Puppy training thread.

[Which Tyler]

What do you look out for, what are the signs?

All the following is IMO, and stuff I've kept an eye out for when getting my babies.

Make sure the Dam looks healthy, happy and trusting - well looked after, and part of the household. Can you hear what is essentially a kennel in the background? How does the dam respond to the humans in the family?
See both the vaccination records for the Dam, and a photocopy of the same for the sire.
See vet's reports for the Dam, and a photocopy of the same for the Sire - different breeds have different things that need looking for.
Can you have contact details for the Sire's humans? Same goes for pups from previous litters. If you're even slightly dodgy about it all, follow up those contacts as well - ideally do so anyway.
Are both Dam and Sire kennel club registered? How far back are their family histories traced (look back at least 4 generations with no crossing).
Does everything feel comfortable and normal? what does your gut tell you about the set-up.
Have the pups been vaccinated / microchipped? Can you seen the ultrasound scan during the pregnancy? Does it look like a generally doggy house (smell of dog, toys / bones spotted about the place etc)?


Then you can look at the puppies.
Do they all look healthy and chubby? are they individually marked (different collars / harnesses each)?
Are the pups listless, or utterly disinterested (unless simply knackered) - are you seeing the whole litter, or just 1-2 "unclaimed examples"? Is the puppy crate clean and hygienic (given that they're not exactly going to be litter trained)? Are there toys etc to provide stimulation, and is water available for them to drink as desired?

If that's all clear, then start "selecting" a puppy - you're mostly interested in a pup who's interested in you - basically, interact with all of them, and let one of them chose you - you only really get a say in the matter if multiple pups try to adopt you. Anything else (gender, markings etc) are utterly irrelevant in a dog that you are going to love unconditionally for the next 12-14 years. Equally, give them time; unless they're asleep when you arrive, spend a good 15+ minutes with the whole litter (and a good length of time with the Dam), letting them get used to you, before you start assessing for which one you want.



Big red flags would be things like "The house is a mess, I'll meet you by the road with one of the pups" "The dam's out on walkies at the moment" "we don't believe in vaccinations / vet checks / microchipping" "she'll be ready to collect in time for christmas then".
Any evasiveness towards you seeing the the whole litter, the dam, or getting the contact details for the sire, previous litters etc etc. Basically, if they want to starve you of information, walk away. If the dam or the pups are looking malnourished or particularly unhealthy; or the operation feels too much like a scam, report to the RSPCA. Even if you feel sorry for the pups, and just want to rescue them, you help no-one by giving the puppy farmer money and doing nothing to discourage them in the future.

 

[Every Time Ref]

All the following is IMO, and stuff I've kept an eye out for when getting my babies.

Make sure the Dam looks healthy, happy and trusting - well looked after, and part of the household. Can you hear what is essentially a kennel in the background? How does the dam respond to the humans in the family?
See both the vaccination records for the Dam, and a photocopy of the same for the sire.
See vet's reports for the Dam, and a photocopy of the same for the Sire - different breeds have different things that need looking for.
Can you have contact details for the Sire's humans? Same goes for pups from previous litters. If you're even slightly dodgy about it all, follow up those contacts as well - ideally do so anyway.
Are both Dam and Sire kennel club registered? How far back are their family histories traced (look back at least 4 generations with no crossing).
Does everything feel comfortable and normal? what does your gut tell you about the set-up.
Have the pups been vaccinated / microchipped? Can you seen the ultrasound scan during the pregnancy? Does it look like a generally doggy house (smell of dog, toys / bones spotted about the place etc)?


Then you can look at the puppies.
Do they all look healthy and chubby? are they individually marked (different collars / harnesses each)?
Are the pups listless, or utterly disinterested (unless simply knackered) - are you seeing the whole litter, or just 1-2 "unclaimed examples"? Is the puppy crate clean and hygienic (given that they're not exactly going to be litter trained)? Are there toys etc to provide stimulation, and is water available for them to drink as desired?

If that's all clear, then start "selecting" a puppy - you're mostly interested in a pup who's interested in you - basically, interact with all of them, and let one of them chose you - you only really get a say in the matter if multiple pups try to adopt you. Anything else (gender, markings etc) are utterly irrelevant in a dog that you are going to love unconditionally for the next 12-14 years. Equally, give them time; unless they're asleep when you arrive, spend a good 15+ minutes with the whole litter (and a good length of time with the Dam), letting them get used to you, before you start assessing for which one you want.



