This is your first puppy? Look into crate training.New puppy for my wife and I. Petra is almost 10 weeks old. Please send suggestions regarding puppy training, house training, dealing with sharp puppy teeth and playful biting. It’s not clear that we can leave Petra alone for extended periods, for example two hours. If this is possible, my wife and I can ski from 9-11am.
Photo, waiting for my wife to return home.
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Definitely agree to look into crate training. Our pup loves his crate and it’s where he retreats when he wants some time alone, so he clearly feels safe there. Also gives you peace of mind that you won’t come home to destruction or worse.New puppy for my wife and I. Petra is almost 10 weeks old. Please send suggestions regarding puppy training, house training, dealing with sharp puppy teeth and playful biting. It’s not clear that we can leave Petra alone for extended periods, for example two hours. If this is possible, my wife and I can ski from 9-11am.
Photo, waiting for my wife to return home.
View attachment 194373
Someone is fishing!
while a bit silly sounding, I'd noted when pooches nip or bite too hard, giving out a yelp helps.Definitely agree to look into crate training. Our pup loves his crate and it’s where he retreats when he wants some time alone, so he clearly feels safe there. Also gives you peace of mind that you won’t come home to destruction or worse.
For puppy teeth & biting, we were told to think like a dog and decide what the “reward” for a behaviour is. They want you and your attention, so if they nip you need to “be a tree” - stand up, hands tucked into armpits so nothing to jump at, back to them with no eye contact, and no talking. As soon as they stop nipping, lots of cuddles and talking to them again. Once we got all of us in the house doing that, our dog stopped nipping for attention.
It’s not clear that we can leave Petra alone for extended periods, for example two hours. If this is possible, my wife and I can ski from 9-11am.
Our puppy likes her crate. She sleeps in her crate for about 7 hours, from 10pm (last outside visit) to 5:20 am without any accidents. We feed her in the kitchen with a gate to keep her on the wood floors and avoid our area rugs. We put her outside after she eats and drinks and go on a long walk 2-3 times day. On my walk, we work on "sit" and "here" (come). She responds well to these commands and gets lots of pets and the occasional treat.Leaving your puppy at home in a crate for 2 hours should be very doable, but will take some time to get the pup acclimated to the crate. If you feed them in the crate, they quickly associate the crate with 'good things.' If you rush it, they may start to think it's a punishment.
Leaving for the day takes longer. Puppies cannot hold it for long time until they get to ~6 months old. Varies per dog I guess.
There will be accidents as you all figure it out. Get a crate that is easy to clean. That wire one in the picture is a bad idea for a puppy (in my opinion). Soft bedding is also not good. They can shred it and choke. Best to let them sleep on the plastic floor.
All you can do is give them the best life possible and be grateful they made your life better. It’s the deal we make with them, all we can do is hold our end of the deal up.Had to put the wolf down today. Voted most handsome howler 16 years running. View attachment 194611
Sucks. I hate this part of having dogs.
That’s the trick- getting everyone to go along with the training. Pups especially, are like kids, they figure out who the “ Softy” is real quick.As soon as they stop nipping, lots of cuddles and talking to them again. Once we got all of us in the house doing that, our dog stopped nipping for attention.
So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful face.Had to put the wolf down today. Voted most handsome howler 16 years running. View attachment 194611
Sucks. I hate this part of having dogs.
Is the wood a pick up or is it there for a barrier/stop point for your pooch?View attachment 194720
There is nothing better than when your dad takes you to the bank drive thru that gives you treats!
Good observation! It was a pickup from Lowe’s on the way. Sulley loves to ride, so he’s a perfect gentleman in the car.Is the wood a pick up or is it there for a barrier/stop point for your pooch?
Originally when my daisy and brownie scouts brought him home while dealing cookies as "A German Shepard, just like I always wanted"... It was Buddy. A bunny hunting neighbor found him under a bush. Pretty sure he was a drop off as no one close claimed him. He had separation anxiety badSo sorry for your loss. What a beautiful face.
What's your dog's name?