Well, we didn't intend on getting another dog this soon, but a breeder of english goldens we know had a litter that seemed to be good timing for us - I'm home a lot now and have time to train.

He's a pretty mellow puppy overall, but has times where he revs up and does the usual puppy biting and wildness. He seems to be a very 'mental' dog, in that if you switch gears and start marker training he's pretty quick to settle down and respond.

But when it comes to exercise I'm struggling. When you take him outside to the backyard to run around and get energy out, he only wants to vacuum up every leaf and stick he can find. It seems impossible to distract him from all the grass and stuff!! It's making me crazy! Any suggestions?? I can't walk him because we live in the city and there are many other dogs that walk these sidewalks and he's only had one parvo/distemper so far since's only 9 weeks - not that you could walk a 9 week old puppy for exercise yet anyway (he's doing great on the leash but not for a 'walk')

I need a pep talk! I forgot how much work this is - Kasey was SO easy that I think I'm in puppy shock...

(sorry Kasey's pic is still there - I just don't have time to change it right now!)

A) CONGRATULATIONS, Lori !!!

B) No need to apologize for Kasey's photo...

C) New pup (Did I miss his NAME?) has a K9 Guardian ANGEL

Try a fllirt pole.

You wont have to put so much energy into it while working the pup.

If he is responding to markers I would work on backchaining a retrieve.

Once you start actually start tossing the ball keep the distance short and work the pup on lead, in a hallway.

You want to keep the pup in your area of influence.

Short lessons and lots of fun.

Any golden worth it's salt should catch on tot the retrieve easily.

It's something I expect to see naturally in any pup I select for myself.

I actually did put an empty soda bottle on a rope yesterday and that got his attention better than other things have. He already runs after stuffed toys and brings them back so I will start on that retrieve with markers too. He's so smart - learned the word 'crate' and runs in there when i say the word after only one day's work.

 Quote: Lori Hall

I actually did put an empty soda bottle on a rope yesterday and that got his attention better than other things have. He already runs after stuffed toys and brings them back so I will start on that retrieve with markers too. He's so smart - learned the word 'crate' and runs in there when i say the word after only one day's work.

Sounds like a really TERRIFIC pup, Lori !!!
What is his NAME ???

Congratulations on the new little one! It's been a very long time since I had a puppy in the house, so I'm afraid I can't be any help with your specific questions, but I'm sure as time goes by, you will figure it all out. Sounds like you are in for many new adventures!

When he's in the house with you keep him tethered to you if can't watch him or he isn't in his crate.

That helps build the bond and he cant get into to much trouble because he's right there.

Remember a pup that young has little concentration so work him in short sessions.

I've mentioned before that with puppies I use the TV commercials to train. That keeps my session short and I don't have to watch the clock.

Yea, I watch way to much TV...cause I'm getting lazy in my.......Maturity.

But what if he's so into being 'mouthy' right now that he just grabs everything in sight - furniture, bedding, clothes, etc. - how do you keep him tethered to you and not do anything except try to get him to stop chomping on everything? Giving him one of his own toys does not cut it!

I have no issues with telling a puppy no even at this age.

If that take scruffing them off their feet so be it even though that goes against the grain of lots of folks I've don it for yrs and it works FOR ME..

Other's may disagree with this and I'm fine with that.

Worst thing is to get excited when they get wound up.

Be calm and be firm.

Firm can cover a lot of ground so you have to find what works for the individual pup/dog.

Some pups can be crushed with a work and some need

Use markers for good behavior.

I've used this for every dog I've owned be they show dog, competition dogs or family pets.

Some times a 10 minute time out in their crate if they get totally spun up.

A bully stick us a great way to keep they busy for a while. Takes young pups up to a week to get through one of the big ones. My 3 pups used to love quiet time at night with a bulky stick. They would run from the kitchen to their bed & wait for me to present their bully stick & settle right down & chomp away for an hour or more u til bed time. I'm talking 10-12 an & up old pups. That was learning to settle in the house on their place.