Bored already???

[Narny]

So Lulu had been here all of what 3 days and today she has started biting her tail!??!!!? Its not a lot but I have already noticed it so I started to wonder can she be bored ALREADY!!?

[Hrachia]

Could be many things. How much exercise and mental stimulation do you give her per day?

[Narny]

Well, she has always seemed like a very laid back dog. She lays in the house really well. Shes not real drivey. She likes food but doesnt go mad for it, she likes toys but doesnt go mad crazy for them etc. She has always seemed content to sit and chew. I take her outside all the time trying to get her interested and active to work on different things. Today we worked on sit which went very well. I am also getting a trainer to come to my home to help with the basics. I thought I was giving her what she needed. My vet said not to leave the house or back yard with her! So I am a little limited on what that means. We have a lot of dogs in the neighborhood and people who walk them so there is a real concern here for catching doggie illnesses.

[Sunflowers]

You do not need a trainer to come by yet.
Give her a few weeks to get used to you and her new life.
She just went through a tremendous change, and even with the most wonderful owner, that will still stress the dog.
Keep play time short and fun, no serious training of any kind. Take her out on the Flexy leash and let her explore,then call her to you and give her praise when she comes. Recall is by far the most important thing a puppy needs, more important than sit.
For now, build a strong bond and male sure she gets plenty of nap time in her crate.
As far as taking her beyond the yard, not needed now until she gets used to walking on a leash and gets more shots under her belt.

[Hrachia]

I am pretty much in agreement with Sunflower. Recall is absolutely the most important thing you need to teach. As far as basic training, if you want to teach sit all you really need to do is hold your hand over her nose then go back and up and most dogs usually go into a sit following your hand.

[carmspack]

what ever you do , do NOT laugh at her tail chasing antics, or praise her, or make it into a dog trick. Tail chasing can easily turn into an obsessive , self-traumatizing , compulsive behaviour.
While reading up on diets and effect on behaviour I discovered this "

read one study which suggest that dogs with compulsive tail chasing habit have higher levels of cholesterol and that giving the dog lecithin reduced anxiety to tail chase Tail Chasing Linked to High Cholesterol in Dogs - Health & Fitness Training for You & Your Dog Hidden Health Dangers of Dog Tail Chasing - Pet health - All About Dogs and Cats"

I did try it out on on dog - lecithin granules -- so far so good -- no more flank sucking or tail chasing

Carmen