Maddie's first night home (and as promised, pictures)

[Neidermeyer]

We got to go pick up our little bundle of joy yesterday morning, and let me tell you, it was an interesting day. She did so well though, adjusting. Her crate is in our bedroom right next to our bed. Well, once i showed her where it was and put her front paws in it, she had no problem going in there on her own and laying down. It was actually kind of hard to get her out of there!

We did have a couple potty accidents, but nothing too big. I've been making a lot of trips outside to no avail, but I think this is just her and I learning one anothers schedule. She slept through the night without whimpering or whining, which I was totally shocked by. I did hear her at about 6:30 and realized "uh oh", she had to go potty, but it was too late. I think I will set an alarm to get up and let her out in the middle of the night though.

her temperament is lightening up and she is getting playful with us. I'm a big guy (6', 250), so when I move around, I can tell it intimidates her at times, so I am trying to move gently (in a 112 old Victorian home with floors that creak lol) I have someone coming to let her out while I'm in class so that she gets to make it out every 2-2.5 hours. Still, I can't help but keep checking the doggy cam...

Here are pictures from her first day at home! Her and my wonderful girlfriend have bonded through sleep. It's pitiful. lol

 

[tb44]

Congratulations she's gorgeous. Do you have her on a house leash ? I have found that the leash has been a huge help in potty training my girl.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Awww she is adorable. You definately need to be getting up with her in the night, at least once, preferably twice. She is sooo cute!

 

[Neidermeyer]

Thanks I started with the leash training yesterday. She never even gets out of site, given we have the other rooms blocked off, so I'm hesitant to leave it on her, but I just might try that starting today.

 

[Neidermeyer]

Thanks Mooshi! What time(s) would you suggest I set an alarm for?

 

[ruthcatrin]

Since you're such a big guy (my hubby has the same problem occasionally). Spend some time sitting on the floor with her for a couple weeks (note: you're later probly NOT going to want to do this, but for now it'll help keep you from being so scary). Also don't bend over to pet/treat/what have you, instead crouch as much as physically possible (I have bad knees, so I can understand having issues with it), bending over can be seen as an aggressive move to a smaller animal, where a crouch just brings you down to their level.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Thanks I started with the leash training yesterday. She never even gets out of site, given we have the other rooms blocked off, so I'm hesitant to leave it on her, but I just might try that starting today.

Letting her drag it will help her get used to it, just keep an eye out so she doesn't snag it on something.


Timing, assuming you went to bed at a normal time last night, she started fussing at 6:30, I'd say 5am ish, that way you're ahead of her (hopefully!) needing to go out and she'll sleep for at least a few more hours afterwards.

 

[Neidermeyer]

Thanks ruthcatrin! I was really wondering about that, as she would shy away from me. I have a torn knee from football, but I think I can make it work.

 

[tb44]

I also have baby gates up so she can't be outta my sight. I will say this she is the smartest dog I've ever owned. Only 4 accidents since I bought her home. I personally take her water away two hours before bed.

 

[Neidermeyer]

I took her water away at 8, went to bed at 10 or so. She went out twice before bed, so I was a little surprised by the accident. But, she is a puppy. lol

 

[ruthcatrin]

Thanks ruthcatrin! I was really wondering about that, as she would shy away from me. I have a torn knee from football, but I think I can make it work.

Kneel on one knee if thats easier, or just sit. I've had surgery on one, and they keep telling me they want to do the other....I don't have the excuse of football though, mine's soccer and being a tomboy as a kid *sigh*. I spend ALOT of time sitting on the floor (and swearing out loud as I get up) when dealing with a new pup cause I can't crouch or kneel for more than a couple minutes.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Thanks Mooshi! What time(s) would you suggest I set an alarm for?

If she is going to bed at 10 I would get up at 2 and then again at 6 in the very least. I also took water away and replaced with a half dozen icecubes at 8pm. I know its a pain getting up in the night but you wont have to do it forever, just until she can stay dry all night.

 

[Neidermeyer]

Awesome. I think that will be the plan then. I might sometimes go to bed later, around 12. I figure if thats the case, she will go out again before bed, then again at 3-4 or so, then up at 7. Any idea the time frame for potty training? I've always had outside dogs or small toy breeds that use puppy pads 1/2 the time, so this is relatively new to me.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

If you stick to a regime then potty training is sooo much easier, and I would never use the paper/puppy pads method, it makes it so much harder. Sounds to me like you have a good grip on what to do. Mooshi was dry by about 3 months but I know others that take longer. It will help if you can teach her to ring bells or knock on the door to let you know when she needs to go.

 

[Neidermeyer]

Here is the schedule I am working on right now. Up at 7:0 to go potty, get some walking around the yard in; Feed around 7:30, back out 10 minutes later; Out again at 8:30 right before we leave; Lady comes by to let her out at 11; once of us is back by 1-1:30; let her back out, feed her lunch; back out again 10 minutes later; Out again every couple of hours until dinner, out 10 minutes after dinner, and then out again every 1-2 hours until bed time. Water comes up 2-3 hours before bed. Depending on what time we go to bed, I'll set an alarm to take her out 1-2 times during the night. This is the plan anyways. lol

 

[Neidermeyer]

Also, afternoon playing and exercise

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Sounds good to me! Dont forget to reward and praise like she just picked the winning lottery numbers when she does good and ignore, never punish, when she has an oops. No pushing nose in it, no smacking butts, just clean it up and move on. Im not saying that you would do any of these things!!

 

[Robtouw]

With all of my pups, I took them out every couple of hours and slowly increased the amount of time inbetween outings as they got older. Once you get them on a schedule it will be so much easier! My guy now goes like clockwork!

 

[mklamcc]

The time frame of potty training all depends on the dog. Some only take weeks and some several months. If you are able to learn her patterns and the "potty" signs it shouldn't take long. Mastiffs are smart and learn fairly quickly.

 

[Neidermeyer]

Awesome. I'm very patient, so I'm not going to to rush anything. Hopefully we can agree on a cycle that she gets used to. lol