Who has experience raising a puppy?

[Peter Johnson]

Well, I gone and done it--got a black labrador to be a companion for approximately twelve years!

He's eleven weeks old, and things are going really well with early training commands and even housebreaking is proving not to be a huge issue.

But there's another issue--barking and whining when I'm not "around".

I have a defined space set up for the little guy, with a crate (no door), a "litter box" just in case, and the dog bowls. This is its own room, and is enclosed with a see-through baby gate.

The problem is, when I confine him and he's awake, he'll just whine and bark and complain. I live in an apartment complex, and yesterday I got a fairly sternly-worded note from some neighbor (somewhat cowardly--no name or number) asking me to do something about the noise or they would register a complaint. Needless to say, this has me stressed out and I'm trying not to let _my_ stress get to the dog.

This is only the second full day, so I probably just need to ride it out a bit (I know, he's a baby, everything is new, he'll act unpredicably, he's been ripped away from his mom and siblings and the humans he's been around for almost three months, but what do any of you who've been in this boat think is the best method? Ignore him (suggested by someone who has raised labs, but I tried that yesterday and it resulted in the complaint)? Startle him (can with coins, or a smack on the wall) when he barks? Just chill out today, Sunday, and spend time with him and worry about it on Monday when the other apartment dwellers are likely to be at work?

I'm going to work a lot from home this week to "ease in" to this, but I'm panicking about this barking and whining, and just don't know what to do.

Help, please!

Thanks in advance!

[Jim Alfredson]

Is he whining at night or during the day? If it's during the day, your neighbor can file all they want. There's nothing management can do about noise during the day. It's an apartment complex, for crying out loud.

When I lived in Ann Arbor, I had my Hammond C2 organ and Leslie in my apartment and used to practice during the day. My neighbor was constantly threatening me about reporting to management and I just said, "Go ahead." They can't do anything about it.

[Guest]

I recommend outfitting yourself with some "foobies" so that you can nurse him. I think it will ease the transition and probably help you two bond.

[Chalupa]

2 suggestions. One, leave your radio on when you leave your apartment. The sound will drown out noise from outside your apartment and might trick your dog into thinking it's not alone. Our dogs will bark at anyone walking down the street if they hear them so we leave the radio on all day. Two, get a second dog. Your dog won't be lonely w/ another one around. We used to have a beagle that freaked out when ever we left not only did it howl but it scratched at the door ripping two BIG holes in the wall. So we got a second beagle and now the she's fine. We haven't had any "hole in the wall" issues in over 4 years..

[Adam]

Time to watch the Dog Whisperer!

Separation anxiety is tough.

One hint - don't give the puppy any special attention when you return home. Make it so that it is "not a big deal" for you as Pack Leader to be going out. No picking the puppy up as soon as you walk in the door. Only after you settle your things, hang out, and choose to give the puppy some attention may you do so.

[Soul Stream]

Perhaps it's time for a drive in the country....

Seriously though, from a guy who lives next to a yellow lab that whines all day while the owner is gone. It's a drag. Dogs are seiously social animals, and if you're gone all day five days a week that's a lot of alone time for a dog.

Edited March 27, 2006 by Soul Stream

[Peter Johnson]

Thanks, guys. It was clearly some serious separation anxiety at first. This is a real mellow dog! Day two went much better, with a couple of 2-3 hour "absence" stretches passing without incident. He was freaking out in his "room" even when I was still in the house; now, he's really only whining when he has to go. I know I'm not out of the woods yet, but perhaps chalk my post up to "first-day-of-dog-ownership" neuroses. I'm sure I'll be back for more help!

Troy, do "foobies" help gain and/or restore confidence?

[Soul Stream]

Congrats Peter!

[Guest]

I went over Sunday to see the beast for myself and this is the most mellow lab puppy I have ever seen. Seemed to dig the Sunny Clark I put on while Peter went for a run too. I don't think you're going to have any problems with this one.

[Ron S]

Just a little OT, Peter, but have you read "Marley & Me" yet? In case you're not familiar with it, it's the current NY Times #1 bestseller by Philadelphia Inquirer columnist John Grogan, about his family's life with a male yellow lab. It was recently sold to Hollywood (apparently there had been a bidding war among 3 studios). My wife read and loved it, my daughter's currently reading it, and I'm next up. We currently have a 9-month-old female yellow lab, and had another female who died 3 years ago at almost 14 years of age. As you probably know, they're wonderful dogs, and always seem to have a way of outgrowing these puppy "issues", if you can persevere through them.

Congratulations, and enjoy him (which I know you will).

[catesta]

I've got plenty of experience with puppies, but can give no advice on discipline.

My Chihuahua is partially responsible for my divorce. Funny thing is I didn't even want the dog to begin with.

My current girlfriend loves the dog but can easily get pissed off with her and frustrated with me.

I can't help but spoil the shit out of her.

So, let me know if you want to know my secrets.

Edited March 27, 2006 by catesta

[BruceH]

Call in the dog whisperer!!

[catesta]

Call in the dog whisperer!!

I watched that for the first time over the weekend.

The dude is good.

