What Would You Have Done Differently?

[whiskedaway]

If I had my time over again, I would have had a crate for Akira from day dot. I never realised how important they can be for a pup and I'm planning on getting one to crate train my pup soon.

[Edenishy]

We haven't decided on a name yet but have a few we have narrowed it down to. ATM, Buffy seems to be a favorite....as does Greta or Gretel.

Thankfully, I have read about the importance of crate training etc and we already have the crate ready to go.

We had always planned on getting her into training and puppy school from day one pretty much however I have been reading

many horror stories and it's made me question it a little.

In a few weeks we are going to visit the training school we had planned on using to watch a puppy class.

We have other family members that have used them and have not a bad word to say but I will feel better about checking it out

before hand anyway.

They do have new classes starting weekly which is good if we do go down that route (which we most likely will) as then we will be able to start training without delay. We understand the importance of training a Beagle one way or another.

The breeder will be doing at home training too of course before the puppy comes to her new home.

[Teebs]

PS - Thanks again for all your honest and interesting posts..

I know it can be tricky for some to admit "mistakes" but we do learn from such all the same!

Oh I can admit mine, i can look back and see every mistake i have ever done, but the ones I mentioned are the biggest ones for me

My next dog is going to be perfect!!

[huski]

Ishy are you based in Brisbane? If so which training school are you thinking of using? You can PM if you prefer

[vernie]

I have had 2 lab puppies before.

My first was Vern, our family pet who we puppy walked for the guide dogs. He failed and we got to keep him. Sadly, he died from bone cancer when he was 13

The second was my beloved 'Bailey', who died 3 weeks ago from a reaction to the drug rimadyl. He was 7 years old and the most beautiful thing ever.

We are now about to embark on a new chapter this weekend with the addition of another lab

Bails was a big beautiful black lab who we got for $500 - he had the most amazing temperament and we always got comments about how big and handsome he was. I think he was just a lucky find.Sadly, our breeder has taken ill and no longer breeds. I have looked through his history and have mangaged to locate another breeder who has bred the same bloodline (if that makes sense!?).

Never have i done so much research, even tho i have only ever had labs!

I must be driving the breeder nuts - she has offered to drop the price for us on the smaller one in the litter, but i have hassled her with sooo many questions!!!

i think i must be being over cautious because we now have small children and after all the money and emotional stress we have spent on poor Bailey the last few weeks - well, I'm not in a hurry to go through that again!!!

[aussielover]

I never did puppy classes with my last dog, she was crate trained though (much easier than Mindy was!).

I made no special effort to socialise her apart from taking up to the shops and on walks and at the dog park. Luckily she turned out ok, but was wary of "unusual" people and would often bark at people who were disabled or had a limp or wore hats etc which was hugely embarassing.

My current pup, being a guide dog puppy has been extensively socialised, gone to puppy school and is about the start obedience training. She is a pretty well adjusted and confident little thing, though she still gets excited to see other dogs and people which is something we are really working on.

Also I didn't get my first pup until she was around 5-6monhhs old, not sure if was a good thing or not. she was certainly a lot less destructive than Mindy first was. I've noticed that Mindy who is almost 4 months now has calmed down ALOT and rarely destructs anything anymore. So perhaps it is an age thing...

I would like my next dog to sleep on my bed with me

I would also do obedience and agility with my next dog to stimulate their minds a bit more.

I felt a bit sorry for Clover, she didn't really have a "job" and became a bit ball obsessed and tried to herd SWFs (also humiliating)

Also, Clover never learnt to walk on the lead properly. She wasn't dreadful and didn't pull but would stop to sniff etc.

[Edenishy]

I must be driving the breeder nuts - she has offered to drop the price for us on the smaller one in the litter, but i have hassled her with sooo many questions!!!

I often feel like im doing the same..but thankfully, the breeder seems of high quality, so to speak, and has been nothing less than

extremely helpful, welcoming etc.

She was even so kind enough to inform me of the puppies arrival only hours after the birth! She wanted us to know before she officially announced the

arrival!

Still though, I often feel like I must be driving them nuts with all my questions and concerns etc.

[aussielover]

I must be driving the breeder nuts - she has offered to drop the price for us on the smaller one in the litter, but i have hassled her with sooo many questions!!!

