Anything I am forgetting?

1293 Views 14 Replies 4 Participants Last post by DSudd, Jun 11, 2008

DSudd

Discussion Starter · Jun 10, 2008

I cant believe it has only been about 2-1/2 years since we went through this with Rocky, but just want to verify I am not forgettinga anything.

1. We are working on crate training. We put the crate in our bedroom. If we are not home he is in the crate. If we are home he will spend most of his time with us. We want him to know the crate as his bed, so when we take him to the crate I always makes sure he know he is in bed. For the most part he is fine going in his crate and is perfectly content, however, we have had a few barking episodes, so we ignore him until he stops barking/whining.

2. We are housebreaking him. He sleeps for about 7 hours at night without a problem. We take him out as soon as he comes out of the crate, about 15 minutes after eating, and several other times, just depending on how much sniffing he seems to be doing. When he goes outside, he gets TONS of praises.

3. We are spending alot of time not only cuddling, but also touching his ears, paws, (basically everywhere)

4. We have been doing some socialization with children of different ages. He has been socialized with Rocky and a friends dog. Do we need to wait until he is done with his shots before we take him out to meet and greet other dogs?

5. We have bought him a collar (no tags on it). Once he gets used to having the collar on, I will only use it when we have to like I do with Rocky. Rocky knows if the collar comes out, we are going somewhere, cause he never wears it at home. He seems to hate his leash, and I cant remember if Rocky did the same thing or not.

I am attempting NILF with him, but considering he is 8 weeks old I dont expect him to sit for extended periods of time when he sits. I figure if at this point if I can tell him sit and his butt hits the ground for 5 seconds he is doing good.

How old does he have to be to get good treats? We currently are using mostly praise and petting, but have used some of his kibble also.

I am thinking of getting him a kong for crate time, but what can you stuff a kong with at such a young age?

I feel like I am forgetting something, but cant figure out what it is. So is there anything I am forgetting to work on at this point?

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BlackGSD

· #2 · Jun 10, 2008

As far as the "leash hating" have you tried leaving the collar and leash on him in the house and just letting him drag it around?

I started Siren on "yummy" treats the day after I got her at 8 weeks. (I started with cheddar cheese and cooked chicken) I just gave it in small amounts to make sure it didn't bother her. I also have regular "treats" that are healthy. (As in not the "junky" grocery store ones that are mostly corn and wheat.) I also have a "sample" sized bag of Orijen puppy kibble that I use for treats. She loves that stuff.

My dogs all love these treats. I have the little tiny "puppy sized" ones (The Bison and Turkey flavors.). they are small enough to give to a little puppy whole, or they are easy to break up for "training" rewards.

Natural Balance Treats.

I keep my puppy AWAY from strange dogs. Even after they have all of their shots, I don't let them interact with strange dogs. You NEVER know what the other dog will do. I let her interact with friends dogs that I KNOW are disease free and good with puppies.

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BlackGSD

· #3 · Jun 10, 2008

When you take him outside for a "potty break" are you putting a "command" to the act of "going"? And is he ON LEASH?

Cassidy's Mom

· #4 · Jun 10, 2008

Originally Posted By: DSuddI am attempting NILF with him, but considering he is 8 weeks old I dont expect him to sit for extended periods of time when he sits. I figure if at this point if I can tell him sit and his butt hits the ground for 5 seconds he is doing good.

That's perfect. At his age it doesn't need to be very diffiicult, it's just a starting point to get him used to house rules and manners and introduce him to the concept of self control. I released mine almost immediately after they sat at that age, and very gradually made it more challenging as they were developmentally able to succeed.

I used treats from the very beginning too, healthy treats like Tracy uses, and VERY tiny pieces. But if he'll work for kibble there's no reason not to use it.

Have you had him microchipped? If he's not going to wear a collar with tags he should have some form of ID on him.

tracyc

· #5 · Jun 10, 2008

I think your list looks very complete. The only other things I can think of are starting some simple grooming routines, just to get him used to a brush, nail trims, ear cleaning, etc. And noises---make a point to expose him to as many loud noises as you can. Honk the car horn on purpose. Go through the car wash. Bang the pots and pans. Get out the blender. Make a point to find a fireworks show next month and take him. Things like this are as much a part of "socializing" as meeting different people.

DSudd

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 10, 2008

Tracy, yes I have been brushing/grooming him. We dont do the nails I let the vet handle that. (We bought clippers for Rocky, but dont want to cut them to short.) Have not cleaned his ears yet, but I do make sure to pet and play with them daily. Is he to young for the ear wash?

I havent taken him out much, but we are not "quiet" while he sleeps. We still carry on like we normally have. Pots and pans did not scare him he tried to call into the cabinet. he has been on a few car rides and he also spent a week living with a 2 and 3 year old so he is getting noise exposure.

Black yes I command him when we take him out. Everytime I take him out, I walk with him to the proper place and tell him to go potty. Sometimes he immediately starts sniffing and some times it take a few minutes, but he is always praised for going outside. Considering his age, I think he is doing ok on the going outside and he will learn to go on command just like Rocky did. And no I dont put him on a leash to go potty.

Cassidy's Mom - I have not had Rocky microchipped yet. (Probably should) but our dogs are not outside without us. If they go out so do we. In time I will take off Apollos collar because when Rocky was his age he got the tags caught. I think they are safer without collar unless they are necessary.

