Puppy (W-H Viszla) arriving in two weeks - HELP!
Discussion
Hi all
We've recently moved out of London to a more rural location and my wife is about to realise a long-held dream to have a dog.
She grew up with dogs in the family, whereas I didn't - she's just very excited whereas I'm half bricking-it!
The puppy is a Wire-Haired Viszla. We've got three kids (4, 7, 10), we're five houses away from open farmland/downland and we've got a puppy-secure garden (previous owners had a new puppy last year so all the perimeter has been chicken-wired) .
We've agreed some basic ground rules - the dog will not be allowed upstairs, she'll be crate-trained, we'll keep her clean so the house doesn't smell. We will be genuinely sharing the walking/exercising.
Whilst this is not necessarily something I'd have done was it not for my wife, we've made a collective decision to bring a dog into the family so I'm 100% on-board.
I'm expecting some rough times at the start - but How do I best prepare myself for this?
I'm always keen to read around a topic so maybe some book suggestions would help?
What's the best advice you can give to someone like me?
We've recently moved out of London to a more rural location and my wife is about to realise a long-held dream to have a dog.
She grew up with dogs in the family, whereas I didn't - she's just very excited whereas I'm half bricking-it!
The puppy is a Wire-Haired Viszla. We've got three kids (4, 7, 10), we're five houses away from open farmland/downland and we've got a puppy-secure garden (previous owners had a new puppy last year so all the perimeter has been chicken-wired) .
We've agreed some basic ground rules - the dog will not be allowed upstairs, she'll be crate-trained, we'll keep her clean so the house doesn't smell. We will be genuinely sharing the walking/exercising.
Whilst this is not necessarily something I'd have done was it not for my wife, we've made a collective decision to bring a dog into the family so I'm 100% on-board.
I'm expecting some rough times at the start - but How do I best prepare myself for this?
I'm always keen to read around a topic so maybe some book suggestions would help?
What's the best advice you can give to someone like me?
Anything left on the floor is fair game for being chewed. Shoes in the hall are a favourite expensive to replace item - put stuff out of reach! Playing with him and letting him playfight and bite you/your toes sounds hilarious, but will quickly be a pain in the arse (toes) when he gets a bit bigger.
Get him socialised and make sure the family are all 100% onboard with the rules, as it will all come tumbling down if the kids are letting him run riot all day (fun when he's a puppy, but harder when its a full grown dog).
Other than that - just enjoy it, and expect a few noisy nights while he gets used to being on his own.
Get him socialised and make sure the family are all 100% onboard with the rules, as it will all come tumbling down if the kids are letting him run riot all day (fun when he's a puppy, but harder when its a full grown dog).
Other than that - just enjoy it, and expect a few noisy nights while he gets used to being on his own.
maturin23 said:
I've been struggling to persuade the kids to use the boot room - things just get dumped by the front or back door so maybe that's not a bad thing!
They'll only get their favourite pair of trainers chewed once. And I dont mean a few nibbles, I mean chewed to pieces - barely recognisable as shoes anymore! Puppies are tiring, either sleeping or 100Mph and you need to watch them like a hawk for the toilet training.
As soon as puppy can go out, get it out and about and exposed to as many situations as possible. Busy roads, busy streets, other dogs, horses, trains, kids, interplanetary exploration etc, etc.
get them used to the lead before this.
Training classes are good for socialization but provide only a small amount of actual training. You'll be the one doing most of the learning there.
If something fits in a puppies mouth it will go in, so de-clutter and stay tidy.
Welcome to the world of not owning a single item of clothing that doesn't have a poo bag in one pocket or other.
Make the most of the sofa also as you'll soon be relegated to the floor.
Dogs and puppies especially are great - enjoy!
As soon as puppy can go out, get it out and about and exposed to as many situations as possible. Busy roads, busy streets, other dogs, horses, trains, kids, interplanetary exploration etc, etc.
get them used to the lead before this.
Training classes are good for socialization but provide only a small amount of actual training. You'll be the one doing most of the learning there.
If something fits in a puppies mouth it will go in, so de-clutter and stay tidy.
Welcome to the world of not owning a single item of clothing that doesn't have a poo bag in one pocket or other.
Make the most of the sofa also as you'll soon be relegated to the floor.
Dogs and puppies especially are great - enjoy!
maturin23 said:
Hi all
We've recently moved out of London to a more rural location and my wife is about to realise a long-held dream to have a dog.
She grew up with dogs in the family, whereas I didn't - she's just very excited whereas I'm half bricking-it!
