You have a tough decision to make. If you keep the dog and commit to making this work, start fresh with a new attitude.
Set the dog up for success: she needs a routine, a really good schedule for eating, frequent potty breaks, exercise, and mental stimulation.
If you are consumed with frustration and have low expectations for the dog, and if you fail to provide for her needs, she will feed on all of the negativity and grow increasingly defensive.
A dog confined to a crate for a good portion of the day is going to be miserable. Try the xpen as suggested, or use babygates to keep in her in one room.
Smaller dogs need ample opportunity to potty. Imagine yourself being limited to using the bathroom to the number of times this dog is.
Midnight is probably not a good time for any dog to eat a meal, no matter what your schedule is. I don't subscribe to the alpha school of thought. My boys eat their meals before I do, and they are trained to leave me alone while I enjoy my food. They know who is in charge. I believe obedience and trick training to encourage this kind of good behavior should be made fun for both the dog and you. It's so much more enjoyable than dominating the dog.
I admit that these little ones have challenged me in ways that no large dog ever has. This is what I believe makes them almost like humans. They are a handful, sort of like human babies. They require a lot of work. |