Training activities and schedule

[Sheeba Daniel]

Hi Everyone! I am brand new to Doodle Kisses and we brought home our sweet Goldendoodle, Tessy, about a week ago when she was 7 weeks. Now at 8 1/2 weeks old, we are starting to get the hang of (well sort of) puppy parenting. We are still putting a lot of effort into potty training and just really started to crate, potty, play, crate routine. I think we were giving her too much freedom and while we tried to watch her like a hawk we were always cleaning up messes. 

My question is about activities for training (mental and physical) and playtime by herself and in the crate. What activities (training and play) do you and your Doodle puppy do together and encourage to do by themselves? I know puppies sleep 14-16 hours a day but wanted to get ideas for now and for the next several weeks (before she has her full set of shots complete and we can take her out more).  Right now I do some light leash training, sit, stay, down and to stay/wait for her food. She has chew toys, bully sticks and Kongs which she engages with for 10-15 minutes. For those who are at home a lot with their Doodle, I would love to hear about a typical day/schedule with your puppy. Thanks so much. 

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Orwell and I would have training sessions like you described, but we quickly got bored with the standard stuff because he is so smart and is attached to me like you wouldn't believe. He will literally do anything for me if it is in his power. With that in mind, I started teaching him fun stuff like: shake, high five, jump, kisses, etc. I would also recommend teaching your dog to lay on their side. It comes in handy at the vet's office for examination and x-rays. The vet will praise you for it, lol. You can do this by physically putting your dog on their side and pinning them down (not too hard). She will probably struggle at first and you may feel bad (my trainer always does this when she gets a new dog and she feels like she's killing the poor thing). When she settles, gradually let go of your grip on her and say "on your side." If she moves at all, correct her and repeat the process. It is always hard the first time (I wrestled with my boy for a solid 45 minutes the first time mostly because he was a big puppy... hopefully your girl is smaller than my boy, lol), but after they understand what you want from them, it isn't a big deal anymore and when you manipulative them and say, "on your side," they won't move until you give them the okay to move. 

Also, if there is an open field somewhere that you feel comfortable with, I would start training "come" with the aid of a long line. After your dog is reliable off lead, and has all of her vaccines, she may like to play ball a bit and keep away with the ball. Orwell loves me chasing him with the ball. Just make sure she knows "drop" before you do that. We also go through the play structure obstacles in the park... also a good training experience especially if you are thinking about doing agility.

As far as entertaining himself, he loves chewing and I give him cow hooves, antlers (be careful with these because they could break teeth if your dog is a hard core chewer), and a nylabone like thing infused with wood. I'm also going to try a tough cloth chew toy soon because he loves cloth and throwing things to himself.

Hopefully this helps and welcome to DK!

Tessy is adorable. :)  

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Katie, this sounds like an alpha roll that you're recommending to train - ? I'm just wondering, maybe you can clarify... "Alpha rolls" are controversial - thought to interfere with bonding, cultivate mistrust, etc. I had one trainer early on recommend this type of forced 'down' for Rip but we quickly abandoned.
Anyway, Sheba it sounds like you're already off to a good start. The only thing I'd add would be taking her out to calmly, positively see worldly "things" in your neighborhood while you hold her - for us it was the train, people coming off the train, construction workers and equipment, buses, bicycles, skateboards, Home Depot, people of all races, sizes, ages, winter clothing, etc. -anything she will be exposed to for future, so she will be familiar and unconcerned. We also had friendly/healthy vaccinated doggy-pup play dates in our backyard! So much fun. Enjoy and welcome! :)

[Sheeba Daniel]

I really like the idea of walking her in my arms around the neighborhood. - thanks. I have taken her with me to pick up the kids from school and it's really great to see her happy to be with all the kids and to see my kids' friends go nuts over her. She is 8 1/2 week and 13 lbs so holding an excited puppy is definetly a work-out for me - LOL.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Totally a workout - they must make a version of Baby Bjorne Carrier for pups - puppy Bjorne? ;). I didn't do this but remember that some put their pups in a wagon, tethered and toted them around. In Home Depot he was in the cart. I kept pea sized treats with me and when he did a calm greeting or was brave, I'd treat him. It is so lovely to see all the smiles a new puppy brings! Enjoy her...

[Sheeba Daniel]

Thanks for your reply - I am definetly going to try some of the more physical activities you suggested once she is fully vaccinated. 

[Rhoda and Asta]

Tessy is such a cutie.  I am retired, so am home with Asta.  

1. A typical day starts between 6:30-7:30 a.m. when he wakes up.  We go outside to potty.  We come back and I go back to bed. Asta sleeps with me.  So returning to the bedroom has become routine for him.  He will amuse himself and sometimes go back to sleep.  
2. We get up again around 9:00 a.m. and go out for potty.  Come back in for breakfast and water (freely available rest of day).  
3. After breakfast, it's play/training time outside is weather permits.  He loves fetch with his balls and watching Mommy acting silly when he brings the back back.  He is learning how to walk on the leach and heel.  Still a work in progress--he still bites the leach when he wants to go in a different direction from Mommy.  
4. When we come back in (potty before coming in), he amuses himself with his toys, searching for snacks hidden around the house,in his crate, and in his Kong treat toy while I do other things.  
5. Around 1 or so, he's ready for a nap.
6. When he wakes, it potty time.
7. Weather permit, he plays in the backyard. (Potty before coming in.)  I have a large fenced yard.
8. Around 5 or so, it's dinner time. 30 min or so after dinner, it potty and go walkies.
9. Potty around 8.  He amuses himself until bedtime.
10. He gets sleepy around 9:00-9:30 p.m.
11. Last potty 10:00 or 10:30 p.m.
12. Our day ends between 11:00 and mid-night.

[Sheeba Daniel]

Thanks for the detailed schedule - this really is helpful. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

There has been lots of discussion here about the Doggy Dan Online Training Program, and he actually ran special pricing for Doodle Kisses a while back. If you search on the site you'll connect to these prior discussions. I can absolutely recommend this program. I believe is specific and very balanced.  He starts with when you bring your puppy home and goes from there with exercises and strategies.  Here's a link to his site....http://theonlinedogtrainer.com/. 

[Sheeba Daniel]

Thanks so much for the info on Doggy Dan Online Training. I of course looked at a ton of You Tube videos and read articles but never really came across Doggy Dan. Just signed up for a free 3 day trial and the instruction/ideas on the site have been so helpful.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Great!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Here's a link to the initial discussion and contest....http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/spring-training-2014?comme...