Need some advice new dog owner

rev229

We have just got our first family pet a 4yr old boarder collie x. I had dogs as a child but parents sorted out care etc. We have had her since saturday and she is very well behaved she was in the dog home for 3 weeks as her previous owners could no longer care for her as they were working all day. I have 2 small problems. She is walked 4-5 times a day 2 long walks and 2-3 shorter walks with my son.Today I notices that she has been using the bark under the trampoline as a doggy toilet :eek: , I have removed all of it and put some disinfectant down and hosed it in the hope that she might get the message. We haven't seen her doing it but she really likes being in the garden, I think she my have been left in the garden all day in her previous home. How can I prevent her from using this ares for doggy doodoo? She wees on the lawn when we let her out in the morning should we discourage this also. Her other problem is that she is more than happy to run around the garden playing with toys on her own but is growling at all her own toys as she is thowing tham about. She will bring us toy to throw at her to catch she does seem to want us to play with her. I am a bit worried as she seems very over possessive with her toys that she might snap at us. I have been ignoring her when she is playing like this but not sure what we should do as it is quite early days with he. Apart from that she is very good and well behaved barks when someone comes to the door but otherwise very placid and content. She is not bothered by other people at all will come and see who they are and then wander off. Any advice welcome.

frugallass

rev229 wrote: »

We have just got our first family pet a 4yr old boarder collie x. I had dogs as a child but parents sorted out care etc. We have had her since saturday and she is very well behaved she was in the dog home for 3 weeks as her previous owners could no longer care for her as they were working all day. I have 2 small problems. She is walked 4-5 times a day 2 long walks and 2-3 shorter walks with my son.Today I notices that she has been using the bark under the trampoline as a doggy toilet :eek: , I have removed all of it and put some disinfectant down and hosed it in the hope that she might get the message. We haven't seen her doing it but she really likes being in the garden, I think she my have been left in the garden all day in her previous home. How can I prevent her from using this ares for doggy doodoo? She wees on the lawn when we let her out in the morning should we discourage this also. Her other problem is that she is more than happy to run around the garden playing with toys on her own but is growling at all her own toys as she is thowing tham about. She will bring us toy to throw at her to catch she does seem to want us to play with her. I am a bit worried as she seems very over possessive with her toys that she might snap at us. I have been ignoring her when she is playing like this but not sure what we should do as it is quite early days with he. Apart from that she is very good and well behaved barks when someone comes to the door but otherwise very placid and content. She is not bothered by other people at all will come and see who they are and then wander off. Any advice welcome.

you could try taking her to the toilet elsewhere and once she has done what comes naturally then reward her by taking her back to the garden and letting her play - my dog is as regular as clockwork because he knows the routine now. I'll never be able to stop him weeing tho - he even lifts his leg when there is nothing left :rotfl:

my dog also has his own toys and we have such a laugh watching him throwing them around and growling at them - he's playing, it's natural and nothing to worry about. He also growls when we try to take them off him but we know this is a 'play' growl and not a nasty one. We often have two of his favourite toys and throw one, when he refuses to hand it over we show him the other and he drops the other one straight away. It's a good way for them to practice retrieving in my opinion.

You'll need to explain to the kids that some of the toys belong to the dog and not to 'tease' her too much until she gets used to her new family.

Dumyat

not got an answer but our pooch could be walked for miles but would only do it at home
not sure about the toys. our dog makes all sorts of noises and growls etc while she plays on her own with toys. does she seem aggresive when you try to take them is that what you mean?

rev229

Thanks for the very quick responses. She will have that don't try to take this toy look if you know what I mean and the runs off. So I have left her to it for the time being! She has loads of energy and to be honest it really seems to be a doggy thing as when the kids are about she is fine. She seems very attached to her toys we gave her although she had chewed them she has chewed nothing else. When her toys are in her basket she likes to hide them from us! She takes them back and forth from the garden morning and evening and likes to sleep with her chewed cuddly toy. She has be done (IYKWIM) so shouldn't be maternal instinct

Dumyat

I think when you've only had her a matter of days, its too soon to make any judgements about her behaviour. She probably hasn't worked out who you all are, what's her's and where she fits in in this new home. hope she settles in soon. our dog was a rescue dog and she was a great addition to our family.

frugallass

when we introduced a Kong Toy to our westie he treat it like a baby for a while - he wanted to get to know it before we were allowed to play haha. He kept it in his basked for a few days and even took it out when he went to the loo !

Like I said before, 'swaps' might make it easier for her to part with her toys if you want to play with her.