Puppy obedience tips and tricks

[fourbyfourtoy]

Got my pup a few weeks back. First I had the old section off the kitchen idea as my girl was already trained by the breeder to go in the box of horse pellets. I quickly abandoned that approach after a week and have decided to crate train her. I usually try to tucker her out to the point were she's will willing go inside to sleep and she has taken to the crate well so far. I cant believe she made it from 11 last night to 6 this morning! Finally some sleep! This week was my first week away from her during the day (side job) and I positioned my mom as supervisor. I tried to encourage her to put the pup in the kennel while she did her errands ( no longer than 3 hours ). She's had no accidents in her kennel yet ( thank god ) and I feel the training is coming along well. I would really appreciate some tips on puppy training/obedience. Not only crate training but introductions to retrieving and gunfire as well. Any obedience training and trainer habits that will contribute to future success will not go unthanked.

I will thank you in advance
mike

[835]

If you are able too, find a dogie obideance course. You may find one through the SPCA.
Dont underestimate this, even if you think you can do the sit stay thing your self, which you may do just fine. The course will help socialise the pooch.
play with it lots but when its young dont play too hard or go for long hikes. The little dudes joints and stuff are going to grow super fast. The dog will go hard untill it gets hurt. So there is such a thing as too much excersize.

pictures?
What kind is it?

[keoke]

Go with Cesar Milan's beat and treat method. Seems to work on tv.

All kidding a side my biggest tip is don't confuse the dog. For example my dog will go up to my dad if he is eating something and wait for the right moment and lick what he is eating. She does this because even though he gets mad at her he still gives her what she licked. So in the end her behavior was rewarded. My dad says that she does it all the time to him, so I let him know not to give her the reward.

[Sasquatch]

I would start getting her used to loud noises long before I worried about gunfire. Banging pots or slamming doors (within reason) while she is eating or playing.

I'm not a pro - but I don't ask or expect too much out of them while they are small pups. I like them to enjoy thier time as pups without too much pressure, y'know...just being a dog. There'll be lots of time to expect things from them later. Other people may have different ideas, but that's how I do it and it's worked well.

And oh yeah....let's see some pics.

[WaderGator]

pics pics pics! some of us dogless people need to live through other more fortunate people :)

[835]

.

I'm not a pro - but I don't ask or expect too much out of them while they are small pups. I like them to enjoy thier time as pups without too much pressure, y'know...just being a dog. There'll be lots of time to expect things from them later. Other people may have different ideas, but that's how I do it and it's worked well.

.

yep for the first six months dont take things too seriously. Work with the dog untill it looses attention with what you are doing and stop immediatly. Then go back to playing. You do not want the dog to fail. Dont ask it to do something it has no chance of succeeding at.

Cant really direct you untill we know what breed it is. If its just to be a pet or weather it has a purpose. No sense in telling you how to train it when we dont know its job!

[Rodd]

Some dogs just will never take to gunfire period... Others will no problem... I took my Jack Russell out gopher hunting with the pellet gun to start, and once she figured out that the gun stops them from running away, she would watch the direction of the barrel and run for the gophers.. Then chew and play with them etc.. I then stepped it up to the 22, and left her in the cab of the truck while I shot the first one, well she just about chewed the dash off trying to go get the gopher... let her out, rewarded her with the dead gopher, and carried on shooting. After each shot took note of any affect it had on her, which the only effect was excitement for the gopher being dead... Then once that was cool, out with the bigger rifle, a .223 same process, and then onto the 30-06... She has absoloutely no fear of a gun going off now.. I have had hounds, and the Jack russell, and all my dogs were fine with gunfire... Be consistant in your training, just like kids.. IMHO

[835]

Do not even begin to think gun shot training yet... No pots no pans no nothin. that is the fastest way to make your dog a nervous wreck
just be normal. teach it basic training till its 6 months then take it to obediance school. If it is a gun dog start reading into proper training. Come this bird season if in fact it is a gun dog you can then start gun training. There is no faster way to destroy a good dog then being dum about gun training......

[Rodd]

Do not even begin to think gun shot training yet... No pots no pans no nothin. that is the fastest way to make your dog a nervous wreck
just be normal. teach it basic training till its 6 months then take it to obediance school. If it is a gun dog start reading into proper training. Come this bird season if in fact it is a gun dog you can then start gun training. There is no faster way to destroy a good dog then being dum about gun training......