If I let him drag around his leash, how do I stop him from chewing it? LOL That is his first response to the leash.

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Cassidy's Mom

· #7 · Jun 11, 2008

I'm just paranoid about my animals getting loose and not having any form of ID on them. Even my indoor cats who never go outside wear collars with tags and are microchipped. (Their collars are elastic, and will slip off if caught on anything, so I don't worry about the safety aspect). Of course, even though they are indoor cats, they've both gotten out on several occasions. Microchipping is fast and not that expensive. I had all 4 animals done without anesthesia, just a quick poke with a needle, and it's done. I think it's good insurance, especially if your dogs won't be wearing collars routinely.

Dragging a leash is a great idea. As far as the chewing - distract, distract, distract.

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BlackGSD

· #8 · Jun 11, 2008

Originally Posted By: DSudd And no I dont put him on a leash to go potty.

If I let him drag around his leash, how do I stop him from chewing it? LOL That is his first response to the leash.

The reason I asked aobut the leash for "potty" breaks is because it gets them used to the leash. It's also easier to control them when they get a little older and want to screw around rather than hurrying up and "going" when you want them to. I also kwow several people (and there are posts on this very forum) about dogs NOT wanting to "go" on leash or away from home.

As to the stopping them from chewing on the leash, you DON'T.

Chances are it will get chewed some. (That is why I use a cheap leash for puppies. And NOT leather. They usually like to chew on leather the most.) I do distract her with toys but you know how puppies are, they want to chew on what THEY choose.

I got one of these. They are CHEAP (as in inexpensive they are actually good quality.) and Siren actually chews on it quite a bit and you can NOT tell she has chewed on it at all. There is NO fraying even with her chewing on it.
Cheap leash.

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DSudd

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 11, 2008

Ok how do I get him to stop biting my feet? LOL I know distract and redirect.

I will try the leash thing tomorrow with him. Interesting idea about not pottying on a leash. Do you always leash your pup for potty breaks?

Right now I am trying to get Apollo to understand what we are asking of him. Once he gets a little older, I will be more firm with him. Sometimes he does really good with go potty and some times he starts sniffing and a fly goes by and he get distracted.

He is starting to understand the sit concept. He actually heard and react quicker than Rocky earlier.

BlackGSD

· #10 · Jun 11, 2008

Originally Posted By: DSuddOk how do I get him to stop biting my feet? LOL I know distract and redirect.

<span style="color: #FF0000"> Wear SHOES.</span>

I will try the leash thing tomorrow with him. Interesting idea about not pottying on a leash. Do you always leash your pup for potty breaks?
<span style="color: #FF0000">Yes. She also has prey drive THRU THE ROOF. If she wasn't on a leash she would be chasing every fly, bird, leaf ect... within a 1/2 mile radius.</span>

<span style="color: #FF0000"> Something else you might want to think about: Take him different places when he has to pee. (As in places with different footing.) There are also a lot of dog that won't pee unless they have grass. (Especially puppies, and female adults. Once males start lifting their leg then all bets are off.

) Even though Siren is only 11 weeks old, she will already pee where ever I say no matter what the footing. Even in the parking lot of the farm store on the cement. Makes it a LOT easier to take her places because I don't have to worry about finding grass for her to "use". And since I live in the desert, grass isn't always easy to find. Don't know if you saw it or not but just a month or so ago there was a post about this very thing. Someone posted that their puppy would ONLY "go" in the back yard and would hold it until he got back there. </span>

DSudd

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 11, 2008

I do take him to different areas of the yard. I am not sure about the concrete thing though. When travel with Rocky we always try to find pet friendly areas to stop. On the last trip trying to get him to go on the pavement could of been a problem. The black top in the FL parking lots was really hot.

If we wear shoes he tried to bite those. LOL I was joking about the feet anyways. I know he will try, and he will also outgrow this phase.

BlackGSD

· #12 · Jun 11, 2008

Originally Posted By: DSudd
If we wear shoes he tried to bite those. LOL I was joking about the feet anyways. I know he will try, and he will also outgrow this phase.

I knew you were joking about the feet thing. So was I. (Well Kinda.

At least it hurts less when they are biting shoes instead of SKIN!)

Siren almost made me do a "face plant" the other day. I was wearing my slippers (It's been in the 40s here at night.)and I was walking thru the house, SHE thought it would be a good idea to grab the back of the slipper "mid stride".

It is only luck that keopt me from falling.

You are keeping the baby away from "pet friendly" "rest" areas though right?

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DSudd

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 11, 2008

Yes, he is on a very short leash. Apollo did not go on vacation with us for that reason. I dont want him to get sick.

LOL on the slipper. Apollo does the same thing to me. Of course considering it is summer I was flip flops alot and yes he is quick enough to grab on in mid step. Next to that is the run between your legs and trip you repeatedly while trying to dodge him. LOL

BlackGSD

· #14 · Jun 11, 2008

Originally Posted By: DSudd

Next to that is the run between your legs and trip you repeatedly while trying to dodge him. LOL

Yep. I know ALL ABOUT that one too. Aren't puppies fun? (At least when they AREN'T trying to KILL you.)

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DSudd

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 11, 2008

LOL Just gotta love them. He is so sweet and such a mommys boy. When you get the baby head ****, cant help but laugh at him.

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