ext_52138 ([identity profile] autobuck.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] elanya 2008-03-14 04:49 pm (UTC)

Set up your wind-chimes (something that won't make a noise for the breeze might be a better choice though), ring them every time you put her out, and if she'll allow it, take a paw or guide her nose into the chimes to make them sound. I guess she's probably still skittish so this might not work right off, but it's a good idea to get her used to being held. Do a lot of gentle paw-holding while she's still young to make sure she continues to be good with trims.

You should also start crate training as soon as possible... don't lock her in the kitchen, lock her in a box that has enough room to lie down but not enough room to crap in the corner. Dogs won't go to the bathroom if they have to lie down in it. Leave the crate open during the day so she can check it out and go in and out at will. She'll probably complain at first, but no worse than the kitchen-lock, and she'll come to like the box. Dogs enjoy having their own stuff, and a little den to put it in. Crate training is really important if you're going to be traveling with her at some point.

Also, don't leave food out. She should "hunt" and eat fast, not graze. Put it down, give her fifteen minutes or so, and take it away--even if she's waited fourteen minutes to start eating and isn't done yet. This'll teach her to eat quickly and, more importantly, that you're The Boss and you get to touch her food. Giger seems to like it when his dry food has been watered a little bit. It softens the stuff up a bit.

You should probably discourage her from chewing things, especially people. You can't stop the behavior, but you can teach her to only chew a couple specific things. Bitter apple coating on stuff she likes to chew will help a lot.

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