Puppy training advice please

[saturdaykid]

Have just got my eight-week old Vizsla pup home and so far so good, but was just wondering how others handled training when they're so young. How many different commands do you try to train them at once? Do you just focus on, say three or four for a few weeks until they've sunk in, then add another few after that, or do you try and train them up with everything at once before they get too old? At the moment I feel I'm never going to get him to do anything ? tell me it gets easier?! Feel a bit daunted at the moment tbh. He will be going to obedience classes but that won't be for a couple of weeks and wanted to get him started before that. Any advice much appreciated! At the moment I'm just focussing on 'be clean', 'drop', and teaching him his name. He doesn't take the blindest bit of notice to any of it of course!

Hello Saturdaykid

Congrats on your new pup.

I would just go at his pace, and once he's starting to learn a new command introduce another, while making sure you use the previous command(s) often enough for him to keep remembering them. Are you using treats or is he really not taking any notice? With my lab pup I did sit, come, 'do a wee!' and 'no!' at first (not all together - I mean in the first few weeks!). 'Look' or 'watch' is also good for getting their attention - wave a treat under their nose then place it below your chin so they look at you, then give the treat.

Hatwoman is a training guru - where are you, hatwoman

Congrats Vizlas are gorgeous.
I did clicker training with mine. I used to be a veterinary nurse and came across many methods of training and just wanted to see if it worked. It did very very quickly.

Patience and a few treats, eventually weaning of food treats.

Agree take your time, start with basics.

I am a big fan of Amechien (sp?) bonding
The dog whispere Jan Fennel is very good.

What's Amechien bonding? Sounds interesting!

its understanding your dogs language not your dog understanding ours.
Goes back to the wolf pack and pecking order/alpha roles etc....

Lots of tips in jan fennels book.
Eg... naver let the dog through a gate/door before you.
Dont let a dog pull on lead as it is like the alpha male leading the hunt for food.

It sounds harsh maybe cruel to some but it is far from it, you need to read to fully understand.
I believe a dog is happier/content when he/she knows their place within the family home.

One example she did with one of her many rescue dogs is put the dogs food in a dish on the side. Make sure the dog can see you putting his food in the dish.

Then place a human snack, biscuit cracker or whatever behind the dish. All members of the family reach and have a peice of this snack.

The dog then sees everyone in the family eats before him and therefore learns to accept his place.,

It is very important then that the dog is left to eat his food in peace.

Sorry I could go on for ever....

I appreciate reading this could come across as mean but honestly it is not. Ther is nothing worse in my opinion,with an over vocal dog pulling, chewing seperation anxiety, and many other issues.

It shows the dog is clearly distressed and showing signs of a leadership he does not know how to deal with.

My dog very rarely barks but will on command, has her own toilet area in garden but does do it oon grass on occasions.
I also tought her lots of pointless but funny tricks.

Thanks very much for your responses. I think he's just still a bit overwhelmed and excited about his new home - it's only been a couple of days after all! I'm just a bit over anxious about doing it right I think! I have The Perfect Puppy book (can't remember who it's by) and it's quite good - have heard good things about the Dog whisperer, too though so might try that. How does Clicker training work? Sounds good!

You right its only early days and very young. He needs timeto adjust being away from his mum and brothers and sisters etc...

Lots of new smells and things to explore

one way to get him to sit is
hold treat just above nose and raise hand up, so he should look up towards treat and his bum sits down (try not to push/force his bum down) he will get the hang of it.

When you say 'sit' 'stay' or whatever as soon as they do it click the clicker and give a treat immedietly.
they catch on very very quickly.

Great for taking on walks with you, getting them used to sitting at road side and walking to heel.
Eventually you wont need to use the tyreat or clicker.

I have used mine on occassions though to teach my dog something new.

i remember once sat writing and I was clicking the pen end and she kept looking up thinking iot was the clicker

I also taught her to help get washing out of washer. But one dh dh came home (I was upstairs) and there was washing all over garden.

He wasnt pleased
I didnt tell him straight away that I had taught her to do this, a few days earlier.

But he did think it was clever when she brought him his mobile phone.
(but not funny when she ran off outside with it)

Hi bella and no1puts, thanks for all the tips! Your dog sounds cool, no1puts. I actually had quite a good day with my pup today, he seems to be picking things up now bless him. One thing I could really do with some advice on (thank GoD for this site!) is toilet training at night. For his first few nights, as suggested by my book, we've had him up in our bedroom in his crate, getting up to take him down to the garden when he needs the loo. Frankly, sod that. I'm knackered. I'm planning to put him downstairs in his crate tonight, but what should I do re toilet training? Won't it undo all my hard work if I go down to him when he barks to let him out? And I thought letting them mess in their crate went against the rules too?! I'm confused. Really appreciate any advice!

