Bichon Frise

[lilmisszarah]

We got our bichon in december when he was 3 months old. It's been a rough ride, but I am confident that he will turn out to be a good dog. He is unlike any other dog I've ever had and it's been hard, but it I love him more than any other dog I've ever had.

When we adopted him, we were unaware of certain things you should look for and things you should ask the breeder. If we had to do it all over again, I would have run screaming from this breeder, but fate has a way of bringing people and animals together. Henry was the only puppy from his littler, but the other bitch that she had, had 6 puppies. At 17 weeks, she still had all of the puppies except for one. Henry had never been out of her hourse until we took him home. He is very well socialized with other dogs because of his extended period with the other puppies, but he's not so sure about humans because he was only around the breeder and her husband for the first 3 months of his life. We're working on that though.

His separation anxiety is finally wearing down and he is able to stay in his crate without freaking out. He still whines sometimes, but I have heard that this breed does not like to be alone.

He has learned a couple of tricks, but we still want to enroll him in a dog training class. Henry is now 8 months old.

Has anyone else ever had a bichon. Any suggestions or just fun stories about your dog?

[Patch O' Pits]

Well unfortuntely many learn the hard way about BYBs

I'm glad your pup is doing better. Definately get him into some group classes. It will help the both of you learn. Class is not just for the pup. I would do it ASAP as the sooner the better.

Obedience training helps not only with bonding , but also helps build up a dog's confidence.

I do not have experience with your breed , but that advice is pretty much universal to all breeds IMO

Have you tried giving him a kong filled with really good treats or something to that effect in his crate to help with the anxiety or leaving the crate by a TV or radio when you aren't there?

[lilmisszarah]

He has a kong, which he loves, but if he doesn't want to be in his crate, then he doesn't want to be in it. We have tried EVERYTHING and nothing works any better than anything else. He is closer to me, so I put one of my shirts in the crate. We've played the radio, the TV, placed the crate in different rooms. He went in it any laid down once when I wasn't home, I was told. He'll go in there to get his toys, but he really just doesn't care for the crate. I don't think there's anything that would make him like it better. He "tollerates" it. Simple as that. We are definately going to take him to a training class as soon as our schedules and pocketbooks agree.

[Patch O' Pits]

He has a kong, which he loves, but if he doesn't want to be in his crate, then he doesn't want to be in it. We have tried EVERYTHING and nothing works any better than anything else. He is closer to me, so I put one of my shirts in the crate. We've played the radio, the TV, placed the crate in different rooms. He went in it any laid down once when I wasn't home, I was told. He'll go in there to get his toys, but he really just doesn't care for the crate. I don't think there's anything that would make him like it better. He "tollerates" it. Simple as that. We are definately going to take him to a training class as soon as our schedules and pocketbooks agree. If you8 haven't already start feeding him in his crate with the door open at first then after a couple of days with it closed but stay with him, then closed and you out of the room

[lilmisszarah]

Good idea! That is one thing we haven't tried. :)

[Patch O' Pits]

Good idea! That is one thing we haven't tried. :)

I'm so glad that you didn't try that yet... I was running out of ideas. I hope that does the trick

[lilmisszarah]

He still cries in his crate, but I would say he's better all the time. It's just been a slow process. He still hates the crate and I think he always will, but as long as he tollerates it, I guess that's good enough for me.