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Old 12-11-05, 08:17   #5 (permalink)
Accumulator
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Neothin- Glad you've given the dog a nice home and that you're enjoying her company.

You've already got good advice. Socialization can't be over emphasized, help her learn that most people are good by having her meet lots of nice folks, just don't let her feel overwhelmed. Obedience classes with people and other dogs can be great, even if she just sits and watches. On the housebreaking:

Puppies almost always go to the bathroom after waking up and often after playing (besides the obvious after eating/drinking). If she seems "ornery"/hyper that's often a sign that she need to go too. Or else it might mean she's over-tired and needs some quiet time. But I'd see if she needs to go first Assuming she sleeps in a crate at night, if you hear her rustling about in there it probably means she needs to go. Crates work great for all sorts of things, and many dogs decide that they *like* being in their crate once they get used to it. Our 4.5 year old female still sleeps in her crate every night, we don't even bother latching the door.

As I'm always saying, get the book "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the monks of New Skete. It covers all the basics and while nobody's always right about everything (since all dogs are different) those guys aren't really *wrong* about anything.
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