Quote: Mike J Schoonbrood

Basic Puppy Rule #1: If you don't give them the opportunity to do something, then the habit won't develop and they will grow out of it. Let a puppy be a puppy and show them what they are supposed to do instead of whacking em on the ass when they are following their instincts.

Dogs learn from repetition and habit. If you do the same thing with a dog over and over, then they will do it automatically without having to correct them for it.

This is the nutshell version.

I'd read it, and learn marker training. I'd order Video #302.

yeah thats what i have been doing i was using that as an example, and he has yet to get into the garbag, i have been using missderection for the past week, and yes it does work, and as i stated before i have only hit him twice, and honestly i will not be doing it again.

and beating is a strong word i have never beat any of my dogs, a smack on the rear does not mean a beating. when i say smack hard, i meant hard enough to get his attention as im saying no, but again since my readings today i will never again smack another one of my dogs, i have to also break my habbits.

yes i see how you could just easily move your shoes out of his reach or hid the garbage can, but still that does not teach him right from wrong..

and he is responding to the word "no" jsut a few minutes ago he was going for a towel hanging in the bathroom and i said no and he walked away

Michael,

Please remember he is a BABY! Really try to treat him as such. The chewing, getting into stuff he's not supposed to will not last forever if you patiently guide him as to what is appropriate, and what is not. And when I say guide, I mean no intimidation, physical or otherwise.

I'm sure this applies to all breeds, but in my experience, molossers can be very sensitive to harsh corrections. I have owned CC's, Filas, and now a Boerboel. I have learned over the years, that if you are too harsh (yelling, physical corrections ect..) They can and will shut down, possibily destroying the bond you have with them forever! It is so hard to recover from that. Now, I know you don't want your dog to not trust you.

Please really think about all the great advice you have recieved here. This is really the time you start to form a lifetime bond with this dog. Don't ruin it.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Mike J Schoonbrood

Basic Puppy Rule #1: If you don't give them the opportunity to do something, then the habit won't develop and they will grow out of it. Let a puppy be a puppy and show them what they are supposed to do instead of whacking em on the ass when they are following their instincts.

Dogs learn from repetition and habit. If you do the same thing with a dog over and over, then they will do it automatically without having to correct them for it.

This is the nutshell version.

I'd read it, and learn marker training. I'd order Video #302.

yeah i understand that also, i have read the article on marker training

Hello, I have a GSD approx. 4 yrs old and he is very healthy and a wonderful dog with a mouth problem. The lower lip where has folds and it never dries out and food stuff etc. seems to collect there and it is bloody and doesn't seem to heal, I believe he has a mouth problem because when he drinks the water runs out of his mouth as he is walking away from the bowl. The vet gave me some Glen Haven wipes and Resortin ointment to use twice a day and said to try to keep aera dry which seems impossible.How will this ever heal?? Thanks, Jack Fitch

 Quote: jack fitch

Hello, I have a GSD approx. 4 yrs old and he is very healthy and a wonderful dog with a mouth problem. The lower lip where has folds and it never dries out and food stuff etc. seems to collect there and it is bloody and doesn't seem to heal, I believe he has a mouth problem because when he drinks the water runs out of his mouth as he is walking away from the bowl. The vet gave me some Glen Haven wipes and Resortin ointment to use twice a day and said to try to keep aera dry which seems impossible.How will this ever heal?? Thanks, Jack Fitch

Hi, Jack,

You're hijacking a thread.

Please start a new thread. Go here:
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/10/page/1
and hit "new topic" in blue, up above, and start a thread, maybe about GSD mouth problem.

Thanks!

 Quote: michael curry

i have never beat any of my dogs, a smack on the rear does not mean a beating.

And on the mouth/face.

But anyway: "yes i see how you could just easily move your shoes out of his reach or hid the garbage can, but still that does not teach him right from wrong."

I don't know how to re-phrase it that you have an untrained baby dog. Mike S's post seems so clear to me..... control his environment and don't let the shoe-chewing habit form.

Corrections are for a dog who has been trained and really knows the command. This is not in any way the case here.

If you "correct" for something the dog does not know, then you are punishing unfairly. That's not correcting.

yeah that makes more sence to me, and i do not want to loose the bond i have with my lill big guy

15 weeks is forgivably young. He is going to make mistakes, as he doesn't know anything yet, so it's not fair to correct harshly or hit for something he doesn't know! Keep your face away from him when he's in a biting/play mode and he won't end up biting your nose.

I don't smack dogs on the butt ever, it would make them flighty or hand shy, like a beaten horse. I would smack a dog on the mouth, but only in certain situations and under the mouth as to not create hand-shyness. Also, never pull your hand away if a puppy goes to bite you especially during obedience. A young dog is like a 5 year old with a gun, he has it (teeth) but doesn't know how to use it or what it does- so if you freak out like it's dangerous and pull your hand away when he goes to bite or nip, you are creating a monster. I will also use the leash to block a dog from biting, and continue to do what I was doing to let him know his nipping is not going to stop me or affect me.

If you do need to correct, a more appropriate correction for a puppy is a pinch and light shake to the scruff along with a stern Pfui or no while grabbing the dog. Or if you are already training an older puppy/dog, a collar correction. All corrections depend on how soft a particular dog is, for some dogs a verbal correction is all that's needed, for some it's more.

 Quote: Michael curry

yeah that makes more sence to me, and i do not want to loose the bond i have with my lill big guy

Right!

You want to be a fair pack leader. That would mean teaching the puppy instead of punishing him.

I promise you that you and the puppy are both going to love marker training.

You will see that teaching and rewarding for what you DO want is very much more fun for both of you than correcting for what you don't want, with this lil guy. He doesn't know anything about what you don't want. Think of how his confidence and trust will soar when you teach him a wanted behavior and he does it..... and he is rewarded! By you, his world!