5 month cocker puppy

Question
QUESTION: My family just got a new puppy three days ago and we have been trying to house train her but for the past few days she has only pooped in the morning. We changed her food could that make her have trouble going? Also, she will not go near my dad, whenever he comes near her she gets scared and runs away. Will she eventually warm up to him?

ANSWER: If she's only pooping once a day, that's fine.

To housebreak her you have to take her out (not put her out) and choose a command (go potty or whatever phrase you want) and when she goes - a lot of praise and a treat.  Do the same praise and reward on walks.  And she should be getting two walks a day of 1/2 an hour each.

As for her being nervous of your Dad - he should more or less ignore her for a little while and when she's in the same room he can toss a little treat down without trying to get near her.

Have him accompany you on walks with you having control of her leash.

It could be she was abused or frightened by a man but if he takes things slowly and doesn't try to force it, she'll gradually realize he's a nice man and everything is okay.

And what food are you feeding her?  Good nutrition is the key to keeping her healthy.  How many times a day is she fed?

She's only been with you for 3 days and it takes a few weeks for her to settle down so be patient - keep on top of the housebreaking and do write me with any questions at all anytime.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We feed her a little bit of Pedigree puppy food 3 times a day. She does not like a leash so she hasn't had a walk.

Answer
Pedigree is probably the worst food on the planet and at her age (still growing rapidly) she needs a premium food.

I suggest Canidae (go to Canidae.com to find a store near you)
or AvoDerm (PetSmart).  Give mostly canned with little or no kibble.

Always switch food slowly by adding a bit more of the new food every day.

Now, as for exercise.  Snap her leash on her (a short leather one will do) and let her run around the house with it attached for a little bit.  Then pick up the leash and take her out.  Be positive and enthused - give a treat as you leave the house.

She'll quickly learn the leash = a walk.
Delores