We're getting a puppy!!
Discussion
In 3 weeks we are collecting Ace, our new black lab puppy - can the PH massive recommend any 'must-have' books regarding training etc. We have already looked into puppy training and obedience classes - will start those when she has had her jabs, but is there anything we can start with her from day one?
The boys (10 and 8) are really, really excited!
Ali
The boys (10 and 8) are really, really excited!
Ali
Treat as you mean to go. Feed it after you've eaten, don't let it on the bed or your furniture otherwise it may compete for a higher status when it's got a bit bigger.
You can train it at home, play and training together are great fun. Best to establish a training routine. Also, let it meet lots or people and dogs, take it to fresh places over a period of time. This will socialise it and get it used to the big world
from day one it can learn, sit, come, wait and stay etc.
Sit and come are obvious, easy to teach when a meals in the offing.
I use wait when another command will be forthcoming shortly.
I use stay when the dogs off duty and can have a kip.
Down is different to sit, so don't say sit down as that's 2 commands at the same time.
You can teach it 'leave' and drop as well.
Boosted.
You can train it at home, play and training together are great fun. Best to establish a training routine. Also, let it meet lots or people and dogs, take it to fresh places over a period of time. This will socialise it and get it used to the big world
from day one it can learn, sit, come, wait and stay etc.
Sit and come are obvious, easy to teach when a meals in the offing.
I use wait when another command will be forthcoming shortly.
I use stay when the dogs off duty and can have a kip.
Down is different to sit, so don't say sit down as that's 2 commands at the same time.
You can teach it 'leave' and drop as well.
Boosted.
Boosted Ls1 said:
Treat as you mean to go. Feed it after you've eaten, don't let it on the bed or your furniture otherwise it may compete for a higher status when it's got a bit bigger.
You can train it at home, play and training together are great fun. Best to establish a training routine. Also, let it meet lots or people and dogs, take it to fresh places over a period of time. This will socialise it and get it used to the big world
from day one it can learn, sit, come, wait and stay etc.
Sit and come are obvious, easy to teach when a meals in the offing.
I use wait when another command will be forthcoming shortly.
I use stay when the dogs off duty and can have a kip.
Down is different to sit, so don't say sit down as that's 2 commands at the same time.
You can teach it 'leave' and drop as well.
Boosted.
Yes.
After this sad thread www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=224995 
This is Sandy our new addition to the family. We got him today. He is an 8 week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Teeth like needles.
Stacks of newspapers at the ready. On high piddle alert. Still he came sort of paper trained.
4xfeed routine. Keep calling his name at every moment. and perserverance.
This is Sandy our new addition to the family. We got him today. He is an 8 week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Teeth like needles.
Stacks of newspapers at the ready. On high piddle alert. Still he came sort of paper trained.
4xfeed routine. Keep calling his name at every moment. and perserverance.
We got a Newfoundland 16 months ago, the first few time we left him in the kitchen when we went out, he wrecked the place. The best way of disciplining him I found was to put him out in the garden and ignore him, and when he was let back in the kids were told not to make a fuss of him for a while. It took a while, and taught everyone to be tidy, but we can leave him with anything now and he won't touch it when left alone for a while.
Other than that he's been great. But Labs are well known for being great chewers, so don't leave anything you value lying around for him to chew.
We were determined this dog wouldn't beg for food from the table, so he was never fed scraps from the table, we always waited till we had finished then put them in his dish. But he still sits and drips next to the table, and because he is so big, sat down he can see right over the table and see exactly what you have left on your plate.
But I always find bribery works wonders, a small treat when they have done something good always goes down well.
Enjoy they're lovely dogs
Other than that he's been great. But Labs are well known for being great chewers, so don't leave anything you value lying around for him to chew.
We were determined this dog wouldn't beg for food from the table, so he was never fed scraps from the table, we always waited till we had finished then put them in his dish. But he still sits and drips next to the table, and because he is so big, sat down he can see right over the table and see exactly what you have left on your plate.
But I always find bribery works wonders, a small treat when they have done something good always goes down well.
Enjoy they're lovely dogs
Make sure you take things away from like his food when he is eating and his toys when he is playing so he doesn't get possessive of them and snap.Do it regulary from day one and heap lots of praise onto him after you have taken it(if its successful).Praise is better than punishment.Just be consistent and make sure the kids are too.There are lots of mistakes to be made and if you haven't had a puppy before go to training from as early an age as possible.
MrsRotty said:
In 3 weeks we are collecting Ace, our new black lab puppy - can the PH massive recommend any 'must-have' books regarding training etc. We have already looked into puppy training and obedience classes - will start those when she has had her jabs, but is there anything we can start with her from day one?
The boys (10 and 8) are really, really excited!
Ali
Congrats, we're on our second black lab. They really are adorable and very easy to train. A cheap and easy toy for him is to put a couple of inches of water in an empty clear plastic lemonade bottle. The water will fascinate him and he will play with it for hours. He will probably eventually puncture it, so be on the lookout for that. Oh, and don't let the boys pull him around too much.
