If you want a better Dog then Raise a better Puppy
Howdy,
If you have been to my site before then you will see that I have rearranged a few things. I removed and turned what had been my first post into a page. It’s not published yet but soon.
So to replace that first post I think this is the most appropriate thing that I can write. When I used to do the sporting shows my demonstration was titled If you want a better dog then raise a better puppy. It would be impossible for me to get all the information from that demo in a single post. It was a two hour demonstration.
However, what I would like to talk about, is the importance of the first 6 months for you and your dogs life.
You will hear me say how really nice it is to have a well mannered, mentally healthy, happy dog. And that is easily possible but it takes some effort and patience and it begins the first day that your new best friend lands on your doorstep.
The only way to raise a better puppy is to have a well thought out strategy
You only get this time ONE TIME don’t let it pass without putting it to good use. And it does not matter what breed of dog it is this goes for all dogs
It is amazing how many people that I run into that still believe that you really can’t start training a dog until it get’s to be some predetermined age. That is not the case, you can and you should begin training just about as soon as you get your new pup.
In future posts I will get into specific topics like housebreaking, walking on a leash etc. This article is a little more about general things that you can do to make sure that you really do raise a better puppy.
First thing is to make sure that you choose well. Take time to decide what breed and gender, don’t buy on emotion choose your pup based on conscious choices.
Make sure that you have everything ready before you get your pup home. A kennel ( crate ), collar, leash, dog food, toys, baby gate if needed. make sure your house is safe from exposed electric cords that are easy to get to, no items that could be poison to a dog. Imagine letting a 3 year old child loose in your house for about an hour and then you will see things differently.
Develop a plan for how you are going to raise the pup. Do you know how you are going to housebreak your pup, do you have a schedule worked out. Young puppies can not be ignored. They need to eat 3 x’s a day, they need play time, as much outdoor time as possible, and then there are the training related items to consider. What do you want your puppy to know, sit, here/come, down, wait, etc. You need to have a plan as far as what and how you are going to train your pup. Have you chosen a veterinarian?
Have the mindset to Raise a Better puppy
In future posts I will get into specific topics like housebreaking, walking on a leash etc. This article is a little more about general things that you can do to make sure that you really do raise a better puppy.
First thing is to make sure that you choose well. Take time to decide what breed and gender, don’t buy on emotion choose your pup based on conscious choices.
Make sure that you have everything ready before you get your pup home. A kennel ( crate ), collar, leash, dog food, toys, baby gate if needed. make sure your house is safe from exposed electric cords that are easy to get to, no items that could be poison to a dog. Imagine letting a 3 year old child loose in your house for about an hour and then you will see things differently.
In my training program there are two major areas that need to stay consistent. The first is how you treat your dog. I can sum up in four words how my dogs are treated: Firm, Fair, Consistent and Patient.
Firm does not mean heavy handed, firm does not indicate any type of capitol punishment whatsoever. Firm means just what the definition says – in a resolute and determined manner.
Somebody is going to lead the pack, with my dogs it needs to be me. I have certain expectations based on age appropriate abilities. So I treat my dogs in a resolute and determined manner.
You have to be fair with your dogs. This is no different than how I try to treat the people in my life. Everybody, including the dogs get treated with fairness. If I’m having a bad day, I don’t take it out on my dogs any more than I take it out on my kids or my wife. If my dogs are having a bad day I don’t tell them to do things that would be unfair at that moment. Yes dogs have bad days too.
Consistency is very important, in everything you do with your dog. Schedules are important, the feeding schedule, when you take your pup outside, how you communicate with your dog. The need to be consistent can not be overstated.
The last one is patience. Remember these little guys are not born knowing stuff. They need to be taught, to be nurtured. Having a good plan will help, but things happen. Shoes get chewed as does furniture. There will probably be some mistakes when it comes to housebreaking. All manner of things are possible and you need to be patient. You don’t get to hit your dog, yelling at your dog does no good either. You want your dog to trust you, You want to develop a close relationship with your dog. Patience is a definite virtue when it comes to raising a dog.
The second major area that I focus on with my younger dogs is time.
I would like to encourage you to spend as much time with your dog as you possible can in that first 4 months, assuming you get your dog when it is around the 8 week old period. The first six months of a dogs life is really critical. Take advantage of it. Do everything that you can with your pup. Expose him/her to everything you can. Start your training soon after your pup gets home and settled in. Start with some lease training, work on some puppy sits. The more that you can expose and challenge your pups little mind the better your dog will develop.
If you take the time to raise a better puppy, then I can assure you that you will end up with a much better dog!
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Happy Tails!
Jeff
I have a new puppy ! Can’t wait to start!
Hi Judy,
Thanks for the comment! What kind of puppy? How old?
I do have some good puppy articles coming to follow up on my “raise a better puppy” post.
