Tips for 5 month old pup

Lifeisbutadream

I have a 5 month old english springer. He is really good in general, but I am wondering how best to stop him from going in certain areas within the house.

Obviously I can shut doors, but long term, is there a way I can make sure he knows that he is not allowed in the front room or upstairs? at the moment, seemingly because he is not allowed, he has sneaked off upstairs or in the front room every time my back is turned and I have accidently left the door open.

Any tips would be appreciated.:)

kazwookie

A water pistol and a good firm no every time he is where he shouldn't be.

Ensure all the family know the 'rules' as well, or the puppy will get mixed messages.

Lifeisbutadream

kazwookie wrote: »

A water pistol and a good firm no every time he is where he shouldn't be.

Ensure all the family know the 'rules' as well, or the puppy will get mixed messages.

Never thought of a water pistol - thanks.

He seems to know it is wrong, which is really irritating!

puppychick79

As a puppy mummy to two ESS i know what cheeky little rascals they can be. We are having a simalar problem with the sofa, we have recently moved to an open plan house and out cheeky boy has taken to sleeping on it at night he was never allowed on before unless invited but everymorning we come down and theres some lovely white hairs and a warm patch on the sofa. Trying to get him to stop is a nightmare. Only advise I can give is to persavere keep telling him off when he comes and send him back to his own area (we tell ours off by telling them to get into beds) he will get the message eventually but it might mean you repeating yourself over and over but they like to test the water and think they can get away with it with those beautiful dark eyes!! :rotfl:

dontone

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

I have a 5 month old english springer. He is really good in general, but I am wondering how best to stop him from going in certain areas within the house.

Obviously I can shut doors, but long term, is there a way I can make sure he knows that he is not allowed in the front room or upstairs? at the moment, seemingly because he is not allowed, he has sneaked off upstairs or in the front room every time my back is turned and I have accidently left the door open.

Any tips would be appreciated.:)

We had a problem stopping our pooch going up the stairs until we solved it by placing one of those radiator dryer things on the second step. (you know the ones I mean, you hang them over the radiator and put socks on them) Now he knows that he can't go up unless he is invited, which is only at bathtime. As long as you can climb over it ok it's not much of a hassle, and saves carrying a sneaky pup down the stairs all the time.
On the front room bit, we bought a cheap baby gate and he stays in the kitchen when we go out. It doesn't suit everybody, but it works for us

Lifeisbutadream

He does use those puppy dog eyes on me a lot

I was extra cross today though as he got DD's teddy from her bed and has put teeth marks in it, she will be upset when she gets home from school

WeirdoMagnet

I wouldn't use the water pistol/aversive approach - a. you have to have good timing for the dog to understand what it's being punished for and b. you won't always be there to squirt him! I would try to make the rooms he is allowed in as fab as possible for him - toys, treats, fun, cuddles etc. He'll soon learn that they're the best rooms to be in.

Use a stairgate to prevent him getting where you don't want him while you're training. Don't be cross with him for getting your daughter's teddy - how can he know that it's not his?! Sorry to be blunt but it's your responsibility to teach him where he can go, and which ones are his toys. Move all the precious stuff that you'd rather wasn't chewed out of reach, and divert his attention to his toys!

Lifeisbutadream

Georgina wrote: »

I wouldn't use the water pistol/aversive approach - a. you have to have good timing for the dog to understand what it's being punished for and b. you won't always be there to squirt him! I would try to make the rooms he is allowed in as fab as possible for him - toys, treats, fun, cuddles etc. He'll soon learn that they're the best rooms to be in.

Use a stairgate to prevent him getting where you don't want him while you're training. Don't be cross with him for getting your daughter's teddy - how can he know that it's not his?! Sorry to be blunt but it's your responsibility to teach him where he can go, and which ones are his toys. Move all the precious stuff that you'd rather wasn't chewed out of reach, and divert his attention to his toys!

It was in her bedroom upstairs, he sneaked up there whilst I was in the downstairs loo and I actually found him coming down the stairs with it in his mouth. Sorry but I did really shout at him, I was upset for my DD

I know it is my responsibility and I can actually just shut the door whilst he is a pup and until he is trained , but at the moment he seems to either just not care or really not know that he shouldnt do it.

sarabe

Close doors or use stairgates.

It is very unfair to expect the dog to know where he can and where he cannot go.

Using punishment will simply teach him to avoid you. It won't stop him when you are not watching.

What you see as him 'knowing that he has done wrong' is his reaction to you being angry not an admission of guilt.

Lifeisbutadream

sarabe wrote: »

Close doors or use stairgates.

It is very unfair to expect the dog to know where he can and where he cannot go.

Using punishment will simply teach him to avoid you. It won't stop him when you are not watching.

What you see as him 'knowing that he has done wrong' is his reaction to you being angry not an admission of guilt.

I think you misunderstood my original query admittedly it sidetracked slightly (but sorry he did know he had done wrong, he was hiding before I was angry)

I understand that I can shut doors and use stairgates and that is what I am doing whilst he is a pup.

I was asking how I can teach him not to go in these areas long term - I surely dont need to keep stairgates and doors shut for his entire life could be a bit of a pain.

WeirdoMagnet

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

I was asking how I can teach him not to go in these areas long term - I surely dont need to keep stairgates and doors shut for his entire life could be a bit of a pain.

You don't need to use stairgates forever, just whilst he is learning where he can go. If he can't reach a room, then there is no reward (ie your DDs toys) for him, so he'll learn to stay where the reward is greater.

You need to be consistent, make sure you ALWAYS shut the gate/door, and ensure the whole family know the rules!