Am I Doing This Right?

[jamesanddean]

We picked up our 7 week old Golden Retriever puppy (Hunter) on Sat 5 Jan. We are crate training him when indoors and he has a puppy run with shelter, toys, food and water, etc in the back yard (on the concrete tiles) for when we are not home during the day. I stayed home with him for the first week to settle him in and we were very lucky and have had many successes including....

- housetrained from day 1....he will only go outside on the grass

- has never cried at night

- at 8 weeks of age can already sleep the whole night 2330-0630 without toileting

However I have a few questions about how to handle some of the situations and behaviours....

- He has toys to play with which keep him busy, but he is biting feet, ankles and even goes for your face when you pick him up. It could be excitement and I have been saying no, turning my back on him, standing over him, etc to stop the behavious but it doesn't seem to be stopping (unless he is exhausted). The initial days of cuddling seem to be over already! Should I be crating him for short amounts of time when he is being naughty or am I being too harsh as he is an 8 week old puppy?

- When we let him out of his pen he has started running around the back yard like a crazy dog. I assume he is just letting off steam and getting exercise but should we be trying to calm him down. He is not really getting in to any trouble other than the biting and nipping when he comes to us.

- I have taught him to sit but haven't spent a lot of time on training yet. I leave his collar on him now and he is getting used to it but he doesn't like the lead and chews it. Should I be persevering more with the lead and will this assist in controlling him more? Perhaps I should be doing more down the training path to try and curb his crazy behaviour?

- He starts puppy pre school on 5 Feb but should I be doing more to train him now? He just doesn't seem to listen much yet but I assume this is because he is so young?

- I have taken him in the car a few times and he settles but really want to socialise him effectively. I have taken him to parties where ther have been 15 people (but no other dogs of course) and he mixes well with adults and children. I really want him to mix with other dogs as son as possible but he doesnt have his 2nd vacc until 4 Feb so need to wait. We have friends with dogs who had missed one of their annual vascc's by a few months and have only just had it so I don't want them to meet him just yet. Should he be meeting other dogs we can trust before puppy preschool or is it OK to wait until then (5 Feb)?

I appreciate any advice. We are first time dog owners and he has been an absolute joy and we have been very lucky with him so far, but just want to make sure we are doing the right things.

Thanks

[Guest Tess32]

I've found most pups go through 'crazy hours' where they want to bite everything they can see and simply don't listen. I have a 10 week old pup and when he does it I have tried a low growl (doesn't work) and now just remain still, this stops him biting feet. I only resume playing when he's calmer. However some go truly beserk in these hours and the only thing you can do is a time out, as they will not be receptive to vocal discipline.

I would still take him out for toileting at night - just in case he is trying to hold it. I've honestly never heard of an 8 week old pup who can regularly hold their bladder for that long.

Puppies zoomies are normal - they have a lot of energy and run around like idiots

I would only socialise him at the moment with dogs you know are reliable (as much as can be) and fully vaccinated. Otherwise I'd wait till puppy school.

Just make sure you leave him alone for various periods so he doesn't get used to you always being there. You're very lucky he didn't cry!

Any piccies?

[Miranda]

You're doing very well, but remember that this puppy is only a tiny baby, don't expect too much of him at this very early age. Take it easy and enjoy the puppy and don't try to teach him too much too soon. I would also be taking the puppy out during the night, he's far too young to hold on and even though he's managing I would imagine that he's suffering considerable discomfort and holding on to a full bladder won't be good for him.

All puppies race around for short periods of time and this is completely normal, to curb the biting I grab mine by the scruff and give them a sharp shake and say 'uh-uh' in a growly tone of voice, I find that this works well.

[luvsdogs]

Puppies need to bite so they can learn that biting hurts & they shouldn't do it. When he bites say 'ouch' give him a short time out & come back to him. If he bites again, repeat. They learn bite inhibition when with their litter. Their mum & siblings will not play with them if they get hurt. They will yelp, hence the ouch. Search bite inhibition & see what it says. As to training, you can teach him sit, drop, roll over, stay, follow/heel all off lead at this stage.

[badboyz]

I notice you plan to have his second vaccination the day before puppy preschool. He really should have at least a week preferably 2, after his 2nd vaccination before he is socialized with other dogs. The vaccs will not be effective after only one day.

On the other hand, if your friends dog is only late for its annual shot, but has had all previous puppy shots, it will not matter if it is a month late - it will still be immune. Many dog owners are now choosing not to vaccinate after the 1 year old shot, as it has been found unnecassary and more likely detrimental to continue to revaccinate a dog every year.

[Poodle wrangler]

- When we let him out of his pen he has started running around the back yard like a crazy dog. I assume he is just letting off steam and getting exercise but should we be trying to calm him down. He is not really getting in to any trouble other than the biting and nipping when he comes to us.

Sounds normal. Let him have a run, but only pat him when he's calmed down (reward him with your pats and attention).

- I have taught him to sit but haven't spent a lot of time on training yet. I leave his collar on him now and he is getting used to it but he doesn't like the lead and chews it. Should I be persevering more with the lead and will this assist in controlling him more? Perhaps I should be doing more down the training path to try and curb his crazy behaviour?

