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Posted by Svetlana on October 12, 2002 at 20:23:58:

In Reply to: Re: Some Habits of my Pup - Anything to Worry About? posted by PHRiot on October 12, 2002 at 17:41:05:

::Hi again!

::I understand that I may find all the answers in a book about Shar Peis, but before I buy it I need your advice:

::1) He doesn't like any toys!!! Is that normal for them? He's just 10 weeks (almost 11 tomorrow :):):):). He pays no attention to those kongs, corts, balls, little rubber toys. First I thought it's because they smell rubber - but when we bought him a "bone" with little bumps on it for his gums which smells bacon - he didn't like it eihter... He likes only natural stuff: like pork ears, bones made of natural stuff and... oh, yeah, our hands, arms and feet... Furniture too... I'm just wondering if anyone had the same problem (if it can be called a problem, of course...).

:Hello! Nice to have you back :) Sounds like your pup is smart! Going natural is the best way to go. Toys can be expensive and its frustrating when they don't seem to like them or want to play. It also is not unusual that your pup doesn't like toys. It sounds like you have found things he does like, so go with those. Puppies need to chew. I also find that raw bones are inexpensive and good for them.

::2) Crate training. Is it OK to start it at 10 weeks? My hart is breaking apart when we put him in his crate. He's not even whyning - he's screaming... I guess he stops screaming and barking when we are away for some time - but there is no way I can put him in there when we are at home and, for example, having meal. If we are eating - I put his food into the crate too - but he swallows it in a second and in one more second his barking can be heard 2-3 miles around... :):):):).

:Absolutely crate train! The trick is to make your pup feel comfortable and that the crate is his home away from home. I suggest that you put something that has your scent, such as an article of clothing, a favorite chewie and a blankie so that your pup feels safe and comfortable. Try only keeping the door latched for short periods of time, then build up to more time.

:
::3) Therefore - if he's not in the crate and we are eating - he's begging for treats. At 10 weeks he clearly understood that the kitchen is the finest place in the house and whenever somebody walks there - he follows the person... Even when he's sleeping and somebody walks to the kitchen he wakes up immediately and - yeah, he's there first, even before the person who intended to grab a snack. Yesterday I was a little dissapointed - I grabbed a glass of milk into my living room to watch TV - he was trying to reach this glass in all ways he could while I was sitting on the sofa - nothing could stop him, neither my strict voice, not even carrying him to the next room. When he saw that the glass is empty (I drank it all) - he bited me!!!

::Any tips how to train him not to hang out in the kitchen and not to beg for the human food? Especially in the living room - sometimes he seems to try to get into your mouth :):):):) It sounds funny now - but he's growing and it might become an issue - if he bited me for not giving him milk at 10 weeks...

::

::Thank you for your time,

::

::Svetlana.

:Stop feeding him in your kitchen. Find another quite out-of-the-way spot to feed him. Then when you or someone is in the kitchen totally ignore him. You can also put a baby gate across the kitchen so that he cannot get in. Also, an x-pen is a wonderful item to have, its a small fence that you can set up anywhere, even indoors.

:I also highly recommend finding an obedience class that you can take him through. There is even puppy kindergarten for puppies. These classes are designed to help both pup and owner.

:Raising puppies is hard work, but, it is also rewarding. So, keep up the good work, remember to be patient, persistant, and compassionate ;)

THANK YOU SO-O-O-O MUCH!!!

Svetlana.

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