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Author
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Topic: Lucky Daddy
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Ken Nielsen
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Member # 922
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posted May 17, 2004 11:33 AM
I have put in countless hours of work attending to my new puppy since she was 6 weeks old and came home to live with me. I worked on 'sit' and 'stay' early on, she also was housebroken within the first two weeks at home. I have the time after work to take her places and get lots of socialization and experiences with the outdoor world. Last week was the third lesson in a 6 week Obedience class.
I just want to encourage all the puppy owners to take heart and patiently stay with a training program. It really pays off. My girl will be 6 months old next week, and after last night's walk in the park, I am just bursting with pride in her. She heels, sits, stays and does 'come' to me and sit in front of me. The best part is that she looks like she really enjoys being a dog under control. We are bonding for a wonderful life ahead together. This is the first dog that I have ever seriously worked with.
What a difference.
Posts: 94 | From: Portland, Oregon | Registered: Apr 2004
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BreeZy/sheltiepups
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posted May 17, 2004 12:26 PM
cool ~! sounds like you have a great dog~!
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this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose
Posts: 147 | From: PA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Ken Nielsen
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posted May 17, 2004 01:20 PM
There's a book out called "Good owners, Great dogs." I guess the point I wanted to make with this thread, is not to brag about my dog, any of us could do that, but to open up for discussion, the importance of early training. I followed the book, like a recipe, and it works. Like a cake out of the oven, I can now see the results. Surprising part, I'm thinking that more than half of the success was due to me being trained on what a dog is and how they think.
Posts: 94 | From: Portland, Oregon | Registered: Apr 2004
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BreeZy/sheltiepups
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posted May 17, 2004 03:39 PM
Yea, most of the people that go to a trainer are not there for there dog to learn but for them to learn how to train and handle their dog(s). I think I need to pick up a few training books and that will be one of them, I also know what you mean about early training there is a big difference in training a puppy that doesn't have to time to devolve bad behaviors.
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this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose
Posts: 147 | From: PA | Registered: Oct 2003
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ellierat
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posted May 17, 2004 03:44 PM
Yes early training is very, very important, it's what you do at the beginning that gives you that wonderful dog, who heels, sits at your feet, and lies quietly by the fire in winter.Many of my new puppy owners come and see Ellie, just sitting there quietly and think oh!! she is magic, but it only came from training. I only have to click my fingers and point to get her to do a command. I learnt from practical experience and a number of books one called Perfect Puppy or Perfect Pest. It tells you answers to all those things that a pup does everyday and how to resolve them. I have just lent it to one of my pup owners the other day.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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Ken Nielsen
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posted May 17, 2004 04:09 PM
"A puppy is a clean slate with no bad habits to undo."
- Monks Of New Skete, The Art Of Raising A Puppy, pg 135
Posts: 94 | From: Portland, Oregon | Registered: Apr 2004
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lou3
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posted May 17, 2004 04:13 PM
Yep the vast majority of the behavioural remedial work i have been involved with has been about retraining the owners not the dog.
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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Ken Nielsen
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Member # 922
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posted May 17, 2004 04:16 PM
I noticed that my girl is starting to lie down as I sit down for lunch or dinner. Where did that come from? I only asked her once, now she does it all the time. This is how I can see so well now, that a dog is much happier when they (they actually want to) have guidelines to follow.
Posts: 94 | From: Portland, Oregon | Registered: Apr 2004
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DaxAriel's toy
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posted May 17, 2004 05:19 PM
They do pick up things fast. I used to make Dax my rotti cross lie down when little dogs were coming so not to scare them.
One day I noticed that she did it on her own when she saw a little dog coming. I thought she was only responding to my command.
I think there is nothing better than spending time with a well trained (Behaved) dog. It is the best part of my day to enjoy an hour walk with them. I like it best in the morning when it is quiet and a little cool (I think they do too).
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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ellierat
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posted May 17, 2004 05:30 PM
Ken if you have taught her to lie down and used a treat to do it, you will find she can smell the food and is doing the right thing, laying down and waiting, but don't give her any from the table or she will always stare when you eat!!! We make Ellie go lay in the lounge while at the table.
Dogs that have spent a lot of time with you, get very close and attuned to your feelings, facial expressions and voice, gosh!! even if I cry Ellie makes a whining sound, hope it's not an exact replica of me. lol. it sounds like she is dying. ![[Blushing]](graemlins/blush.gif)
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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Ken Nielsen
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posted May 18, 2004 09:03 AM
"don't give her any from the table or she will always stare when you eat!!!"
Here is the area where I have needed the most training on my part. These guys are 'cute,' but we don't want to get carried away with that fact. Some people dote over their pets to the extreme, feeding them by hand as they sit on their lap. No thank you. Then the dog becomes the master of the house. Not a good situation for the dog or the owner.
The dog naturally looks for the opportunity to be the leader. If you appear weak or don't take charge, the dog steps in and sets itself up as the 'Alpha.' Next thing you know, the dog gets frustrated, it can't drive a car, or do any of the things it needs to do to truly be the leader, provider of the pack. Next thing you know the dog is taking out its frustrations by chewing on doors, messing behind the couch and other horrible behaviors.
Nip it in the bud, be the leader and never let it go.
The dog is happy with this too because it can relax and enjoy being taken care of.
Ken steps off of soap box...
Posts: 94 | From: Portland, Oregon | Registered: Apr 2004
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ellierat
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posted May 18, 2004 04:12 PM
Ken your last comment made me laugh, but what you are saying can be quite true, if we didn't teach them stuff, then they would get pretty bored with life, they need to know where they fit in the family, just like in the pack. When my Sophie gets a bit too much, I really yell at her NO, she rolls on her back, or puts her paw up to me, as if to say, ok, I know your mum, I was just giving it a go though.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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