The puppy is a Wire-Haired Viszla. We've got three kids (4, 7, 10), we're five houses away from open farmland/downland and we've got a puppy-secure garden (previous owners had a new puppy last year so all the perimeter has been chicken-wired) .
We've agreed some basic ground rules - the dog will not be allowed upstairs, she'll be crate-trained, we'll keep her clean so the house doesn't smell. We will be genuinely sharing the walking/exercising.
Whilst this is not necessarily something I'd have done was it not for my wife, we've made a collective decision to bring a dog into the family so I'm 100% on-board.
I'm expecting some rough times at the start - but How do I best prepare myself for this?
I'm always keen to read around a topic so maybe some book suggestions would help?
What's the best advice you can give to someone like me?
Please don't say this is the only prep that you have done for the dog's arrival?!?We've recently moved out of London to a more rural location and my wife is about to realise a long-held dream to have a dog.
She grew up with dogs in the family, whereas I didn't - she's just very excited whereas I'm half bricking-it!
The puppy is a Wire-Haired Viszla. We've got three kids (4, 7, 10), we're five houses away from open farmland/downland and we've got a puppy-secure garden (previous owners had a new puppy last year so all the perimeter has been chicken-wired) .
We've agreed some basic ground rules - the dog will not be allowed upstairs, she'll be crate-trained, we'll keep her clean so the house doesn't smell. We will be genuinely sharing the walking/exercising.
Whilst this is not necessarily something I'd have done was it not for my wife, we've made a collective decision to bring a dog into the family so I'm 100% on-board.
I'm expecting some rough times at the start - but How do I best prepare myself for this?
I'm always keen to read around a topic so maybe some book suggestions would help?
What's the best advice you can give to someone like me?
You appear to have the basics listed. We didn't get a puppy, but some things are fairly standard when it comes to welcoming a dog into the home:
The Upstairs thing.
Everyone says that at the start. Initially it is a good idea, as pups could injure them selves trying stairs and you want that boundry. However. You have decided to get a dog and welcome it into your home. There will be occasions where you will all be doing something upstairs and the dog will want to be involved and whine accordingly. Following a difficult re-moddelling of the entuire downstaoirs of our house, Herbie is now allowed upstairs and with a new baby, it means my wife has company all day long where ever she decides to lie down etc etc.
Babygates.
Buy a few. Doors shutting means dog can't see whats going on and they stresses them out a bit. A baby gate means they can see and thats all they want
Sometimes the little buggers will whine anyway!!Food
Don't leave food out. All dogs are scavengers. End Of. Also, keep his food behind a locked door and buy an airtight container.
Sofa
Try and teach them early on that they can only go on the sofa when invited. We have issues with that in our house and Herbie is nearly 6ft fully stretched out
Crate
You are 100% right to go for crate training. Once again, this was something we failed at. Maybe a puppy will be better, but I can tell you a 3yr old greygound is strong enough to break out of a crate. I did get some good tips, like putting something that smells of you in there and a hot water bottle for warmth. May soothe them a bit. Also for the first few nights, you will have to sleep in the same room. Maybe longer. Herbie was an adult and he needed two nights.
Misc.
Buy poo bags in bulk in amazon. Don't be afraid of buying hundreds at a time.
Wilkonsons chews are good as are their dog bowls
Don't let your kids disturb dog whilst eating
Buy a dog walking hat (See other thread!)
I hope you have laminate flooring. Dogs skid about on it, but at least you can wipe up what ever mess they leave you. Also, that reminds me, buy kitchen roll in bulk!
Although, you sound like everyone will share responsibilities, long term, it rarely ends up like that. From speaking to others, whoever had the idea originally is usually the most enthusiastic and takes the lead so to speak.
We bought quite a few fluffy toys (Greyhounds like those), but tennis balls are popular and I remember my mum's JRT puppy loving a tennis ball. Maybe buy a dozen from sports direct or similar
I'm sure I could type more, but I think that's enough for now. Hope some of it is useful.
Two book recommendations for you:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Puppy-Take-Britain...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Train-Superpup-Unleash...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Puppy-Take-Britain...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Train-Superpup-Unleash...
A few things. Not an expert but seemed to have worked.
Food. When feeding we all pretend to eat it first then gave it him. But made him wait. We have not food aggression and can take anything from him at any time.
We started training straight away. Usual, sit etc etc. leave is very important command.
you may or may not want to do this. Somebody suggested this on here. Puppies have small bladders. We set the alarm to go off every three hours went downstairs and took him out for a wee. We did that for a couple of months untill he could go all night.
We only had two accidents when we were not being attentive to notice him waiting by the door.even though he had puppy pads and and area outside his crate he could go he only ever wanted to go outside. So although hard work paid off.
