Dog Training Help Needed (pretty please with a cherry on top)

[Kala]

So we just got a new pup. 4 months old. Blue Tick/black and tan mix. (see my journal for pics) And needless to say its been awhile since we had to train a pup. So I was just wondering if anyone had any tips?

Everything from potty training to livestock guarding. Or good books/references. If I left out any details (and I'm sure I did) that you need for background let me know.

Thank you for ANY help you can give!!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

a couple of great books are, "How to be your dog's best friend" - its written with german shepherds in mind but wow its great.

and "The Farmer's Dog" - a little technical but all good stuff.

both are good references. we i'm a huge fan of The Dog Whisperer's books but i cant watch the show b/c the owners make me twitch.

as far as us, this is how we house broke our little Kai:
http://adventuresinthegoodland.blogspot.com/2010/12/on-taking-puppy-out.html

and of course our SavingDogs is an expert!

 

[SKR8PN]

Get yourself a kennel crate ASAP, AND USE IT, don't abuse it.
Next bit of advice would be to find a local trainer and set in a class or two to make sure you like their style of instruction. When you have found a trainer, sign up for the classes.
The Wife and I have trained our last 7 or 8 dogs ourselves, and we STILL take a class when we get a new pup. It helps to refresh your memory and keep you from making mistakes that you have to correct later on. Plus the class structure and socializing is great for the pup as well.

 

[ninny]

You need a find a good puppy class to go to. Im thinking you have a hound of some type right? If im reading your post right and you do, you have different needs then other breeds. Hounds are all nose and not much else. You need to keep it on a leash or in a fence. They are not labs! What is a problem you are having now? It would be a very long post to give you all my puppy advice. Just remember you do not need to wait until your class starts to began training. The commands sit and come should be taught as soon as you get your puppy. Use crate training!!

 

[abifae]

When I trained my kitten I bit her face a lot. And licked her head. Total mama cat here

"NO!" bites her face. LOL. When she was stressed I'd lick her head. This is why she lubs me & follows me & brings me kibble if my blood sugar crashes lol.

She is also voice trained. She's part siamese so she's smart.

I'd say definitely go to a puppy class. And think like a more dominant dog

 

[Dace]

Abi, you are one of a kind

Love ya girl!!

 

[Okie Amazon]

The main thing with puppy training is Keep It Short! 5 minutes three or four times a day to work on "Here" (or come), "sit" "stay", "down". Keep it fun and the sessions very short. Also, NEVER allow a behavior in your puppy that you won't allow in a full-grown dog. It's cute when little a puppy jumps up, not so cute when giant dog jumps up on your Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes! Make the rules now - furniture, no furniture, begging at the table, etc. and STICK TO IT! If you never let a problem start, you don't have to fix it later!


I prefer using the German "Hier" instead of "come" because it carries much better. Heeeee-ER, whereas "come" just dies there.


Edited to add, when training our German Shepherd puppies, we use a high-value treat - small pieces of steak or little hamburger balls to teach the "Hier". Get them coming in really close and then bring the treat up over the head. When the head comes up, the butt must go down, so then you praise "GOOD SIT". That way they are learning two commands at once, (really 3 behaviors) coming when called, sitting in front and staying to wait for the reward. Do give reward quickly with a correct behavior. They have to know what they are doing right.

 

[abifae]

Abi, you are one of a kind

Love ya girl!!

LOL Thanks!



She still thinks I'm just a bigger kitty. LOL.

 

[Holachicka]

Hrmmm... Are there any youngsters in the house? you could look into 4H if there are, that's a big help. One thing about potty training that's always helped me is to pay attention to when he/she goes and set up a routine. After a feeding, First thing in the morning, before bed, take the pup outside and say, go potty! keep repeating until they finally do, and then make a HUGE DEAL out of it. Lots of praise whenever the pup goes outside. Don't make too big of a deal out of accidents, very little scolding, and take the "present" outside with the pup, put it on the ground and point to it saying potty. but if you catch them in in the act take them outside to finish right away. Works for me anyways! my dogs know what "potty" means!

 

[Holachicka]

Oh! and introduce the pup to livestock now while he's still small enough to be intimidated by them!