 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pat
Puppy
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Location: Illinois
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:46 am Post subject: Puppy Class Woes |
  |
|
| My 4 month female has just completed puppy class. She did great learning the sit, stay, etc. HOWEVER, the last few times we have gone, she pulls from the minute we get there until the minute we leave. She is very friendly and pulls towards the other puppies and towards the trainer. Last night, the trainer took her by the leash and when she immediately began jumping, she stepped on the least and stood there with her while addressing the rest of the class. It took 20 minutes for her to stop trying. We have the same problem with meeting people. She lunges and jumps on them. The other dogs in class just sit there and watch, she is the only one who does this. I'm sure they must be thinking those people have no control over their dog or that we allow it at home, and I assure you, we tell her off when she does it when we first come home. We also ignore her until she calms down which for us is very quiclkly. When we have guests, she is on the least and i hold her back until she calms down. My question is, am I doing something wrong? How many times do we have to do this before she gets the idea? We are totally consistent with not letting her jump on peple, yet she still tries. When I looked totally frustrated yesterday, the trainer said we should be glad she is that friendly as opposed to being aggressive. And when they have play time at the end, she plays well with the other puppies. She loves it. Any suggestions? |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ph1ngering
Alpha Dog
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 827
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
Keep on keeping on.. She is only four months old, she will get it..
Once you get into a choke collar with training you can give quick corrections and or walk her in a circle to get her attention off of what is exciting her. Our boy junior is 2 years old and is finally starting to catch on. He is a smart dog but when strangers or new dogs are around it takes some time to re-gain control.
Slowly we are getting better.. I will say that when junior was younger we always let him play with the other dogs at the end of the class. But as he got older we stopped, the closer they get to a mature male the more DA they can become. Junior is in a very dominate phase right now and can't be trusted to behave with other dogs, mostly younger dogs.. Older one he is fine with.
The only reason I am telling you is so that you know to keep an eye on it as the pup gets older. OH yeah one more thing, we know what its like to be the owners with the crazy puppy too, so hanging in there soon people soon be saying WOW she is really learning..
Good luck..
--Craig |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pat
Puppy
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Location: Illinois
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:38 am Post subject: good to know |
|
|
Thanks. It's good to know Im not the only one. Yeah, the trainer said after puppy class moves into basic she doesnt have the "play time" as she isnt sure about the older dogs. Is now too early to use the choke chain? I bought one and sometimes use it on walks. She walks well, but if someone gets close to us, such as passes us on the sidewalk or rides their bike on the street by us, she pulls towards them and I've purchased a choke chain which i quickly snap when she does that. But the people pass by and then it is over whereas at class, the temptations are constantly there.
Also, the trainer suggested a martindale (?) collar. I'm going to go to the store this morning to check into that.
And lastly, if its ok to ask another question, we are going away for a week in the near future to visit relatives, and we have to kennel her for a week. I found a kennel with indoor/outdoor runs with a grassy part, air conditioning, a couple of individual play times a day, but now i am worried she will be jumping all over these workers. And she someitmes rips a hole thru a t shirt or two when she jumps altho in general she is much better with the NO BITE. Any advice on how to prepare for kenneling and what to expect when I pick her up? I know it would be best to have friends watch her, but honestly, she is just too much with the jumping to put a friend thru that. Most of my friends arent dog people (maybe i need new friends  |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shadyblueamstaffs
Alpha Dog
Joined: 15 Dec 2007
Posts: 1083
Location: Missouri USA
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| the last few times we have gone, she pulls from the minute we get there until the minute we leave |
You need to teach her an attention command. This is one thing they should have taught you in puppy class. I use "Watch Me". I train this by takeing a treat and holding it in front of my face and then I tell the pup to watch me, then I give them the treat, always bringing the treat directly from my face to theirs so they are constantly watching me. This is something that can be done daily multiple times a day. When your pup has the watch me command down, then you start adding distractions. But still using the watch me command. The idea is to make sure your puppies attention is on you, not the other dogs.
You also should be teaching the "Leave It" command, I start training this at home as well. I walk them on a lead and place goodies on the ground, when we approach the toy or treat, I say "Leave It" and give a little pop and continue walking, if the pup quickly ignores it and continues with you then you give lots of praise and treat constantly.
| Quote: |
| We have the same problem with meeting people. She lunges and jumps on them. |
Just be happy that she loves the idea of new people. LOL I would rather have a dog like this than one that belly crawls up to people or is hand shy. If she knows sit, make her sit before she gets any attention. The attention is the reward. Now this process is long and most people do not have the patience for it. But what you need to do is tell her to sit, if she does say "Good", then reach down and pet her, if she moves even for a second you stand completely back up then do it again till she will sit there politely. You may have to do it 20 times before she gets it, but eventually she will understand that if she sits there politely she will get pet. You can step on the leash at the same time you are doing this, to make sure she doesn't jump up and hit you in the nose.
| Quote: |
| And lastly, if its ok to ask another question, we are going away for a week in the near future to visit relatives, and we have to kennel her for a week. I found a kennel with indoor/outdoor runs with a grassy part, air conditioning, a couple of individual play times a day, but now i am worried she will be jumping all over these workers. |
Well four months old is not a great time to send your puppy to a kennel. This could be the worst thing to do with a puppy. All the training, out the window, there is all sorts of behavior issues your pup could develop by being put in a kennel for a week. Hopefully I am wrong and all will go well. I just know that I would never recommend boarding a 4 month pup. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pat
Puppy
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Location: Illinois
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:05 pm Post subject: boarding the puppy |
|
|
I just got back from checking out the kennel. I think it is the best I can do as far as a kennel goes. I really dont like the idea of boarding her, but I have no one to help me. I've boarded older dogs before and they always came back fine, but i've never boarded a puppy.
Realizing it is not the best choice, what can I do to make it the best I can? |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shadyblueamstaffs
Alpha Dog
Joined: 15 Dec 2007
Posts: 1083
Location: Missouri USA
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Take her favorite toys and blankets or dog bed, anything to make her feel like she is home. Just write on everything with a sharpy marker or you probably won't get it back. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pat
Puppy
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Location: Illinois
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Taffy survived 7 days at the kennel. We had to leave her and I was very worried as she is only 4 months old. When we went to pick her up, nothing was chewed or torn up (bed, toys), they said she never had an accident, only problem was her jumping on them (something we are struggling to correct)
She's been home a week now. She didnt forget any of her training like housebreaking, sit, walk, etc. and she actually seemed better behaved! I did notice that the first few days home she followed me everywhere. Never let me out of sight. That changed after a few days though.
In two days she is getting spayed. I would appreciate knowing what to expect as far as recovery once home and if it changes a female's behavior at all. I know it can change a male dog's behavior for the better, I believe. I just want to know how to best care for her when she comes home and what to expect. Poor dog is going to wonder what she did to deserve all this...first the kennel, now the spaying! PS My arms are bruised. She literally flew into my arms when the kennel owner brought her out. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
|
|
