Training before classes?

[Puppy Madness]

What training methods did you use when your pup was too young to start classes?

Wendell is 10 weeks and very much a crazy puppy. He bites constantly (my poor children) and even growls and snaps at me and my husband. We have tried basic commands with him, but he just bites at us and cant pay attention because he's too busy biting....I think there may be an alpha problem going on too. It seems like he tries to dominate us sometimes. 

Anyway, we need some encouragement. I know a lot of issues just need to be grown out of, but it's getting pretty stressful over here and we would like to see some improvement.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I started with just hand signals with Ragley as far as obedience. Make sure he is getting plenty of exercise and it sounds like you may need to implement "time-outs" if he is getting too unruly. I'm not the one to advise on those, but I'm sure someone here can chime in and help! I empathize with your frustration! Stick with it!

[Alissa Edwards]

I started puppy classes with Farley at 7.5 weeks. I've been using the techniques I learn there as well as on Cesar Millan's 6 dvd set on my dog since he came home and we don't have any issues with growling/biting us yet and he's 9.5 weeks now. 

He already knows sit, down, belly, over, shake, high five and come. He's also been clicked/treated around my 18-month old and 5 year old kids so he literally goes up to them and sits rather than jumping and biting. We also interrupt his eating, hand feed, and make him wait for us to go through doorways first. He also goes out potty then comes in and sits while we take off our coats and then gets a treat. I think these are all things that are supposed to help with the alpha thing.

Oh we also eat a few bites first and then feed him.

Maybe some of those things will help you, too! 

[Adina P]

I do all my own training. IMO it is OK to wait to start real obedience training. Until 16 weeks you have bigger things to work on:
Keeping teeth off people
Keeping four feet on the floor
Accepting body handling
Accepting confinement (crate, leash, baby gates)
Socialization to the world around her and different people of all ages, sounds, streets, cars, etc.
Going potty in the right places, preferably on command.
Then when you do start official training classes her attention span will be a bit better than now because she is older. Keep in mind Puppy Classes are like preschool. Plan to graduate more than preschool to have a well behaved dog.

[Adina P]

Oh and my 8 year old love bug was a JAWS puppy...there is hope!

[Stephanie & Molly]

Check out my response on the "Training a puppy while living in an apartment?" link: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/puppymadness/forum/topic/show?id=...

[Lucy & Ellie]

I know what you're going through!  The more I read, the more convinced I am that being the Alpha is what needs to happen.  I'm reading The Other End of the Leash right now and learning a lot.  These boards have been really helpful too!

Our pup is 12 weeks and just so PUPPY-ISH!  She bites our kids too - I hate it and of course they do too.

Alissa, I am dying to know how you got your pup to sit when she's near your kids.:)