[Florida Keys Girl]

Hi all. I am new to the forum and new to dogs. I have never had one. ever. My husband hasn't had one since he was 3, so that doesn't really count, either.
We just adopted a Wheaten Terrier Mix from a shelter (rescued from a high kill shelter, stopped by a no kill shelter for a month or so, on the way to us.).

She has been with us since Monday night, so roughly 2 1/2 days. She has some issues, I assume with socialization primarily and I just don't even know where to begin. What do I address first?

Crate. She had been in one in the shelter. ours is adorned with a fluffy bed and toys and treats yet whenever I put her in (I tried when I was home, had to put her in when I left and we put her in again last night for over night) she cries. She cried seemingly forever last night. Thoughts?

Today she won't eat, she hardly looks at me, and when I have taken her outside she seems disinterested. I assume she is tired from crying all night (I certainly am).

she seems perfectly fine one minute and the next is agitated and jumping up on me (not in a cute, playful way, either) and covers her eyes and scratches herself harshly. This one concerns me more than the crate thing, honestly. I figure she will get used to the crate eventually.

she barks at delivery people; doesn't know basic commands like sit, stay; I just don't know where to begin.

She is a sweet, sweet dog and I would love nothing more than for her to also be a good dog. Any advice is welcome!!!

Thanks in advance!

[Lunareclipse]

Wheaten terriers are an enigma for someone who has never owned a dog. I certainly wouldn't have suggested one for a first time dog owner, but since you have one, have you did research on this breed? There are characteristics that each separate breed has. I would start off finding a person who owns wheaten terriers. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Information and Pictures, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, Wheaten Terriers, Wheatens One thing to note, wheaten terriers are wanderers, Make sure you have a good fence.

[dogs rule]

You had mentioned that she is a mixed breed. Do you or the shelter know the other breed that is in her? Also how old is she? That could help alot.
Third question, what type of background information was given at the shelter?
Was she abused, phyiscally or emontionally, was she taken from her "mom" to early, etc.
All these can play a big part in finding the root of the problem. Take Luna's advice and research the breed(s). Knowing the general make-up of the breed you have, can be very benefical. Oh yes, has she been to see your vet yet?
You need to rule out any health problems.
All the best

[piratekitty]

Hi, welcome to a great dog forum. I dont know that much about Wheaton Terriers, but I do have two Terrier breds. They both bark when someone is at the door, some times my Min pin too much. But we are working on that, its been baby steps, and alot of socializing. My mixed Terier will wine for no reason but attention, my min pin will howl when he wants attention. When they start to get into these states I make them stop, by giving comands, like come, sit, down, place. Once they have stopped I praise for good behavior.
Terriers are active and need lots of exercise; daily walks, play time with a ball, teaching tricks, they are smart, and learn fast. Obedience trainning is a must, they need to know your in charge. But use this training daily with your dog they will be much happier and well behaved.
As for scratching, check for fleas. Good luck with you new dog, Im sure you will become good friends soon.

[Florida Keys Girl]

Thanks all... as for not being good for a first dog, well, it's a little late for that.

we do not know what she is mixed with (or how far back the mixing goes) or what happened in her previous life. All of those are going to be unanswered. I am taking her to the vet early next week, as I need to take her on a long car trip today (that should be fun.... eventually...) and I didn't want her first time in the car to be for the vet.

I let her sleep on a blanket next to the bed last night and she was perfect. Not a peep until 5:30 AM. It will certainly be a work in progress, I am just hoping to make some progress.

In general, how long does it take a dog to get acclimated to new environment/people? Weeks? months? Just so I know.

Also, she seems to follow me around a lot, but doesn't necessarily seem to like me (she sometimes glares, or acts afraid even though she has just followed me to another room. Thoughts?

[dogs rule]

It's to bad you don't have any background info to go on, that could have helped.
Letting her sleep with her new pack members, to me was a good step in the right direction.
Being from a shelter, she is use to alot of noise and movements throughout the day, so this maybe why she is following you around. She doesn't want to be "left" alone. I have one dog that follows me everywhere in the house, upstairs, laundry room, even tries to get into the bathroom!!
When she does this and she "glares" at you, are you feeling nervous of her.
She will definitely pick up on this.
Walk around with treats, as you go about your day and ramdomly give her one everyso often, when she does something you like. Don't be nervous of her. Keep in mind that she is the one that has been moved around, new people, new surroundings etc. This WILL take time. Be patient,and gentle and you will see your efforts pay off. You may have afew setbacks, but in the end you will have the friendship that you are looking for.
Take care
P.S. What is your dogs name, unless it is "she" LOL

[Florida Keys Girl]

dogs rule,

Thanks! I have been giving out treats (a good amount... trying not to overdo it!). I got some sleep last night as she slept next to the bed on a blanket. I do not want her in the habit of sleeping with us every night.

