smashtank

Puppy school was good! I learnt a few new things about training which I wasn't doing (like getting him to learn his name doing the sit and then treat quickly up to your eye when you say his name). A few other things like not repeating commands and only using his name when I actually have a purpose (guess I'll revert back to Mr Frenchie / Squishy / Mr Squishyface during play time :laugh: ). I always forget Tank will never understand me (yes, I chat to him quite a bit!). There were only two other dogs there though. One lady was sick so she didn't show up. Another puppy (another Frenchie!) was sick so he didn't come but the owner did. There was a very, very timid Japanese Spitz who didn't get to play because she was scared (although she was doing the play drop towards the end). There was one nightmare puppy - she was either 16 or 18 weeks. Jumping everywhere and up to her owner and the trainers. Pulling on her harness. On a retractable lead... Barking at Tank and the Spitz. She was actually scared of Tank when it came to play time, but eventually calmed down and let Tank chase her around. I don't know what breed - she looked like a cattle dog but was coloured and a bit fluffy like a St Bernard. The owner said she was a rescue. She was very poorly socialised I think - the owner said this was the first time she'd every really met / played with another dog . My boy was AMAZING. He basically just sat around on his mat ignoring the commotion of the other puppy and chewed on a pig ear the trainer gave him while she was going through the theory the whole time. Tank already does a pretty much perfect sit (especially if he has any inkling there is food/treats around - he will litterly just drop into a sit ). He played well - he wasn't scared of the other two puppies or the people. No barking. No jumping... The trainers used him for a few of the examples. I think I'm doing a pretty good job with him - I'm not SUPER fussed on teaching him a bunch of tricks, but I am happy that he seems relatively relaxed, obedient and knows who is boss. Early days still, but I think he's doing well. Honestly - given how Tank has been with people / other dogs since day one, I am SO glad that I really got him out and about safely to socialise and see the world...

Oh Lordy that sounds like Tank. Lots of owners let our dogs meet on the street and Tank just wants to play with them all. And when he meets another Frenchie.... The excitement is too much haha! This will be an interesting evening...!

OMG just try and feed my puppy... Just try... I dare them...! Who would do that

Thanks! I grew up at Forresters Beach on the Central Coast. I got out of that place when I was 17 and haven't looked back My Dad lives by Terrigal beach though which is why I have to visit once a month or so... I don't know what it is about 'Coasties' though - can be an odd bunch...! I was thinking for the people, but it is a sound idea for both. I am thinking about it if the chewing pants legs carries on. Haha. I will tell you what though. I am so excited for puppy school. If nothing else it will tire out Gus and we will have a night without the post-dinner sillies. I can't wait for puppy school tonight - so excited to see how he behaves. I'm praying he doesn't terrorize the other puppies for an hour! I'm wondering if he'll be the most socialised pup there... Thanks!

I will def use the baby line on the next person - cant wait for the reaction. I've resorted to the spray bottle occasionally - Tank seems to have stopped ankle biting because of it! Hehe...

OMG! I had an argument at a cafe yesterday because some stupid girl (okay she was probably early 20s) thought it was fine to walk up to Tank (whilst on her phone) and get down on her needs and pat him and shove her hand in his mouth to chew. Needless to say, I was GOBSMACKED at how rude she was - she didn't even acknowledge my existence! I don't understand why people (a) think it's okay to pat your dog without as much as a 'hello' to you beforehand, and then (b) act like you're the f-wit when you tell them off. Honestly... I know I have a super cute puppy and all, but ASK me before you pat him and PLEASE don't shove your horribly manicured fingers in his mouth when I'm desperately trying to teach him that humans are not for biting. : It actually happened to me a few times yesterday while we were sitting at the cafe (at Terrigal on the Central Coast). It's funny - where I live (Potts Point, Sydney) everyone is super friendly and chats and asks before they pat Tank. Drive 1.5 hours north and suddenly its like people are bred without manners and training. :p

