[SrDan]

We adopted Ellie, a Border Collie puppy, on Wednesday(6 days ago). I've had dogs before but this is my first puppy and I have some questions. She is 10 weeks now.

I think she still has a lot of anxiety for being separated from her litter. She is still whining very often during the day(maybe a little less every day). It's a sad and soft wining instead of loud. We try not to reinforce it by not looking at her or pay attention when she does it. Instead we play with her or pay attention when she is not whining. She chews everything she has access to. I've looked for info online but I only can find information about separation anxiety due to the separation from the owners, not from the litter. So I wonder if this is normal and how long it usually lasts?

Also, it's hard to get her tired because I cannot play a lot of games with her. She doesn't seems to like fetching, she only likes playing tug, which is not that demanding. And I cannot take her to run because she is still too young. I think it would be fantastic to play fetching, but maybe she is still too scared to run at her new home or maybe she will never like it.

I would like also training her but either food or games doesn't seems to motivate her. It must be too soon I guess.

I know it's really young, but I feel bad because I have a lot of time for her but it doesn't seems to be enough to make her happy, so I would appreciate any suggestion.
Thanks.

 

[BostonBullMama]

Sounds like a normal puppy to me! 6 days is such a short time span, she's not going to be fully adjusted to living with you yet. She just needs more time.

If tug is what she likes to play, use tug as a reward in training. If treats aren't her thing - you just may not have found the treat she likes.

Also, being a border collie - she is going to have A LOT of energy so it doesn't surprise me at all that you're having trouble wearing her out. You'll just have to keep trying to build toy drive.

 

[SrDan]

Sounds like a normal puppy to me! 6 days is such a short time span, she's not going to be fully adjusted to living with you yet. She just needs more time.

If tug is what she likes to play, use tug as a reward in training. If treats aren't her thing - you just may not have found the treat she likes.

Also, being a border collie - she is going to have A LOT of energy so it doesn't surprise me at all that you're having trouble wearing her out. You'll just have to keep trying to build toy drive.

Thanks for your answer, BostonBullMama!

Today she just started to whining a lot less than the previous days. She looks better! She ran fetching a ball like crazy today for the first time. Just a few throws and she stopped and she didn't play again, but I'm so happy she is starting to like fetching.

I still have more questions for you or any other who wants to help:

I got some winners at the grocery and she loves them as treat. Is it really bad if I use winners for treats?
Treats at the dog stores are pretty expensive and they will not last a lot... if you know about any healthy and heap treat I will try it.

Also, when we playing tug and she graze my hand or any other part of my skin I pretend to complain like it hurts me and I stop playing and I usually leave to other room. But how long do I have to stop playing for? Do I have to take the toy for tugging with me also so she cannot play with it when I stop playing? Can I stop for one or two minutes and come back?

Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[BostonBullMama]

Some dogs get a tummy ache from eating wieners - but they're a common treat used by dog owners everywhere. Just cut them up into very small pieces so it lasts longer and so that she thinks she's getting more than she actually is haha

When she nips you can just up and leave the room for up to 2 minutes. Just drop everything and walk away. If she keeps playing by herself then just leave her when you do come back.

 

[CadenceDiscordia]

It sounds like normal puppy behavior. Right now, given that your pup is so young, she's not going to be able to tolerate super long periods of training, so keep it under five minutes or so.
If the wieners give her digestive trouble, you can always try using her kibble (if she loves it and will do anything for it). Just be sure you don't give her more than her normal amount per day of kibble.
Merlin really likes these treats: Pet Botanics. They're great for use for training because they're small and you can hold quite a few in your hand. Just be careful, you don't want to over feed the treats, especially when you're first starting out. I think Merlin had the runs the first time I used those treats because I didn't think I needed to slow down on feeding them to him.

 

[SrDan]

It sounds like normal puppy behavior. Right now, given that your pup is so young, she's not going to be able to tolerate super long periods of training, so keep it under five minutes or so.
If the wieners give her digestive trouble, you can always try using her kibble (if she loves it and will do anything for it). Just be sure you don't give her more than her normal amount per day of kibble.
Merlin really likes these treats: Pet Botanics. They're great for use for training because they're small and you can hold quite a few in your hand. Just be careful, you don't want to over feed the treats, especially when you're first starting out. I think Merlin had the runs the first time I used those treats because I didn't think I needed to slow down on feeding them to him.

Thanks for your answer!
I think the winner meat gave her digestive trouble today, so I'm done for now with winners and I will try some treats for dogs. She likes her food but she is not crazy about it like with winners, I'll try to find some dog treats that she loves. I will check those treats, thanks!

 

[CadenceDiscordia]

Thanks for your answer!
I think the winner meat gave her digestive trouble today, so I'm done for now with winners and I will try some treats for dogs. She likes her food but she is not crazy about it like with winners, I'll try to find some dog treats that she loves. I will check those treats, thanks!

Good luck! I hope you find something that works for your pup!

 

[Bigargylesock]

First of all, what a cute dog!!!!

Secondly, 5-10 minutes of training a few times a day should wear her out. Try to use some brain games too, that can often tire out a BC faster than physical exercise.
If she nips or bites when playing tug, you can leave and I would say bring tug with you or put it away, out of her reach, until you come back.

Keep posting more pictures!!!

 

[Dawnben]

I think the winner meat gave her digestive trouble today, so I'm done for now with winners and I will try some treats for dogs.

You can cook some real meat and use it for treats. You just cook the meat of your choice cut into small bites and store in snack size zip lock bags. Freeze any that you can use in 3 days. That way you don't get all the salt in hot dogs or the junk that is in lots of dog treats. Dogs always love real meat.

 

[SrDan]

I think the winner meat gave her digestive trouble today, so I'm done for now with winners and I will try some treats for dogs.

You can cook some real meat and use it for treats. You just cook the meat of your choice cut into small bites and store in snack size zip lock bags. Freeze any that you can use in 3 days. That way you don't get all the salt in hot dogs or the junk that is in lots of dog treats. Dogs always love real meat.

Thank you! I just tried Bravo dry liver treats and she LOVES them. I will probably try to cook the livers at home because those are pretty pricy.

 

[SrDan]

First of all, what a cute dog!!!!

Secondly, 5-10 minutes of training a few times a day should wear her out. Try to use some brain games too, that can often tire out a BC faster than physical exercise.
If she nips or bites when playing tug, you can leave and I would say bring tug with you or put it away, out of her reach, until you come back.

Keep posting more pictures!!!

Thank you. She is so cute! Everybody likes her. I started yesterday with "sit" and she learned it in the first 5 minutes session. The next ones are not that easy though.
Since she has tried the liver treats she is crazy about them!