Puppy Owning Geeks

[SmartassBoiler]

So, I'm getting a puppy at the end of this week. Any tips for potty training and whatnot? I had a dog growing up, but I was little when it was a puppy and thus didn't do anything other than feed it and walk it.

 

I'm looking specifically for the right way to scold it when it goes to the bathroom inside, and also tips on how to quickly teach it simple commands like "sit" and "stay".

[Snuff]

So, I'm getting a puppy at the end of this week. Any tips for potty training and whatnot? I had a dog growing up, but I was little when it was a puppy and thus didn't do anything other than feed it and walk it.

 

I'm looking specifically for the right way to scold it when it goes to the bathroom inside, and also tips on how to quickly teach it simple commands like "sit" and "stay".

 

Crate train it.

[brinett9]

Crate training. It's the best way, both for you and the pup.

 

There's really no use scolding a pup for going inside until it's maybe five or six months old.

 

 

 

 

Crate Tarining Instructions

 

These instructions seem to make much more of a deal of "getting the dog used to the crate" than I think is necessary. Dogs get accustomed to them very quickly.

[SmartassBoiler]

I just Google'd crate training and that sounds like a great idea.

 

[brinett9]

I just Google'd crate training and that sounds like a great idea.

 

It works really well. If the pup goes in the house, it's your fault.

 

It's a very stress-free way to go.

 

Just be sure to get the dog outside about every two hours.

[Mungwater]

Crate training. It's the best way, both for you and the pup.

 

There's really no use scolding a pup for going inside until it's maybe five or six months old.

 

My sister told me this trick when I got my dog a couple of years ago. I kept a used coke can and put pennies in it. If he did something bad, I would just shake it a bit, I guess the noise drove him crazy. If I even touched the can, he would go run to his bed.

[devils_advocate_oh]

Unless you catch the puppy "in the act" or immediately after, there is no point in scolding it - they will have no clue as to why they're being scolded. Also, if they go inside, show them and then take them right outside. This will help it to understand and associate going to the bathroom with being outside.

 

Whatever commands you are trying to teach to you puppy, be sure to issue the command by saying the puppy's name followed by a 1-word command (Spot, sit, and not Spot, sit down). Dogs understand and remember one-word commands better and faster than more complex phrases. It also helps if you use a hand gesture while issuing the command.

[SmartassBoiler]

It works really well. If the pup goes in the house, it's your fault.

 

It's a very stress-free way to go.

 

Just be sure to get the dog outside about every two hours.

 

I pick him up on Friday and will be with him all weekend, but come Monday I'll be heading back to work. I live with my gf and she goes to/comes home from work earlier than I do, but he'll be alone for a good number of hours. I work from home on Fridays so that will help some.

 

What's the best way to handle this until the puppy gets the hang of being at home that long without going to the bathroom?

[brinett9]

What's the best way to handle this until the puppy gets the hang of being at home that long without going to the bathroom?

Never been in that situation. The wife was always home.

 

Maybe put the pup in a large safe area such as your basement or blockaded kitchen or a bathroom?

 

I'm sure there's a way. It's often just a matter of doing the best you can rather than doing things perfectly.

[DauntesInferno]

If the pup goes in the house, it's your fault.

 

 

Yup.

 

Also, if you don't catch the pup in the act, then don't waste time scolding it. They cannot associate their shiot on the carpet or their dried pee on the hardwood floor with them putting it there and your yelling at them.

 

And don't hit it.

[brinett9]

And accidents are gonna happen. Don't stress out over it.

 

The dog isn't trying to deliberately insult you.

 

Stick with the crate training and the dog will be trained in the due course of time.

[GobbleDog]

A friend of mine had a dog that only dropped loafs in the very corners of the yard. But that took years of beating... err training.

[brinett9]

You're gonna have to post pics.

 

What kind of dog is it?

[DauntesInferno]

Never been in that situation. The wife was always home.

 

Maybe put the pup in a large safe area such as your basement or blockaded kitchen or a bathroom?

 

I'm sure there's a way. It's often just a matter of doing the best you can rather than doing things perfectly.

 

So the puppy will be alone for 8 - 10 hours a day right off the bat? Is there anyone who could stop by your place during the day?

 

You can try, depending on the size of the dog, using a dog's litter box and keep them kenneled in an area large enough for it to get up, walk to the litter box and use it. If you crate them all day they get accustomed to having to lie in their own stuff and then you get the poop rootin dog that rolls in other dog's poop.