Get him to meet as many dogs as possible but be wary. Logan was attacked quite often as a puppy by people who said their dogs were friendly.
When taking hi out after his shots get him used to letting hi off his lead. Let him off then put it on but don't take him straight home. Don't assoiate the lead with end of play.
Let him walk a little away then hide. He will soon get used to staying quite close.
I just have to pull the lead out of my pocket and he just sits and let's me put it on. I can also call him and he comes back straight away but that did take a bit of work.
I see dog owners on our field with dogs running off and them usually running after them and others who won't let their dogs off because they will run away. That just be a real pain and dangerous.
I think we were just lucky but lots if patience and training treats.
Oh take treats out with you.
Oh and yeah Logan wasn't going upstairs either yeah right get back to us in a few months.
Food. When feeding we all pretend to eat it first then gave it him. But made him wait. We have not food aggression and can take anything from him at any time.
We started training straight away. Usual, sit etc etc. leave is very important command.
you may or may not want to do this. Somebody suggested this on here. Puppies have small bladders. We set the alarm to go off every three hours went downstairs and took him out for a wee. We did that for a couple of months untill he could go all night.
We only had two accidents when we were not being attentive to notice him waiting by the door.even though he had puppy pads and and area outside his crate he could go he only ever wanted to go outside. So although hard work paid off.
Get him to meet as many dogs as possible but be wary. Logan was attacked quite often as a puppy by people who said their dogs were friendly.
When taking hi out after his shots get him used to letting hi off his lead. Let him off then put it on but don't take him straight home. Don't assoiate the lead with end of play.
Let him walk a little away then hide. He will soon get used to staying quite close.
I just have to pull the lead out of my pocket and he just sits and let's me put it on. I can also call him and he comes back straight away but that did take a bit of work.
I see dog owners on our field with dogs running off and them usually running after them and others who won't let their dogs off because they will run away. That just be a real pain and dangerous.
I think we were just lucky but lots if patience and training treats.
Oh take treats out with you.
Oh and yeah Logan wasn't going upstairs either
yeah right get back to us in a few months.W/H Viszla - beautiful but way too much dog for me
Not that easy to get hold of in UK - from working lines?
Slow maturing, independent minded, intelligent and very energetic dogs. Will thrive on stimulation and exercise.
If you're not a gundog person, I would do as much research as you can into training. Even if you don't propose to shoot over it you can simulate gundog training to a high standard. There may be KC gundog groups in your area to move onto after the puppy classes.
Unfortunately gundog training means that the children will need be very disciplined about chasing, tugging, throwing things. It's a bit miserable for the kids having strict ground rules but you will end up with a better dog.
Forum here http://www.gundogtrainingforum.co.uk/phpbb/
Hope you can do justice to a great dog
Not that easy to get hold of in UK - from working lines?
Slow maturing, independent minded, intelligent and very energetic dogs. Will thrive on stimulation and exercise.
If you're not a gundog person, I would do as much research as you can into training. Even if you don't propose to shoot over it you can simulate gundog training to a high standard. There may be KC gundog groups in your area to move onto after the puppy classes.
Unfortunately gundog training means that the children will need be very disciplined about chasing, tugging, throwing things. It's a bit miserable for the kids having strict ground rules but you will end up with a better dog.
Forum here http://www.gundogtrainingforum.co.uk/phpbb/
Hope you can do justice to a great dog
Edited by oddman on Thursday 12th March 22:57
Lots of good advice - I'd agree with a lot, and some not (no surprise - everyones different!!)
Those books are good - I read them when we got Monty last year (Viszla - not WH). Even though Ive had dogs before but not for a long time. Crate training was new to me but is brilliant. as someone said - chuck in one of your t shirts and a hot water bottle for the first week or so.
Food - make sure you deal with any possession issues (same with toys). I taught Monty to wait for his food until told he could take it, took 20 minutes and even now if someone drops some food on the floor he looks at us until we say he can have it. teaching was simple - let me know if you want to know how.
stairs - Missus didn't want him upstairs at all but also didn't want stair gates - so again - teaching him he wasn't allowed. He's never been upstairs in the house.
Sofa - same as above
shoes - same as above. Monty had a habit of grabbing the breeders slippers and running off when we got him and did try it a couple of times at home but again was soon clear it wasn't allowed.
Socialisation - as soon as he comes home, take him out - carry him until jabs etc are done. show him everything and everyone. A guy down the road from me got a cocker shortly after we got Monty and didn't take him out enough - you should see that dog jump and run when a bus comes past now!! very dangerous.