Big red flags would be things like "The house is a mess, I'll meet you by the road with one of the pups" "The dam's out on walkies at the moment" "we don't believe in vaccinations / vet checks / microchipping" "she'll be ready to collect in time for christmas then".
Any evasiveness towards you seeing the the whole litter, the dam, or getting the contact details for the sire, previous litters etc etc. Basically, if they want to starve you of information, walk away. If the dam or the pups are looking malnourished or particularly unhealthy; or the operation feels too much like a scam, report to the RSPCA. Even if you feel sorry for the pups, and just want to rescue them, you help no-one by giving the puppy farmer money and doing nothing to discourage them in the future.

Thanks for this. A mix of very transferable "how to spot a scammer/bullshitter" stuff along with specific advice from experience.

Me and MrsTimeRef are definitely (we keep saying...) going to get a puppy at some point. It won't be for a few years, baby on the way is more than enough responsibility, but yeah when we get round to it this is the kind of wisdom we need! Thanks

 

[Scotty]

Have just paid for puppy training,4sessions £100 and they come to us. So cant complain. She is quite well behaved but need a few little traits ironing out. I had 3 weeks with her but realised some of the training she needs is outside my knowledge base.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Have just paid for puppy training,4sessions £100 and they come to us. So cant complain. She is quite well behaved but need a few little traits ironing out. I had 3 weeks with her but realised some of the training she needs is outside my knowledge base.

On the subject, and since there's a host of dog owning wisdom hanging out round here ... how realistic is it to house train a puppy in a house in a city (small garden) with both of us working full time?

Is there a way, or is it just not an option?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Thanks for this. A mix of very transferable "how to spot a scammer/bullshitter" stuff along with specific advice from experience.

Me and MrsTimeRef are definitely (we keep saying...) going to get a puppy at some point. It won't be for a few years, baby on the way is more than enough responsibility, but yeah when we get round to it this is the kind of wisdom we need! Thanks

Raise the baby as a puppy.



Wisdomer.

 

[Scotty]

On the subject, and since there's a host of dog owning wisdom hanging out round here ... how realistic is it to house train a puppy in a house in a city (small garden) with both of us working full time?

Is there a way, or is it just not an option?

My puppy was house trained and comfortable within a week but i was lucky the farm where i got her from looked after and raised her so well. So i never had that issue.

But saying that give them a treat and alot of praise every time they pee or poo outside. Associate a word with pees and poos for them. Dont punish them for peeing inside but just take them to where you want them to pee and leave them there for a short while.

If your working and not with them accept accidents but when you are home take them out every 30 min regardless as young pups. Harder with small garden but still a small garden is still a garden where they can go toilet.

 

[Which Tyler]

Have just paid for puppy training,4sessions £100 and they come to us. So cant complain. She is quite well behaved but need a few little traits ironing out. I had 3 weeks with her but realised some of the training she needs is outside my knowledge base.

I'd still favour classes rather than one to one, just, don't underestimate the importance of socialising, also training whilst distracted.
Of course, you can always do both, and/or puppy walks and socialising events.

On the subject, and since there's a host of dog owning wisdom hanging out round here ... how realistic is it to house train a puppy in a house in a city (small garden) with both of us working full time?

Is there a way, or is it just not an option?

Very easy, especially if you can take a little time off for the first week or so (highly recommended if at all possible)
Pup should arrive, more-or-less litter trained, so have the "litter" by the door when you're out, outside the door when your around, and they'll go to it.

Incidentally, I'd always favour puppy before kids, but preferably 18+ months before.
If kids first, then more like 2-3 years after the youngest child.
Too close together and the pup won't get the time and attention needed, and will quickly be too boisterous without having the awareness / maturity - especially if not getting the time necessary in that time.

 

[Scotty]

I'd still favour classes rather than one to one, just, don't underestimate the importance of socialising, also training whilst distracted.
Of course, you can always do both, and/or puppy walks and socialising events.