We've never had a problem with chewing, just try and make sure he has plenty of his own toys around that he can exercise his jaw on, and don't leave him on his own for too long if you have to at all. It's important he has something to cut his second set of teeth on when they start arriving.
I'm jealous !!!
Paul.
OOps, just noticed he's a she.
>> Edited by B16 RFF on Sunday 8th January 21:15
A good piece of advice would be to get a (large) cage for the new puppy, and have him sleep in it from very early.
We had a black lab, and loved her to bits. When she died, we got a West Highland Terrier. He went in a cage from very early, and loves it. It's his own space, and is happy to go in there when the kitchen is being used for cooking, when we go out without him, and at night. We use a collapsable cage so that it can be transported easily. As both our dogs are terriers, they are both happy to go in the cage when we're travelling.
Others we have reccommended this to have had the same success, one of which is with a brown lab. The cages are also good for traveling, as you can put them in the car so that they can sleep there when you're away for the weekend etc. But I think it's pretty important you use the cage from early-on, so that they don't see it as a punishment, but as their own. I guess it's very much like a kennel, but inside.
Black labs are fantastic dogs, and take well to the training. They just love to be loyal to you, and give you so much love.
Ace is a cool name!
>> Edited by Raffles on Sunday 8th January 21:17
We had a black lab, and loved her to bits. When she died, we got a West Highland Terrier. He went in a cage from very early, and loves it. It's his own space, and is happy to go in there when the kitchen is being used for cooking, when we go out without him, and at night. We use a collapsable cage so that it can be transported easily. As both our dogs are terriers, they are both happy to go in the cage when we're travelling.
Others we have reccommended this to have had the same success, one of which is with a brown lab. The cages are also good for traveling, as you can put them in the car so that they can sleep there when you're away for the weekend etc. But I think it's pretty important you use the cage from early-on, so that they don't see it as a punishment, but as their own. I guess it's very much like a kennel, but inside.
Black labs are fantastic dogs, and take well to the training. They just love to be loyal to you, and give you so much love.
Ace is a cool name!
>> Edited by Raffles on Sunday 8th January 21:17
Raffles said:
A good piece of advice would be to get a (large) cage for the new puppy, and have him sleep in it from very early.
We had a black lab, and loved her to bits. When she died, we got a West Highland Terrier. He went in a cage from very early, and loves it. It's his own space, and is happy to go in there when the kitchen is being used for cooking, when we go out without him, and at night. We use a collapsable cage so that it can be transported easily. As both our dogs are terriers, they are both happy to go in the cage when we're travelling.
Others we have reccommended this to have had the same success, one of which is with a brown lab. The cages are also good for traveling, as you can put them in the car so that they can sleep there when you're away for the weekend etc. But I think it's pretty important you use the cage from early-on, so that they don't see it as a punishment, but as their own. I guess it's very much like a kennel, but inside.
Black labs are fantastic dogs, and take well to the training. They just love to be loyal to you, and give you so much love.
Ace is a cool name!
>> Edited by Raffles on Sunday 8th January 21:17
Our Labs sleep outside in kennels (separate ones) and our collie pup, 20 weeks, has a cage for inside (hasn't learned to stay away from the table at meals yet) and a kennel outside for night times.
Thanks for all the advice - we have 3 weeks to get organised, and then the fun begins! We already have two cats and two chickens - it's like a city farm round here sometimes!! The cats were a bit suspicious when we got in last night - they had a good sniff of our clothes - I keep telling them they'll be alright!
alloypearltam said:
We have a black labrador and although we love him to pieces he is an absolute nutter.
We have Perry, who is actually a cross, with more setter in him, but he looks like a black lab to the untrained eye. He's 11 in April and still doesn't know that he's supposed to be calming down!! As somebody already said, lock away everything you don't want destroyed. Between the ages of six and eighteen months old, I had to lock my shoes in my wardrobe or Perry would chew JUST ONE of them. He never ruined a whole pair!!!
Puppies need plenty of exercise and I'd say no more than two chews or she'll get confused as to what's hers and what's the kids!
Start as you mean to go on. Personally, I don't think dogs should be allowed on the furniture or upstairs, and remember that not everyone will love your dog, so don't encourage it to jump up and "kiss" people when they come into your house.
No scraps at the table. You eat, then the dog eats and only out of his/her own feeding dish.
Take it out in the car as soon as you can, just for short journeys to start with (and be prepared for accidents in the car - I know this from experience!)
I would also advise that as you have young children, warn them that even very good natured dogs have the occassional bad mood and need their space. Have somewhere in your house that the dog can go to get away from boisterous children who want to keep on playing even when the dog is tired and wants to sleep, and particularly in hot weather when we all get a bit hot and bothered and more likely to lash out!
Good luck, and post some piccies when you get your new family member
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff