What Training Expectations Should I Have For A 4mth Old Puppy?

[FB Rescue_Adoption]

Hi,

I have two staffords. 1 is very well trained after 18mths of ongoing formal training, the other is 4 months and is worse than I can ever remember the other one being.

The little one - Max is a nightmare to take out of the house. He goes out every day for 10 mins to the park across the road and the whole time he pulls and surges ahead with excitement. I've tried standing still until he calms down but then he just about runs on the spot to try to get ahead. I've taken him to an oval that is fully enclosed and let him off the leash to run it out for a few mins before I ask anything of him on lead in the hope he will be calmer after he releases some of his energy...it doesn't seem to work.

While he is just 4 months, what should I reasonably expect from this puppy in regards to training and attention span? He is just SO gung ho! He loves food but when I use it as a training aid he seems intent on bouncing up and down on the spot to try to get a hold of it rather than listen to what I'm asking.

Is his puppy brain too small, young, undeveloped to take in what I'm asking?

I'm becoming concerned that I won't be able to manage him for a walk when he is older and stronger at this rate.

Any thoughts/help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

[Leema]

Have you taught your pup to walk nicely on lead?

Have you taught him that four feet or sitting brings him food, not bouncing to get it?

He needs to learn what you want him to do. At four months old, yes, he can learn.

Here is a link for teaching loose leash walking:

http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Leve.../TL15Leash.html

Here is a link for teaching zen (e.g. leaving food means you get food):

http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Leve...rs/TL26Zen.html

Hope that is helpful.

[luvsdogs]

I laughed to myself when I started reading your post. A friend of mine at my obedience club had exactly the same problem. Her 1st staffy, a female, was the perfect puppy. Then about a year lately she got her full brother. He was the exact opposite. At puppy preschool the teacher, one of our members, told her he was a typical staffy puppy. She has worked a lot with him & finds it easier to walk him on an easy walk harness. But 1st you still need to put in the training suggested above. or -

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/pulling-leash

I also noticed on the site, for the mth of January you can download for free 'After You Get Your Puppy'.

[Kelpie_Pup]

Hi,

I've taken him to an oval that is fully enclosed and let him off the leash to run it out for a few mins before I ask anything of him on lead in the hope he will be calmer after he releases some of his energy...it doesn't seem to work.

While he is just 4 months, what should I reasonably expect from this puppy in regards to training and attention span? He is just SO gung ho! He loves food but when I use it as a training aid he seems intent on bouncing up and down on the spot to try to get a hold of it rather than listen to what I'm asking.

thanks

Because he has already got what he wanted-to run free... why would he listen to you now? He's already been given the reward.

Don't ask your dog to do anything. Demand it. If you know he won't do something OFF lead, always ensure you use the command when he is onlead. Don't set him up for failure if you know he won't respond. By keeping him onlead, you can enforce your command (physically, gently, calmly) without him running away.

[poodlefan]

Hi,

I have two staffords. 1 is very well trained after 18mths of ongoing formal training, the other is 4 months and is worse than I can ever remember the other one being.

The little one - Max is a nightmare to take out of the house. He goes out every day for 10 mins to the park across the road and the whole time he pulls and surges ahead with excitement. I've tried standing still until he calms down but then he just about runs on the spot to try to get ahead. I've taken him to an oval that is fully enclosed and let him off the leash to run it out for a few mins before I ask anything of him on lead in the hope he will be calmer after he releases some of his energy...it doesn't seem to work.

thanks

Probably because the adrenalin he generates hauling you across to the oval and running round like a mad thing will take some time, possibly hours to dissipate. He's highly aroused, which makes it more difficult for you to get him to focus.

If you want to get his attention, initially I'd suggest doing some training in the back yard, which he will find far less distracting. I suggest you keep him calm while you train and allow him some off lead time as a reward afterwards.

[Staff'n'Toller]

What he probably needs most is to learn to calm down, Sue Ailsby's Zen will help you get that.

Puppy massage at home is also really good, when he is already drowsy to begin with, working up to when he is awake and adding a cue word to it.

He could probably cope with 10-15mins of leash walks in the morning and in the afternoon, try a harness for now and see how you go at training.

Edited January 15, 2009 by Staff'n'Toller

[FB Rescue_Adoption]

Thanks Everyone! We are now working in the backyard only and Max is making progress so thanks for your suggestions/advice!

[FB Rescue_Adoption]

Have you taught your pup to walk nicely on lead?

Have you taught him that four feet or sitting brings him food, not bouncing to get it?

He needs to learn what you want him to do. At four months old, yes, he can learn.

Here is a link for teaching loose leash walking:

http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Leve.../TL15Leash.html

Here is a link for teaching zen (e.g. leaving food means you get food):

http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Leve...rs/TL26Zen.html

Hope that is helpful.

Thanks so much for the fantastic information I've found on these links! It's benn really helpful!