Puppy training

[SecretAgent]

We recently just got a new puppy, a 12 week old english springer spaniel, and training has already begun. right now he chews, chews, chews, and he's pretty good about chewing on his own toys, but, at the end of the day, they're scattered all over the kitchen, making it look like a tornado has just swept through. when he gets a little older, and his basics are solid, my mom wants to teach him "pick up your toys" can this be done, and how so?

one other thing I wanted to ask. it's very cold this time of year in new jersey, we're under a foot of snow, and the puppy isn't too thrilled about going outside. after a couple of minutes, he makes a mad dash back for the house--we don't let him get away with it, but are there any alternatives to teach him that we decide when we go in, besides picking him up or dragging him?

[Moo]

For outside, I would keep him on a lead. Eventually, he will need basic lead manners anyways. If he's finding it cold outside, he's still young, so you may want to get him a sweater.

Pick up your toys... I supposed could be done. But a tough one... Nothing that I would be willing to spend time on teaching. For me, that would concern teaching the dog a word accociation with each toy, which isn't easy.

However, as a dominance thing, my dog is never supposed to have more than two toys out at a time anyways, and when he's done, I put them away. Doggy plays with things when I want to let him play with my toys, not when he feels like it.

I'm glad to know that training has started, it's important to start young.

[SecretAgent]

he already has a sweater, that's helped somewhat, lol, mostly all it's done is lengthened the time from going-out to mad-dash-in from 5 minutes to 10, lol. and yes, he's always on a lead

[HeartSong]

You can teach put away your toys by making it into a game. First you have to teach to pick up a toy on command and then to drop it into the toy box. If you think about it kinda like a basketball game that will get you more excited about it and that will be transferred to him. Instead of just the regular praise you would give him for doing something, get excited and cheer like you would if a friend just dunked a basket. It will probably take a bit of training but will end up being fun for you and him. Though you might have to watch it cause he might scatter his toys just so that he can play the fun "pick up game."

[Moo]

SA - Well, it gives you a good time to practise a re-call. LOL. And make sure the lead is slack when you go in, otherwise he'll think that if he keeps pulling, you'll eventually give in.

[SecretAgent]

HeartSong: sounds awesome, thank you

Moo: ok, will do

[yoda's mom]

Yoda picks up his toys so that they don't get 'eaten' by the vacuum. Since he's terrified of it - he panics for his poor defenseless rope & kong too. Races into the room grabs it & runs out. He also picks them up on command.

Reminds me, when he was in his chewy stage. We made him pick up the pieces of whatever he destroyed & bring them to the garbage. The day he shredded the padding around the trampoline, we were out there for over an hour. That was the last thing he shredded! Guess the foam/plastic only tastes good the while shredding, not while cleaning up.

[Dax]

Yoda... that's a great lesson for Yoda. How did you start.. Do you have a toy box or something. Did you just praise? Does he bring them to you like a retriever?

[yoda's mom]

ok..here's where the Yoda's disease comes into play. I'm not exactly sure of my "remembery" so Lessica, if you're out there - HELP!!

Yoda loved to fetch so much, & when he'd start to pick up something, we'd tell him to "pick it up" then he'd bring it to us, usually on his own. "drop it" was the next quick lesson. When he'd tear something up it was the same command, usually with me standing right beside the item. oh.. forgot the guilt inducer..heheh "Did you do that?" in a very firm & disappointed voice, then "YOU PICK THAT UP!" "come" follows me to the trash... "DROP IT" disposes. " Rinse & repeat as many times as needed. Of course when it was all done he got the 'good dog' pat. Of course, the "Good Dog" was always happier & more exciting without the "did you do that?" He now brings his food dish out to the food bin to be refilled. Also, takes things to Dad (who isn't very grateful about the slimy remote hehehe)

[yoda's mom]

Secret Agent:
So, I guess what worked best for us on the 'special' commands is to try & catch him in the act the give the command to "do" it. The no commands were pretty easy - he so dislikes the "did you do that?" except for that darn whining... if you figure out anything on that -let me know.