Mila is a 5 month old French Bulldog who I have had for a week. Prior to getting her Mila had little to no training, but is currently being potty trained and crate trained. We live on the 7th floor of an apartment complex and must use the elevator to go up and down. Mila is having difficulty listening when her leash is put on (she also wears a harness). At times she will listen, but the major issue is trying to get her to go from the apartment to the elevator. Most times she will hunker down and not move. Once in the elevator, however, Mila is excited and easily goes out the elevator when we reach the first floor. She then happily goes through the lobby and outside to her favorite potty spot with no issues. After going potty I bring her for a walk in which she can often be stubborn. She likes to go where she wants to go and if not she will sit down and not move. This part, however, does not always happen. When it is finally time to go in though Mila refuses to go anywhere near the front and back door of the apartment complex. She will once again hunker down and not listen. We often have to then carry her inside, but once in the lobby Mila happily runs to the elevator and goes up to the apartment with no issues. Does anyone have any suggestions to help Mila want to go out of the apartment and also come back into the building?
First of all, welcome to Breedia to you and Mila from Tikva and me. Secondly, Mila has only been with you for a week and you say she was virtually untrained before you had her, so please have patience and give her time to get used to you and her new surroundings - plus all the new smells around her. As the saying goes, 'Rome was not built in a day' and five-month-old puppies [and older ones as well] can be and frequently are, selectively deaf when it suits them! She is probably too young to have had her first season/heat yet, so perhaps her hormones might be affecting her as well as a new home and surroundings. Do you have any photographs of her yet as we love to see pictures, especially of new Breedia puppies!
You have only had her a short time and everything is new to her she has to get used to yourself and a different Environment, it also depends how much she was socialised / lead trained before you got her. Encourage with toy or tit-bits and make your walks fun, and when you get back home.
The best way I found is short repetition training of nothing more than a few minutes. Get her used to you in the apartment first, even if it means you have to carry her to use the toilet. Bribes (treats) and patience is key. My little man still won't always listen. And make yourself seem more fun than what the puppy is currently doing so she comes to you. If my neighbours ever look out the window when I'm in the garden with Mr Bronson they'd call the men in white coats!
I totally agree, everything is still so new to her. When she does discover how much fun there is to be had outdoors, you will see a big change in her. Best wishes, and welcome to Breedia.
Hello there, First of all welcome to Breedia! It's Jane here. Takes me back to the puppy days when they can be awfully stubborn when they are young. Can't agree more with the comments above. Make sure your little Mila sees going outside as a good thing don't force her. She has to make the decision herself. When she comes outside treat and praise. Jane xx P.S. Please provide some piccies. All the members of breeder love any kind of doggy/puppy picture.
Lots of great advice there and things to try I am a fan of getting them to do things that don't always need doing i.e. have a fun trip with treats out of your apartment into the corridor and just ' mooch ' about. It then gives the idea that every time isn't going to be a big ordeal I also like walking to the vets, maybe entering and coming out ( usually for a dog the vet means a bad experience) so if you go sometimes and nothing happens it creates a calm trip The same goes for car travel, have the dog in the car whilst it's still, give treats and leave without the car going anywhere Slowly and gently with all new things I'd be happy for the professionals/breeders to comment on what I have suggested, but, for me I like the idea of it
