First Puppy Training
 

Trixie and I went to her first puppy training today. They let all 25 dogs play for a little bit first to get aquainted. Of course, Trixie thinks she is about 10 times bigger than she actually is so she runs right up to the first big puppy she sees to play. It only took one big hit with the dogs paw and Trixie was down... I guess she learned her size... She didn't start playing until they put us in the small and shy dog area...

She impressed everybody though with her 'watch me' and 'sit' command. She's never looked prouder...

That is so great! The yorkie is showin em up. 25 is a large class. Wow.

yeah, 25 is a LARGE class. I am starting mine today actually at 7 pm eastern time.. Class gets full at 9 students. I wonder how my channel will act. I joined the 5 month or 6 month puppy class. Even though mine is 8 months. They told me cuz of her size, they will let her in. She is super hyper.. Let me ask you, maybe you can post before i get off work to my first class with her. what did you guys do. They thought how to sit and teh watchme command in the first day? is this good, normal? What is the WATCHME command?

They let the pups play together first and get acquainted. Then they did a 'pass the puppy' play, where we had to pass our puppy in a circle and get them to socialize with other people. And they told us a bunch of things on how to deal with your puppy. The last part of the class was the 'watch me' and 'sit' command. 'Watch me' is making your puppy look at you (helpful when there are a lot of distractions around)... and then of course 'sit'.

Have fun!!!!

Thanks, I hope i have fun. lol. I bet will. I just hope she pays attention. I was acutally readin the Clicker technique and it seems very usefull. I will ask them about it, and see if its good to teach it while in class or wait till whole class is over and see how far she got. :fingerscrossed:

The trainer at PetSmart suggested we teach our puppy 'watch me' by holding a treat up to our eyes, thereby requiring the puppy to look directly at our face. Worked really well.

yeah thats exactly how the clicker training shows you too. here take a look. Someone else on here put the link, and i read it. ITs great.

http://www.clickerlessons.com/lessons.html

We were taught 'watch me' too by holding up a treat between your eyes.

How did the first puppy training go? What did you do? What did you learn?

I am wondering how old your Yorkies were when you first attempted formal training? My Wosie is 9 weeks old.

Trixie is 5 months. I wanted to start earlier (3,5 months), but the class was full, so I had to wait...

Chanel is 8 months old.

Yesterday was the first day of puppy training. Well it was basically a get to know basics..

There were 9 other puppies there. Surprisingly(sp), my Chanel was no longer super hyper, she calmed down and at times acting like all shy and sometimes afraid. I guess too many other dogs and strange people.

Trainer said that its normal for a dog to act the way they do. Out of nervouseness(sp), they might get agressive, afraid, start barking, crying and even start shaking. All dogs differ. Mine was just scared of others.

Trainer said, even if you live with 7 other people in the house and have 3 dogs, that doesnt count. BECUASE THEY GET USED TO THOSE PEOPLE AND DOGS AND ARE NOT GOOD SOCIAL DOGS WHEN IT COMES TO STRANGERS.

So yeah the class was basically to tell us, about what we will be doing, potty training, and they gave us a clicker. Told us what colars to use and all.

Baught Chanel more treats, crate, bedding and we got homework. Basically the homework is on how to pair the clicker with the treat. For example: If you walk outside with your dog and you see it start pooping.. or peeing, tell it calmly, (example words I use, you could use whatever you like) "Go pee pee". And repeat it to her until she is done. Then PRAISE her by CLICKING (this will make her look at you, since she hears a click), and then treat. CLick and Treat.

So i had to practice at home. click and treat, click and treat,. until she learned somewhat that everytime i clicked was becuase a treat was comming.

Also the homework said the usual: potty training, if indoors, with pads, USE MORE THAN 1. Have about 3 around the house. IF SHE HAS AN ACCIDENT. GET TOILET PAPER, CLEAN IT AND WITH THAT TOILET PAPER, TOUCH THE PADS TO GIVE IT HER SMELL. Do not change the pads daily, do it about every 3 days. And not all at once. Becuase they will only go back to places were they smell. So if you put 3 out, after 3 days change one. (the stinkiest one) then 3 days later or whatever you want, change the another. The trick is to keep at least 1 with the pee on it so she can go and you have less accidents.

Another thing that i didnt do before which she said to start doing. In training to go outside, I suppose CRATE training, ALWAYS TAKE HER OUTSIDE WITH A LEASH!!!!! Training=Leash. And it will teach your dog to do her thing in a certain area, instead of going all over the outside and eating everthinng in its path ot whatnot..(This all depends also on you housing, i mean, if you got small concrete back yard and no grass let her loose i suppose. But like me for example, i got drive way, walk ways, and alot of grass area. So i think i will hold on leash instead of her eating and hunting lizards like she does.)

Also she said, get a treat bag, to put behind on your back, it goes on your belt or waist. But behind you were the dog cant see it. Becuase if you got treats and she/he hears the foil package, or wrapper, or how ever your treats are, she will be more concentrated on the noise of them.

And last, CRATE, to get them associated with it. After you have done some click and treat, to get her to pay attention to you. Put a trail of treats or crumbs going into the crate. Making her/him feel safe and doesnt think you are punishing her/him. Then close the door, for about 30 seconds. Let them out, put treat again inside, and leave them in there 1 minute, giving them treats while inside to make them feel good for being inside. Then let them out and play, click and treat, and again put them inside and associate the crate with treats and toys she likes to make her feel comfy and safe.

Well thats all i can remember right now. So i guess no to practice more click and treat and to get her use to her new bed.......

Oh my goodness, you remembered so much, and so many things you said were wonderful tips and hints on puppy training! I appreciate you so much!! Thank you!

Glad

No problem.. i will post more next time i go to class next tuesday on training.. I will try to remember as much as can. I just wish i didnt have to work to get this hands on practice more intense.... I work 9-4 and cant really do it. Last night i put her in her crate, she stayed in for about 4 minutes till she started crying and trying to dig her way out. I waited, feeling SOOO BAD!!!, for her to calm down and be quiet, then i let her out and click and treat for being in there.. Did thise 2 times only last night. Only time i have. But weekend come, full black practice to at least have her set on the clicket that way she can kind of be ahead if not ready for class on tuesday. Which i suppose they will teach use hands on, on how to sit, and stay maybe, even heel. who knows.. i am so excited!!!!

Ooooh! I am green with envy about your clicker training class. I would love to go to one.

I like that they said leash means training. My 2 are 10 weeks old. They will let me put their harness on now & are actually walking around a little in them. They usually pout & go & take a nap & won't move around. I can't get them to walk on a leash yet but I'm sure in a couple more days they will get the hang of it.

I c/t when they potty outside & I have pee pad in the house too. They are starting to get the hang of it using the pads when inside & bathroom outside too. They prefer going outside.