Training a puppy

Pay attention this is key.........



Time......and repetition

Have a lot of treats on you at all times. Pups are very stubborn and will test your temper and patience but it does get better. I've got a 9 week old at the house and he's got a hard head but seems to be pretty resilient at such a young age. I have a stern hand on him and he's coming around more as the days pass. Good luck puppies are awesome and suck at the same time.

Seriously read a book about training your particular breed. It will make it a lot less stressful for the two of you.

What kind of pup, and training for what?

Patience and consistence.

Play with him/her for a few minutes before and after training. Start happy, end happy.

Short periods of training starting at about 15 - 20 mins, as it gets older and progresses, training sessions can get longer.

Also, probably most important, dogs can have bad training days too. When you go into a training session, expect nothing, and be happy with what you get.


ETA: Read up on clicker training, works awesome for young pups for learning their names, sit, stay, heel, the basics.

Don't use treats. Praise a lot instead. Nothing like having a dog not listen unless he knows you have treats. A puppy that young I would make each session last longer than 5-10 min. Once they do what they are suppost to about 3 times stop and play. Come is easy. Just walk backwards away from it calling its name.

I liked water dog. They have a video out for it now.

Treats worked really well for my pup and now I only use them every so often just to reinforce his good behavior.

Don't be soft on him. They know how for to push you. If you are easy or soft the dog will push you further and further.

quote:

---

He is a German shepherd and I would like basic house obedience

---

That won't be hard. Very smart dogs.

Be patient and consistent. No need to hit him. No need scream at him.

He doesn't know 10 minutes after he has peed on the floor that you are angry because he peed.

As soon as you see him start to pee take him out. Take him out every hour or two and tell him "hurry" or "pee" or something and when he does give him a nice pat on the head.

If you can stay home with him a week he will we be peeing outside I bet by the end of the week.

The only time I have ever spanked one of my dog was when they failed to come after I taught them the come command. I teach them come on a long rope lead. After I let them off the lead I work them at further and further distance until I know they know the command. After that if they don't obey I don't beg them and I don't hit them with anything that will hurt them. I use news paper or a soft baseball hat. I say "come" once or twice and in a firm voice. If they do not come I go to them swat them with the paper or hat and say "come" while pulling them by the collar back to where I was. Smartest dog I ever had was a springer and I had her coming on command at 8 weeks old. I only spanked her once with my hat and you could tell she felt bad about making me angry.

Gun Dog has some good tips that work in the field and in the house.

youtube is your friend! I nearly fullytrained my pup in 3 months.

Does take a lot of time, dedication and patience though.

quote:

---

German shepherd and I would like basic house obedience

---

If a male dog, take him to where he pees and you owe and tell him whatever command word you want.

Mine is "Make it rain!"

Male dogs are sooooo easy to potty train.