Some training recommendations please? Books, YouTube, blogs?

[IamEarthymama]

There's a new puppy in our house! As we needed an dog that wouldn't provoke or exacerbate allergies it's been a long wait, with daily searches of local rescues etc etc

We were so lucky to find a Bedlington Terrier/Poodle Cross who is the jolliest, loveliest 8 week old mongrel pup ever! See picture attached.💕 of FitzChivalry Farseer aka Fitz!

He's sleeping in our room, gets up for one or two wees in the night.
He likes going outside to perform his toilet in the day, and has asked to go outside a few times.
He has a crate in the living room, mostly in preparation for a time when we are back in work, one ft, one pt, and for the return of the grandchildren and their friends.
I often want to hide from them so believe that Fitz deserves the same privilege 😊


I have been looking at training, we have both had dogs in the past, but 20 odd years ago.
I wondered if the wisdom of MN's Doghouse could suggest some books, YouTube channels etc, any threads on here, blogs etc for a terrier/poodle boy?
I want to be consistent and not give mixed messages

I like Kikopup on YouTube, a friend with a husky and a malamute recommended Outback Training.

I really want good recall, there are owners of dogs in our local park who ruin others' enjoyment of the space by their inability to prevent disruption of picnics, to stop their dogs scaring small children, etc.

So please, experienced dog owners, what worked for you?

[BrokenBrit]

Super cute pup!
You are on the right track with Kikopup.
I really rate games based trainers which means your dog has fun while they learn and the concepts positively shape their brain.
Susan Garrett and Absolute Dogs are the 2 big ones. Really effective methods. Enjoy every moment.

[IamEarthymama]

Thank you BrokenBrit!
I will look at those xx

[Booboostwo]

Awww, he is lovely!

Kikopup is excellent.

Arm yourself with a clicker and treats (ideally keep them on you at all times). For good recall you need to do a lot of basic, simple work. Teach the dog its name by saying Fitz! In an excited voice and clicking when he looks at you. At the same time click him every time he happens to be right next to you. Ideally have him off lead in as many safe places as you can access. Then add more complexity: as you see him come towards you say Fitz come! in an excited, high pitched voice, click and treat when he is by you. Get him used to you touching him and putting two fingers under the collar, because soon you want to add this. As he comes to you, two fingers under the collar, click and treat. This is crucial for safety. Unless you teach this entire behavior, one day you will recall, he will come to you and run off again.

The introduce recall games. Say Fitz come from a couple of steps away, he comes, click and treat, back away 2-3 steps and repeat. Gradually increase the distance. Then two person recall game: you call, click and treat, other person calls, click and treat. Increase the distance and complexity. Sometimes call him from a hiding place.

Make sure you use the best, high value treats for recall. If at any moment he starts ignoring you, go back to more basic recalls. If he is ignoring you, at that moment, walk away from him (assuming it is safe to do so). If he starts developing a pattern of ignoring you, move onto the long line immediately.

[jinxpixie]

a must for all puppy owners

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Total Recall by Pippa Mattinson is a really handy book.

There is a wonderful exercise I used on my younger dog called something like paper plate recall. You use a paper plate or a tile or whatever as a marker, sit your dog, and have it wait while you walk a few feet, put the marker down and put a treat on it. You go back to your pup, send it for the treat and then recall it once it's guzzled it down and provide another treat and loads of praise. Foot by foot, you build up the distance. I used it with my dog first at four or five months and within ten minutes we had about a 10m distance. It sounds a faff, but you're teaching four exercises in one (sit, stay, send out, recall).