just pee'd.

He ran around for a little while and went to climb onto the shelf again so I took advantage of it and placed him in the crate downstairs with the fan on him, without any boxes..... he laid down and slept, I left the crate door open for 5mins then closed it and he slept for an hour or two. When he woke up, took him back outside to go potty (#1 and #2), let him run around inside for 20mins then gave him a bath, after which he ran around some more... we've tried to play with him but he's more interested in exploring, so, we've let him as it's a new environment. After he ran around for half an hour I placed him in the crate so I could go outside and help my husband with some things in the yard, he laid down for 2mins then got up and he yapped the whole time while in there (about 45mins)

Now it's 8.55pm... Dexter slept next to Zeus (well, in his butt more accurately) for half an hour and has now, laid on the kitchen floor. Drank some water but doesn't want to eat still. Zeus and Tiny are eating and he's bugging them trying to stick his face in their bowls but not eating anything so my husband just gave him a cuddle and placed him in the crate so they can eat in peace and he's already yapping.

Sorry for the play by play of the entire day LoL...

It's only been a day I know but, if possible I'd like some advice on what else I can do that i've not already tried so I can correct what i'm doing wrong (if anything) early on....

Any hints/tips on the crating situation, treats toys and eating etc would be greatly appreciated....... I know crating is most advised for housebreaking but i'm wondering if it may be the best course of action in his case. My husband didn't crate train Zeus and Tiny but they're a different breed and he's already said they were much quieter etc, but that's to be expected. They never bark now unless the doorbell rings or they sense a strangers presence.

Thanks!

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To put it bluntly... like you said, "You've had him for a little over a day." You're a) overthinking it and b) expecting too much too soon.

You've sort of answered your own questions. From the sounds of it, he's fine with the crate when you tire him out. He's whining because he is bored and wants out. When continuing to crate train (because I DO advise it), make sure you exhaust him before putting him in there.

Every dog has something they go gaga for. You just haven't found his yet. Try peanut butter. Try yogurt. Pumpkin. Something yummy and healthy for him to eat that you could freeze in a kong. If those don't work, try marrow bones (but I would have to check at what age it's safe to give them marrow bones. I've never had a puppy, but I would imagine their baby teeth don't mix well with a marrow bone? Someone else would have to speak to that).

My only advice to you is decide now what you want to do and don't turn back. Do you want him crate trained? Do you want him crated at night or only during they day when you're not home? Figure out those answers and just stay strong. Don't change your mind or you'll never train him properly.

Good luck! (and he's freaking adorable)

Very adorable! And everything Koda said of course. Snow yapped in her crate for at least 45 minutes every night for a week when we would put her to bed. Now she goes in when asked, lays down and doesn't make a peep until it's time for her to wake up (And us!!). Don't let her out when she whines. Then she'll think that whenever she does that, you're going to let her out. Just be strong and eventually she WILL stop

Hi,

Thanks for your replies!

@Tori....... I think I am overthinking things LoL. My husband has already mentioned that I seem frustrated.... I just want to do what's best for Dexter so he's a happy doggie!

@Robyn.... Dexter was whining for hours last night but i'm hoping tonight will be better and the seperation anxiety will wear off soon!

I've put some PB in a kong bone and put it in the freezer, will try tempt him into the crate with him at bedtime!

We definitely want to have him crated for bedtime and while we're out or can't keep an eye on him until he's housebroken at least.... so for the foreseeble few months.

Is it best to keep part of the crate boxed off?

My husband and I are both home for the next couple of months so we wont have to leave him during the day very often... i'm not sure if that'll be a good or bad thing in the long run but will cross that bridge when we come to it!

~Nika

He should have enough room in his crate to turn around and that's it. Giving him the frozen kong at night should help too. Don't worry if you get frustrated. We all do because we ALL want what is best for our furkids Just remember not to let him out no matter how long he cries. Get ear plugs if you need to. No matter how pitiful he sounds, as long as you know he doesn't need to potty, then he's not hurting. It just takes time.

BTW - My cat's name is Dexter (named after the show "Dexter" about the serial killer )

Hi!

@Robyn - Headed upstairs right now to find something to fill the gap in the crate from where he escaped last night!

He's fallen asleep in his crate downstairs right now but once he wakes up, which he probably will do in a couple of hours, i'll take him outside to potty then upstairs, tire him out if necessary and put him in the boxed crate with his kong! Then set my alarm for 2.5 hours time to check on him and head to bed myself!

Here's hoping for an easier night!

I originally was going to name him Rufus LoL, but then I met my husband and he got me into watching Dexter (hooked!) and I always loved watching Dexters Laboratory as a kid so, he's now Dexter!
~Nika

If the doors to the crate are shut, how is he getting out? Good luck and hope you get some rest tonight!

