Puppy Discipline

[Sticks1977]

Fraser is a chocolate labrador and is the first pet that me and my partner have had, we have grown up with family pets but never owned a puppy from the get-go. He has been an absolute joy to have around home and most of the time he is really happy to be around us, and us around him.

The only question I really have is in relation to discipline and teaching him right from wrong. He seems to respond quite well at times but other times he just ignores us and continues on his rampant ways. Fraser is 9 weeks old today and he really loves the company of us around him. It's not un-common for him to fall asleep as the base of our feet.

However, when he does get into a bit of trouble (biting/pulling our dressing gowns, biting the rug under the coffee table) we give him a stern "No!" and try and substitute what he is biting with one (of many) of his toys. Eventually after the third warning and he is still not paying attention we pick him up and put him in the bathroom and close the door.

He whines and cries for a little while and after 2-3 minutes we turn the light on (handy as the light switch is on the outside of the bathroom) and we let him back out. After this he is usually well behaved and will play with his own toys as opposed to biting and playing with things he shouldnt.

But in the back of my mind I have wondered whether this is the correct approach? He does seem to realise what he has done wrong when we let him out of the bathroom. We would never hit him or try to punish him in a cruel way so is this the right way to go about it or should we just accept that he is being a puppy and that in his eyes he is just playing?

Any advice would be appreciated, I am rather new here to the board (and very new to puppy ownership) so at times I become a bit unsure and cautious. Thanks to all in advance and I'm glad I've stumbled over this forum!

Regards,

Shaun (Sticks1977), Gaylene and Fraser

[pie]

Hi, and welcome

What you are doing sounds correct, and is the same method i used for my pup, but just make sure you are not letting him out of the time out until he is silent. don't let him out if he is crying, or he will learn that he can get what he wants by crying.

Oh, also, we want photos!

[Poodle wrangler]

I haven't use time out on dogs. I'm not sure the principles that apply to kids work, but I'm open to ideas.

He sounds like a normal puppy and it's good that your first reaction is to distract, rather than punish. You mention a "third warning", though. Only 1 warning, then actually stop the behaviour...e.g. if he's attached to the rug, detach him, say, "Good dog (happy voice) and reward him for doing so with the toy. Pups really respond to consistency.

In the Training/ Obedience/ Dog sports section, have a look at the pinned posts at the top. You can start Triangle of Temptation with your pup. Will help him learn to pay attention to you. Treats are also a good motivator for labs (bless them!), just make sure you deduct treats from their total food intake. A fat lab is not a healthy lab .

[Doghouse]

Tone of voice helps with the NO.. try not to have a rising inflection.. I do this both with the dogs, the 5YO and the OH and all four know when they are in the poop... its all in the tone of the voice..

Time out for little puppies hasent worked for us.. they are just too small.. I used to pick them up with the NO, NAUGHTY.. Lots of hard eye contact when picking up .. you are the boss.. growl at them and move them away..absolutely no eye contact from that point forward.. and then move on from there.. You must remember you are the pack leader..

Time out started around 16 weeks when they were a little too big to pick up and move away..

Mind you the damage they inflicted has been pretty rough.. but nothing on par with the OH and the 5YO..

[Isabel964]

Yep, its called time out. It works for some dogs. As long as you only do it for short periods, and as has been said - never let him out when he is crying or barking - only when he is quiet. Reward good behaviour.

I never used it with any of my dogs. Never needed to. But dogs are different. I would if I needed to and it worked.

Oh yeah, please be careful not to ever forget him while he is locked away LOL (easily done!)

Congratulations on your new puppy! He sounds wonderful!! They are alot of effort and work, but after the first year, its SO worth it! The dog and you will have a wonderful life together. There are heaps of great books on dog ownership and training. Check out the dog section of your book shop. Get something simple and straight forward at first.

Also keep in mind clicker training - its MAGIC I tell you and so easy. Search for threads here on it if you like.

Welcome to the forum. I hope you like it here.