[Nomad99]

So, I'm getting a puppy at the end of this week. Any tips for potty training and whatnot? I had a dog growing up, but I was little when it was a puppy and thus didn't do anything other than feed it and walk it.

 

I'm looking specifically for the right way to scold it when it goes to the bathroom inside, and also tips on how to quickly teach it simple commands like "sit" and "stay".

 

 

As others have said crate training is the best. If you can time getting your pup with some time that you will be home(long weekend, week off etc.) you will be better off.

 

If you have a certain door that you will always use to let the dog out for pee/potty breaks....here is a great training tool untill the dog is mature enough to let you know he nees to go out:

 

Go to a dollar store or xmass type store & buy a strip of bells that is attached to a piece of leather or rope. Hang it on the door knob. When you feel/see that the dog needs to go out...bring it to that door & use it's paw to hit the bells & then imediately take the dog outside & make suer he goes. You will be amazed at how fast the dog will learn this trick....he will soon ring it on his own. IMPORTANT: durring the potty training period....if you bring the dog out & it does not quickly relieve itself....bring it back in. You want to teach the dog that that time is for business & not play.

[Cdub100]

That sounds like way to much work I think it'd be easier if you didn't get one

[SmartassBoiler]

You're gonna have to post pics.

 

What kind of dog is it?

 

It's a miniature pinscher. Here's a couple pictures that the breeder took:

 

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/sma...sboiler/Ace.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/sma...boiler/Ace2.jpg

[brinett9]

It's a miniature pinscher. Here's a couple pictures that the breeder took:

 

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/sma...sboiler/Ace.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/sma...boiler/Ace2.jpg

Oh, very cool. So you can register this pup with the AKC?

[SmartassBoiler]

Never been in that situation. The wife was always home.

 

Maybe put the pup in a large safe area such as your basement or blockaded kitchen or a bathroom?

 

I'm sure there's a way. It's often just a matter of doing the best you can rather than doing things perfectly.

 

We have an apartment, so since there's tile in the kitchen and not a lot he could get into there, we could gate the kitchen area off from the rest of the apartment and keep him there. It's not a large area obviously, but the only other area would be in the bathroom and I don't want to confine him in there away from natural light.

 

He's only going to be 5-6 lbs, so he won't need a big area.

[brinett9]

We have an apartment, so since there's tile in the kitchen and not a lot he could get into there, we could gate the kitchen area off from the rest of the apartment and keep him there.

Sounds like your best option.

 

It'll work out fine.

[SmartassBoiler]

So the puppy will be alone for 8 - 10 hours a day right off the bat? Is there anyone who could stop by your place during the day?

 

Actually since my g/f works earlier than I do, I'll be leaving at 8:30 and she'll be coming home by 3:30 (sometimes 3), so it'll be 7 hours at most which isn't quite as bad.

 

No, we don't have anyone that could stop by since my friends in the area all work the same schedule I do, roughly.

[redtodd]

I hope to have one some day.

[SmartassBoiler]

Sounds like your best option.

 

It'll work out fine.

 

Sounds good, thanks for all the advice.

[brinett9]

I hope you enjoy being chewed.

[shovelheadt]

Actually since my g/f works earlier than I do, I'll be leaving at 8:30 and she'll be coming home by 3:30 (sometimes 3), so it'll be 7 hours at most which isn't quite as bad.

 

No, we don't have anyone that could stop by since my friends in the area all work the same schedule I do, roughly.

 

I've heard you should leave a radio playing softly while you're gone.

[avoiding injuries]

I got a boxer puppy about this time last year. I went with the crate training as suggested. I got a crate from ebay pretty cheap with a divider. Divider's are important b/c if the dog has too much room they will do their business on one side and stay on the other. Kind of defeats the purpose. Sticking the dog in the crate was tough for me, but I knew it was safer for the dog and my house. Teaching it to sit is pretty easy. Just use treats and repetiveness. They will catch on. The puppy will not be able to hold #1 for seven hours. Bladder is not big enough. I would not let it eat or drink before you leave and take it out right before. I was told not to scold the animal when it went inside. I thought "it was my fault". Fock that. If it goes inside yell, spank, give it a mean look or whatever. They will understand and learn to go outside. Obviously hours later they may not know what's wrong, but mine did. I would walk over to the accident and she knew exactly what she did. Good luck. Getting the puppy was the best decision I have made.

 

I've heard you should leave a radio playing softly while you're gone.

I have a tv monted on the wall near the crate. I leave it on Animal Planet when I'm not home and she is in the crate.