STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

Need dog training help..

JMR · Dooney & Bourke

DId you get a dog?!?!?!

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

I did! See his pics in the personal announcements section.

Jen - I still have not heard from Bobbie yet. I have a friend who really wants your stray puppy as well. So I am still kinda hoping him comes through. Because I have friends who will be fighting over him... as well as me!

Do you know if they have found his owner yet?

JMR · Dooney & Bourke

Congrats!!!! (I will check out the dog now)

The owner has not been found - we have done EVERYTHING I can think of.

Yesterday we went to see him, check up on him - and I sort of get the feeling my hubbie might budge and want to keep him - he was just that sweet....so I will let you know what happens either way - good luck with your dog!!!!

ETA:

My parents have 2 yorkies. I will say this - they LOVE routine...and they will cry a lot in the beginning. My mom used a metal can with some pennies in them - she used to tell them she was going to get the can if they cried or barked too much (sometimes they are relentlessly demanding) and sometimes she used it. She would just shake it once or twice - they hate the loud noise. Eventually even the site of the can calmed them down.

I would practice routine with him - let him out (or on paper) at the same times every day - he will get to know you -and you will get to know him as far as the "signs" as to when he has to go. If he has an accident - you know you waited too long

My parents dogs know what to do when every day - they love it. they know when its their bedtime - when its time to eat - etc... makes their lives and my parents lives a lot easier!

-- Edited by JMR at 13:20, 2005-07-11

luckylily · Gucci

Crate training: It varies from dog to dog, but many do screach and cry during the training process. Do not let him out while he is crying or barking, this will only teach him that barking gets him out of the crate. It is best to just ignore the noise making. Wait until he quiets down then give him treat and lavish praise, then let him out. Keep extending the time he has to stay in until he gets let out. Also, when he eats, put his food bowl inside the crate. He will soon learn that the crate is a great place to be. Make the crate a positive place. Don't put him in the crate as punishment. Just start by making it seem like the crate is the greatest place in the world and only good things happen there.

As far as going outside, it would help to know how old the dog is before I answer that?

I have tons of dog training info from working at the animal shelter and doing obedience with my dog, let me know if you have other questions. I consider dog training one of my hobbies, so I love talking about it.

Edited to add: Okay, I see from your other post that Ernie is 8 weeks old. He is really too young right now to be able to let you know when he needs to go outside. With a bladder that small, he probably needs to go out about once every 2 or 3 hours at least. When he does go potty outside or on his pad if you are training for that, just offer him lavish praise. Act like he is the best, smartest dog in the world. If he goes inside, just clean it up and ignore it. IMO, dogs naturally prefer to go outside, they are pretty clean and they don't want to go in the place were they eat and sleep and crate training will really help. You probably know this, but don't yell at him when he goes inside. He is really too young to hold it right now. Yelling works for some people, but there are an equal number of dogs who become terrified of their owners because of it.

-- Edited by luckylily at 14:38, 2005-07-11

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

Luckylily - You rock! Any advice on how to encourage him to get along with our 2 cats. They have not come out from under the bed in 3 days. Also, How do I keep him from attacking my feet? Are there any books that you recommend I read?

Thanks Jen - I heard the same about Yorkies. I think the Poodle in Ernie will make him a little more cooperative, I hope!

Keep it comin' ladies! You are talking to a stressed new mama! :)

halleybird · Hermes

All of luckylily's advice is great!

My SIL has a miniature yorkie, and she used puppy pads to get it trained to go outside. They are little mats that attract the dogs. Once they're old enough to be potty-trained, you start moving the mats gradually closer to the door, and then just outside it (if they can see through the door). They'll start going there automatically. HTH and congrats!

luckylily · Gucci

LOL...your cats are probably a bit overwhelmed by Ernie. I'm sure he's a little ball of energy right now. You cats will come out from under the bed when they feel more comfortable. Try to make sure that they are getting some alone time to relax, either by putting Ernie in his crate for a couple of hours or shutting the door to the room that the cats are in. It probably would even be a good idea to leave the cats in a separate room for a few days so that they can get used to Ernie's smell and vice versa.

When the cats do come out, try not to let Ernie chase them. Keep him on a leash during the first few interactions. If he tries to run after them you can probably distract him by clapping really loudly or make some other obnoxious noise. Then reward him when he redirects his attention back to you. Generally, tell him he's a good boy when he leaves them alone or plays gently with them. As long as he isn't too rambunctious, the cats will come around. Since Ernie is a puppy, he should easily learn that cats are part of your life and how to deal with them.

My absolutely favorite dog training book is "Good Owners, Great Pets" by Brian Kilcommons. It is an older book, but I think it is great. It tells you in straightforward language how to deal w/ puppy issues plus how to teach basic commands, which I think are so useful.