Puppy Advice (merged)

60north

puppy classes are great fun for both - first stop to try

Have you tried a - water pistol b- empty can of stones and shake or c - makeing a loud slap noise with paper.

All should be immediate along with a command thats the same every time and time out or whatever you choose........ he's still little (and stubborn!) so keep at it... I would think a hand signalplus a command might be clearer as well (you can drop/reduce as he grows older).

Dont forget the praise bit (immediate) if it works - he'll want to please

sounds a great character

you are going to get loads on this ..try and go by gut instinct and what works best for your situation

DanceInThe_Dark

LOL sounds completely normal!

I breed bull terriers (for over 10 years -not to mention show, judge and sit on local BTC committee) and currently have a 15 week old !!!!! who thinks an enticement to play is locking on my trouser leg/arm and trying to drag me along the floor while growling.

Its called Growing Up and she will gradually grow out of it. In fact in my breed I have found out that the naughtier these pups are the more intelligent and well balanced dog they grow into.

I had one woman phone me once who had taken a similar age pup (not one of mine) to a dog trainer and the trainer told her that the pup had a medical problem all for play fighting like this!!! Obviously she knew nothing about terriers and especially Bull Terriers. So pick your dog trainer carefully.

Foodwise, my pedigree BT is currentley on three meals a day, breakfast rice pudding, lunch raw meat (chicken,tripe, beef) with a small amount of mixer and her dinner is the same as lunch.

Have owned Staffs previously but think you will find the Bull Terrier side will make a very funny, eccentric dog who likes nothing better than to make you laugh.

fabianne

Hi
Ok-I have 2 young large breed gundogs that I had have since 8 weeks old.
My advice to you would be:
1) I use dried,complete food on advice as it is the best as they grow,for healthy bones,teeth and coat.They are still doing great on it and will keep them on this until they are around 18 months old.
2) If you are using the crate as a house training aid and also to use in the future as his 'den' for when you need him to have calm time,need him out of the way or to sleep in...you must NEVER use it as a punishment! Make it cosy for him and entice him in with a treat then fuss him when he's in there. Build up the time,try shutting the door and build up the time in there.Both my girls are crate trained,sleep in there at night and if used properly-are a great idea.Never leave him in there for long periods of time though in the day in a crate (even as an adult dog)and always leave toys etc for him to play with.I cover the tops of their crates at night with a blanket like a budgie,cuts down visual stimulation and make sit seem more like a den to them.He will think of it as HIS space within your house.
3) The sleeping is normal for a pup-they are growing like mad,they bounce around then collapse in a heap snoring-let him sleep as he is just recharging his batteries.He may also get 'nazzy' like a toddler if he isn't getting enough kip or is being disturbed.Don't overwalk him either at the mo-build it up gradually as it could cause joint damage in later life.Also-expose him to as much as you can as early as you can,praising good behaviour..for e.g other dogs,bikes,cars,skateboarders,kids,joggers...the last thing you want is a dog that is either scared or chases anything that moves!
4)The behaviour you describe sounds like soft mouthing-which may not seem like soft to you.Look it up on the net as there is loads of advice about it. We used the yelp thing-but my 2 thought we were just playing.We then tried a rattle bottle and the No command and then tried the water spray on the nose technique-again with the No command. Just don't turn it into a game.Do it and then turn your back-no fuss or loves until he calms down.
He may just be bored and want to play-thinks that his humans are littermates as this is normal behaviour with pups playfighting etc.Distract him with positve play and avoid pulling/tugging games where it is a competition.Make sure you start the game and end it.
You have to become pack leader and instill it fast-as pack leader/Top Dog demands respect...otherwise he will think he is the boss and you will have problems.
One more thing,as I have got carried away-we train our dogs with sardines as a treat.They will do anything with this smelly treat on offer-and it is also really good for keeping their coats in fab condition.
Good luck-the more you reap the more you sow with pups-love,time,attention,praise and positive discipline (not smacking etc) and lots of it is what I say!
x

BigMummaF

I think Arfer may have been sneaking a peek at this himself, as he is sitting on my foot quite happily chewing on the knobby end of a beef knot I brought home yesterday pm!
We are already doing 99.8% of what has been suggested because I've used you guys for research since he came to us-I'm a long time lurker of MSE & always find an answer somewhere lol!
Just a quickie if I may....he is-for all intents & purpose-pure white, but it's beginning to look as if someone has flicked a fountain pen in his direction. There are little misty patches appearing, or could this be his father's liver & black colouring making a late entry?
Tuh-new pet owners.....ooood av 'em!

moj1966

I have a bulldog as a puppy would just lunge at anyone when she was having a mad half hour .
Wwe tried a can of air avaliable from pet shops that make a hissing noise, this worked for a while but was quite costly now we have a tin can with pebbles in it if she was being naughty we would shake it just as she started the bad behaviour.
Now we just have to show her the tin and she stops straight away. Its a bit of trial and error and timing with these pesky dogs.

Regarding food i only give james well beloved, raw beef or cooked chicken,
My two are crated but never for bad behaviour they are there beds at night time and while we are away from the home.

Raksha

moj1966 wrote: »

I have a bulldog as a puppy would just lunge at anyone when she was having a mad half hour .
Wwe tried a can of air avaliable from pet shops that make a hissing noise, this worked for a while but was quite costly now we have a tin can with pebbles in it if she was being naughty we would shake it just as she started the bad behaviour.
Now we just have to show her the tin and she stops straight away. Its a bit of trial and error and timing with these pesky dogs.

Regarding food i only give james well beloved, raw beef or cooked chicken,
My two are crated but never for bad behaviour they are there beds at night time and while we are away from the home.

These techniques can be effective, but I do see dogs who've been so scared by owners using these sorts of gadgets that they go backwards in their training, and even make a bad connection between the gadget/noise and the object of their attention - so please be careful with their use. Another thing that can happen is that the 'aversive' gadget doesnt' work - so you then have to think about going up a notch, and before you know it, you're looking at spray or shock collars, and this can't be a good thing.

Raksha

BigMummaF wrote: »

Just a quickie if I may....he is-for all intents & purpose-pure white, but it's beginning to look as if someone has flicked a fountain pen in his direction. There are little misty patches appearing, or could this be his father's liver & black colouring making a late entry?
Tuh-new pet owners.....ooood av 'em!

Many pups are born white and have ticking come through later, so yes, it very probably is his Daddies genes having an effect.

New pet owners always welcome, so long as they have an open mind

butterflylady

Hi,

My OH has decided that he wants a puppy fo his 40th, I am looking to for help with where to get one from. I have checked out a couple of sites but all the puppies I want have gone before I get to them.

So if anyone has any knowledge of where a litter of blue merle collies or collie x retrevier I'd love to hear from you

affordmylife

Once you ve found a breeder find out when their next litter will be available and then book at puppy.

We had to wait six months for ours but its now hardship if you know what you are getting and what you want.

It doesnt matter if it is not there on his actual birthday.

A dog is for life not just your birthday present.

red-boxer

I would recommend phoning around your local vets, as they will know local breeders and if there are any new litters due. At least that way you would know that you were buying from a reputable source.