How soon can I train?
So, I have a question, at 8 weeks when is a good time to start walking Freya? I walk her in the front yard several times throughout the day (potty breaks and little spurts of walking/playing/running without the leash--if in the back yard.)
I want to get her to stay on one side and not just go wherever she wants.
As far as training. She comes 70% of the time unless there's something on the ground that interests her. She sits on command and I even got her to shake hands on command.
I'm not sure how to deal with her growling/nipping/trying to bite me thing that's starting to come up. I know that at the breeder's house that she was constantly handled by people as well as the breeder's corgis and other dogs. I wonder if our Weimaraner is riling her up to the point where she is aggressive. Though there are times when she just randomly does it--even when I'm walking and playing with her. I just want her to quit trying to attack my feet and calves. No and Ouch does not seem to work well--she pauses but resumes the actions. I usually drop her in her crate when she acts like this--is this wrong? When I have a raw hide or a bully stick I put that in her mouth when she's going for my hands and sometimes I stick her own paw in her mouth when she's getting bitey.
When I come home she whines. My boyfriend lets her out in the back yard but doesn't watch her. She will only go potty if I take her outside.
I know I got her early and I can expect some developmental issues--but am I on the road to screwing her up already?
I want to get her to stay on one side and not just go wherever she wants.
As far as training. She comes 70% of the time unless there's something on the ground that interests her. She sits on command and I even got her to shake hands on command.
I'm not sure how to deal with her growling/nipping/trying to bite me thing that's starting to come up. I know that at the breeder's house that she was constantly handled by people as well as the breeder's corgis and other dogs. I wonder if our Weimaraner is riling her up to the point where she is aggressive. Though there are times when she just randomly does it--even when I'm walking and playing with her. I just want her to quit trying to attack my feet and calves. No and Ouch does not seem to work well--she pauses but resumes the actions. I usually drop her in her crate when she acts like this--is this wrong? When I have a raw hide or a bully stick I put that in her mouth when she's going for my hands and sometimes I stick her own paw in her mouth when she's getting bitey.
When I come home she whines. My boyfriend lets her out in the back yard but doesn't watch her. She will only go potty if I take her outside.
I know I got her early and I can expect some developmental issues--but am I on the road to screwing her up already?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jessica on
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Keep in mind that 8 weeks old is VERY young. Most breeders will not release puppies until they are 10-12 week old.
When walking Freya, hold that lease relaxed and down. Just walk without thinking about it. When she tries to go to the other side of you, make a MUAH sound and lightly jerk her (have a harness on her not a neck collar). When she sees something on the ground say LEAVE IT and jerk her lightly, good leave it! Good girl!
One thing to try with the biting problem is to tell her no bite and/or make a loud squeal and walk away from her when she plays too rough. She will learn that if she bites, you won't play with her. Get a water spray bottle to squirt her with too. (Works for the barking too).
You shouldn't use the crate as punishment. The crate is supposed to be like a "couch" to dogs, not puppy prison. You are teaching her that the crate is bad.
You are a designated potty taker, what an honor! I am too in my house. My dog will wake me up although my boyfriend is awake and sitting next to me on the couch rather than asking him to take him out.
Again, she is only 8 weeks old, the fact that you are on this site and trying to do right proves that you are well on your way to being a wonder fur-mother! Don't be so hard on yourself.
Keep in mind that it is more effective to teach a dog to WANT to do GOOD rather than being afraid to doing bad things. If you catch yourself getting frustrated, walk away and take a break. Training should be a fun bonding experience with you and Freya.
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Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on
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She is still just a pup and full of play. Be patient but not over bearing..their attention span is short and can become bored quite easily. If she is nipping or biting too much or hard yell OUCH and walk away. She will get the hint this is unexceptable. As far as walking on a leash..don't expect alot from that til shes more about 3 months and never keep constant tension on the leash since they will only learn to rely on that tension..just walk like theres nothing else going on and smooch as you correct the side she is on. Soon she'll get the idea to stay on that side and walk. Remember..this is a stage of curiousity and learning. Just having her excepting the leash is good and she'll get the hang of it. I don't like using the crate as a negative reinforcement. You want them to love their crate and feel secure in it. Don't second guess yourself too much..trust me..just be consistent, persistent, and understanding and loving and ignore her when she is misbehaving as far as being to active. You'll see a huge difference in her when shes alittle older and make sure she does get alot of time to play to wear her out. Alot of what she is doing is puppy behavior.
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Permalink Reply by Ollie and Dinah on
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This was helpful to me as well. I also have an 8 week-old pup that is doing the same things. It really sounds normal, so that's good. But wow - sometimes he can really bite hard - he'll also jump up and try to bite my face when I get close. He'll pretty much bite anything he can get ahold of...my tie, my wife's necklace, and most definitely her hair. We've been saying,"OWW!" when he bites too hard, but it's difficult to walk away and stop playing with him...despite being a bite machine, we still love playing with him!
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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on
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Well, it is always good to have something they can chew on nearby or in your pocket so you can direct the pup to that instead. Now, mine will try and bite the second she is removed from a situation she doesn't want to leave, ie my other dog's food bowl or outside.
She has bit my boyfriend, no blood, and bit me several times. She has gotten better and does bite hard but she still nips hard. Good luck with your pup!
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Well, I noticed that when she goes into her frenzy of biting and nipping and I put her in her crate it is time for sleep. She usually falls asleep almost instantly. Green beans are an excellent training aid, never thought she would like it but she does.
I didn't realize that the biting/nipping thing was part of her herding instinct (well, I knew about it but it didn't click.) She bit my boyfriend over the weekend when he picked her up. She hates being held or picked up. For the most part, she is ok with me doing it but anyone else it is bad news bears. Walking away, means she will follow me and bite my feet or calves.
I got her a kong that she isn't so keen on. She loves her plushies and her rope toy more. She'll chase the ball and sometimes bring it.
She hasn't grasped the concept of "leave it or drop it" yet but I am working on it.
Due to the scary people that come out at the hours that I take her out at night or super early in the morning, I've had to resort to taking her in the back yard and shutting the doggy door so our Weim won't bother her when she has to potty.
But the big question is, if I get the spray bottle with water--would that cause her to be afraid of water?
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The spray bottle is simply a tool to get her attention, kind of like a shock collar, but more humane. You can also use a empty some-what crushed soda can with a coin inside it. The sound of the shaking up it will grab her attention.
When Ein was in puppy school (at petsmart) the trainer taught the dogs "leave it" with a fun game. She had a line of bones (about 10 feet long line) and had everyone walk around it several laps. When ever your dog tries to take one of the bones, tug her leash and tell her to leave it. (after the correction is made and she leaves it, tell her good leave it!). After couple of minutes everyone would stop to pick up a bone and hand it to their dog and(have the dog sit) say take it and hand it to her. If she gets up and snatches it from you, take it away and wait for her to calm down. (when she takes it, say good take it! and praise praise praise!) Let her have a couple of chews and tell her leave it, start walking again. Also, whenever you say take it or leave it, say it in a firm, calm voice (not a irritated one). The dogs really seemed to love the game and got the point. It also teaches them to be patient when getting treat and toys.
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Thanks for the tips! I have to work with her on this one.
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