Stray dog!!!

lisaloo1977

Firstly well done on being a wonderful person and giving Ben a home.

With regards to the accidents in the night, he is still a baby. If he has been out and able to wee at any point, it will take him a while to strengthen his bladder to be able to hold it through the night.

I have a Bulldog who is 3 at christmas and he still needs letting out twice in the night. It drives me mad at times but i know he cant help it and on the few nights he has been unable to wake us he has been obviously mortified in the morning when he has messed.

You have come so far with him in a short space of time, he will get it he just needs to adjust and take it one step at a time.

I wish you all the best.

urbancookie1

Any more info on "pooch"

shadej

I ordered a create from ebay and I will try using it straight away.
He is doing well. Our cat keeps stealing his food but he is getting used to it now.

foreign_correspondent

shadej wrote: »

I ordered a create from ebay and I will try using it straight away.
He is doing well. Our cat keeps stealing his food but he is getting used to it now.

Dont rush the crate training!! - another poster on here put her dog in it with the door closed for half an hour on the first day and the dog was clearly terrified and tried to break out of the crate. I would imagine after such a scary experience for the dog that you would strugle to ever crate him again.

I have never crated a dog, but I think it can be really useful - but do research how to crate train first - you need to make it a lovely comfy safe place for the dog to be in, with his bed in it, and encourage him in by giving him treats in there - he should start going in there naturally for a rest. Build up the time he spends in it very gradually and keep it all positive for him!

Sounds like you are resigned to the fact he may just be staying!!!

BridgetJones_2

I have never crated my dogs, I'm not a big fan to be honest.

I did however have a puppy pen, it was about the size of a box room. He stayed in there overnight, when we nipped out and used it as a time-out when he got over excited. Make it really snug, couple of toys, a kong, water and a comfy bed (you could line the crate you have bought with vet bed for this). He'll be choosing to go there in no time.

Penny_Watcher

I've never crated any of mine because either they came to me over the age of 12 months or there were no behavioural issues.

Having said that my best friend swears by hers. She puts a blanket over the top leaving the front open to make it like a cozy den. Her dog loves it and chooses to go in for a bit of peace and quite when the children are becoming too much.

sharronloves2spend

My two dogs have a large crate each, both with a duvet in (single, cut in half) and is really snuggly. during the day when we are in the house the crate door is left open and my two often retreat to it when they have had enough of us!! When we go to bed or go out, we just say 'bed' and of they go.

The trick with crates is not to overuse them, the dog will get bored and start to see the crate as a punishment. I echo what foreign correspondent says and make it as pleasant as possible for him.

good luck and let us know how you get on!!!!

Love sharron

foreign_correspondent

This might be handy - tips for crate training-
http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/crate-training.php

shadej

Got a call this morning from a guy claiming that the dog belongs to a neighbor of his who has passed. He said the dogs name is Buster. He claims there are new people living in his neighbors house but he is willing to give the dog a home.
I don't know what to think or do. I was going to invite him round and see how they get on but my husband stopped me. He reckons if the dog is not his, he has no right to it. But I think he might be a familiar face for Ben.

foreign_correspondent

I would be very wary indeed.

Your husband is right, and this chap probably has no way of proving it was his neighbours dog, (it may be that he just fancies getting a free dog as it is hard to disprove too! he could just be a chancr who may well sell the dog to someone else if you do let him take him) and if it is he has no more right to it that you do.

If I died I would hate to think someone would let my neighbour have my dog - she would have no right to her and is not a suitable owner!!!

He may not be a kind or responsible person for the dog to go to. He may even be looking to get a dog to breed, or even worse. Is the dog neutered? I would be very wary of anyones motives here.

You and your family will now be very familiar to the dog, probably at least as friendly as the neighbours! - it sounds as if he has settled in well.