My pup slept through after just 3 nights, but of course they are all different and at 8 weeks some of them just can't hold it all night.

I would go down and let pup out when he needs out and be prepared for this to go on for a bit. It really shouldn't last very long, but also be aware that when I say 'all night' I mean 11pm until 5am

Start as you mean to go on!!
Decide on house rules, and start implementing them asap.

I wish I would have

• not let the dogs greet people at the door

Socialise with other dogs straight away

In addition to the "drop" I would add "leave"

Sounds like you have a smart dog, and you are doing a fine job

i agree with bella29 anmd purpleduck

very important to decide and stick to rules,or your pup will get confused.
If you say no to furniture or jumping up you/others then mean it.
re toilet training be prepared for all night.
iirc mine was in a crate for few weeks, only when we were out.

Think she messed in it once.
I used to put paper down near the door at night. I wasnt prepared to get up.

But may I add if she was vocal at night then I would have obviously got up, but def not allow upstairs, A lthough I have done witha previous dog, when I lived at home.

Well I'm pleased to report that I had quite a successful night! Put him downstairs with a hot water bottle and my jumper and he only woke up twice for the loo! Bless him, he's so good! Thanks again for all your advice and encouragement!

Fantastic news!

Thats great,let us know how you get on, would be great to see a pic of him too.

Forgot to say...
one of the best things we taught our dogs is to take treats etc from our hands nicely - stops them from snapping things from our hands.
I put a treat in my closed hand and said "nice" and they only got the treat when they took it out gently. It only took a few times.

For us it was worthwhile as our kids want to give them treats etc.

Also, we did the thing where you add food to their dish when they are eating. We also used to hover around. I didn't want a dog around who would get overly possesive of their bowl. I think it really paid off with our 2nd dog, as he instinctively growled (even when he was tiny). Now he is fine.

Glad you had a good night!

Hi there, will definitely post a pic when I work out how to do that
Ta for those tips, purpleduck - sounds like good advice. One thing I was wondering, how long do you all leave your puppies in their crate for during the day? At the moment I don't really at all, just an hour here and there when he's flaked out so I can clear up the house. At the moment he just seems so little and 'into everything' (except his toys, unfortunately!)and needy, I couldn't imagine being able to just go out for a few hours and leave him - getting a bit stir crazy actually. Should I get a proper pen, that he can run around in? His crate is only big enough for his bed and a couple of squares of newspaper - fine for now but when he gets older it'll be too small to leave him for any length of time. Will he get a bit calmer and self sufficient soon, or will he just get bigger and therefore even more lively and capable of demolishing the house?! Maybe he'll calm down when he's able to go for walks and run off his energy?

Hi, it depends on his personality really.
Some big dogs can be very laid back, some very giddy or boisterous.Its up to you how much you let him get away with to be honest. My dog gets very excited when anyone talks to her.
They learn very quickly your weak spots, but also what they can and cannot get away with.

Or if out for a walk and anyone talks to me, she thinks they are talking to her

I think 6 months is one to watch out for regarding teething/chewing.

I used to leave crate door open while I was there during the day, she used to go in herself to chill out and sleep etc...

I shut her in if I went out.
I worked at the time, but in the early days she wasnt left for more than 4 hours, if longer I used to take her to work with me (vets) so was lucky.

Now she is 3 and is left a lot longer sometimes

sorry for waffling on.

No, not waffling at all! Really helpful. What sort of dog do you have then, and how big is his crate in relation to him - can he walk about in it? Walter likes his crate to sleep in, but I think I'd have to get a bigger pen thing if I was leaving him alone for a few hours. Ah well, time will tell, I think I'm just stressing a bit to be honest, I'm good at that! he's bloody good really, it's only day 4 and he's already learnt 'drop' 'sit', his name, and to run to the garden when he wants a poo. (Apparently weeing in the house is perfectly acceptable)
He's so gorgeous. He's already doing the 'point' stance at anything that moves - very sweet!

He is doing very well at such a young age and new home etc...
I have a dalmadoodle (dalmation x standard poodle)

Think it must have been a mistake/experiment who knows

picture on my profile I think.
She doesnt have a crate now, (she is 3)we borrowed a large one she was only in it for a few months I think. or at least till after 6 months teething.
Luckily she is not a chewer, but now dd is walking and gives her toys, she does chew them sometimes.