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Barnyard Buddies:  Puppy Training Tips?  |
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Brandy Patricia
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Brandy
Sarasota
Florida
USA
57 Posts |
 Posted - May 23 2011 : 07:08:11 AM
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My significant other and I adopted a 3 month old lab/pit mix from a local shelter. SO.. DARN.. CUTE!! She's an amazing little puppy and we fell in love with her instantly. However, my experience with puppy training is very limited.
I was wondering if ya'll had any advice. She's an inside dog and we are trying very hard to potty train her, and get her to LISTEN, she's quite stubborn. I've heard many schools of thought from reading the literature and watching television shows like Dog Whisperer, and it has me a little overwhelmed. What REALLY works?
Thankyou ladies!
--Brandy Patricia |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2011 : 5:42:35 PM
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Dogs have an innate sense of fairness (research is now proving this) and they respond best to someone who's firm but fair. And they love praise!! Dogs are also weak-willed (which is why you can't leave most dogs alone in the kitchen when there's something tasty sitting on the counter) so they appreciate a firm leader. Your puppy will train you as you're training her. I don't care much for the dog Whisperer's methods, but you'll learn as you go. Read different books, and choose a training method that you feel comfortable with. Most of all, love your puppy and PRAISE her when she does something right!
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2011 : 7:51:14 PM
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My biggest suggestion is to try to get the puppy outside for all of it's business and praise highly- like ridiculous silly amounts of praise when they go potty outside. Then if you catch them pottying inside you are very stern and say "Shame on you! Bad Dog" in very stern sounding words. Then again outside and as soon as they potty the ridiculous amounts of praise again. Dogs respond really well to this training method and learn that pottying inside is something that leader really hates and outside is wonderful to potty in. Crating is also a great training tool for when they aren't observed as most dogs won't soil their beds (but it has to be the right size crate for that to work too) and vinegar helps denature the proteins in urine and feces so is an excellent cleaner for messes.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2011 : 7:54:49 PM
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After raising countless puppies, my best advice on house training is to pay attention. Most puppies will poop a certain space of time after they eat. If you watch she will show you her pattern. Then after the prescribed amount of time after she has eaten if you make sure she is out you won't have the accidents in the house. Make sure that you are the alpha in her life. You go out the door first, go up the stairs first etc. Establish the pecking order right now as it will be harder when she is big. If you don't become the alpha now, she will assume the role and boss you. Lots of praise and hugs when she dose what you ask and a firm hand, and a stern voiced reprimand when she doesn't. Hope that helps. It's a good idea to research the breeds so you know what their characteristics are so you know what behaviors to expect so you can correct misbehavior right away. Be consistant.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2011 : 02:56:55 AM
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What Sheri said! Take pupy outside after eating and play sessions and after naps. Usually they will stop what they are doing and start to sniff around. This your cue to move fast ang get pup outside before she piddles or poops. And when she does, reward w/ something super tasty.
Also be sure to take puppy everywhere to meet different people and other dogs to play. A happy dog is a well socialized dog. there's nothing more depressing than having to deal w/ a dog that barks and growls at everything and everyone.
And if you have the $$ I'd strongly suggest enrolling pup into a dog training class. It not only teaches boundaries, but establishes you as the leader and creates a bond btwn you both |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2011 : 03:02:08 AM
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I'd also stress a bit of crate training too. This is the dog's "safe" place where it can go to be by itself, for sleeping and it also really helps w/ housebreaking since canines naturally do not like to soil where they sleep.
Some good books to help get you started are : The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell, Don't Shoot the Dog by .....I can't think of the author, How to Speak Dog by Stanley Coren and Your Dog The Owner's Manual by Dr. Marty Becker |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2011 : 06:31:50 AM
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congratulation, that is a great mix of breeds. pits are so smart and loyal. the joy of a lab will help the pit be a happy dog. we have had lots of pits. all the above info is good. i also like ceasar milan dog whisperer. he has books and videos. they are available on netflix too. they love to work and have jobs. so you will have lots of adventures i am sure. happy days for you sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Barnyard Buddies: Puppy Training Tips? |
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Puppy Training Tips?
