Puppy Thread

[EmmaRainboe]

Awh, sometimes the goldens can have some curly hairs.. maybe her curls will come in. What generation is she?

First.

She looks just like my other golden doodle did when he was a puppy. Here he is a few months before he passed.

 

[chickentrains]

Rip to your buddy <3 He sure is cute.

How is she doing? lots of energy? I couldn't imagine such a mix running around my house! My dog is so chill unless I have a ball or food XD

 

[Gallinarium]

I'm getting a GSD puppy tomorrow!
So any advice would be great...
She'll be outdoors, unfortunately...
Though in the garage to start with.

 

[chickentrains]

What advice do you need? I have a pre-written infopage chock full of everything you could ever need.

 

[Gallinarium]

What advice do you need? I have a pre-written infopage chock full of everything you could ever need.

Any.

 

[chickentrains]

Here ya go :


Training Courses
The most important thing to understand about training is that you started doing it the moment you met your dog. Your new dog is a sponge, bred to be expert in reading people and diligent in soaking up everything there is to know about you, your habits, and what pleases and displeases you. Your poodle is a star pupil, and YOU are the favorite subject! You have already unintentionally trained your dog, so let's turn that around with some intentional training.

How to Choose a Trainer
Dog training is an unregulated industry, which means that anyone can call themself a dog trainer despite little or no experience or success. To combat this, well respected trainers have created their own certifications to set a floor for competency standards. Here’s a brief introduction to some of the acronyms you may see while searching for a trainer:

• CPDT-KA, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA - This is the preferred accreditation of many PF members. All of these titles are associated with the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, which has handily published a Directory of Trainers to assist you in connecting with a skilled and experienced trainer.
• KPA - The Karen Pryor Academy is a leader in modern, science-based positive reinforcement methods, and the KPA certification reflects an intensive education in dog training. Karen Pryor’s model utilizes clicker training.
• AKC (if in the USA) - You may see trainers advertise that they are certified evaluators for the American Kennel Club (or your national KC if outside of the US). These trainers are usually highly experienced in a particular program such as Canine Good Citizen or Trick Training.
• APDT - Membership in the Association of Professional Dog Trainers is fee-based and not to be confused with the vigorous certification procedures of CPDT and KPA. It is, however, another resource for seeking trainers who support a least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) approach to dog training.

Recommended Online/Virtual Trainers

• Brian McMillan: Lucky Dog and MasterClass
• Emily Larlham: Kikopup
• Ian Dunbar: Dunbar Academy and Dogstar Daily
• Steffi Trott: SpiritDog
• Zak George: Pupford

Socialization
One aspect of training a new puppy that you do not want to neglect is socialization. While your puppy is focused on potty training, mastering basic commands, and getting acclimated to life in your home, you will also want to create careful opportunities to expose your dog to other people, other dogs, and routine events like car rides, grooming, veterinary care, and being home alone.

The pandemic and social distancing requirements have made socialization difficult, which means it’s even more important to work on socialization early and consistently. There is no time to waste as puppies have a natural socialization window that closes around 14-16 weeks of age. Some behaviorists recommend exposing your dog to 50 new situations every week.

Exposure checklist

• Clothing (such as hoodies, raincoats, umbrellas, hats, and sunglasses)
• Car rides, parking lots, and waiting in the car
• Grooming and handling
• Veterinary care
• Different surfaces (grass, pavement, bridges, puddles, playground equipment)
• A wide variety of people, dogs, and other animals
• Being home alone

Resources

• Dr. Sophia Yin: Checklist for Socialization
• Spiritdog: 100 Ideas For Socializing Your Quarantine Puppy
• University of Minnesota: Socializing your puppy during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Larimer Humane Society: Puppy Socialization: How You Do It and When It’s the Right Time
• AKC: How to Socialize Your Puppy During Times of Social Distancing

Impulse Control
Having a calm, collected dog is the dream. Here are some ideas to train your dog to be bomb-proof.

• Impulse control training: Look at That
• Keeping your dog calm and under threshold: Fired Up, Frantic, and Freaked Out

Separation Anxiety
If all that wasn’t enough, you also need to prepare your dog for life after the pandemic, when you go back to the workplace and your dog is home alone during the day. The best thing you can do is start training your dog to be home alone by practicing leaving your dog at home, even if you’re only gone for a few minutes. If separation anxiety becomes severe, drugs and other interventions may be necessary.

• VCA Hospitals: Preventing Separation Distress During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Ian Dunbar: Separation Anxiety
• Dr. Karen Overall: Relaxation Protocol
• Victoria Stilwell: It's Me or the Dog: Animal Planet

A Word About Housetraining
A perennial topic, careful management of your new dog's access to space in your house during the first few weeks will prevent dreaded accidents and teach your dog the boundaries of their new home.

• Ian Dunbar: Errorless Housetraining

 

[Nero70002]

E-collars are NOT bad. I call them an extension of a leash. Not abusive, and no, does not hurt (i've put it on myself). They are great tools for teaching recall. They are NOT meant to be punishment or a correction. Just meant to be a tap on the shoulder as to say "hey, over here please!".

I know they just normally don’t listen that well without it.

 

[chickentrains]

Like any tool, the e-collar is meant to be phased out. While I will never take the E-collar off my dog when he is off leash, (its insurance or a seat belt to me, incase of emergency), you will notice with training that you need it less and less.

Tools like prongs should be 100% phased out, since the entire purpose of a prong collar is to teach your dog to behave on the leash. The goal there is to have a natural heel with no tools.

 

[chickentrains]

you might notice the mention of poodles in the piece i Pasted, its bc I wrote it in a poodle forum

 

[MGG]

I'm getting a GSD puppy tomorrow!
So any advice would be great...
She'll be outdoors, unfortunately...
Though in the garage to start with.

Awww! What are you going to name it? Post lots of pics!!!