This is my first post on this board. Any suggestions I can get to become a better dog trainer would be appreciated.

I have a 9 week old female GSD and crate training seems to be going well. She doesn't have accidents in the crate and for the last three nights she sleeps ( or chews quietly) clear through the night. My question is about how much time should she be getting out of the crate each day. I took two weeks off from work to get her settled in but when work starts she'll get about an hour or so in the mornings, an hour or so at lunch, and a few hours in the evenings. My wife is home all day with the kids so we could fit in a couple more potty breaks if needed but I've read that you want to get the dog bonded to you before the rest of the family. I'm just curious on how others handle this.

Thanks,

Jim Rice

sounds like your on the right track to me, I like a video that Ivan Balabanov has out, Obedience without conflict. I think he is an amazing dog trainer. There are plenty of other sources of information here on this site just use the search directory I bet alot of the questions you have can be answered here.

That's about what my dogs get, my puppy included. The big thing is to make the time out of the kennel be worthwile. Just don't let the dog out to lie on the ground at the foot of your chair or couch. Play games and socialize. Do some drive building if you want to work your dog later.

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Originally posted by Brian Vanderbunt:
That's about what my dogs get, my puppy included. The big thing is to make the time out of the kennel be worthwile. Just don't let the dog out to lie on the ground at the foot of your chair or couch. Play games and socialize. Do some drive building if you want to work your dog later.

I have to disagree with the part about letting your pup lay by the couch or chair. Not only is this worthwhile, it's an important part of 'socializing' if you would like a well rounded dog. I attach a short line to my pup, and hook it to the leg of my desk or chair while i work on the computer or watch TV. My pup is given a blanket or pad to lay on that is his/her "place" and due to the lead on the pup, they can't wander off to get in trouble or go to the bathroom somewhere. They have a chew toy or something to occupy them, something special that they don't get all the time. During this time, my family members know to ignore my puppy. I don't do this when there is a lot of activity going on (i.e. andrew has friends,over screaming thru the house)but I do add distractions as the young dog understands that there is a time to be calm and indifferent to what goes on around her.

I am not saying you let the pup lay around all day this way but for an hour or so every day goes a long way into a calm, well adjusted dog. Take it from someone who has adult dogs who WERE NOT allowed to do this (raised by other people). They are absolutely ANNOYING to live with in the house!
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As far as the potty training goes, I think it's ok for someone else to take your pup out IF they are very neutral and non-emotional (no petting, playing, or schmoozing with the pup should be happening)while doing so. Let your wife take the pup out, give whatever verbal you use for the pup to pee, and when the pup goes, your wife (or whoever) just brings the pup back in and puts back in the crate. I think it's more important to instill clean habits at first than worrying about the pup bonding with other family members at this point. Just make sure all the fun stuff like food, toys and action comes from you !

I agree with Cindy.

When I first moved here Darcie could not understand why her dogs acted like aholes everytime the crate opened up. They went outside EVERYDAY at 5 am and played ball, then back in the crate till potty time and more ball, etc. SURE the dogs loved play time, but they had NO CLUE how to just kick it without being pests. She had set that cycle up in their minds and was too blind to see it. It was a shock to them all when I broke that habit! LOL As soon as Darcie was on hind legs they would start screaming and tails beating their crates. I don't wake up in a nice mood. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Quality time with your puppy can also come in the form of quiet time. It is necessary for any dog you want to live and function as a house dog.

Okay, it looks like I'm doing it right. I usually try to have play time with the ball on a string, some sitting for a treat, and some general exercise during her breaks from the crate. In the evening when I have more time she usually spends quite a bit of that time on a leash by my side while I watch TV, read, or check emails. Thats when I get to try and teach her that its not a good thing to chew on an Ethernet cable.

Thanks for the responses.

Jim Rice

Originally posted by Cindy Easton Rhodes:
I am not saying you let the pup lay around all day this way but for an hour or so every day goes a long way into a calm, well adjusted dog. This is what I meant. My dog also spends some time in the house on leash with me. I've seen too many times where the only time a dog goes outside it to take care of business and the rest is spent laying around the house.