 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
#269328 - 03/15/2010 08:10 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-10-2010
Posts: 38
Loc: Wisconsin
 Offline |
|
I am wondering something??
How long should it take for my puppy to figure things out?
A good example is...
He finds a shoe(or anything for that matter) on the floor, I tell him no and he still takes off with it.
He also thinks our 4 pound Chihuahua is a squeak toy. Any pointers on that one would be great!
History-
He is 3 1/2 mths old
I have had him for 2 weeks today.
I have taught him to sit, lay down and working on heeling. At times that is not the best, coming home he likes to pull a bit. I did buy a prong collar yesterday to help with that.
I wish there was a timeline or something I could compare him to?
Thank you! Julie
|
 Top
|
|
Re: 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
[Re: Julie Anderson ]
#269329 - 03/15/2010 08:25 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-16-2005
Posts: 1221
Loc:
| Offline |
|
I am wondering something??
How long should it take for my puppy to figure things out?
A good example is...
He finds a shoe(or anything for that matter) on the floor, I tell him no and he still takes off with it.
He also thinks our 4 pound Chihuahua is a squeak toy. Any pointers on that one would be great!
History-
He is 3 1/2 mths old
I have had him for 2 weeks today.
I have taught him to sit, lay down and working on heeling. At times that is not the best, coming home he likes to pull a bit. I did buy a prong collar yesterday to help with that.
I wish there was a timeline or something I could compare him to?
Thank you! Julie
Be more patient! He's still a baby and is way too young for a prong collar at this time in life. Right now you should primarily be working on bonding and potty training. For the rest use games to establish a good, positive foundation for later, more formal training.
Don't rush things. You have plenty of time. For now, keep things as fun and positive as possible and let him be a puppy. Start working on a leave it command by redirecting him every time he decides to try and use your chihuahua as a squeak toy. Remember they must never be alone together.
Don't worry about precise heeling at this stage but work on getting him to just walk on a loose lead without pulling. A couple of the best ways I've found to do this is to either just stop and not move until the pup comes back to you (wondering why you're not moving) or turning around without warning and going in the opposite direction.
Just as with children, there are o timelines for puppies. Each is an individual who learns at his or her own rate.
"A dog wags his tail with his heart." Max Buxbaum
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
[Re: Elaine Haynes ]
#269334 - 03/15/2010 08:57 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 01-16-2010
Posts: 1389
Loc:
| Offline |
|
I would keep him separated from the chihuahua for right now. A shepherd puppy is big enough to hurt such a small dog by accident. He probably already outweighs the chi by at least 20 pounds, if not 30. Right now the pup has no idea how to control his movements and has zero concept of his size.
Plus you don't want the chihuahua to get frustrated and bite him.
Let them interact through a gate or something.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
[Re: Lauren Jeffery ]
#269337 - 03/15/2010 09:25 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-10-2010
Posts: 38
Loc: Wisconsin
| Offline |
|
They are never alone. I will continue to keep them separate until he figures it out. Good info.
Every dog I have owned before was a rescue dog and much much older, like 9 yrs and up. With ZERO training. I think that is why I am really worried about not rasing him right.
If he continues to pull when walking? What age would do you think would be good for the collar?
He is really good about potty training, he goes to the door already. He is always at my side so the bonding is going pretty good. 
Here is another question. Do you suggest tug of war? So many things written about it. I have not done that with him though.
Thanks for the quick response.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
[Re: Julie Anderson ]
#269340 - 03/15/2010 10:05 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 01-16-2010
Posts: 1389
Loc:
| Offline |
|
I have read on here that tug is a game for training, and that if you are not planning on using it for training you are better off not playing tug. I didn't play tug with my dog when she was that age, but I do now. If you do a search on this forum you will probably find lots of threads and articles about tug.
For the pulling on walks issue you could try crazy walking. Basically you stop, turn around, zig zag and walk in circles when the puppy pulls. A puppy his age shouldn't really be getting walks for exercise anyway, so it doesn't really matter if you never get anywhere.
I wish somebody had explained this to me, it would have saved me a lot of stress!
For right now the purpose of a walk is more just to get him out in the world and help him develop good potty habits.
Some large breed puppies are really wild when they are young, but because they are big and strong its easy to forget that they are babies. Be patient with him and have fun!
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
[Re: Julie Anderson ]
#269341 - 03/15/2010 10:26 AM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
| Offline |
|
He finds a shoe(or anything for that matter) on the floor, I tell him no and he still takes off with it.
He also thinks our 4 pound Chihuahua is a squeak toy. Any pointers on that one would be great!
History-
He is 3 1/2 mths old
I have had him for 2 weeks today.
Besides the other suggestions, these challenges would melt away if the new pup's environment was managed. 
That is, he is tethered to you; he is crated when he can't be tethered to you or outdoors with you.
Two weeks isn't nearly long enough, IMO, for the kind of freedom that allows for shoe-stealing and Chihuahua-chewing. And the Chihuahua needs the security of your protection -- not just from being accosted, but from any fear of it.
The puppy sounds normal, based on other puppies I've met. 
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#269358 - 03/15/2010 12:43 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-10-2010
Posts: 38
Loc: Wisconsin
| Offline |
|
So it sounds like i am letting him have too much free time?
Very helpful about the walks. I seem way too serious. 
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
[Re: Julie Anderson ]
#269406 - 03/15/2010 06:19 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 11-03-2008
Posts: 61
Loc:
| Offline |
|
No sad face! Maya is the first dog that I've raised by myself, and I understand that worry and desire to get things right. I read about critical periods during puppyhood, and I really fretted about messing it up during those times. Next puppy I get, I will try to relax a little more and enjoy that time.
It sounds like your pup might have too much free time in the sense that he is allowed to have free access in the house (is that right?) He doesn't need to be engaged every second, but should not allowed to trot here and there as he pleases. Like Connie said, you can keep him by your side, tether him to a place in the house, put him in his crate, or use baby gates to confine his area. That can help prevent him from running off with shoes.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
[Re: Carolyn Pinkerto ]
#269422 - 03/15/2010 07:57 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 01-15-2009
Posts: 5090
Loc: Lanexa Virginia
| Offline |
|
Something that I had to keep in mind when Falcon was young was that dogs DO NOT speak English!  You and I know what "no" means but only because we were taught that as a child. To your pup, taking a shoe away and scolding with a "no" means nada...
You've had him a very short time and this is a big adjustment period for you both. In addition to all the above advice, I would shelve the prong collar for now and read up on and begin using marker training. Switch the thought process from "correcting" him for doing something "wrong" such as chewing a shoe or pulling on a leash, to training him what is right and rewarding him for the correct behavior.
Corrections on too young of a pup will come back and haunt you big time. IMO. And absolutely, yes, relax and enjoy your pup. I also stressed out too much about doing the wrong thing and that was not helpful for either Falcon or I!!
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: 3 1/2mth old GSD and training?
[Re: Barbara Schuler ]
#269457 - 03/16/2010 06:16 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-10-2010
Posts: 38
Loc: Wisconsin
| Offline |
|
So helpful! Thank you very much!! I will post at a later day telling you my progress!
I will read about marker training.
|
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