Hi,

@Robyn - the box we found tall enough is the same length as the crate so we left the back open with the box sticking out and against a wall, with smaller boxes to fill the side. There was a tiny gap no more than 2" and he somehow squeezed through it! I've reorganized all the boxes and now there is no gap at all, and the crate is in a corner and blocked with more boxes on top over the back of the crate!

~Nika

Hi, welcome, and he is adorable! He is a baby, and you can't expect too much from a baby. My Balon ranted and raved every single night all night for 2 weeks in his crate, and even though every member of my family was sick of it, he stayed in there. He finally stopped lol. First, I don't know what kind of crate you have but I got a full size crate that came with a divider panel so that I can keep adjusting the size of his crate. That helps a lot! You need to put the back on your crate, first to keep the integrity and strength, and second so that he can't go out. You can put boxes in to make his area smaller. Also try placing something over the top of the crate to make it more den like.

Balon is 4 months old and still not completely housebroken though he is getting close!

Don't get frustrated, you have a long way to go. Start training him to sit, stay, lay down, shake, anything you want, they are very smart. Make him do it before you give him anything, its called NILF, Nothing in life is free! Start this right away so that he is used to it.

Also I think Tori said this but be sure to wear him out before bedtime.

He will have accidents in your home, just clean them up, don't make a big deal about it unless you catch him in the act, then just tell him no and take him immediately outside. I have literally picked Balon up midstream so to speak and placed him outside!

Good luck, and don't worry we've all been there!

Freya has been with us now for 3 weeks, she is doing much better with her crate now, but it takes time. Dont expect miricals and DONT give in to him. If he carries on like a pork chop so be it, as long as you know he's not needing the potty and isnt hungry he's fine. Put a blanket or something over the top to make it 'den like'. Freya cant sleep in her crate without the blanket over the top.
Also a radio on quiet helps too, just to give them the feeling that they're not alone. I leave a radio on at night for Freya.

She still carries on when I put her in for her day time 'quiet time' but she is geting better. Day at a time.

Qannik cried, screamed, yelped and shook his crate all night long for the first week we had him. It was by far the toughest week of our lives. As much as you possibly can, don't give into him. Hang in there, because it will get better. The sleep deprivation will definitely take it's toll on you. Try getting your sleep during the day when he's napping. Be prepared for your emotions to be all over the place and to feel overwhelmed at times. It's totally normal and much of it is because you are tired. Just don't be hard on yourself. Seek comfort here because most of us have been through what you are going through, and some of us are still struggling with raising a puppy. Our trainer told us the day we met her, that we should expect changes with our puppy constantly for the first two years. We are only 4 months into this and she couldn't be more right. My husband and I both were overthinking everything in the beginning and expecting way too much from our little guy. Our trainer had to keep reminding of us that. She's been a godsend to us. I would highly recommend getting Dexter into a puppy class as soon as possible. He will love it!

Hi everyone,

@Robyn - PB and Kong...... nope, not interested LoL.

@June - my husband already had 2 full size ASPCA crates for his pitbulls, didn't come with a divider and I've had no luck finding one online so far, but i'm going to keep looking. It's very sturdy and he can't even shake it so it's good for now, although we are going to figure out a more permanent solution soon!

@Francine - I'm not certain but I think the closed in spaces is what he DOESN'T like. Right now, he's fallen asleep quite happily on the kitchen floor!

SO........ last night, a HINT better but not by much LoL. Our house is open plan downstairs with a central 'core' and vaulted ceilings so I walked around about 10 times and did laps with Dexter until he laid down before bedtime to tire him out. We took him upstairs to the guest bedroom where the crate is and let him run around a little then placed him inside the crate with the PB filled Kong, he sat there for a few minutes.... my husband and I sat next to his crate, a couple of minutes after he put his head down and closed his eyes we snuck out and turned out the light but left the door open so we could hear him. Our 2 pitbulls were asleep on their bed in our bedroom... we're watching tv, then Zeus (one of the pits) gets up and goes into the guest bedroom where Dexter is... he wanted the PB Kong. My husband went and got him out and barricaded our bedroom door but...... too late! Dexter starts yapping! So my husband went and sat next to him until he laid down again and then snuck out... 10mins later he's yapping again. He was very clearly exhausted and stopped yapping for a few minutes here and there but, he was still going when I passed out around 3.15am. My alarm was set for 5.30am, I woke up and snoozed the alarm for 10mins LoL - looked over and my husband had gone to tend to him. He took him out to potty and gave him a little water. He laid down with him until he settled again and then left him, he started yapping. At around 8am I got up and yep, he was still yapping away. I took him straight outside to potty and then put him down on the floor... and as per day #1... he got under the coffee table and fell asleep for 4 hours and I fell asleep on the couch nearby. I woke up and took him out again... i've tried feeding him again but he still wont eat. He is drinking water though. He ate once the day we got him home (1/2 cup puppy kibble, de-wormer and a little water mixed in), same again yesterday; he only ate 1/2 a cup. And today it's near 3pm and he's more or less been asleep all day because he's been yapping all night but hasn't eaten.

