[denmarkhse]

We have had our pup Lucca for 2 weeks, he is now just over 8 weeks old, and in this time we have taught him to sit and go down on command. As our puppy classes do not start for another 7 weeks (he has to be innoculated first) I was wondering if anyone has any other training tips that I could work on in the meantime? I have started on 'off and take' holding a little piece of cheese in my hand and repeating the word off until he stops muzzling my hand and attempting to get it, and then saying take - not sure he is getting this - am I doing this correctly or should I be doing it some other way? Also are there any good books that are easy to put into practice that may be worth me buying?

Thanks alot

Sarah

 

[clairiscrazy]

hi sarah

sorry but i have to say it why did you get her at 6 weeks of age??

the right age to leave mom is normaly 8 weeks 7 if you must....


go easy on the training very young pup wants fun not to many commnds at the beganing... my rosze is 10months and still in training for commands such as drop come and stay...

 

[frodosmom]

Hi sarah....

I'm no expert in training...but the way i did it was.... Initially let them have the treat in my case its cheese2 and you say"take"....after a couple of time the moment they try to take the cheese close your fist and say "OFF"...they try to open your fist and when they give up...just give them the cheese..... Good luck....

 

[denmarkhse]

Thanks for the tips Vidhya, i'll work on those today.

Claire. I got our puppy at 6 1/2 weeks from a reputable breeder at a time that she felt was right for both us the puppy and us as a family - she was extremely thorough in vetting us and actually refused one puppy to go to one home at the last minute as she did not in her heart believe that they were 'right' for her dog - I did not question as to whether this was the right time as I trust her 100% and it was consistant with the information given in her puppy pack :? He settled in very well and both him and us are having a ball

With the training please don't think that I am some regimental sargent major forcing my pup to 'perform'. We both have great fun with our short little training sessions - usually with me ending up in fits of giggles as he outsmarts me everytime - the time 'training' is lots of fun and contains lots of play - I just want a well behaved dog that everyone can enjoy and I am trying to start as we mean to go on -

Sarah
x

 

[lablover]

I just want a well behaved dog that everyone can enjoy and I am trying to start as we mean to go on

well done - if you keep it short and fun they will lap it up. Understandable though it is when they are so cute, just be careful that you are not unwittingly rewarding unwanted behaviour when laughing. :wink: No quite sure what you actually want with the off command - I use either leave or gently, but they both mean different things. The word itself doesn't matter, which is why we may use different ones.
Also, at this you age, don't forget the importance of socialisation both with other pups/dogs (make sure they are reliable and innoculated) and different locations, situations, people etc.
regards
Jenny

 

[Tracey]

My Scooby loved to learn things when he was 8 weeks and picked up lots. One command that I wish I had spent more consistency on was to stop him jumping up at people.

When they are so young, you don't really notice it and it is cute. Other people encourage this behaviour and reward it by stroking and talking to them when they have jumped up. It is not so cute now he is huge and heavy! (and uses his claws to hang on).

If they jump up, say 'off' and then praise them when they have come down. Maybe ask them to sit when people come to greet them.

 

[anna]

Here are some articles about bite inhibition, although Labs are seen to be gentle dogs I'd strongly advise ANYONE with a pup to teach bite inhibition.

An american site

SPCA related site

bite inhibition should be started as early as possible so its something that you can start on now but you have to be consistant and not just you, anyone who comes into regular contact with your pup.

Anna