Gender: Male
Age: 3 Years
Size: 27\" to shoulder
Training
We hope you find our training tips below useful. For training classes, please visit: http://www.apdt.co.uk/choosing_dog_trainer_uk.asp.
Introducing a New Dog
The first meeting should always be on neutral ground and preferably outside.
Walk both dogs parallel to each other and at a distance where they are relaxed. Gradually move the two dogs closer together and if they appear to be comfortable with each other, release them and allow them to meet. Avoid meeting while on lead, as a tense lead may cause problems. If you are worried about the recall of either dog, then allow a long line to trail. Keep the meeting brief and call each dog away after the initial greeting. Treat both dogs and allow them to meet again. Try to keep the meeting controlled and low key. Pay particular attention to the dogs' body language and notice if either dog is becoming tense. If you notice tension building, move the dogs apart to a distance where they are relaxed, and attempt the exercise again.
Stealing
This is an easy one. Just teach him to retrieve things and bring them to you rather than legging it down the garden.
Mouthing & Biting
These tips are intended for puppy mouthing and nipping. It is a normal stage that all puppies go through. If you have an older dog that you feel is biting aggressively, then contact your vet straight away. He will be able to rule out any medical problems and will refer you to a qualified behaviourist if necessary.
Leave It
To start, hold a tasty treat in a closed fist and show it to the puppy. Say nothing but wait until she gives up trying to take the treat from your fist and pulls her nose back. As she does this, quickly present her with a treat from the other hand. Do this several times until she is reliably moving her nose away every time that you present a fist to her.
Jumping Up
Jumping is one of those behaviours that is incredibly easy to cure in a controlled environment....and then real life gets in the way.
The principle is simple. Never give a dog any attention unless all four feet are on the ground. That means don't look at, speak to or touch. Any attention - waving arms, telling off or shouting is still attention. Fold your arms, turn your back and ignore the dog completely until he is standing quietly. Then stroke and praise calmly. If there is any sign of a 'bounce' remove your hands immediately and turn your back again.
Whistle Recall
Imagine that you are listening to music or watching something interesting on the television; you may hear your partner chatting in the background but you are not really listening to what they are saying. The 'phone rings and you immediately take notice. You are conditioned to pay attention to the telephone. A whistle can have the same effect on a dog. If you spend time and effort conditioning the dog to react immediately, you will have a fast and reliable recall.
Recall
We’ve all been there. Fluffy has been to training school and shown how clever and obedient she is. The recall was particularly good and now, walking along the edge of the field, you are finding it difficult not to feel a little smug. In the distance she spots two figures and she realises that they are none other than Leonberger DiCaprio and Johnny Deppoddle. You hardly see her for dust as she zooms towards them at a rate of knots. “Fluffy come!” You call. “Fluffeeee Come!” You shout. “FLUFFY COME!!” You scream. “FLUFFY $%£*&^ COME HERE YOU LITTLE &^%$£$%^”. Nothing. She is cavorting around with her chums and is oblivious to your protestations.
Crate Training
Firstly, tie back the door of the crate so that the puppy has freedom to come and go as he wishes. A piece of vet bed on the floor, a bolt on water bowl and chew resistant toys placed in the back. Instead of feeding from a bowl (him not you!) put all food into kongs. The action of chewing and licking is relaxing in itself.
Toilet Training
If you do not want your puppy to wee inside, then don't bother with paper training, (cheap way to train a puppy to urinate in the house) or puppy pads (expensive way to train a puppy to urinate in the house). If you decide to ignore this advice, then don't blame me when you sit down to read the Sunday supplements and puppy wee drips off the culture section and onto your marmalade on toast.