Recall - someone said get him off the lead asap - absolutely agree (although you have to get him on the lead first, do this at home a bit at a time) - when you walk him, let him off and hide, he'll come running back, praise! When they are young they want to be close and want to wander more as they get older. The guy with the cocker still had it on a long lead (10m or so) for several months because he was worried it wouldn't come back.
Forgot to say - the key to the training above is to pick a No word or phrase. We use Ah-Ah! said sharply and quite loud - it stops them from doing whatever they shouldn't and allows you to correct. Then praise for good behaviour.
theres probably loads more.
Those books are good - I read them when we got Monty last year (Viszla - not WH). Even though Ive had dogs before but not for a long time. Crate training was new to me but is brilliant. as someone said - chuck in one of your t shirts and a hot water bottle for the first week or so.
Food - make sure you deal with any possession issues (same with toys). I taught Monty to wait for his food until told he could take it, took 20 minutes and even now if someone drops some food on the floor he looks at us until we say he can have it. teaching was simple - let me know if you want to know how.
stairs - Missus didn't want him upstairs at all but also didn't want stair gates - so again - teaching him he wasn't allowed. He's never been upstairs in the house.
Sofa - same as above
shoes - same as above. Monty had a habit of grabbing the breeders slippers and running off when we got him and did try it a couple of times at home but again was soon clear it wasn't allowed.
Socialisation - as soon as he comes home, take him out - carry him until jabs etc are done. show him everything and everyone. A guy down the road from me got a cocker shortly after we got Monty and didn't take him out enough - you should see that dog jump and run when a bus comes past now!! very dangerous.
Recall - someone said get him off the lead asap - absolutely agree (although you have to get him on the lead first, do this at home a bit at a time) - when you walk him, let him off and hide, he'll come running back, praise! When they are young they want to be close and want to wander more as they get older. The guy with the cocker still had it on a long lead (10m or so) for several months because he was worried it wouldn't come back.
Forgot to say - the key to the training above is to pick a No word or phrase. We use Ah-Ah! said sharply and quite loud - it stops them from doing whatever they shouldn't and allows you to correct. Then praise for good behaviour.
theres probably loads more.
Start recall training the moment the puppy arrives, in the house. A long corridor helps with this. I used to call out "Kaspar, come!" Then reward with cuddles and a fuss.
Never had an issue recalling Kaspar, although viszlas tend to stay close anyway. Apparently, a duo-syllabic name with a hard 'k' sound is easiest for dogs to distinguish, so that's something to think about.
Be warned that wire-haired viszlas are bundles of energy which they never grow out of. Kaspar was as nuts on the day he was sadly PTS as he was as a puppy. 11 years - they tend not to live terribly long.
Kaspar: he could twirl a 'throw' in his mouth like a belly dancer's nipple tassels, which is what he's doing here
Never had an issue recalling Kaspar, although viszlas tend to stay close anyway. Apparently, a duo-syllabic name with a hard 'k' sound is easiest for dogs to distinguish, so that's something to think about.
Be warned that wire-haired viszlas are bundles of energy which they never grow out of. Kaspar was as nuts on the day he was sadly PTS as he was as a puppy. 11 years - they tend not to live terribly long.
Kaspar: he could twirl a 'throw' in his mouth like a belly dancer's nipple tassels, which is what he's doing here
Mobile Chicane said:
Start recall training the moment the puppy arrives, in the house. A long corridor helps with this. I used to call out "Kaspar, come!" Then reward with cuddles and a fuss.
We started recall like that then when he got that advanced a little. 3 or 4 of us in different rooms/ garden. He loved it, got a treat every time he did it right and it was a fun game too.
Use and excited voice you want to get him to want to come back.
don't forget pictures
just remembered 2 things id do different/ as well
get him used to being in the bath from being a pup. dont know how would do it but look on youtube maybe.
its ww3 and basically impossible to get logan bathed.hes so strong and he hates it.
on thing i didn't work on is jumping up because i thought it was funny. its not when you have light colored work trousers on that get covered in mud on your way out to work because hes been digging in the garden also a 20 kg missile launched at your face when you are sat can be painful but i still think its funny
just remembered 2 things id do different/ as well
get him used to being in the bath from being a pup. dont know how would do it but look on youtube maybe.
its ww3 and basically impossible to get logan bathed.hes so strong and he hates it.
on thing i didn't work on is jumping up because i thought it was funny. its not when you have light colored work trousers on that get covered in mud on your way out to work because hes been digging in the garden also a 20 kg missile launched at your face when you are sat can be painful
but i still think its funnyEdited by Pesty on Sunday 15th March 20:43
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