Just out of interest why has she offered to drop the price?

That sounds a bit odd to me unless you are intending on showing or co-ownership.

Though, if you told me what happened with poor bailey and I was the breeder, I'd probably give you one for free out of compassion!

I wouldn't go for a runt though, they often have health/behavioural issues when they get older.

[Edenishy]

I was reading more about neutralizing as it seems very interesting and to me it makes alot of sense..

I couldnt help but wonder though, how does one teach a puppy to ignore other people?

[LoTTy]

I'm wish a some of the other people ...

Wish i had crate trained right at the start ...

Also pick a good puppy school if thats the road you are going to go down .. Remember Positive Reinforcement training .. Don't be like me and let the trainer rip/pull on my dogs lead to get him back into a heal ..

and my last one would be

If you are going to use puppy mats for toileting be careful where you place them ... I had placed mine in an odd spot and then after i took the mats away my puppy kept going to that spot anyway :|

Ohh and one last thing ...

ENJOYYYYY the experience

*Lisa*

[aussielover]

I was reading more about neutralizing as it seems very interesting and to me it makes alot of sense..

I couldnt help but wonder though, how does one teach a puppy to ignore other people?

Try to expose them to people who will ignore them and not "fuss" over them.

Very hard to do practically!

Practice having their attention focussing on you (using a treat/reward) as you walk by other people.

Reward every time they don't try and go to the person/dog but instead are focussed ahead or on you.

This is one of those things though that are easier said than done. Puppies are naturally social and will want to say hi to other people or at least investigate them...

[Genabee]

I was reading more about neutralizing as it seems very interesting and to me it makes alot of sense..

I couldnt help but wonder though, how does one teach a puppy to ignore other people?

Try to expose them to people who will ignore them and not "fuss" over them.

Very hard to do practically!

Practice having their attention focussing on you (using a treat/reward) as you walk by other people.

Reward every time they don't try and go to the person/dog but instead are focussed ahead or on you.

This is one of those things though that are easier said than done. Puppies are naturally social and will want to say hi to other people or at least investigate them...

And let's be honest, people want to investigate a cute little pup!! I have found it to be more about neutralising other people, not the dog!

That is another thing, be confident in your parenting and don't be afraid to ask people to wait until pooch is calm before patting or simply telling them flat out no. Patting a hyper puppy is like rewarding your toddler for jumping on the couch after you have told them not to! The more people do it, the more hyper she will be.

[Christina]

Not a thing differently. Happy with all. People expect & want various things from their dogs. I dont think training school or personal trainer is essential for mine as I train to what I expect from them for the lifestyle here. For some they may want more or be unable to train themselves. Its personal choice how & what you do. It must suit your dog & your lifestyle.

There is no one right way for every aspect of bringing up a puppy. As long as you are all happy & everything is under control enjoy your puppy. Have confidence in rearing him/her & seek help if you have a problem.

When you seek help & advice think carefully about it & consider if it is sensible & kind. If not ask elsewhere.

[Red Fox]

One thing that did raise a flag however was the mention of neutralizing over socializing. Would someone mind explaining this a little

This thread may help with that http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=43479&hl=

[raineth]

Hello there

Definitely I would never take another puppy to puppy playschool!

I really thought I was doing the right thing and I trusted the lady who ran it but basically it just ended up being puppy free-for-all. There were puppies there older than six months completely bullying other puppies and it was just so bad.

After puppy preschool I took my pup to puppy etiquette. it was fabulous!!! i wish I had just taken him there instead. It was more of a training course and we were taught to teach our puppies and puppies had to learn to ignore each other etc.

And definitely focus more on neutralisation rather than socialisation...

THe other thing I wish I had done was invite more people and kids over right from the start. I tended to take him out to meet and see people, but next time I would invite more people in.

yeah, i think I made heaps of mistakes with my first pup.

I did some really good things too. But yeah, lots of mistakes!

[Puppybreath]

Raineth what is the puppy etiquette class. I haven't heard of these. Where can I find out more details about where they run.

[raineth]

Raineth what is the puppy etiquette class. I haven't heard of these. Where can I find out more details about where they run.

hi puppybreath

Puppy Etiquette is run by our local trainer. Its just the name she chose. She is a Delta person and is excellent, she also trains service dogs and medical assistance dogs.

