Spend your time teaching and shaping what you want, not trying to stop things you don't want.

BILLBOARD!



The top thing to have in mind all the time. (Redirecting is part of it, too.)

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I think I understand what you mean - Concentrate on what he is doing well and reward? Be calm and redirect when he is being the hellion.

Sort of. You limit his access to getting into trouble, like with the xpen, and create the right habit, pottying outside, by taking him out before he ever has an accident. Think more pre-empt then react or re-direct. Does that make sense?

 Quote: Maggie MacDonald

Wendy, you are on my OK to pm list now - I hope that's OK

Of course it's ok. If it wasn't long distance i'ld give you my phone #...lol

Remember, when you are redirecting for the biting make sure to make the toy more interesting than your hand. Some people just try to swap it out and the pup usually doesn't go for it because hey, it's more fun to bite your hand cause it moves around as you try to avoid the sharp little alligator teeth. Throw the toy, roll it, shake it around do anything to get his attention off your hands and onto the toy.

ahhhh puppy breath...wish you could send me some... Tucker just has fish breath! Blech...

Steve, I am all ears and right now I am listening (reading) everything you are saying and copying it and pasting it in my word doc filled with great advice. I think I understand what you are saying and I am just finding it hard to incorporate it with the expen. I will watch the training videos again (although I look at them and wish I could do it like the ppl in the videos) I know they worked hard and long to develop those skills so that's a bit tongue in cheek .

I know it should be simple but it's not easy (for me) and that's only when it comes to the expen (so far hehe) - I love it btw - it's the best design and now we have it anchored and I will try it again as soon as I find treats or a toy he likes to reward him or re-direct him - tough little nut to crack - he turns his nose up at my fresh roasted chicken - no one does that! He doesn't know if you diss my cooking you get on my bad side j/k

Good advice Wendy - and trust me I will stand on my head and wiggle it from my toes to make it interesting (just fooling) because between eating my pant legs and my hand or even my upper arm if I am sitting on the floor with him (bending over for any length of time is, well, difficult) is something I will celebrate when it stops.

I am getting love bites every where - but I did learn in a video not to jerk my hand away fast - I go ouch real loud and then take it away. So far no bleeding though so I am doing fine.

He is doing great today - played in the hose and ate a bit - more interested in drinking .. never peed in the house so I hope I can keep anticipating his need to go and get him out to his potty place.

I will take photos of him later today when it's not so hot and then try to learn how to post them - I still don't know how to capture quotes or put emoticons in my posts - other than the happy face

My golly it's a good day.

Something specific with the xpen Maggie?

One thing with videos too Maggie, all dogs are different. The video can show you certain things, but a lot of the time you have to be ready to adapt to what works for your dog and maybe what you're more comfortable doing.

When I put him in it - he goes berserk - and screams and screams - I pay no intention as far as eye contact but push him down when he climbs it - saying nope - he stops after a number of pushes - I feel like I am being calm when saying nope - when that doesn't work he just runs at the cage - making it move - I tried saying nope more sternly and trying to redirect him with toys - he will have none of it .. after an hour of it I just don't know what to do and try to find a pause in his screaming to tell him good and open the door, blocking him with my knees and leashing him - he will lay beside me very contently (leashed to me ) so I am going to try a treat some other member suggested and see if he cares about it - no food drive - no toy drive although he did play tug with me on a toy not designed for that

Is it OK for him to go in the Expen with the door open? He wants to but I don't know if that's a good idea.

I get what you mean about the videos and the different dogs - when you know you don't know you do kind of try and follow too closely what others are doing.

I need to listen more to my dog - and gain confidence in my abilities to train him with what works for him (and me) Thanks for that tip Steve.

The goal in the xpen is for him to relax while limiting his access to things. It helps with potty training for a couple different reasons too. Instead of trying to reward him like you are or playing with him in there, try giving him something to do.

A Kong filled with frozen cheese whiz? A bully stick to chew on. Its like foundation work for a place command which will come later. When he settles in a little, it will be easier for you to bring him out at the right time and he won't be so resistant to going in.

Is it OK for him to go in the Expen with the door open? He wants to but I don't know if that's a good idea.

He has a kong but I will fill it with cheese or maybe peanut butter frozen? II was putting his food in it and he lost interest.

I wouldn't right now. Learning to deal with the containment is a good first step for learning self control. Frozen peanut butter or cheese is probably better then his food. Not too much though, he'll get the runs.

The bully sticks last pretty good with puppies too.