Any questions feel free to ask. Best, Jeff
He is a rescue puppy. Some husky, but lots of other mixes too. We got him about 1 month ago and house training is the biggest challenge. Targeting a bell on the door seems to have finally sunk in. He’s a clever fellow but will be very large. I know I will need to have him listen or he just might get the upper hand. I look forward to any lessons or hints you might pass along.
Hi Judy,
Good to hear from you again,
How old is he? Can you explain the “targeting a bell on the door”? I have not heard that term.
I assume that is a technique you are using for house breaking? what else are you doing, or have you tried for
housebreaking your pup?
Yes you will need to be the pack leader, or he will not only have the upper hand, he will simply be in charge.
Look forward to hearing from you, Jeff
Targeting the bell that hangs on the doorknob means he’s nudging it with his nose to make it ring when he needs to go outside. There’s probably a better term. We are taking him out frequently but until now he has not given us any signs himself. “Inde” is just over 3 months old.
Hi Judy,
Hmm interesting I had not heard of that method before. I’ll have to give that some thought, not sure who is training who in that situation.
Some things to keep in mind.
I am a big believer in kennel training. Not sure if you are doing that. It makes housebreaking a lot easier. If you want to know more let me know. He is still quite young, so it would be a good time. If you are using a kennel let me know “how” you are using it.
Dogs can be hard to read if you don’t have a lot of experience but if you really watch him, really “see” him. How he holds his head, ears, shoulders, tail. It can take a little practice but if you get in the habit of “tuning” into his body language he will tell you a lot.
As far as housebreaking, the general rule is that they can hold for the number of hours equal to their age in months + 1. So if your puppy is 3 months old 3 + 1 = 4. So you should not expect your pup to go longer than about 4 hours – during the day. At night they are a little different and can hold longer. But you should still try to keep the time as short as possible. Fortunately these days don’t last forever.
Because of his age I will assume that he is eating 3X’s a day. Try to keep the schedule for pretty much everything you do pretty consistent. When he goes out the first time in the morning, his eating times throughout the day. Be aware of the “time” when he does make mistakes. Over a short period of time you might finds some common time(s) that this happens. Make sure he gets out before that “time” of the day.
Remember no scolding, putting his nose in it or any other type of correction. IF you do not catch him in the act then it’s too late. If you do catch him in the act or catch him just as he starts to go, grab him and take him outside. I suggest that you not say “no” or anything else. I think it is confusing to tell a dog “No” while they are going potty, just to turn around and praise them for doing the same thing. So no scolding but on the other hand once outside then praise well while they are going. Praising after they go is wasted praise.
Also, something that I do with my dogs and it works really quite well. When I take them out when they start to go and throughout the process I use “Clean Out” as a command to go. It takes a while but if you are consistent in a couple months he will learn to go on command. So here is a scenario. You catch him peeing, You quickly and firmly ( but nicely ) grab him up. You head for the door and get outside. Hopefully he still has to go, so you put him down maybe he goes right away maybe he sniffs around a bit. But as soon as he starts to go, either pee or poop start saying “your command” so it would be Clean Out, Good boy, good boy, clean out and so on until he finishes. You can end with a couple good boys and a pat.
This goes for anytime that you are outside with him and he goes to the bathroom. Go through the same procedure of praise and command.
Don’t be sparing with water, but if you have water out all the time, I would suggest that you pick it up. Give him water at scheduled times of the day, with each meal of course, but I would withhold water after about 6 or 7 in the evening. Then when he goes at 10 or 11 at night he will not have to go as badly overnight and minimize mistakes.
If you are going to have a play session make sure he goes out prior. And since this is a very common time that mistakes are made, when you start playing I would go about 5 minutes and take him out for a bit and see if he will go. If not and you play for another 10 or 15 minutes I would take him out again.
Other than that it comes down to patience and consistency.
Take Care, Jeff
Hi Jeff,
We haven’t crated him and we’ve had him 4 weeks now. He is put in the ensuite bathroom at night with a gate instead of closing a door. That way we can hear any rustling around. We had a dog that took quite readily to “targeting the bell”. Today seems to have been a break through with the bell!
Howdy,
If it’s working stick with it.
If you have any other questions feel free.
Take Care, Jeff
Hi Judy, I hope you found my post from the other day helpful. Any questions send them on!
Take Care, Jeff
Excellent information Jeff.
I have a 4 month boxer/retriever mix named Lola who keeps me company & busy!
Looking forward to future articles.
Thank you.
Hi Felix,
Yes with that mix I would guess Lola might be on the energetic side!
I have some good articles in my newsletter that pertain to Lola’s age. If your interested you can sign up for my Quick Tips
In the mean time I will be working on getting some posts out that very much will relate to you.
Take Care, Jeff