So unless you happen to live in Wagga NSW you probably don't have access to Puppy etiquette

BUT

what you can do is research the puppy training classes in your area.

In fact maybe the puppy playschool in your area is excellent (its just that a lot of them were the way I described it above)

Maybe your local training club has a great puppy training class.

what I would look for in a puppy class would be:

* the use of mainly positive, reward based methods (they should tell you to bring heaps and heaps of treats with you.)

* focus on training as well as socialisation (but where the puppies are just allowed to run around together doing craazy stuff! at puppy etiquette the puppies actually weren't allowed off lead at all and the focus was on getting them to focus on you even though there are other dogs about)

* you want to see that the trainer can change methods for different puppies and give advise specific to your puppy.

* look for a class that actually teaches a lots of things (or atleast gives you the foundation for all your basic training. At puppy etiquette we did sit, stand, drop, stay, give, loose leash walking, 'leave it', bed command, 'watch me', sit from a distance, recall, and more things that I can't quite remember. She also talked about how to socialise your puppy correctly... and that sort of thing

anyway that's just my advise of what I would look for

[Genabee]

Raineth what is the puppy etiquette class. I haven't heard of these. Where can I find out more details about where they run.

hi puppybreath

Puppy Etiquette is run by our local trainer. Its just the name she chose. She is a Delta person and is excellent, she also trains service dogs and medical assistance dogs.

So unless you happen to live in Wagga NSW you probably don't have access to Puppy etiquette

BUT

what you can do is research the puppy training classes in your area.

In fact maybe the puppy playschool in your area is excellent (its just that a lot of them were the way I described it above)

Maybe your local training club has a great puppy training class.

what I would look for in a puppy class would be:

* the use of mainly positive, reward based methods (they should tell you to bring heaps and heaps of treats with you.)

* focus on training as well as socialisation (but where the puppies are just allowed to run around together doing craazy stuff! at puppy etiquette the puppies actually weren't allowed off lead at all and the focus was on getting them to focus on you even though there are other dogs about)

* you want to see that the trainer can change methods for different puppies and give advise specific to your puppy.

* look for a class that actually teaches a lots of things (or atleast gives you the foundation for all your basic training. At puppy etiquette we did sit, stand, drop, stay, give, loose leash walking, 'leave it', bed command, 'watch me', sit from a distance, recall, and more things that I can't quite remember. She also talked about how to socialise your puppy correctly... and that sort of thing

anyway that's just my advise of what I would look for :D

I was lucky and got a good class the first time around, and we too covered all of the above and no pup was allowed off the leash. The place I went to actually taught dog trainers and he also worked with sniffer dogs etc. I have heard of stories and met people who have taken their dogs to 'puppy classes', yet their dog won't even sit on command. Definitely pays to find the right one. Because IMO, a class where all those things is covered not only teaches puppy, but also you. Having raised a puppy before I thought I would be pretty on it, but I found so much had changed and this class was far more beneficial to me this time around, than the obedience I did with the last dog.

I really would have liked to do another round and had my husband attend, but unfortunately we couldn't get it to happen. If there is another person in your life who is likely to be spending a lot of time with the dog during their formative period, I would strongly encourage them to attend the classes too. I found it difficult to get my husband to conform to how we were doing things when he came home, 5 weeks into routine. Had he been there from the start, I think things would have been a bit smoother for Genevieve.

The RSPCA offer puppy school and junior manners. I am not sure how good/reputable the classes are as I have not been. But it could be a starting point.

[poodlefan]

I would have removed every skerrick of carpet from the house (currently planning that)

I would have crate trained them all. Only the youngest got that from the start.

I'm happy with how my dogs have turned out but I'll admit that with the older two that's as much about luck as my (then lack of) knowledge.

I'd definitely recommend ANY dog buyer find a good dog club and attend regularly. It's not just about the training but the friendships and the support of like minded folk. It's the best way I know to get your dog a social network too.

I took my first dog to my club because I thought all dogs needed to be obedience trained. That's one view I still maintain.

[Edenishy]

Can anyone suggest any great puppy training classes or trainers in the Brisbane area or surrounding areas eg Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast as I am willing to travel to ensure my soon to be puppy gets the best start.