Very easy, especially if you can take a little time off for the first week or so (highly recommended if at all possible)
Pup should arrive, more-or-less litter trained, so have the "litter" by the door when you're out, outside the door when your around, and they'll go to it.

Incidentally, I'd always favour puppy before kids, but preferably 18+ months before.
If kids first, then more like 2-3 years after the youngest child.
Too close together and the pup won't get the time and attention needed, and will quickly be too boisterous without having the awareness / maturity - especially if not getting the time necessary in that time.

My vets do puppy parties. Basicly 5 or 6 other puppies all in a room just to socialising. Plus next door have a labradoodle or what ever it is that is played with often. So one to one should have better results plus the 4th lesson is in public woth distractions.

 

[Which Tyler]

As long as they keep doing the puppy parties, then fine.

With ours we had 2 puppy parties at the vets, 8 group lessons, 10 puppy walks (ending at the dog-friendly pub) various neighbours / family dogs, and daily walks to popular places at popular times and the odd trip into town for pavements, traffic and sheer numners of humans.

The tricky bit was getting them to meet kids, as we didn't have access to any when we needed to for doggo Jr. 40 year old man at the school gates asking kids if they want to say hello to the puppy...

Of course, my way is NOT the only way, and I'm not critiquing anyone who goes a different route; just giving my advice and thoughts.

 

[Scotty]

My house is on the corner next to the play ground the about of kids that have stopped and fussed her through the fence. She is grest around people and kids. We are going to a dog friendly pub today to see what ahe is like

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Poor little mite. Vets won't remove his extra tail and all the other Puppies will shun him.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Any dog owners talk to their dogs like this?

 

[Bada-Bing!]

 

[Scotty]

So my Cav Daisy has just had her Op, unfortunatly no baby 7 Daisy's for me. I started this thread for training her and it did help so thankyou.

I have a happy well behaved(mostly) Cav

She's fine and sleepy but im worried tomorrow she wont have the pain relief thats still in her system and will be in alot more pain.

Ive read the textbook answers on what to look out for.

But what im looking for is personal experiences on anything that happened good or bad. And how your dogs were

 

[Bada-Bing!]

So my Cav Daisy has just had her Op, unfortunatly no baby 7 Daisy's for me. I started this thread for training her and it did help so thankyou.

I have a happy well behaved(mostly) Cav

She's fine and sleepy but im worried tomorrow she wont have the pain relief thats still in her system and will be in alot more pain.

Ive read the textbook answers on what to look out for.

But what im looking for is personal experiences on anything that happened good or bad. And how your dogs were

Wishing your Cav a full and speedy recovery.

 

[Which Tyler]

Glad the advice helped, and you ended up with a happy, healthy pupper.
Pupdates are always welcome.

With the snip, the vets known what they're doing*, and pain shouldn't be too bad. The difficulty I found was not checking the shaved patch too often. If human worries, then pup will worry.


* Though they can be fond of operating too early - which has health benefits, but mental health downsides - which vets don't see.



ETA, this thread needs more pics!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

But what im looking for is personal experiences on anything that happened good or bad. And how your dogs were

My dog was completely fine - kept her in a babygrow rather than going for the cone of shame - just had to keep an eye to make sure she didn't try and go for the stitches and make sure she didn't over exhert herself (jumping onto chairs etc.)
Moped around feeling sorry for herself for a few days but wasn't in any noticeable pain

As WT says: the vets know what they're doing, and it's a very routine procedure. As long as you keep an eye out for anything untoward it'll all be fine

 

[Which Tyler]

Still a lapdog

 

[Scotty]

My dog was completely fine - kept her in a babygrow rather than going for the cone of shame - just had to keep an eye to make sure she didn't try and go for the stitches and make sure she didn't over exhert herself (jumping onto chairs etc.)
Moped around feeling sorry for herself for a few days but wasn't in any noticeable pain

As WT says: the vets know what they're doing, and it's a very routine procedure. As long as you keep an eye out for anything untoward it'll all be fine

First thing she did when ibput her in her bed was get out and jump on the sofa the second i turned my back but she is all good, im keeping a closer eye now. And yes went for the babygrow thing too.

I trust the vets completly and i know its routine but always good to get personal experiences aswell i find.