Newbie puppy owner here!

[Girl_at_last]

Hi all,

I have a nearly-ten-week-old Tenterfield Terrier (this is a breed that has been recognised in Australia for about five years, but if you think mini foxie you won't be too far wrong - I understand the breed has its origins in mini foxies, with a bit of whippet and Manchester black and tan chucked in). She arrived last week.

So far we're doing beautifully. She found her crate and took up residence within two hours of arriving. She got the hang of where to toilet in under 24 hours. She cried a bit the first couple of nights, but that stopped quickly (either that or I'm sleeping through it!). She's learning to sit and stay and doing beautifully well - very trainable and eager to please. She's had her first visit to the vet and her first puppy class. She's enjoying visits to school to drop off and pick up the kids. The doormat at our back door - well we were going to get a new one anyway (!) as it was starting to fall apart around the edges (!!); she's just helping it along (!!!) and we've decided to wait until the puppy stage is over to buy a new one - she's way too close to the ground not to notice it with all those delicious chewy bits already hanging off it!

My question is about barking. I DO NOT want a yappy terrier, if I can possibly help it (and some Tenterfield Terrier breeding lines are more-barky than others, and we deliberately chose the less-barky line!). The trainer told us to ignore whinging, because it just teaches them that whinging gets attention (hmmm - yep, just like my kids too!). This morning I was sitting down with the morning coffee and Sudoku (as far as I'm concerned, my dog has to learn to sit under a table and let me do this!). She was NOT impressed and started whinging, which I ignored. Then she started yapping, which she hadn't done before. I'm not sure how I should be reacting to yapping in order to discourage it... I'd rather prevent it in the first place! Secondary to that - how do I keep the dog amused under the table (at a coffee shop or on my deck, which is where we are practicing!) without needing my attention?

I probably sound like I'm making a big deal over nothing... but it's easier to nip it in the bud sooner rather than later...

I work from home so I'm with her a lot. But BECAUSE I work from home, the going-out-for-coffee-breaks are important to me and doglet has to learn to fit in!

[Lauren_201]

Try to ignore any sounds she makes. Don't even look at her. If you can't ignore it I would try a squirt bottle, remember no eye contact. Don't say anything, don't look at her, stay calm and assertive. Even if you have to buy some earplugs for a few days. If she learns that making noise will get her attention she will get louder, but if quiet gets her love, attention and a goody she will learn that she should stay quiet. Remember even looking at her is attention. Negative or positive it's attention.

Edited to add- Buy a kong stuff it with peanut butter and some of her other treats and give it to her. That should keep her occupied while your having your coffee. You can also freeze the kong with all that good stuff inside, those are especially good on hot days.

[Girl_at_last]

I'll stick with ignoring... I just didn't like when whinging escalated to previously-unheard yapping!

This afternoon she was whinging quite a bit when she wasn't getting my attention, so I made a point of ignoring her when she was whinging, and then giving her attention when she'd been quiet for a few seconds.

The spray bottle is a good idea. So is the kong!

By the way, I love your signature. I've been a member of a mum's board for a lot of years now, and when I asked them what I should get before the puppy came there was nearly WWIII over the question of what to feed the dog (please, don't start, I think I've heard all I need to hear on this subject!). It was like, I dunno, private vs public hospitals, cloth vs disposable... looks like becoming a dog owner now only opens my eyes to an entire aisle of the supermarket I'd never noticed before, but a whole ton of disagreement and controversy I didn't even know existed! Fortunately I'm flexible...

[kathydip]

I think you will like it here.

As for the barking problem - IGNORE HER WHEN SHE BARKS. I didn't do this with my Frankie and he is a bit bratty about it. When he barked I picked him up right away so he didn't wake my husband. Not a good idea. He learned quickly that any noise got him my attention. That is what he wanted. He wasn't my first dog but he is the one that really taught me what being a completely responsible dog owner is. I guess I went a little over board trying to fulfill his needs and wants. If only Cesar Milan was on TV 5 years ago! I swear my two don't approve of us watching that show. They think they are perfect the way they are. I almost agree.
If you ever find yourself having a weak moment with her I suggest that you watch an episode.

[Girl_at_last]

Mercifully we don't have a problem yet - but I know the terrier tendency to be yappy (and I picked a dog from with "less barky" breeding lines) and I want to handle this the best way possible as it emerges! Thank you for your advice!

Fix my ignorance! - who is Cesar Milan? TV dog trainer?

[petpredicaments]

hi and welcome to pt

[Angelnstuff]

Cesar Milan is a doggy Psychologist who has his own show called the Dog whisperer, i havent personally seen it myself, as we dong have cable right now but its supposed to be really good.

as for entertaining your dog under the table treats would prolly be best. Kongs are great, especially for a puppy, as they are great for teething, you can put a bit of peanut butter in the bottem to fill the lil hole, then fill it with water or broth and freeze it, Allie loved this while teething. its a bit messy too so it would be great for an outdoor under the table activity. Theres alot of websites that have Kong recipes now too. they can be filled with nearly anything to help keep it interesting. I would make sure you give this to her a few times at home to see how she does with it. Our dog allie will lay in one spot and work on it. but my friends dog is all over the place with it, so it wouldnt work too well for her to keep her under the table. busy bones are also great altho, they can be a bit messy as well.