I'd probably take him with you to school and carry him for one of the two trips and leave him for the other. I think with Tank one of the best things I did from day one was take him everywhere to meet new people, see new sights and smell new things. Now (at 12 weeks) he walks on his lead on the footpath completely unfazed by other dogs, people, birds (although he jumped this morning when three cockatoos flew off in a hurry), motorbikes, noisy rubbish trucks, etc. My partner and I work full time so Tank has had to learn quickly to deal with being alone. He does really well now - just plays in his pen and sleeps in his crate during the day (I pop home at lunch and usually find him snoozing). He makes next to no fuss now when he's left alone in his pen although he doesn't really play in there at all when we're in the house - I think he has developed a bit of an issue with his pen - ie he knows that if I close the gate we're going out or he is having a time out from us.

Tank is starting puppy school today! I'm nervous :laugh: I hope he behaves. All he seems to want to do with other dogs is play, play and then play some more...! At least he's not scared of them I guess. I don't suppose there are any others starting puppy school at Pet Barn in Alexandria today? ----------------------------- Here are some pics from the weekend: He loves walking with a leaf in his mouth He wasn't impressed the first day I tried to take him for a walk

Hey guys! So happy Tank has had his second shot finally. The vet told us we could have been walking him on paths in our area already though. There is parvovirus in Woolloomooloo / Potts Point / Elizabeth Bay (who'd have thought?!) so he said probably best to keep avoiding parks for a bit. Question, what about the beach? I'd love to take Tank down the the beach on Monday when I visit my dad on the Central Coast (he lives a couple minutes walk from Terrigal).

Tank has his 12 week shot on Friday (a couple of days early but that's ok). Can't wait to walk him on paths. He has sooooo much damn energy! Still struggling to get him to walk on his lead without trying to chew his lead or hold it in his mouth. A handful of treats seems to be the only way to entice him. I'm hoping that when he gets outside he gets overwhelmed and ignores the lead. Still peeing everywhere

Puppy tired at work today... :laugh:

At least he's a boy. I always feel slightly confused/disturbed when female dogs hump lol my dad's female jack Russell humps pillows.........

LOL! I'm desperately trying to get Tank to learn No and Stop. If only to stop him chewing! i got a bit pissed at him this morning - he kept biting my toes. Popped him in his pen for time out - not appreciated by him to say the least...

Phew - glad its semi normal! Was worried I had another behaviour to stamp out

Is this normal? Tank has this one particular toy (a little stuffed lion) and I just noticed him humping it! Tank is only 11 weeks this coming Sunday. It so far seems to be only his lion.

Hmmm... Okay I'll get a cheap crap one for now. He's a Frenchie.

I just went for a walk to get thai take out with Tank. He met an 11 week old Frenchie pup. The other pup was barking in his face and Tank barely batted an eyelid. I think I have a good boy! (Touch wood)

Totally ignoring his dinner and having a right old scratch. So funny watching him walk around trying to scratch at the same time

Hmm. I got a chain lead but he just chews and chews. I might put his collar on before dinner tonight and then feed him. He's not going to like it...!

So just let him chew and scratch?

How do you guys have success with your pups and getting them used to collars and leads? Tank scratches his collar like crazy (not ideal seeing as it is a $50 leather collar :laugh: ). I try getting him to relax and stop him and then reward with treats but he just starts up again. When I just tried putting a lead on him too he went nuts - just tried chewing it constantly. He would walk, but only with the lead in his mouth and then if we stop walking, he goes nuts trying to chew his lead and nothing I do stops him. I try and hold him in one place but that doesn't seem to help he just wriggles like nuts. Any tips?

I took Tank out everyday in my arms and make sure to do a combo of busy and not busy places. I already think its paying off - he's so amazingly good and relaxed with everyone he meets inc kids

I avoid starving myself if at all possible :laugh:

I think it's so weird how they can vomit if they're hungry. Little monsters

I like the smell now lol I haven't opened the $80 bottle of Urine Off I bought.... *facepalm*