[rachel]

Thanks, guys. It was clearly some serious separation anxiety at first. This is a real mellow dog! Day two went much better, with a couple of 2-3 hour "absence" stretches passing without incident. He was freaking out in his "room" even when I was still in the house; now, he's really only whining when he has to go. I know I'm not out of the woods yet, but perhaps chalk my post up to "first-day-of-dog-ownership" neuroses. I'm sure I'll be back for more help!

Troy, do "foobies" help gain and/or restore confidence?

What's the sweet bubbie's name? We want pictures.... many many pictures. Does he have that deliciously awful puppy breath ? (which has never kept me from loving big puppy kisses.... ) Congratulations on the addition to your family.

PS: pictures....

Edited March 27, 2006 by rachel

[Guest]

I saw him, he's really cute. I won't deprive Peter of the name-reveal and pics, but he's a damn fine puppy. Really laid back. Played a little, chewed on my soul patch a little, chewed on my wife's pony tail a little, then took a napsker.

Healthy boy, built like cuddly cinder block. We get to keep him in a few weeks and he'll get to meet my 12 year old lab Madeline. Photo of her attached (if I can make it happen)

Edited March 28, 2006 by TroyK

[GregN]

Time to watch the Dog Whisperer!

Separation anxiety is tough.

One hint - don't give the puppy any special attention when you return home. Make it so that it is "not a big deal" for you as Pack Leader to be going out. No picking the puppy up as soon as you walk in the door. Only after you settle your things, hang out, and choose to give the puppy some attention may you do so.

That is a biggie.

g

[Peter Johnson]

His name is Luke (he does not live on the second floor).

Let me see if I can add a picture.

He's _really_ settling down--it didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would during my neurotic weekend!

Edited March 28, 2006 by Peter Johnson

[doubleM]

He's a cute little motherfucker!!!

[Peter Johnson]

I said the same thing to him yesterday! He's going to grow up to have a foul mouth. At least he's behaving well enough at this point that he won't think his name is "goddamnit"!

He's a cute little motherfucker!!!

[Ron S]

He is a cute little guy, Peter!

Here's our Zoe at almost the same age--10 weeks (she's now almost 10 months!):

[Peter Johnson]

That's a good looking lab, Ron!

He is a cute little guy, Peter!

Here's our Zoe at almost the same age--10 weeks (she's now almost 10 months!):

[Guest]

Man, the depth of emotion and thought behind those eyes. Amazing animals.

So, I get a call from Peter last night that goes something like this:

Peter: Well, I had a near disaster with Luke today.

Me: What happenned?

Peter: He escaped from the little room I had him baby-gated into.

Me: Uh oh (smiling the knowing dog owner smile) what did he do?

Peter: Not a damn thing. Nothing, went back in the room twice to pee on his paper, didn't go anywhere else in the apartment, didn't chew anything, didn't move anything....nothing.

Someone's looking out for you, my friend. You got a good one.

[Peter Johnson]

Well, this should cause everyone to question my sanity, but I've done it again--got my black lab Luke a sister, Sidney. She's 11 weeks old, the same age Luke was when I got him. She doesn't seem to be freaking out as much as he did--although she was raised on a farm instead of in the city, and I think she misses the goats! It's been funny to watch them interact--she's going to kick his ass when he gets older!

[Dan Gould]

Good for you, Peter.

Growing up, we always had one dog at a time. My wife, on the other hand, always had at least two, and often 4 or more. Ever since we've gotten Coltrane his sister Gracie, I've realized how much dogs need canine companionship, and how fascinating it is to watch them interact and play.

Not sure if she'll kick his ass when she's bigger or not - I've learned that when one dog "raises" another, even as the younger one willl begin to assert themselves, they'll also be willing to accept discipline from the older dog. Gracie was almost a year old when we got her, and yet even as she knocks Coltrane around sometimes, when she goes too far, he will either yank down hard on her ears or will grab her snout in his. Either way, she yelps and her ass hits the ground.

Edited January 8, 2007 by Dan Gould

[Lazaro Vega]

You're going to love having two of them. Before our girls were born we raised two black labs, a boy and a girl from the same litter. I kidded my wife they were "rare black elephant labs." Indeed. The boy grew to 115 lbs and the girl to 110 lbs. My big buddy died last February at age 9 of pancreatic cancer (buried him the yard). This week we spent a boat load of money on Dinah, who turned 10 on New Year's, for a persistent cough she's had for a few months. Went through a variety of treatments until, with the last x-ray, her lungs were 50 per cent worse than they were in September. So they knocked her out and put a cathater (sp) down her throat, washed out her lungs with saline, and pulled out some good samples they sent off to the lab. That was last Thursday. The results came back today. Thankfully she does not have chronic pulmunary blockage or cancer or a chronic breathing problem, which would have been a death sentance ( a year and then heart failure) but an aspirated e-coli infection. Once in a lifetime thing. So, after paying $148 for a two week blasto blamo anti-biotic program we are underway with getting her back to feeling better.

Great dogs. Dinah caught a deer once. The buddy had the nose, though: he was a great tracker, especially rabbits and squirrels. Love love love walking them out in the woods off the leash, which is available in a number of areas near the house. And they were very good with the children when they arrived.

Congrats on having two puppies. They'll love it, too.