His poop has been partly runny but the breeder told us it would happen with the stress and water changes. I'm going to mix in some plain yogurt with his food and see if he'll eat it. Any other suggestions?

~Nika

Try freezing pumpkin in the kong. It will keep him busy for quite awhile AND help with the runny poops.

It's only been two days...he's still adjusting to the new environment and being away from his littermates. The stress of that alone could be enough to cause runny stool. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling) can help with that as can the yogurt that you mentioned.

What kind of food are you feeding him? It's possible the food doesn't agree with him completely either although it might be a little soon to tell with that.

We didn't crate train our two so I can't help you with that.

You're in CA, has it been hot the last couple of days? It's possible Dexter's just not hungry due to the heat.

Hi,

@Robyn - awesome, will try that!

@Kim - We're feeding him the same exact food that the breeder had weaned him onto. Today he's only ate 1/4 cup of it, he wouldn't eat it on its own but ate it once I mixed in some plain yogurt. There was 1/2 cup there, he ate 1/2 of it and then walked off.

It's been hot here but it was hotter up where the breeder is located. We've kept a fan on him to keep him cool.

Our Pitbulls are eating Beneful at the moment and Dex has been eating pieces that have fallen out of their bowl and sometimes goes over to see if there's anything in their bowls. Is there any harm in giving him the Beneful if he'll eat it? I know puppy food has extra nutrients etc but I'm wondering if something is better than nothing?

Nika I live in Carlsbad! When our pups our old enough we should def. go on a play date!! Btw dexter is gorgeous!! I love his mask!! Congrats and welcome to the forum!!

Welcome to the forum Nika and Dexter is quiet the cutie pie! When we got Rue he didn't eat much for the first 2-3 days, I think it was due mainly to adjusting to a new environment, he would if anything eat a little and wander off. But his appetite returned sure enough once he got himself adjusted and more used to our home.

As for crate training, don't give up! I know that Rue cried the first week or so but he actually stopped when we moved the crate closer to our bed, he seemed much more content and slept through the whole night! My boyfriend and I were so happy to get some sleep

Stay strong and best of luck with your guy. Puppies can be so frustrating I know that mine still drives me up the wall at least once a day.

We just brought our 8 week old pup, Ninja, home Friday. My wife and I previously had a Malamute who was the best dog I've ever owned. She passed away 2 months ago and we finally ready for another pup. We ended up with a Sibe this time around just because we feel in love with him when we went for a visit.

Some things I see in ours that you've mentioned.

Ninja has really been eating either. He'll nimble here and there and maybe once a day eat half a cup of kibble. We're also crate training him and wow, can he yip. We did all the same things you've done. Treats in the crate (we've found he loves Peanut Butter flavored bones but the Peanut Butter filled Kong did nothing for him). He'll go into his crate and even lay in there with the door closed as long as one of us is in the room. But as soon as he's alone he lets us know it.

Blanket over the crate, fan turned on, shirt with my scent on it in the crate, bone to naw on. The first night he howled and yipped nonstop til 5 in the morning. The second night I'm not sure how long he cried but when I went to take him out to poppy at 3 am he was quit. Until I put him back in. Last night he only cried for 20 minutes and I thought...holy moly he's cured. Until he started back up again 15 minutes later. He was off and on like for for about any hour and then quieted down. I have noticed that as the days go by his tantrums get shorts but more intense. For those first 20 minutes last night I thought he was being murdered.

We've got him all set up in the main bathroom when my young son, wife and I are piled up in the master bedroom with 2 fans going to drown him out.

Patience.

We tried create training and had a hard time with it too and no matter what we did she seemed to find a way to open the cage and escape!! She would find a way to pop a wall down or open the door. We resorted to zip tying like the whole crate together lol so we bought a different type of cage that was just super tall with no top and she decided to climb it and jump out. We tried the blanket on the top thing and she would pull it into the crate and pee on it and tear it up. We had problems with her trying to eat the carpet so we put up some baby gates where we didn't want her to go and haven't had a problem since. We had to stop with the crates because she would poop all over them and chew on the bars to try and bend them and she was at the point where she was wearing her teeth down and sooner or later break one. So watch out for the biting on the cage because that would be bad. We just have to keep her in a certain section of the house when we leave (like the kitchen with tile floor) so we know she will be good and he needs a ton of exercise to wear him out!

Ours has calmed down some now but it took a while. They can be super suborn when they want to be but you will find something that works for you through trial and error.

Peanut butter or scrambled eggs are all-time favorite of our dogs.

Good luck!!