Baxter, Our new Shih Tzu

Here's a pic of our new baby, Baxter. I've been coming to these message boards for a while now during my research for the right dog, and you have no idea how much you've helped. I still have a million questions, so I hope you won't mind, but it's been a very long time since there was a puppy in the house. He's 8 weeks old, and we only picked him up yesterday, so we're alll just trying to get used to each other.

 

He's absolutely adorable.

 

What a cutie! Congrats!

 

Thanks everyone! We're very happy with him, he's so cute and has kept us entertained for 3 days straight!

He does not like the crate, but we're only using it at night and if we have to go out. He likes to sleep on the hardwood floors, so I've been putting him in the crate when he is sleeping, figuring he'll get used to it that way. Any suggestions?

Also, at night, he's done okay. I think the crate is a bit big for him, as he's only 4 lbs, but he does whine when he needs to go, but then he doesn't want to go back to sleep! This morning, it was 4:45, so my day started early, but if he's doing this at 2AM, then what?

One more question. He doesn't like the leash. Not at all. When you put the leash on him, he just sits and won't move. Do you think a harness would be better?

Thanks!

 

I usually make sure the size is appropriate, reason is if there is too much of area to move around in he might use one end of the crate as a bathroom and can sleep away from it, if hes not doing that then I wouldnt worry about it.

That said though with such a young puppy I would expect to see some accidents in the crate, its a little unfair to expect them to be able to control their urination for more than a couple of hours, as he gets older he will be able to wait longer. Usually by 12 weeks he should be able to hold it through the night. What you could do in the meantime is put the crate in a penned area (or small room were he cant injure himself on anything or get into anything he shouldnt) and leave the door open on the crate with some pads or papers down outside the crate. If your only going to be gone for about 2 hours then he should be able to be in just the crate.
Another option, as the crate is big enough you could put a pad down at the far end, I just personally dont like doing this as you basically teaching a habit that you have to work on later to stop.....unless he stops when he is bigger because by then the crate wouldnt be big enough.

As for the leash, again he's just a baby, some dogs take to a leash and collar straight away but more often they need to be worked with.
First of all let him get used to a small light collar, then you want a light leash, let him drag it around the floor (obviously only when supervised), do this a couple of times then you want to pick up the leash and let him 'lead' you, you can gradually build up a little tension on the leash, initially just so he gets the feel of the fact that there is something there, I would do that for a couple of lessons a day for a few days, once he is comfortable with this....like he can feel the tension but is happily running around and playing anyway then you can start motivating him to walk to you and with you, a squeeky toy works well for this, make happy puppy noises, little treats, talk to him and give him a lot of praise when hes doing it....whatever works.
There will be times when its like he decides he 'doesnt like the leash', most dogs will just object by sitting down or maybe barking a little at you but Ive seen dogs literally throw themselves on the ground and scream like a 2 year child having a temper tantrum......not all dogs do this, most dont but if it does happen, dont get upset but dont give into him either just be very patient and gentle with him and keep motivating him to come with you, it only takes giving in to one little 'tantrum' and youve basically taught him that 'he's in charge'....and he will do it again.
Like I said, most dogs dont do this but its better to have an idea of what to do if it does happen.

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll take it! He really is so precious, and he is a baby. It's funny, I've been doing my dog research for months now, and figured I was ready! Boy oh boy...was I delusional! We're definately doing the praise thing, seems like everytime he does something good we do that. That, and I bought treats for when he does go outside. He's eating pretty good, about 3 times a day, he doesn't seem to want to eat more than that though, so I give him the sugar stuff they gave me when we picked him up. Just once a day though. I'm going to go home at lunch from now on to let him out. It's about a 25 min ride, so I'll only have a few minutes to take him out and play before I have to go back to work, but I figure I may only have to do this for a few weeks, my daughter gets home from school about 1, so after a few weeks, he should be able to go that long. Least I hope so anyway. Thanks again!

 

jcarilyn... welcome and welcome to little Baxter! He's absolutely precious! I looooove shihtzu puppies...they are sooo stinkin cute

When we first got our shihpoo, he was "oh no anti leash" too! I tried all the tricks... let him walk around with it on, etc.... NUTTIN worked. I switched to a harness and literally had NO problem. I'm not sure if that's the cure all for you... but it SURE AS HECK was for us!! I also switched to a Puppia soft harness as he got bigger and he loves it. When you are ready for that, you should look into them...I can' rave enough about 'em.

We are getting a 2nd dog next month and are planning on naming him Baxter too (He's a shihpoo (shihtzu poodle) with the same coloring as yours!)

 

Thanks! I think I'll try the harness. Not sure I'd want to have something around my neck making me walk!