Discussion
We have Albert the Labrador pup due to arrive with us on 2nd December @ 10 weeks. He'll be our first pooch so we are trying to get as prepared as we can. We are planning on crate training.
There is so much information on the internet that its completely overwhelming - I could do with a good old fashioned book that covers brining him home, his first few nights and how to get him toilet trained, socialised and eventually a well balanced (and behaved!) member of the family!
Does any one have any recommendations for a decent doggy instruction manual?
There is so much information on the internet that its completely overwhelming - I could do with a good old fashioned book that covers brining him home, his first few nights and how to get him toilet trained, socialised and eventually a well balanced (and behaved!) member of the family!
Does any one have any recommendations for a decent doggy instruction manual?
Smashing looking pup. Just try to remember its not doing it on purpose, no two labs are the same so one size all training goes out the window, patience patience patience. Oh and dont use the crate for punishments instead try to use it as a hidey hole when he's feeling a bit overwhelmed
Looks great!
We crate trained ours, but as above, it wasn't used for punishments, it was his 'safe' area. We tried to make it a positive thing, so before shutting him in there before bed or if we were going out we'd give him a few treats (the key to a lab's heart is through their stomach
). Even once he was trained we still kept the crate for a couple of months (with the door permanently open) as it was what he was used to.
Also found that when you first get up in the morning, or when you get home, ignoring him for a few minutes (admittedly pretty hard) until he calmed down also helped.
Saying that however...
We crate trained ours, but as above, it wasn't used for punishments, it was his 'safe' area. We tried to make it a positive thing, so before shutting him in there before bed or if we were going out we'd give him a few treats (the key to a lab's heart is through their stomach
). Even once he was trained we still kept the crate for a couple of months (with the door permanently open) as it was what he was used to.Also found that when you first get up in the morning, or when you get home, ignoring him for a few minutes (admittedly pretty hard) until he calmed down also helped.
Saying that however...
V40Vinnie said:
no two labs are the same so one size all training goes out the window
Mr MXT said:
We have Albert the Labrador pup due to arrive with us on 2nd December @ 10 weeks. He'll be our first pooch so we are trying to get as prepared as we can. We are planning on crate training.
There is so much information on the internet that its completely overwhelming - I could do with a good old fashioned book that covers brining him home, his first few nights and how to get him toilet trained, socialised and eventually a well balanced (and behaved!) member of the family!
Does any one have any recommendations for a decent doggy instruction manual?
Great choice of Pup - I'm sure he'll be awesome! There is so much information on the internet that its completely overwhelming - I could do with a good old fashioned book that covers brining him home, his first few nights and how to get him toilet trained, socialised and eventually a well balanced (and behaved!) member of the family!
Does any one have any recommendations for a decent doggy instruction manual?
Amazon look like they have a whole bunch of great books.. take a look at them:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=se...
Having owned dogs myself from when they were puppies, I know how hard and sometimes frustrating it can be to train them, but with enough determination and lots of time and love (which I'm sure he'll get plenty of..!) hard work eventually does pay off, and he will become a fine addition to your family! Best of luck
get yourself a good book but accept that the puppy will have read a different manual and will do everything differently!
My best advice though is go to puppy socialisation classes -many vets will run one for nominal charge or even the big pet shops often do a Saturday morning session for pups. Getting dogs used to meeting and playing with other dogs is critical to being able to enjoy taking them out for a walk for the next 10 years without having to worry that they are either going cower away -or worse still try to fight ever other pooch they meet. You might also make some good 'doggy friends' while you're at it -I went to one last year and came away with the phone numbers of two strange women (!) just a pity its my wife they now meet up with for regular walkies with their respective pooches.
My best advice though is go to puppy socialisation classes -many vets will run one for nominal charge or even the big pet shops often do a Saturday morning session for pups. Getting dogs used to meeting and playing with other dogs is critical to being able to enjoy taking them out for a walk for the next 10 years without having to worry that they are either going cower away -or worse still try to fight ever other pooch they meet. You might also make some good 'doggy friends' while you're at it -I went to one last year and came away with the phone numbers of two strange women (!) just a pity its my wife they now meet up with for regular walkies with their respective pooches.
We are going through a similar experience with Poppy, our 18 week old lab.
So far she has been great, and having her in the crate has been very easy (we gave the crate and her bed to the breeder so she got used to it before coming to us at 12 weeks).
I agree with not using the crate for time out, just for her rest and night time, or just when she fancies taking herself off there.
It's amazing how quickly they grow and stop looking like puppies, so enjoy it while it lasts!
I will put a few pics on the main "dogs" thread, but here is a quick one at graduation from Puppy Socialisation at the local vets, which is a great idea to get along to.
So far she has been great, and having her in the crate has been very easy (we gave the crate and her bed to the breeder so she got used to it before coming to us at 12 weeks).
I agree with not using the crate for time out, just for her rest and night time, or just when she fancies taking herself off there.
It's amazing how quickly they grow and stop looking like puppies, so enjoy it while it lasts!
I will put a few pics on the main "dogs" thread, but here is a quick one at graduation from Puppy Socialisation at the local vets, which is a great idea to get along to.
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