She has been a little better about letting me work a bit. Yesterday my husband took her out and let her RUN, which she enjoyed (she loves to chase lizards. and squirrels. and anything else, really.)

This morning I took her in the car to take my husband to work, which was about an hour round trip with a short break in the middle to walk around, try not to be scared of the guy with the 2 big black dogs walking without leashes, and letting me pick her up and put her in the car. She was amazing. No complaining at all! Let's hope she is as good for our 4 hour drive to Key West. We will see...

By the way, her name is Babka, and in case I haven't mentioned it, she is is so sweet and adorable!

[dogs rule]

This is great news. Babka will start to see you as someone that she can trust and that isn't going to send her back.
I do have one concern though, you mentioned that you don't want her in your bedroom sleeping with you always. Then you should put an end to this now, as she will be use to it and then will have to start all over again when you move her to a different place.
Think of somewhere in the house, maybe the living room, where you could put her bed, and you stay on the couch for afew nights, just until she feels safe there. She may have some issues with being left alone. Also maybe put a radio on at night, very softly, just so that she hears voices.
I still put one one everytime my dogs are in the house alone, and they have each other. Spoiled pups!! LOL.

[Florida Keys Girl]

I don't have any problem with her sleeping in the bedroom (on the floor, on blankets or in a doggie bed) but I don't want her sleeping in my bed, which she hasn't tried to do - yet!

She definitely has an issue with being left alone. Last night we left her in the crate for a little while so we could go out for dinner and she pushed the whole tray out from the bottom of the crate and did not play with sny toys or eat any treats while we were gone...

[lange]

You've gotten great advice above. As for the crate, I don't know if you're already doing this but, you should get her comfortable with the crate WHILE you're home with her.

When you put a dog who is anxious into a crate and then just leave them you're only going to create more anxiety. It's best to get her comfortable with it in your presence by putting her in and out of it through out the day so she doesn't solely associate negative things (alone, anxiety) with it. Make her crate a safe zone where she eats with the door open through out the day in your presence, put her toys in it, put something with your scent in it, ect. Make that area the best place to be because she gets cool stuff with it. Also use Kongs or other high valued, long lasting treats/toys when you're gone.

[Florida Keys Girl]

Thanks. We have tried doing all that (she doesn't seem to like the Kong - imagine that!) - she has high value treats like a big piece of chicken jerky, a treat ball, a blanket, a shirt of mine and my husbands...

We do try to work on the crate with her when we are home. Unfortunately, my work hours are a little weird, so I do have to leave her before she is totally comfortable with it.

I am trying very hard to stay calm-assertive, but I am not by nature such a patient person. It is a challenge to say the least.

[lange]

Ok.

Do you physically put her in the crate or does she go in herself? You want her to go in herself. Do this by using even higher valued treats, something she never gets any other time, something super smelly & irresistible like real chicken or liver, ect.

The first step is just throwing in a small peice as your passing by the crate. If you see her go in for it afterwhile. Do it again a little later. Keep doing this through out the day with the crate door open and without saying a word.

Your next step after awhile will be to be to do it again but this time don't let her out of the crate until she is relaxed. You'll need to be patient and calm! Use your body/legs/ect to block her form getting out. When she moves back or away from you a little, you step back a little too. If she moves to get out, make a short "eh" sound and block her again. When she moves back you move back a step. ect...

Eventually she will lay down or do something and give up on trying to get out. When she is completely relaxed tell her "out/or whatever word you'd like to signal she can now leave" while crouching down and inviting her out. BUT DON'T be excited about it; keep calm & matter of fact the entire time. This way you are using your body and words to show her what it is you want. This will start getting her to focus on you instead of just wanting to run out.

If you work on this religiously, but over time, you should see improvement but remember you'll only get out of it what you put into it. It will take time for her to be 100% comfortable each day but the goal is to see improvement which will ultimately results in her being more & more comfortable with crates.

So, practice & don't force her in. as you progress you do it with the crate door closed. Try this while your off, during the weekend so that you can build her confidence by the following week.

BTW, my Kuma didn't like the Kong at first either. I think it was too hard for her to figure out so I made it easy by putting loose kibble in it then just covering the hole with a little peanut butter.

[Florida Keys Girl]

thanks for the advice. she goes in on her own and will be calm while we are there, just when we leave (or leave the room) she starts whining...

I will keep at it (although today i am going to take her to see a client with me. the client has her dog at work, so Babka can have a play date while I hopefully accomplish something).

[dogs rule]

That sounds like good advice on the crate training. I have never used a crate on any of my dogs, so this is something I can't say much on. But like any training, you need to be consistent and patient.
My first dog had been abandoned as a pup. She was approx. 9 weeks old when she had been found. She had extreme seperation anxiety. And the fact that she was a Border Collie X and had energy to spare didn't help. It was alot of work, but worth it. She was worth it. It will get better.
If you don't mind her sleeping in your room on the floor, I say go for it. We used to have one on either side of the bed.
Take care.