Plethora of Questions!!

Question
QUESTION: Dave, I have been reading your replys and am very appreciative of your expertise.  I've learned a lot already.  Have the following questions for my 3 mo old boy, Teddy just acquired last wk.
We have a rescued med mix breed girl, Misty who is 10.  Misty has her very own bathroom, a latice enclosure with brick floor and straw.  She does not go potty in the yard at all.  We thought it way too much wishful thinking for Ted to go in there too.  Well this morning he did!!  Do you think this is an okay idea?  How do we encourage it to become habit?  Let them go in together?
As I write this he (Ted) is barking his cute little head off in his crate.  I want it to be a happy place, but I need to keep him contained when I exercise, etc.  Can I do that w/o him feeling punished?  Is a string toy alright for him?  Is it safe to put in his crate or another chew toy?  I have a puppy bone in there with him now.  Also, very important question!  He has been barking for an hour every night at bedtime in his crate.  It's beside our bed.  Also he is waking up at 5:00 AM and barking (we then take him out right away in the AM)  I don't think rolled-up newspaper is a good idea (my husband's thought to do)  What do you think?  I want non-hitting discipline... but don't know how to accomplish it when NO is not enough.
Thanks so much in advance for your answers.  God Bless you!
Angie

ANSWER: Hi Angie!

Thank you for the blessings, God has blessed me wonderfully.

Lets see:
Yes, it is a good idea for them to share the "outdoor stall" as Ted is following what he thinks is a good idea since Misty does it.  If you act like you won the lottery when he goes in there and love on him and tell him what a good boy he is then he'll know it's ok.

Crates & Cookies: cookies (snacks, crackers, treats) are the key to crates as you hold the cookie in the back of the crate and say "Where do you go to get a cookie" or just "cookie" and give them the treat in the crate.  It's like magic.  Never put them in the crate in anger.  The other key to crates is not to leave them in there over 8 hours at a time-puppies may need less, (I'll explain).  

The reason why you are getting barking at 5am is because he is a puppy and he as to pee.  His bladder is about the size of a thimble.  As he grows up he'll be able to hold it all night but don't expect that for a few more months.  Also if you restrict water access (after say 7 pm) you won't (well, might not) have the early wake up.

Chew toys/bones in the crate are not only good but are a necessity through teething and can be good for nervous pups later in life too.  If the chew toy is good enough then nothing else will matter.  Take him to the pet store to pick something yummy out and he won't care if mommy is exercising.  Make sure to get something yummy for older girl too.

Making NO enough: a swat with a paper or magazine (never the hand) on the nose is ok, if used lightly and early.  I prefer to do the momma dog "grab neck push down and growl" with the NO to  make a point about something.  Like the cookie in the crate idea they will associate the NO with you growling early and get the point.  Also: barking is an issue that you should address young, just not when it's potty related like at 5 am as we spoke of.  

I use the big bad NO for biting, chewing on the wrong thing, and going potty in the house.  Everyone makes mistakes and puppies are extremely forgiving.  Try to think what your puppy wants when he cries in the am.  

I hope that helps!  God bless you too!
Dave

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

QUESTION: Hello Dave,
Just an update on Teddy/Misty situation.  They've finally become friends.  Misty is cautiously becoming close to him and now they sleep curled up beside eachother... so cute!  I just had to give them more time and after a few uncertain weeks, I'm more confident that they can become lifetime companions.  After her initial hurt feelings, I'm now sensing that Misty realizes I've got enough love for them both.  I have a question...  When I see other Shelties on the Web, all the puppies are furry, fluffy and full.  Teddy at 4 wks. was not at all "fluffy" and does still not appear so.  Which I think is fine.  He's great looking with beautiful sable coloring and a neat white streak down his forehead.  Is it true that some Shelties coats may differ?  I didn't see the rest of the litter, so I don't know if his brothers and sisters were of the fluffy variety or not.  Also Teddy is now 4 months (20 wks.) old. Is it okay if he has about a teaspoon of lowfat plain yogart when his big sister has hers?  He has not had "people food" and will have only healthy foods that are good for him.  Looking forward to your answer.  Thanks!  Angie

Answer
Hi Angie!
I'm relieved to hear that about Misty and Teddy!  

To your questions: yogurt treat?  Shouldn't hurt in that quantity of a spoon full.  In general avoid rich buttery and sweet people food.  An occasional vegetable, banana bite or apple bite or a little yogurt is a good thing.

Fluffy: yes they can differ in coats as in breed standard or fault quality.  The desired goal is to have the full coat at 18 months to 2 years old.  Rates of growth between birth and that point will vary.  There really isn't anything you can do to change it, so there is no reason to worry.  Just take Teddy as he  comes.  

'sneezes
Dave