Hi all, I am new to this site. I've been reading and researching and found answers to some of my questions and found some very silly stories. One thing i've noticed is i'm not having as much trouble as most i've read about w/ young puppies.  Before I go on, my point is.. is she just a really good dog,  or is the rough part still to come.?

We bought our first rat terrier "Roxy"  4 wks ago. She is now approacing 17wks old. She definately has puppy behaviors but not near as bad as some i've read about. I bought her from a very nice breeder who started crate training and doggie door training from the beginning. What a blessing that was. Roxy sleeps all night in her crate. Very seldomly whines and if she does, less that 1 min.  She uses the doggy door regularly although i still take her out at very obvious times (i.e. out of the crate in the am, before bed after a nap...) She's only had a couple accidents which were very random.  She's definately a thief.. she steals my 3yr old daughters toys. For now seems like a game so my daughter will chase her. She doesnt have much interest in chewing them. She has lots of chew toys and we just give her a firm "no" and replace my daughters toy with something she is aloud to chew on.  She digs a little bit, can escape the back yard if she tries very hard, but generally doesnt. We live on a 1/4 acre w/ our horses. She's curious but doesnt bother them. she runs free when we're out in the open yard. Ventures a little but sticks close and comes when she's called. She rides in the car very well in a crate or loose.  She got used to baths real quick because we have huge flea issues in this mesa sand i live in. (i treated w/ frontline but it didnt work, now she's on advantix and hopefully that'll work better). She is very patient w/ my 3yr old daughter (she is meant to be my daughter's dog). She allows my daughter to carry her and play gentle and rough. They chase each other . She snapped at her once, so we had a little "you lay on your back and look up at me little dog" session and it hasnt happened again. Overall she's been a really good puppy.

So after all that, my question is... am i lucky and she's just gonna be a really good dog, or has she not reached the point in her age where most people are having behavioral issues? Is she not old enough to be in "teething mode", will she revert and start going to the bathroom in the house.  I just don't wanna get used to the way things are, and then all of a sudden we're back at the beginning.  I've raised 6 puppies, all large dogs, different breeds and it seemed to me that all the trouble with potty training and teething started right away by 8wks of age. But i've always heard that large dogs are easier to train than small dogs. I've never had a small dog, let alone a terrier so if anyone has any advise, maybe you started with what seemed to be a good dog and then at a certain age they turned in to a doggy devil? 

thanks for listening (reading)

Lorrie

Welcome Lorrie and Roxy   I have a wonderful puppy also she is 11 months old....she was very easy to train.  She is very smart.   I thought the same thing, that this is way to easy what is going to happen as she gets older.  So far so good.  The only problem I am having is leash training, she just wants to run as soon as we get outside.....so she basically takes me for a walk ........she is little but really strong.  I went wrong because I didnt buy a retractable leash.........which I am going to do very soon.........I think then if she has room to run I can get her somewhat under control.  You will find alot of wonderful answers on this site.  People are GREAT!!!!!!  I am addicted to this site, and have been from day one   I have learned alot, and I know you will too.  Good luck and welcome

Hello,

I am new to the site too, and have never owned a rattie before.  we rescued our trix from a shelter.  she is completely eager to please, most of the time.  she will go days even weeks without getting in trouble.  then one day she will just get a wild hair and decide not to listen to anything we say.  she finds herself in her kennel and knows exactly why, it is crazy.  it almost seems that she is just constantly testing her boundries.  but it seems to come in go in spurts. she is 7 months now.  Even so, it does seem like the breeder did get your rattie off to a good start, kennel training is the best!!! it is their security.

BOTH!  She is probably going to be a really great dog.  And she is not finished her puppyhood yet.  Teething really gets going between 3-6 months, esp when they are cutting molars (like babies).  There is often this 'teenager' period that hits anywhere between 9 months and 2 years (depending on the dog) when they seem to forget everything you trained them.  HOWEVER every dog is different and none of these periods lasts forever. 

Welcome to the site and enjoy your pup!