Please Help a New Pet Parent

[Ozzy - Courtney]

Good Morning everyone!

I got Ozzy Friday morning and he is just a ball of fun. He is eight weeks old and is adjusting very well. I was expecting him to cry all night his first night but he did. His first two nights here he slept all night without being in his create and he didn't make a mess in the room.

I am a first time pet parent as an adult and this is all new to me. Therefore, I have a few questions. How long did it take your doodle to learn his name? This is day three and it seems like he is not responding to it at all. Also, I've been trying to teach him the sit command by holding the treat in front of his nose and then above his head. However, instead of sitting he will stand up on his hind legs. What am I doing wrong? Honestly, any tip as far a training would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!!

[Christine]

Hi!
I am fairly new as my doodle will be 2 years old in a few months. She was my first puppy too.

First off, what a cutie! I know you will get lots of great responses from the more knowledgeable pet parents here. I just wanted to say be patient. :) They are very smart dogs and will catch on super fast. Sounds like he is doing great with his potty training. Nala not only learned her name but we swear she understands everything we say! Lol. Just be consistent and enjoy that cutie pie! She does so many "tricks" as well.

We taught Nala things in steps. Like with potty training. She knows how to use a wee pad in an emergency (a blizzard we don't want to go out in...lol). She knows to go in one spot in our yard. She knows how to go in the street and not on anyone's grass, and she knows how to ring her potty bells to tell us she has to go potty.

I am sure others can help you out with the specifics/tips. I read so many books before she came home, but honestly I just went with instinct and common sense when training her. Our girl is amazing :)
Best of luck with Ozzie!
Christine & Miss Nala

[Ozzy - Courtney]

Hi Christine & Miss Nyla! She is such a cutie! You're right...I'm being very patient! LOL

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Welcome! Join the Puppy Madness group, if you haven't already done so- lots of good information in there. 

I would hold off on teaching "sit" and other commands until he has settled in more. As far as learning their name, my dogs learned it the first day, but all dogs are different. Say "Ozzy" in an excited voice, and the second he looks at you, praise him. No treat needed- just verbal- "Yes, Ozzy! Good Ozzy!" He'll catch on quick, don't worry.

I would be careful about not crating him at night. Just because he did well the first 2 nights, doesn't mean that will continue. And, then when he does mess up, you'll have to back track and it will be confusing for him. 

Good luck! Pups are fun but hard work!  :-)

[Ozzy - Courtney]

It was my plan to use the crate. I even brought the snuggle puppy and everything. But you're right I think I will get him use to being in his crate as well.

[Dolly Dykhouse]

Ozzy is a doll Courtney, what a cutie!

I have two crates as we have a two story house. The first two nights Henry did really well (he has a snuggle puppy too!), unfortunately he also had giardia and by night 3 we were up multiple times each night for a few weeks. By the time Henry was 14 weeks old he was doing well at night with potty training but was really restless and flopped around in his crate all night long, turns out he was hot and could not get comfortable. I moved his dog bed to my side of the bed and put up a gate on my doorway so he couldn't leave the bedroom and left his crate door open. Henry prefers sleeping on the cool tile in my bathroom over the crate, dog bed or carpet and we are all sleeping better. I still crate him downstairs whenever I need to leave the house and confine him to our smaller family room to keep an eye on him while I am downstairs. At 19 weeks he is potty trained with only the occasional accident from my lack of attention, knows how to sit, stay, come and walks on a leash really well (until we see a human or dog and then its game on LOL) and we start his formal training tomorrow! 

Have fun with your new baby!

[Ozzy - Courtney]

Thank you!! Ozzy has definitely been a fun so far. Congrats on having you puppy mostly potty trained at 19 weeks. With Ozzy being 9 weeks, I know I have a long road ahead of me. LOL. I got him a snuggle puppy but I haven't used it yet. I think it's time now because he cried all night last night in his play pen. He's fine throughout they day but the moment he goes into his playpen, cover your ears. 

[Dolly Dykhouse]

It is hard Courtney but oh so rewarding! I have never had an experience with a dog like I have had with Henry. Potty training is hard and there will be setbacks...just when you think wow, I think he's got it; oops, nope. We have had one or two in the last couple of weeks where it was entirely my fault by being distracted. The crate really does help in multiple ways, especially potty training as they are so reluctant to soil their sleeping area. It was because of the crate that we had such success in no accidents at night and were able to allow Henry to have the freedom of our bedroom at night.

The snuggle puppy helped the first couple of weeks, he would lay on it to hear/feel the vibration from the heartbeat. When it became more of a chew toy I put it up and away for our next doodle. (and yes, crazy as that sounds we will add a playmate for Henry before his first birthday...now it is a matter of getting his formal training down so he is a good role model).

[Ozzy - Courtney]

Oh and I'm about to join the puppy madness group now. Thanks!!!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Welcome, and congratulations on cute, little Ozzy! I wouldn't concern myself with much formal training for the time being. Sit, stay, drop it, leave it, come, wait -- all of these will come with time and practice. For now, I would concentrate on using the crate and teaching Ozzy to do his business outdoors. I'd focus on encouraging Ozzy to learn to look at you ("watch me") and become comfortable in his crate overnight and when you cannot keep an eye on him. He will learn his name quickly! 

[Ozzy - Courtney]

Thanks for the advise!! I never thought about training him to "watch me." I think I will leave the formal training alone for now. I was just so excited. Lol.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

It's very easy -- just hold a small treat between your eyes, and say, "Ozzy, watch me." When he looks at you and it's clear that you've established eye contact, say, "Good boy," and give him the treat. The goal is for him to look at you for direction, and this is the first step in establishing that behavior. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

He is just darling and you have a great experience ahead of you becoming a doodle parent.  I got my first doodle in 2003 and have had several since then.  They are the greatest dogs.  If you have a puppy training class near you, I would sign up for that.  As a novice with a puppy, it will be very helpful for you and Ozzy.  Potty training is the big thing now.  I always take my puppies out once during the night, carry them out, put them down in the spot I want them to use and tell them "Go potty."  Give them a few minutes and then pick back up and take back inside.  Never let them run around and play on a potty break.  I don't use crates except for transporting in the car when they are puppies, but mine have used baby playpens during training.  As soon as they are responsibly house trained, they sleep wherever they want.  We have beds and sleeping mats scattered throughout the house.  However, when it is warm, they prefer the cool tiles in the kitchen or bath for naps.  Enjoy your new pup and the new relationship in your life.