Welcome to the party!

 Quote: Kristin Muntz

Yes, this is my first working puppy.

No corrections, no interaction with the child, and lots of fun. Sounds like it'll be a good night for everyone.

No interactions without you being right there, a human hand on each one.


I wanted to add that I know Cesar Millan a little and like and admire him a lot. Much of what you say about his training is a little out of context, period, and a lot out of context for an eight-week-old puppy. JMO!

But we don't need another CM thread or a hijack, so that's all I meant to say.

 Quote: steve strom

Welcome to the party!

THAT's what I wanted to say!

You are in good company!

 Quote: Kristin Muntz

(This does not stop him from yelling no, but I can certainly correct that. Without slapping the boy and sending him down the hallway. )

Actually, that's no problem here. We're fine with that.








Just kidding, of course. TOTALLY kidding.

I'm going to pipe in with a few quick suggestions that I hope are helpful. From my observations, a malinois pup is, by virtue, not like most pups. They seem to be more toothy and mouthy, so by default you have a lot more pup on your hands than your average pup-owner. As a first time dog owner (or just your first working dog), this can be overwhelming. The x-pen will definitely give you a break when warranted, however, this pup needs A LOT of positive interaction throughout the day, not just in the morning, xpen, afternoon, xpen, evening, xpen.

A pup is like when your baby first gets it's legs. With a pup they come to you this way, unlike your child you have at least a year to prepare. Here's how my schedule went with my pup:

Wake up - potty training.
Feed by hand (a few bites) to learn not to bite/gnaw on people, people = good.
Pup follows me around house, interaction with environment, if inappropriate chewing/jumping on things whatever, redirect with toy. Play with pup with toys, teaching them it's ok to mouth toys not everything else. Lots of hands on touching and verbal praise, if he gnaws on you, say OUCH lightly and keep your hand still until they remove their mouth. No real corrections at this time, unless your pup learns the words in a soft voice, NEVER physically correct pup at this point. Redirect the bite to appropriate item. Don't bite me - bite THIS!
Go outside - potty training.
Feed a snack.
Rest time - xpen or sitting together until pup falls asleep (hopefully for at least an hour or two).
Wake up - potty training.
Feed.
More interaction.
Repeat cycle until days end. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

A pup requires just as much attention as your 1 year old child. You can't spend 10 minutes every few hours and expect it's going to be enough, and then put it in a kennel or xpen. For me kennel or xpen was when I needed to run somewhere for less than an hour or I needed uninterrupted time to get something done around the house. Be sure to include toys or something to entertain it while alone.

A dog of this caliber can be overwhelming, but if not correctly handled and raised it can turn into a total nightmare.

 Quote: steve strom

 Quote: Lee_Reicheld

 Quote: steve strom

I wouldnt suggest that Lee.

Can you expand on why not Steve? I know of several people who have done this and are exceptionally happy with great dogs. I'd be interested in hearing the potential down sides of programs like that.

For me, personnaly, and with my family, its our dog, we need to raise him. It has to be me,my house, my kids, us. Teaching sit, down, come,its all basic that I think any first time dog owner can learn to do, and its a waste paying somebody else for it. The puppy needs to learn to live with my family and can only do that with my family. You get him back from someone else, you still need to spend as much time applying what he came home with to where he is now, except that he's 4 or 6wks older.

The other side of that is how many times you see people write about the terrible experience they have doing that. I don't agree that there are so many trainers you can trust to send your dog away to.

I completely agree. I'm sure with you and your family, there would be zero benefit.

With someone using an e-collar and other incorrect methods on an 8-week old puppy, I would think there would be some benefit while furthering their own education. ..... This topic moved to http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=32232&page=1#360632

Edited by Connie Sutherland (05/09/2012 07:08 PM)
Edit reason: mod note about moved topic

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

All of this....

Maybe a new thread, if desired, to continue that topic ....

I didn't see this before replying... sorry if I derailed the conversation at all.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming...



Mod note: No problem. Moved to http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=32232&page=1#360632



Edited by Connie Sutherland (05/09/2012 07:09 PM)
Edit reason: mod note about moved topic

And back to:

 Quote: Tanya Moyer

I'm going to pipe in with a few quick suggestions that I hope are helpful.

From my observations, a malinois pup is, by virtue, not like most pups. They seem to be more toothy and mouthy, so by default you have a lot more pup on your hands than your average pup-owner. As a first time dog owner (or just your first working dog), this can be overwhelming.

The x-pen will definitely give you a break when warranted, however, this pup needs A LOT of positive interaction throughout the day, not just in the morning, xpen, afternoon, xpen, evening, xpen.

A pup is like when your baby first gets it's legs. With a pup they come to you this way, unlike your child you have at least a year to prepare. Here's how my schedule went with my pup:

Wake up - potty training.
Feed by hand (a few bites) to learn not to bite/gnaw on people, people = good.
Pup follows me around house, interaction with environment, if inappropriate chewing/jumping on things whatever, redirect with toy. Play with pup with toys, teaching them it's ok to mouth toys not everything else. Lots of hands on touching and verbal praise, if he gnaws on you, say OUCH lightly and keep your hand still until they remove their mouth. No real corrections at this time, unless your pup learns the words in a soft voice, NEVER physically correct pup at this point. Redirect the bite to appropriate item. Don't bite me - bite THIS!
Go outside - potty training.
Feed a snack.
Rest time - xpen or sitting together until pup falls asleep (hopefully for at least an hour or two).
Wake up - potty training.
Feed.
More interaction.
Repeat cycle until days end. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

A pup requires just as much attention as your 1 year old child. You can't spend 10 minutes every few hours and expect it's going to be enough, and then put it in a kennel or xpen. For me kennel or xpen was when I needed to run somewhere for less than an hour or I needed uninterrupted time to get something done around the house. Be sure to include toys or something to entertain it while alone.

A dog of this caliber can be overwhelming, but if not correctly handled and raised it can turn into a total nightmare.

OR, donate said puppy to law enforcement. Educate self and start over with normal drive pet dog.







Mod note: Not literally, of course ..... LE is not at all likely to be in the position to accept unexpected and unsolicited donations of eight-week-old puppies.

Hello Kristin-
Please stay -- these folks will help you to raise a good dog. My pup was a MONSTER. At 9 wks old he was running the home. He could not be petted unless asleep. He did not like to be touched. I would correct him while on lead, he would come right up AT me. He had zero sweet component, you could not touch him at all.
Everyone helped me, all the same people helping you. I had running arguments for days. These people know their "mean" dogs. If not for the Forum, I would have put this dog to sleep, 100% guaranteed.
Do what they say, give it time, hang in there. My dog turned out GREAT. Maybe best dog ever.