Good point 835! I didn't start mine until they were nearly 1.5 years old! Forgot to mention that..

[835]

Oh i know Rod,, Well no i dont! I wasnt trying to blame anyone....... The thread just naturally went there, so i was just trying to stop it. :)

[Foxton Gundogs]

If you are able too, find a dogie obideance course. You may find one through the SPCA.
Dont underestimate this, even if you think you can do the sit stay thing your self, which you may do just fine. The course will help socialise the pooch.
play with it lots but when its young dont play too hard or go for long hikes. The little dudes joints and stuff are going to grow super fast. The dog will go hard untill it gets hurt. So there is such a thing as too much excersize.

pictures?
What kind is it?

The distraction of training with a group is great for the pup then keep up the routine at home short attention span=short training sessions keep it fun end on a good note. Keep it fun for the both of you

[Foxton Gundogs]

Do not even begin to think gun shot training yet... No pots no pans no nothin. that is the fastest way to make your dog a nervous wreck
just be normal. teach it basic training till its 6 months then take it to obediance school. If it is a gun dog start reading into proper training. Come this bird season if in fact it is a gun dog you can then start gun training. There is no faster way to destroy a good dog then being dum about gun training......


Gotta disagree with you here Dru I start all my pups at 4 weeks BUT you must do it soft and slow with distraction. Been through it before but 1 more time I start when feeding with a 22 blank gun form the far side of the house . I have someone shoot a blank while i watc if there are no negitive reactions I keep it up for a few days before mooving closer. If th pup appears disterbed I move further away It takes about 2 weeks but by the times the pups leave for their ne whomes I can fire a shotgun PRIMER beside them and they are looking for food. But again slow and soft slow and soft.

[Kasomor]

Once your pup is over 12 weeks old or had her second set of shots.......get ye to a puppy kindergarten class!

Obedience training starts once pup comes home. :)

What breed is she and what will you be hunting??

I suppose she is a retriever since you ask about retrieving. Basic retrieving is done in a hallway with a balled up sock or new paint roller. Get the pup revved up with the sock/ roller toss it a little way, make an idiot out of your self once pup gets sock/ roller to get pup to come back. Repeat ONCE more and then make of an idiot of yourself well you tell pup what a great pup she is!

Don't under estimate the value of nature walks. Let pup explore and romp through EVERYTHING....put on your boots and lead the way....water, dirt, mud, logs, long grass, gravel....

And get a good book/ DVD or couple of dozen :mrgreen: on what ever kind of training you are planning on doing.

Good luck and keep it fun!

[Superdeuce]

You can start preventing gun shyness anytime IMO.. just keepp the noise very light...light background noise at distance when the pup is doing something it enjoys - ie eating. Pup learns thru association. Very light household noise, far away, progressing to closer and louder over time while always watching the pups reaction and adjust accordingly... pup should not be fazed whatsoever and eventually will probably wag their tail more with noise indicating they are making the association... definitely no gunfire until later and you use the same process.

It is really happy time as a pup for the first 6months at least. Even right now though you can teach pup very basic obedience using treat rewards (phase treats out later as the retrieve, the bird and the praise become the reward). You can train simple sit, stay, lay down right now but keep it light and short - just a few minutes. Timing of rewards is key to help the pup form the association. Eg, hold treat in your hand directly in fron of their face, say "sit", extend your hand out and over pup's head, he will arch his head up and back for it, and will naturally go into a sit position. The second pup's butt hits the ground, give pup the treat. They can't fail and after a few short sessions he will start to get it and be sitting on command. From there you progress to stay, and reward quickly any effort, and slowly progress how far you can get from the pup to the point you leave the room and their view and gradually increase the time. You can command them "come| from this and reward. Once you have pup sitting, lying down is easy and in similar fashion, just pull your hand away from their face and drag along the floor, pup will reach with their head along the floor and naturally go into laying down position at which point you immediately reward. It is all happy time, treats and praise. Keep it light and short.

Even after you have the dog doing pretty decent basic obedience, I would highly suggest enrolling in a basic obedience class when the dog is around 1yr as invaluable for socializing the dog to chaotic multi dog environments. Great for reinforcing all your taught commands with all the distractions making the dog really focus on you. Even if all you want is a hunting dog, a basic obedience foundation will pay off for the life of your partnership.