- He starts puppy pre school on 5 Feb but should I be doing more to train him now? He just doesn't seem to listen much yet but I assume this is because he is so young?

Try Triangle of Temptation (TOT) here: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=64101

Do it exactly. It's great: Gets pup to look, listen, sit, wait, stay and takes nothing away from the pup. Sends all the right leadership signals and isn't harsh in any way.

Training should take about 5-10 minutes max. with a young pup. He's still a baby and has the concentration span of a gnat. You can do it more than once a day if you like.

Toilet training is advanced training, so he's doing well. Small bladder still, so more accidents would be normal, too.

- I have taken him in the car a few times and he settles but really want to socialise him effectively. I have taken him to parties where ther have been 15 people (but no other dogs of course) and he mixes well with adults and children. I really want him to mix with other dogs as son as possible but he doesnt have his 2nd vacc until 4 Feb so need to wait. We have friends with dogs who had missed one of their annual vascc's by a few months and have only just had it so I don't want them to meet him just yet. Should he be meeting other dogs we can trust before puppy preschool or is it OK to wait until then (5 Feb)?

I waited until about a week after 2nd vaccs before socialising with other dogs, parks etc.

[BrunoBella]

I would still take him out for toileting at night - just in case he is trying to hold it. I've honestly never heard of an 8 week old pup who can regularly hold their bladder for that long.

Both my dogs could hold all night from 8 weeks. I never had to take them out. They toilet trained themselves

You're doing a good job. I agree with the time out. Some puppies don't know when to stop!

Have fun

[helen]

There are some excellent articles for puppy training on this website http://www.k9events.com

Sounds like all is going well though, are you taking him to puppy training?

[cavNrott]

- He starts puppy pre school on 5 Feb but should I be doing more to train him now? He just doesn't seem to listen much yet but I assume this is because he is so young?

. Should he be meeting other dogs we can trust before puppy preschool or is it OK to wait until then (5 Feb)?

Sounds like all is going well though, are you taking him to puppy training?

Bolded from the first post.

[greatdanes]

We picked up our 7 week old Golden Retriever puppy (Hunter) on Sat 5 Jan. We are crate training him when indoors and he has a puppy run with shelter, toys, food and water, etc in the back yard (on the concrete tiles) for when we are not home during the day. I stayed home with him for the first week to settle him in and we were very lucky and have had many successes including....

- housetrained from day 1....he will only go outside on the grass :cool:

- has never cried at night

- at 8 weeks of age can already sleep the whole night 2330-0630 without toileting :D

However I have a few questions about how to handle some of the situations and behaviours....

- He has toys to play with which keep him busy, but he is biting feet, ankles and even goes for your face when you pick him up. It could be excitement and I have been saying no, turning my back on him, standing over him, etc to stop the behavious but it doesn't seem to be stopping (unless he is exhausted). The initial days of cuddling seem to be over already! Should I be crating him for short amounts of time when he is being naughty or am I being too harsh as he is an 8 week old puppy?

- When we let him out of his pen he has started running around the back yard like a crazy dog. I assume he is just letting off steam and getting exercise but should we be trying to calm him down. He is not really getting in to any trouble other than the biting and nipping when he comes to us.

- I have taught him to sit but haven't spent a lot of time on training yet. I leave his collar on him now and he is getting used to it but he doesn't like the lead and chews it. Should I be persevering more with the lead and will this assist in controlling him more? Perhaps I should be doing more down the training path to try and curb his crazy behaviour?

- He starts puppy pre school on 5 Feb but should I be doing more to train him now? He just doesn't seem to listen much yet but I assume this is because he is so young?

- I have taken him in the car a few times and he settles but really want to socialise him effectively. I have taken him to parties where ther have been 15 people (but no other dogs of course) and he mixes well with adults and children. I really want him to mix with other dogs as son as possible but he doesnt have his 2nd vacc until 4 Feb so need to wait. We have friends with dogs who had missed one of their annual vascc's by a few months and have only just had it so I don't want them to meet him just yet. Should he be meeting other dogs we can trust before puppy preschool or is it OK to wait until then (5 Feb)?

I appreciate any advice. We are first time dog owners and he has been an absolute joy and we have been very lucky with him so far, but just want to make sure we are doing the right things. ;)

Thanks

hi ive already been through the same stage as you and have been to puppy schoolthe best thing to do when he bites anything you dont wont him to is hold his mouth closed for at least 15-20 sec he wont like it at all but that is good because he will learn that biting will get his mouth held shut and it works i had to to that with my great dane,or have a spray bottle with water in it and every time he does a naughty thing give him a good spraying,not just a little spray a lot so he hates it,and keep a bottle in each room.

[neatz]

I just picked up my eight week old pup on Monday (Border Terrier) and he makes it through the night too. Will let him out last thing and he usually wakes up around 7am for another. He also goes crazy and runs like a lunatic outside which is normal but sometimes I step in to calm things down if I think he is over doing it. If he tries to bite I grab his scruff and make a growling AGHT! noise and he immeadiatley starts to wag his tail and starts to go all licky and cute. I also do the ouch thing and let out a shreik if he tries to bite too hard and usually he looks up at me with a startled expression. It seems to work for me.