puppy self confidence

Question
QUESTION: hi,
my 7 months old shitzu mix Yorkie named emma is always following me around. She never leaves my side and its getting to a point to be very,very annoying. She always follows from behind, and I know thats what they tend to do in a pack. She doesn't have separation anxiety, and she doesn't bark. Since she follows me all day, she doesn't let me know when she needs to go out to potty. I taught her how to ring the bell in order to go to the bathroom but she wont do it unless I'm looking. If I'm not watching, she will do it on the carpet. I just want her to leave me alone and have fun by her self (without me around). I want her to enjoy life, and be a dog. She is very smart, and loving to everyone. I have also notice that she walks very close to me every time I walk her, to the point were I trip.
I have lots of fun with her, but I also want her to have fun by her self.

I would like serious answers.
thanks
Sabrins

ANSWER: Sometimes that is called a ''velcro dog''.  I am not sure there is much you can do about it but hope she grows out of it.  As for the potty problem, try to pick up a pattern and take her out about when she often has accidents.  Walk around.  They can only walk and hold it so long.  When it finally has to go, lavish praise on it.

I don't know if building her confidence will help or not.  Start with obedience training. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. As you praise the dog for following your commands, it will build its confidence.

Play tug of war with the dog and lose. However at the end of the game, take the rope or toy and put it up, less the dog becomes confused about who is top dog. Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

Finally, make sure it has a den to live in. If you are not using a crate, buy one. The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work. Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going in. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding time for more than one dog.


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

QUESTION: hi,
thank you for replying to my questions.
My dog already knows obedience, and that Im the 'top dog'. Every time I settle her on her bed, she then starts to play with her toys, but when I get up from sitting down, she then looks at me and only looks at me. If I go up stairs she just keeps looking at me, and wont play with her toys. unless I come back down. She is ALWAYS looking at me to the point that it drives me crazy.
any idea on what I can do to help her.

ANSWER: Perhaps she would do better with time away from her.  Do a ''mommy's day out'' with a doggy day care.  When you are out shopping or other places you can't take her, leave her at a dog care where she can play with other dogs.  As she learns it is fun to play with other dogs, she may become less dependent on you.  

You must live with a certain amount of soliciting attention.  We have an 11 month old and 8 year old Lab.  Both constantly want petting.

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

QUESTION: my puppy loves dogs. From little ones to massive St bernards. I have trained her to be a very good dog.
My biggest problem with her is the potty training. I used to have a golden retriever, and it only took him a couple of days to be house trained. With my 7 months old puppy, its completely different. She doesn't get the potty training and its very frustrating. I have tried EVERYTHING!!! she loves to be praised when she does something good, but as soon as get outside, she doesn't care about the praise. Its very annoying and I'm getting pretty tired of this. I have tried, scheduling, bell ringing, and other methods as well. What do you recommend. My puppy is half shitzu have yorkie (known to be the stupidest dogs to potty train ).

Note: my vet told me not to  use house pads.

thanks

Answer
I have never used the pads and don't think they are a good idea either.  

As I mentioned in my first answer, walking the dog around while outside is important.  Exercise stimulates elimination.  Walk, walk, walk until she has to go.  

Inside, when you are around you need to keep a close eye on the dog. Use closed doors or gates to keep it in the same room as you are, and perhaps as I do, a short chain fastened to the computer desk. If you catch it in the act, give it a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!'' and take it out. When you can't watch it, crate it.