Silly Question regarding early days home with puppy

[Alli and Barkley]

If you don't have a fence, did you just take your new puppy out on a leash to go potty?

 

I read a few articles that said puppies need a few days to get used to their collar, and then a few more to get used to having a leash attached.  So, what then do I use to hang on to him in my fence-less yard before he is used to the leash?  Will he not run after the multiple squirrels that frequent my yard? 

[Linda and "Toby"]

I would buy a harness/leash for him. :)

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Alli - hopefully your breeder is putting a collar and leash on your puppy.  Rooney's breeder was already training him to walk on leash at 8 weeks but if that hasn't happened fear not.  A loose puppy is in danger.  We have no fence either and Rooney is leashed EVERY time he pottys.  It actually makes it easier, you get to show them to their potty spot.  If your puppy is loose and gets a case of the zoomies it could dash right into the road.  Start your puppy out by giving a potty command each time you set him on the ground - Rooney is told "get busy".  Now at his age if I take him anyplace and say the command - even if he doesn't have to go - he'll do a squat and try to piddle a drop or two.  Good luck and let us know how it goes!!!! 

[Alli and Barkley]

Thanks!  We got the leash and collar already so guess we will start using it from day one :)

[Jenny & Henry]

I do like the leash aspect in teaching them where you do want them to go.  Henry all ready knows where he's supposed to do #2.  I have a side yard that we use as potty area and then the big open side is play area.  It's nice.  I do look forward to letting him off the leash though, but right now we have some drainage issues in our yard and that is causing some puppy messes that are not poo related.  :(  Hopefully in June we can get them fixed. 

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Barkley is a real cutie! I agree with everyone here -- use the collar (or a harness) and a leash. Forget what the books says. :-)

I would only add take few little treats with you so when he does his business, you can praise him and treat him.  Also, when on the leash, try to give him a reason to follow you....squeaky toy, kissy noises, luring with treats, talking in high pitch happy voice, etc. If you get him to follow you on his own (while on leash), you will be so far ahead when you start your beginning obedience classes. And both are you will be happier about taking walks. :-)

[Lori]

Always use the collar & leash...I wouldn't take a chance even though he is a puppy. If Casper saw a bird or a squirrel he would TAKE OFF after it!

[Adina P]

Maybe you can ask your trainer to put a collar on your pup and let him drag a leash around now and then to get used to it.  It doesn't necessarily take days.  I had a collar on Rosco ASAP -- you might find your pup does FINE with his collar and if you let him drag a light leash around he'll get used to that too.  It really helps to leash a puppy for potty outings even if you HAVE a fenced yard. A lot of people do so to train their puppy to go potty in a specific area.

[Daelene & Molly]

I did not use a leash at first, big mistake!  Molly would just run around the yard and not potty....until we got back into the house.  Once we leashed her and kept her on the leash until she would "go potty", she really became house trained and learned to do her business outside right away, then she got to explore out back.

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

Even though our yard is completely fenced, I always took Barley out on a leash and collar. He needed to learn that outside was for potty time. Once he did his business, than I would finally take off the leash so he could play. If you don't use the leash first, Barkley might get distracted. Your breeder might be working with Barkley already. Barley never had an issue with his collar, and he also sat at my feet from day one to be patiently fed. So, I suspect breeders do some initial training. If Barkley hates his collar, you could try a harness. I think someone else mentioned that.

 

Also, there are no silly questions! Well, except when my student asked if she could use her iPhone to look up an answer on a test, but that's another story...

[Alli and Barkley]

LOL!  You are all the BEST!

So far I have learned

 

1) YES Leash

2) Maybe on early socialization

3) I give up on choosing between grain free or grain included

4) some love dog parks, some wouldn't be caught dead there

5) Barkley may weigh more than 70lbs, or he may be smaller

6)  Puppy training should or should not be done outside the house

 

Most important I have learned that I have a HUGE support group whenever I have doodle issues, problems, or just want to brag.  Seriously, so happy that I have found all of you!!!  Everyone has different opinions, and often times on forums that leads to petty arguments- but I truly feel that everyone on this site respects each others' decisions- it's such a breath of fresh air