Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ttidcb.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!epsilon!zeta!sabre!petrus!bellcore!decvax!linus!philabs!ttidca!ttidcb!cushner From: cushner@ttidcb.UUCP (Jeffrey Cushner) Newsgroups: net.pets Subject: Re: A house dog Message-ID: <579@ttidcb.UUCP> Date: Mon, 16-Dec-85 11:59:35 EST Article-I.D.: ttidcb.579 Posted: Mon Dec 16 11:59:35 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 18-Dec-85 05:13:43 EST References: <1305@wucs.UUCP> Reply-To: cushner@ttidcb.UUCP (Jeffrey Cushner) Organization: Transaction Technology, Inc. (CitiCorp), Santa Monica Lines: 71 Summary: I understand your predicament, Bill. Many of my clients have the same problem. To get a dog used to being alone all day long takes active work on your part (alot of it) but it isn't impossible. It becomes a bit easier if you can get back during lunchtime,though, for him to relieve himself, and have some exercise and contact time. If you can do this, I advise starting him out on a Friday, by taking the day off, or by starting out on a school vacation to give him the maxiximum contact and training time. Your two biggest objectives are giving him Housebreaking training and getting him to feel secure around you and without you. Be sure that he knows what a chew toy is and that that is the ONLY thing you want him chewing. Also, after two days, start leaving the house for a couple minutes at a time and then come back and give him a treat. Make all your entries and exits low keyed (very important) just like it was a routine thing ( which it will become). Also get him used to being in a crate during times that you are going to be away for longer periods of time. A crate is a cage that is large enough to let him stretch out comfortably but not exceedingly so. It can be a bit larger if you're going to start out with a puppy. This will allow you to leave the house without worrying whether he will chew everything up or urinate on every conceivable surface. If the association with the crate is a positive one, he will grow to love his time in there since he will have security in such a small spot and, also he will not urinate or defecate in there unless he really can't hold it in anymore. This is why I advocate being there for lunch, if at all possible. As time progresses and you are letting him spend more and more time alone out of the crate he will get used to just being in the house and sleeping or chewing on his toy until you return. If you are considering paper training, I would advise against getting a large breed dog, however. A puppy doesn't let go of that much, but a larger dog; the dog he is to become will saturate almost anything that you put down to absorb it. Start out and stick to housebreaking if you are going to get a Gr. Shep. Good luck! Jeff In article <1305@wucs.UUCP> br@wucs.UUCP (Bill Ross) writes: > > I`m interested in getting a dog but would feel very bad about leaving it at >home (an apartment) all day while I am at school. Since I'm likely to be >single, apartment bound and working for the next decade or so I can't see any >solution to this problem. I would have plenty of time for play evenings and >weekends - it's just daytime I'm worried about. I'm thinking about a German >Sheperd or other large but calm dog. Does anyone have a solution to this >problem? I suppose I could take it to the computer lab but I expect people >might object. Thanks for any advice you can give! > > Billy -- ============================================================================== Jeff Cushner @ Citicorp-TTI Santa Monica CA 90405 (213) 450-9111 x2273 {randvax,trwrb,vortex,philabs}!ttidca!ttidcb!cushner ********************************************************************* ** The above comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ** ** Citicorp-TTI and if the corporation wants them to, they'll have ** ** to pay through the nose for the rights! ** *********************************************************************