What to Expect when Puppy Expecting

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

While I remain puppy-in-waiting, I've started to brush up (again; last time was 15 years ago) on puppy training, "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete, a puppy training magazine I bought and sent to my son, inquiring at a new dog grooming/training shop that opened nearby.

 

Some ? have come to mind so now's the time to investigate, such as:

1) First night home: use crate or allow pup to sleep in area next to bed for that one night to help ease the transition of being away from litter mates?

2) use of bells attached to door handle to go outside so pup will associate needing to ring them on his own?

3) clicker training to assist with commands - not exactly sure how this is done but wondering if anyone has tried this method.

 

We'd had a trainer come to the house for several sessions shortly after we got our Lab in '95 and he used a pinch collar which worked well but somehow seems a little cruel to me.

 

I'm open to suggestions. Also thinking I ought to compile this all in a book entitled "What to Expect When You're Expecting (a Puppy)!"

 

Thanks in advance,

Susan

[Leigh & Allie]

Allie is 6 months old now so it has been just a little while. The first night we let her stay in her crate but we put the crate in our room. I remember she started to whine just a little bit but when she did I just said "Shh Shh". I have heard of nightmares the first night but we did not have any. She did wake up at around 3 in the morning and I just took her out. No treats no talking no nothing. Just business and back in the crate. During the day I did give treats when she went potty and I gradually cut that out and just praised her. We did not use bells but I have heard of many people who have and they love them. I am just very aware of where Allie is so I never really needed the bells. I did not take to the clicker training. I guess the best advise is to have fun with your puppy. Everything else will work out.

[Julie B.]

My pup is almost 5 months old... I would use the crate but as Leigh said take it up to your room. I put Sydney's crate right beside my bed so if/when she whined I would just hang my hand over the edge right by the crate and she would settle back down. I also spent a few nights on the couch in the family room with her in her crate because it was closer to the door to go potty. Also like Leigh, those early hour potty trips will happen when they are really little but I don't do any talking etc. either. It is all business and then back in crate. I did not use bells but I did use a clicker. The advantages of it are that it really marks the behaviour you are looking for, disadvantage is that I don't always have it with me when I need it so I just use the marking word "YES" to hopefully let her know that was what I wanted. The most important thing with the clicker is to click it at exactly the right moment. For example if you are teaching the sit, click the second the butt hits the floor. Then treat. I found it really helps teaching the down because there are sooo many variations to a puppy's down position. As far as pinch collars go... I don't like them. In fact with my puppies I do not even use a regular collar to walk them with until they are over 7 months old. I use a harness. Puppy's necks are not fully developed for quite awhile so any pulling, choking etc. with a collar can hurt their neck cartilage. Plus as you may remember whenever you are walking a puppy they try to jump and greet everyone but with a harness you don't feel bad just becoming a post and letting them strain against the harness until the person passes you. Good luck with your pup and keep reading this website because there are a lot of folks who have "been there done that".

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

As ones who have been down this road recently, Leigh & Julie, I appreciate your advice. Your pups are adorable!

We'll be timing a puppy arrival with when my son, who will be turning 22 and graduating from college, will be home for the summer prior to starting his job in Aug. and gratefully and excitedly will be taking on the roll of primary trainer in the first several weeks. He's a bright, commited , patient young man and I've no doubt he'll follow the training process with efficiency - still, of course, I want to be involved and must get my husband to participate as well since he had always been a "pushover" for our last dog, Casey (we always joked it was time for Casey to take my husband for a walk!).

I will definitely be checking in for more hints along the way...thanks so much!