Trial run with Gracie not going so well....

I think I posted about this last week, but I can't remember so I'll just repeat myself (possibly). I brought home a beagle named Gracie Monday night so that I could see if I had enough time for a dog and possibly adopt her. Well, it's not going so well. She gets along ok with the cats and they are ok with her, but she has peed in the house 4 times and pooped 1 time. Usually, it happens right after we come back in after a walk. I am getting so frustrated with her! So I guess I am not going to keep her, but at least now I know how the cats will be with a dog!

New animals need adj time... I am learning this again with bunny... Retraining potty to your doors could take a week..

keep her locked in a certain room with a baby gate and puppy pads. Also you adopted a VERY active breed which I'm sure you know! But she will just need some time! It'll be hard to find any dog that will adjust in a week.
Also do you know if the dog has ever been inside before?

It hasn't even been a week. Animals need time to adjust to new situations, and she hasn't been give a fair trial yet. If you're already frustrated, then maybe it wasn't a good idea. Dogs take a lot of time and effort to train.

Originally Posted by clixpix

It hasn't even been a week. Animals need time to adjust to new situations, and she hasn't been give a fair trial yet. If you're already frustrated, then maybe it wasn't a good idea. Dogs take a lot of time and effort to train.

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That is what I am thinking too-- but that's why I did a trial run. I wasn't sure how the cats would react and if I would have enough time. I kind of expected this to be easier too. She's 6 years old, a champion (she's a showdog), and from a very good breeder. I think that I overestimated her and my ability to be patient. I just had to get some of my frustration out and kind of put my thoughts out there. I was thinking of giving it more time, but I just don't know if I have enough time to be fair to her.

This coming from a non-dog person (not that I don't like them, just don't have one right now) may not have much credence, but I enjoy watching Dog Whisperer, and one thing he stresses is that you need to take long walks with a dog, especially an active breed. So here are my questions (with tips, of a sort):
1. how long are your walks? they need to be at least a half hour long, a few times around the block, at least. one time around, she's just investigating. and this is a new 'hood' for her, with strange smells/dogs. if there's a park nearby, take her there.
2. who walks whom? is she pulling you? if she is, she's establishing herself as 'top dog' and the leader of your pack. you need to set yourself as the pack leader.

If you get a chance, watch his show. or check out his (Cesar Milan) book from the library (there is another guy calling himself the Dog Whisperer, but I don't know how good he is). Ask your vet for ideas as to why she's waiting until you get home. It may be the walks aren't long enough, or you're not going far enough. She's still adjusting and needs a place she feels comfy enough to 'do her thing.'

This cats-only-for-now person will now shush...

Amanda

I'm also wondering....is she spayed? I know unspayed female dogs mark as well.

I currently have an un-neutered Jack Russell foster dog. He pees in the house & poops in the house. He poops a multitude of times a day, often taking 5+ minutes to finish one. (S/D poops ) He pees a lot, because of a health problem. He's also marking his territory.

Thanks everyone. We usually walk for about 10 minutes (it's been raining--we've been a little lazy ) each time. She pees every time and poops some of the time. She's a really good dog, but she is going back to the breeder tomorrow. Like I told Kelly (the breeder), I feel bad leaving her in the crate most of the time because of being in school and working. It's not fair to Gracie and Kelly was just looking to rehome Gracie because she is a breeder and Gracie is retired now. It's not that Gracie has to be rehomed at this time, Kelly just wanted to give her a good home where she would get more attention. The agreement that I had with Kelly was that I wouldtake Gracie to see if it would work. Kelly knows my situation and thought that it might work anyway, but to be fair to Gracie, it just won't work.