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- Species & breed
- Dog
Congratulations on adopting Rubee — she sounds absolutely sweet, and it's clear she's already found a loving home!
The good news is that both of the things you're describing are really common in newly adopted dogs, especially young ones, and they're very workable with a little patience and consistency.
About the house accidents:
Young dogs — especially those coming from a shelter or rescue situation — often haven't had a chance to learn a reliable house-training routine yet. Greyhound mixes in particular can sometimes take a little longer to settle into a new home's rhythms. A few things that tend to help:
- Go back to basics with potty training. Treat her like a puppy — take her outside frequently (after meals, after naps, after play, and first thing in the morning and last thing at night).
- Praise and reward immediately when she goes outside. Timing matters — the reward needs to happen right after she finishes, not when you get back inside.
- Limit her unsupervised space in the house while she's still learning. A smaller area or a crate when you can't watch her can really speed things up.
- Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzyme-based cleaner. Dogs are drawn back to spots that still smell like urine, even faintly.
After just a couple of weeks, she's still very much adjusting. Most dogs need 4–8 weeks in a new home before they really start to feel settled and learn the household routine.
About the hand licking:
This is almost certainly an affectionate, attention-seeking behavior — many dogs use licking as a way to connect with people they like. For a young dog who may not have had a lot of stable human contact, it can also be a self-soothing habit. It's generally harmless, but if you'd like to reduce it, you can:
- Redirect her — when she starts licking, calmly offer her a toy or ask her to do a simple command like "sit," then reward that instead.
- Avoid pulling away sharply, as that can accidentally make it more exciting for her.
- Be consistent — if some family members allow it and others don't, it takes longer for her to learn.
Both of these behaviors are very normal for a newly adopted young dog finding her footing. Give her a little more time and consistent routine, and you'll likely see real improvement.
When to see your vet:
Since Rubee is newly adopted and her age and history aren't fully known, a new-pet wellness visit soon (if you haven't had one yet) is a great idea regardless. It's a chance to get a health baseline, confirm she's up to date on vaccines and parasite prevention, and rule out any physical reason for the accidents — like a urinary tract infection, which can cause accidents even in otherwise well-trained dogs. If accidents are very frequent, if you notice straining, blood in the urine, or unusual odor, get her seen sooner rather than later.
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