A few of the HOT topics we covered Nov9th puppy class. House training, Crates, appropriate Chew toys AND self control. Head's up...I'm also very excited to announce ADVANCED PUPPY SOCIALIZATION Class thanks to GVH!
If you haven't already downloaded a puppy book...Dr. Sophia Yin's is my favourite.
http://drsophiayin.com/perfectpuppy
Here's a two part interview between Dr. Sophia Yin and Victoria Stilwell (It's Me Or The Dog) , if you'd like more info before committing to the e-book.
part one
http://positively.com/2011/10/06/victorias-interview-with-dr-sophia-yin-part-i/
part two
http://positively.com/2011/11/17/victorias-interview-with-dr-sophia-yin-part-ii/
I'm not a fan of a few ways behaviours are taught using a leash, but overall, it provides very thorough information on everything from development and how to important getting them off to appropriate socialization.
It has great how basic cues are taught with descriptions and photos, so you can sail through all the regular puppy antics and have some flashy basic cues down pat!
HOUSE TRAINING!
*ruling out that there are health issues that are contributing to "accidents" with your vet
I love Dr. Patricia McConnell's book "Way to Go!"
It's a great little step by step book for house training puppies or dogs of any age. Bottom line is the training onus is on US to be OBSERVANT. If you learn to predict before it's too late, by watching for the puppy's signals that they need to get out to their potty spots, you'll coast right through this process in their development.
General rules are; get them out after naps, after play, after eating, after a car ride, after each couple hours. You'll be doing this for a few months until their bodies can actually begin to 'hold" the contents.
Taking a look to see how we can help make things easy for our puppy to be successful, means we concentrate on the positive and use our brains to come up with bullet proof plans to ensure they're out the door before they need to potty. I am not a fan of methods where you create an adversarial relationship based on using intimidation, verbal or physical punishment. Using negative labels like "stubborn", 'know better', "spiteful" really are not helpful in achieving your goal of creating a harmonious relationship with your little furry friend nor do they speed up house training.
Here are a few of my tips.
*Signals can be as subtle as all of a sudden sniffing the floor, going from being calm to racing around, looking at you, getting nippy, looking at the door, sitting at the door, scratching the door, barking...
*Note the time you feed your puppy! I like posting a IN / OUT paper on the fridge. You will notice a natural flow....which will help.
*Going to the same spot at first (on leash, or out with them off leash) and being quiet, looking down at the ground rather then staring at your puppy before they do their business, makes it easier for them to concentrate at the task at hand. Please party afterwards!
*I like to train pups to potty first then go for a walk. That way you're not walking around for an hour BEFORE your pup finds the perfect spot.
I can tell you it's exhausting getting them out every couple hours, having to rearrange your work and social plans and with the weather changing going outside in the rain or snow it's not the most comfortable part of bringing a puppy into your life. The more family members, friends and neighbors helping you out the better. Having someone's eye on the puppy at all times, ensures you don't miss a signal. Leaving gear at the door so you're ready to jet means you're not flustered or caught off guard.
Through repetition of jetting out the door to their potty spot and making a big deal when they go, over time you'll create a routine for them (and yourself). Routines make it easy to get things "right", and soon they'll let you know, it's time to go outside to do their business.
If you work away from home, having friends drop in or a neighbor come in and take them out, while you're working will help keep things on track as well.
I have a systematic (and of course fun) way of working through house-training challenges, give me a shout if you need help!
I love CRATE GAMES!
I'm a huge fan of crates. Especially for puppies! It's a great way to teach a nice settle in their own cozy space, and helps them wrap their heads around "stays" when you play crate games. Susan Garrett has a fun dvd click here to view: "Crate Games" . It goes into detail on how to condition dogs to LOVE their crates.
Being able to bring your puppy along when you go over to someone's place for dinner, not only helps with their socialization but if you bring their crates, they get used to hanging out in a new environment and then going to their quiet crate to chill out on their own.
That way if you leave for a holiday, if you can, you'll have the option of having them sleep over at your friend's place instead of bringing them to a kennel, or having to find someone to house sit.
At some point in their lives they will most likely need a vet stay. Having them understand that being confined in a kennel isn't such a bad idea, will make their vet stay so much more comfortable, less stressful.
Here's a crate game I play with my guys... "Shut the door!"
NEXT topic was CHEW TOYS!
Dr. Honey and Dr. Dattolico provided great info on appropriate chew toys, and we also talked about what is safe vs not safe for your puppies to consume and or play with when you're out in the woods. Check out link to the blog post: SAFE CHEW TOYS FOR PUPPIES
My favourites are: black kongs of different shapes and sizes (stuffing challenging Kongs is my specialty!), Flash light shaped dispensers (tougher to roll the dinner out of them) and I also love Busy Buddy 'Twist n Treat"
I have my crates in the kitchen. Each dog has a place of their own, and because I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and cozy nook area cooking, and reading, it's very handy. I'm not a fan of food bowls, my dogs were bred to have jobs (Beagles hunt, Aussie's herd), so they work for their dinners either out of a dispensing toy or learning new behaviours...which they LOVE to do!
Lastly we talked briefly about OBJECT PLAY and SELF CONTROL
I'm a fan of teaching puppies and dogs different ways to interact with objects and ourselves.
Playing games where puppies and or dogs need to use their brains is essential in creating "self control". The majority of dogs I've had in Foster care and or seen at the shelters have one thing in common...lack of SELF CONTROL. Having your dog sit before putting their food bowl down twice a day is NOT enough practice for them to understand that everything in their life, requires some thinking AND at times, looking to you for guidance, before acting on their impulses.
MY ADVANCED PUPPY SOCIALIZATION CLASSES will be all about "self control". I can't wait to get started! They'll be held on Sundays @ GVH
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