"Retriever Puppy Training" by Cherylon Loveland is a good cheap starter book.

As for the potty training, I find timing is key if you can sense pups needs to go, take him outside to a back corner of your property and repeat a command of your choice for the deed (eg "exercise") and praisie him up when he does go while repeating the command. Eventually, you will be able to let pup out, say the command and he will be seeking out his favorite private spot at the back of the property. Don't stick your dogs noise in it or be harsh on the pup for accidents...one last thing, you may be anxious to have him swimming this summer, but never ever introduce him to water by force.... build up the positive assoications and let him slowly decide to enter at his own pace and he will eventually take to it like a fish.
Good luck.

[Bear_Down]

1. Dont treat a pup as a pup or that is what you will have for the rest of your life.
2. Dont set goals that are out of reach for a new up and commer. they have to be able to succede or they will loose intrest
3. Above all dont stray from rules and guide lines. or they will break the rules all the time.

[325]

1. Dont treat a pup as a pup or that is what you will have for the rest of your life.
2. Dont set goals that are out of reach for a new up and commer. they have to be able to succede or they will loose intrest
3. Above all dont stray from rules and guide lines. or they will break the rules all the time.

I disagree with your first point. I am clicker training my dog, which is a reward (treat) based training modality. It's amazing. I am part-way through intermediate obediance classes, and my dog is doing very well. Additionally, she no longer requires treats for most obedience commands, and I really only use them now for learning new things.

[Spokerider]

Got my pup a few weeks back. First I had the old section off the kitchen idea as my girl was already trained by the breeder to go in the box of horse pellets. I quickly abandoned that approach after a week and have decided to crate train her. I usually try to tucker her out to the point were she's will willing go inside to sleep and she has taken to the crate well so far. I cant believe she made it from 11 last night to 6 this morning! Finally some sleep! This week was my first week away from her during the day (side job) and I positioned my mom as supervisor. I tried to encourage her to put the pup in the kennel while she did her errands ( no longer than 3 hours ). She's had no accidents in her kennel yet ( thank god ) and I feel the training is coming along well. I would really appreciate some tips on puppy training/obedience. Not only crate training but introductions to retrieving and gunfire as well. Any obedience training and trainer habits that will contribute to future success will not go unthanked.

I will thank you in advance
mike




You need to chime in and give the guys some feedback as requested............or the responses will be all over the map.

I'm going to say...be sure to handle her paws often, and brush her regularly, cockapoo's really love that. Further, as she gets used to it, you'll have a much easier time doing her nails and tieing that pretty bow around her nape.

[seanps]

- Puppy obedience classes are a great idea. Gets her used to working around other dogs.

- Try and expose her to all kinds of situations. My dog had lots of walks in all kinds of places when he was young, and I think it really paid off. We can take him pretty much anywhere. Also, she'll have exposure to all kinds of sounds. I think the fact that my dog was used to hearing car horns, bus engines, etc. made a big difference when I introduced him to gunfire.

- And: Get her used to being handled. Put your hand inside her mouth, open her jaw, check her teeth, handle her paws and get other family members to do the same. Your vet will thank you.

[Iron Glove]

First Rule for a Puppy: Do not let her sleep on your bed.
Second rule for Puppy: After messing up with rule #1, do not let the next puppy sleep there too.
Third rule for puppies: Now that you've screwed up on #1 & 2, buy a bigger bed.
Don't ask how I know. :mrgreen::mrgreen:

[Foxton Gundogs]

1. Dont treat a pup as a pup or that is what you will have for the rest of your life.
2. Dont set goals that are out of reach for a new up and commer. they have to be able to succede or they will loose intrest
3. Above all dont stray from rules and guide lines. or they will break the rules all the time.

Sorry but after raising and starting/training more pups than I can count that statement couldnt be further from th truth. Let your pup be a pup those are the fun months for both of you. A pup is a pup with a pups attention span, nerve developement etc adjust your play and training accordingly as it developes perhaps a truer statement would be "If you ALWAYS treat your dog like a pup you will ALWAYS have a pup" Grow and develope along with your pup but enjoy the puppy months for what they are.