On Sat, 6 Sep 2003 12:50:11 +1000, "Cin" <as.RemoveThis@if.com> wrote:
>Hi everyone, i was just wondering if there is a news group that i can talk
>about training my pup on or is it ok to do it here?
>
>I am getting a bull terrier pup in 6 weeks (he is only 2 weeks old now) and
>i have already signed up for puppy preschool and will be going down tomorrow
>to see about the local dog training class that is held every sunday morning.
>The last pup we had around was dads dog (3 years old) and he did all the
>work with him (or lack of) i am in my own place now and want to train my dog
>the right way.
>
>We did the sunday morning classes over 13 years ago with my brothers two
>dogs, they only went for a few months and learnt so much (the dog we have
>left now still obays us when he hears us, he has lost most of his hearing)
>so i can only imagin what a dog that goes every week will be like.
>
>I am close to the breeders, they are friends of my parents and mum sees the
>lady every wednesday night, so i have no problems with contacting them if i
>need help, another friend of ours is an ex trainer as well.
>
>I want to take the pup/dog with me whenever possible (such as shopping or
>visiting people, holidays) so there will be a lot of car travel and walking
>involved.
>
>But i was wondering what advice i can get from you people about training and
>your personal experiences.
>
>I am sorry if this is the wrong place to post but i wasnt sure where to
>start
>
>I was also wondering if there was a message board or somewhere on the net
>that i could go to talk to others about the breed, any in australia would be
>good, if not, anywhere else would be ok
>
>CC.
While this isn't the best place to talk about training a pup, it's
certainly not unwelcome.
My advice would be to spend a little time if possible, with a dog
trainer.
There is a WAY of dog training that is somewhat non-intuitive, but can
be quite good, once learned. The hard part of dog training is training
you, the owner. The puppy is simple, once you get trained to be a
trainer.
I think it's pretty awesome to watch someone who really knows how to
train dogs, do their work.
Great that you want to make the dog a big part of your life. A well
socialized pup tends to make a well socialized dog, and a much better
"fit" between owner and dog.
One key is consistency. For instance, you want the dog with you a lot,
inside and outside. What about having the dog on your living room
furniture?
Short-haired dogs shed (some more than others), and your lvroom
furniture will get hair on it, which all your house guests are likely
to get a few, also, on their clothes.
If you want the dog to stay OFF the furniture, don't have him/her on
it as a pup. He/she will be confused with the loss of status when you
deny him/her access to the furniture later on, after he/she was on it
as a pup or young dog.
I like to give a pup/dog it's own "daybed", (a small throw rug with a
foam pad cut the same size under it, perhaps), in the lvroom, and
another for a "bed" at night, in the bedroom. Near to where I sit when
I watch TV (within ear-scratching reach), but out of drafts and foot
traffic patterns.
This gives the dog "status" and comfort, but not "top dog" status, and
keeps the lvroom furniture and bed clear of shed hair, skin, and maybe
doggie toys.
Yes, a dog can quickly be taught to stay off the lvroom furniture, but
sleep in your bed, for instance. I just don't believe that's
consistent, and not helpful.
Again, if you give your pup a piece of wood to chew on, don't be
surprised when he/she chews on the coffee table/dining room (wooden)
table leg. The pup won't see the difference.
Between 12 and 18 weeks a pup has a special "window" of bonding with
humans. Try to spend as much time with your pup as you can during that
time. Should this opportunity for bonding be somehow missed, the pup
may never have the bonding with humans that it might have had.
Best wishes with your new puppy.
Dave
>> Stay informed about: Training 
FAQ
Profile
Private Messages
Log in
