Puppy Blues !

[Squeaky]

Based on what you've said, I think if you can find her the perfect home and can take the time to do so, then that's the right thing to do. I realize it's not an easy decision, and that major changes in life happen. It's just sad that so many animals end up at kill shelters, or there owners just drop them on the side of the road.

[Aggie_Ama]

KSH- I understand where you are coming from. One of my dogs is a rescue. I honestly thought I was getting a retired breeder from a reputable breeder. Her husband was a vet for crying out loud! Within the first year we got the supposedly healthy dog that had two litters of puppies (yeah right) cost us $600+ in non-routine vet bills.

She continues to cost a lot of money and I have often questioned if I should put her in a rescue group. The poor dog is not healthy due to her previous life. Luckily, my DH and I got better jobs and have been able to take care of her. Before the change in our financial situation I worried I couldn't give her the quality of life she deserved because I couldn't afford it.

You are doing the right thing by caring enough to look for a good home. I am sure there is a North Texas Maltese rescue group that will assist you. ((hugs))

[caligurl]

ok.... i so melted from the pics! *sigh*

[KSH]

Based on what you've said, I think if you can find her the perfect home and can take the time to do so, then that's the right thing to do. I realize it's not an easy decision, and that major changes in life happen. It's just sad that so many animals end up at kill shelters, or there owners just drop them on the side of the road.

Trust me... I would NEVER just dump this dog off anywhere. She is my baby and I will cry when I have to give her up. Just thinking about it is making me well up right now.

There is a Maltese Forum that I am going to post her picture on, etc. and see if I can find her a good home.

I will also look for a local rescue group.

This is a really cute dog, and she can be sweet... I know I can find a good home with the proper research.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Trust me... I would NEVER just dump this dog off anywhere. She is my baby and I will cry when I have to give her up. Just thinking about it is making me well up right now.

There is a Maltese Forum that I am going to post her picture on, etc. and see if I can find her a good home.

I will also look for a local rescue group.

This is a really cute dog, and she can be sweet... I know I can find a good home with the proper research.

Hey, just a thought- instead of holding out for the "perfect" home for her- how about just settling for a home where she'll get a better situation than she is currently in now with you? I'm not judging you my friend...it is just obvious that you are not in a good lifestyle to have dogs right now. Yes, go the Maltese Rescue route- all those people will have LOTS of time and patience to give to your little needy doggie.
I know you love her, and that's why you are doing the right thing in taking steps to get her a more "dog focused" environment. You are doing it because you DO care about her happiness.

[Morphine]

Wow! Thanks for the all the suggestions, really amazed at the "Ring-for-Poop-Time" bells indeed Cant wait to try that, although Teddy can only get the attention and have her poop time only when I am at home.

Currently, Teddy is confined to a relatively generous space (no cage) in the house when no one's at home (sometimes for more than 12 hours). She is mindful of the pooping corner during the day most of the time, but as soon as she is let out of the confined premises when I'm home, she does her act at other favourite corners in the house ! Also, I realised that the only time she manages to control her pooping act is when there are guests in the house and when in the car. As for the frequency of pooping, I'm sure there must be at least 4 times throughout 24 hours, its easy to predict the after meal attempts, but the morning ones prior to awakening are the most challenging & waking up at 4am will "kill" my day at work definitely. Haha.. who's being adopted by Teddy now ?

KSH, I'm sure you will find the best solution for your Maltese, may it be re-homing her or adjusting your lifestyle to adapt. Just be patient, but sharing your thoughts in this thread sure helps eh ?

[KSH]

Wow! Thanks for the all the suggestions, really amazed at the "Ring-for-Poop-Time" bells indeed Cant wait to try that, although Teddy can only get the attention and have her poop time only when I am at home.

Currently, Teddy is confined to a relatively generous space (no cage) in the house when no one's at home (sometimes for more than 12 hours). She is mindful of the pooping corner during the day most of the time, but as soon as she is let out of the confined premises when I'm home, she does her act at other favourite corners in the house ! Also, I realised that the only time she manages to control her pooping act is when there are guests in the house and when in the car. As for the frequency of pooping, I'm sure there must be at least 4 times throughout 24 hours, its easy to predict the after meal attempts, but the morning ones prior to awakening are the most challenging & waking up at 4am will "kill" my day at work definitely. Haha.. who's being adopted by Teddy now ?

