we got a puppy! Need help!

So, friday we went to NSAL and almost walked out with nothing. Most of the dogs were babies (like under 1 month) and we really wanted something around 6-9 months and housebroken. But we felt terrible for all the dogs in there. We ended up playing with a 3 1/2 month old shepard mix who we fell in love with and took home. She's such a cutie -- i took pics and will post them tonight when I get home.

BUT....its been SO hard! She's not housebroken yet (we've been working on it with her) so I went back to work today and feel terrible leaving her home in her crate. She's been a fast learner though and already knows how to go to the bathroom outside. But she can only hold it for 3 hours at a time so I have to come home during work hours to walk her. She also doesnt like being left alone for more than a little while. So, I already have seperation anxiety when I leave the house without her

DH loves her so much but he's been getting so stressed about how much work it is to train her. Also, since we're in the ILs house, we have to keep her upstairs because their dog doesnt seem to like her very much. So, we're confined to the upstairs with her, which makes things tough for us because we cant do anything around the house because someone always has to be upstairs watching her.

So, we'll see how this week goes. I cant imagine taking her back there....she's already part of the family. So, we're just going to make it work and hope that things fall into a routine and she is able to hold it a little longer in the next few weeks.

Any words of wisdom or suggestions?? We knew it would be hard...but this is SO much more difficult than we expected.

Message edited 8/27/2007 9:39:18 AM.

First off.... CONGRATULATIONS on your new addition!!!

Second...It'll be ok... It's going to take a couple of weeks (probably no more than 2 or 3) for her to get used to the fact that the crate is where she lives when no one is home... we have TWO puppies (guinness is 1 and bailey is 8 mo.) and they had a hard time dealing with the separation... but they got over it. Just know that when you get home, take her out to make and maybe a walk (she'll have A LOT of pent up energy from staying in the crate) and then a good amount of attention. She'll know after a while that you aren't abandoning her... that you will eventually come home.
Also, one thing I learned from our trainer is that if you have something you have to or want to do - put the dog in their crate (it has to become their 'home' and be comfortable there) and go about your business... I know it sounds terrible - but it's like a baby - you are not going to simply let your child take control of your life - so you won't let a puppy either.
As for your ILs dog - they need to assimilated to each other - if you have two rooms where they can be separated by a gate... let them get to know one another through the gate for a couple of hours... it's a matter of territory - the ILs dog is probably being very territorial. Do that for a couple of days and they will eventually get along... plus if they fight - it's just a matter of the ILs dog asserting his/her dominance and claiming its territory. It just can't get out of hand...
I could go on and on... but don't give up - it's hard at first... like when new parents bring home a new baby... but it'll start falling into place. FM me if you want stuff that may help the pup!