KSH, I'm sure you will find the best solution for your Maltese, may it be re-homing her or adjusting your lifestyle to adapt. Just be patient, but sharing your thoughts in this thread sure helps eh ?

Well, I hope you can get Teddy trained very soon. Patience and persistence pays off. I swear my dog was house trained at one point!

Otherwise, I am so sorry for your thread getting derailed.

I talked to my Mom tonight, and she is seriously considering taking my little girl.

[Morphine]

No worries KSH! Cool ! If you mom takes her, you can still pamper her whenever you pop over there ! In fact, that's what I did with "Snowy" (yes, the white one), she is really a handful too difficult for me, hence, she is in aunt's hands now, & Teddy gets to have her weekly sibling socialisation; win-win situation

[CyclChyk]

KSH - have you considered using a childgate and putting your baby in the bathroom at night? Then you could leave a pottie pad out for her to get used to.

I have a chihuahua. And leaving him in the crate all day was a bad idea. No way can a dog that small hold it that long. Plus the retaliation he inflicted on us when we left him out of it at night was not pretty. I cozied up the bathroom as his room while we were not home and it actually turned out to be a great thing. (we lived in an apartment at the time that did not allow dogs. We had to sneak him outside in a duffle bag and drive him off the property for a walk. The first time his feet ever touched grass he was about 6 months old. My lord what a sight that was. He was afraid to touch it! Now he sleeps outside like a hound dog. Comes in the doggie door only when food is involved... )

He didn't pick up on the paper training right away, but I read up on the proper way to do it (in a library - didn't have to buy the book) and it worked!

I could never imagine giving one of my dogs away. Not even to family. But for me, they are my kids. So I tend to love them a little more than the average person.

KSH - you seem like a good mom. I know you will make sure your baby is well taken care of.

[Trek420]

My dog was an adult when I got her, aprox 9 mo - 1 1/2 old. She was house trained, someowhat trained-trained and fixed when I got her.

Good news about an adult dog is you know that dog you're going to get.

Bad news is you miss the puppy period where you get to "form" the dog you're gonna get. Especially when I see a pup I wish I'd seen her then.

Good news again is....I missed the puppy period. Yes I would have to get up in the middle of the night, potty training etc.

It's hard to be a "single parent of a dog" I know, I'm sorry that it's difficult for you.

I am not a dog trainer but a couple things stand out. The long play times for one when you get home, a puppy has a pretty short attention span.

I read that at first 10-15 minute training times are best. Mutiple times perhaps but end on a high note (success!) and keep it short for the little pup.

And 12 hours in a crate is a long time for any dog I think.

Mae is crate trained but I never leave her in longer than 4 hours. Once it ended up being 8 hours but that's rare. I make sure she's been exercised, fed, had water and gotten to go before she's in.

I'm very lucky to have found a neighbor who walks Mae twice a week. I trust her and Mae just loves her.

I have read that letting the dog sleep in the bedroom helps to bond the dog to you. Mae is not allowed on the bed itself or any furniture, but she sleeps in her own bed on the floor or sometimes in her crate. For dogs I read that even the smells and sounds that we might ignore (well, snoring we don't ignore) help her feel bonded with me (her pack). We spend so much time away from our pets and this doesn't make up for it but can help.

[Aggie_Ama]

I talked to my Mom tonight, and she is seriously considering taking my little girl.

Great news! I hope that works out. Then you *know* she is in good hands and you can visit her.

Morphine- Good luck with Teddy. One thing no one mentioned is Schnauzers are just stubborn little gals. I have two and they are so head strong, but they are such love bugs. Hang in there, Teddy will catch on and come around.

[Morphine]

Stubborn & strong-headed character eh ... tell me about it ! the moment Teddy realised she committed the poop act at the wrong place, she was quick enough to turn her head away from me when I stared at her