Too playfull to start training, his drive test?? - Page 1

Finally my two month long Wait is over and I brought home my shadow.

long drive home(300+KM) and he vomited in the Car once in the trip back. He is an energetic lad.

he does not chase me or my wife but does chases my two little daughters( 5 and 3 yrs) like crazy.

I would like to know are there any tests we could do to find out what drives him?? food/toys?? He seems to me like he has good prey drive... I mean i move his toy slowly infront of him and he charges at the toy not sure if that means anything, is it a common?

I would Also need your expert advice, on tips on how to start training. Neuen has advised some things that helped him adjust to his crate and also to begin training. But he is always so play full he does not listen just wants to keep chasing and chewing(boy his teeth are sharp). Before we train does he need to be exhausted so he would be calm or when he is excited is the best time to train?

Still cries a bit. But am sure he will be fine. Loves playing outside though(He is brought up outdoors).

He is wonderful on leash, he seldom pulls, just walks behind you, but he just Wants get rid of the collar.

any and all help is appreciated

Two months old is still very young to start working him, but at this age i would be trying to get him to interact with all the toys and balls you can get him interested in.
Get a fluffy toy like one of those unstuffed flat animals and tie a string to it. Flip the toy around just out of his reach and see if he goes after it. This is building prey drive. Once in a while make sure he catches the toy.
Play with all sorts of balls and see if he will fetch. Ball drive is great for working on obedience.
Make him work for his food. Sit before eating. I always feed my puppies in their kennels so they want to go in there really, really bad. Keep him on a potty schedule, and most of all have fun.
Fry

Thank you Dragonfly,

yes I believe he does have A prey drive, he charges at anything that moves and he also has fetch... he runs after the ball takes the ball in the mouth and walks back in a different direction not to me but closer to me.... i take the ball from him mouth and praise him for bringing it back(no food treats) but belly rub... and he is ready to bring it back.. He does it like 5 times and then looses interest/ may be he gets tired a little.

I make him sit before he eats.

Feed him in his kennel, thats the one thing I have not done and, it makes complete sense that he may prefer to go back there.... I will feed him in his kennel/crate.

thank you dragon.

OK I let this go waiting on others to comment however since it seems they are unwilling--


It is never to young to start training. Realize training is encompassed in everything we do with a pup or dog. the dog is being conditioned or learning from everything.

yes there are tests, seek a professional for help testing the suitability of the pup or simply what compels it.



Now it is not to early to start imprinting / training this pup. I start at 49 days old if possible for me to get the pup that young. Though it is all fun and what we call luring and conditioning to environments

The pup probably doesnt follow you and your wife as it sees you as the authoritarian figures in the household. The kids are on more the pups playing level so its gonna run with them also the kids have a lot more of prey motions in there actions that attract the pups attention,

Do not tire him before training. Use his energy to train him!!!!!!!!!!!  this will serve multiple purposes. it will train,condition, and tire him at the same time. seek advise on how to accomplish this. 
 
As far as him wanting collar off- leave it on him when people are present to condition him to a collar and when walking entice him to move out front. to build confidence. He is a pup he should want to explore to a degree and this will help keep it confident instead of dependent upon you.  

I do not feed in my kennels. I will simply give "treats" sometimes though i will not feed meals in the kennel. This can cause issues over prolonged experiences.

Being that it seems you have limited experience raising puppies(not a bad thing) i would seek the counsel of a local trainer/club to bring this pup up correctly as this is an very important stage for you and your pup.


 

I've never personally had any problems with feeding puppies to adults in their kennels. And if you have a breed that is likely to be either dog aggressive or food aggressive (As some of my past dogs have been) Feeding each dog in their own crate is very advisable. It also associates the crate with a very good thing. (Dinner!)
I also will not tolerate a dog or puppy i can not keep kenneled. Which means if we are traveling the dog goes in crate, if i have to board the dog go to the kennel. At home the crate is only closed when i have to put the puppy away for when i leave to go to work. Sometimes the pup just needs some alone time.
 
Agree on finding a local trainer, i personally would recommend finding an all breed kennel club for puppy classes and some socialization. Once my pups have cleared the baby phase then that is when i start seeking the IPO trainer.
Leerburge has a lot of free video clips about raising and starting a puppy.
http://leerburg.com/
Have fun.

2 months is a great time to start clicker training. its all games and they love it.
pup can be taught to associate the click with food. then pup can be lured to do many different tricks.

leerburg - the power of training with markers explains how to use a clicker or word to mark behaviors.

That was my next question, when and how do I start clicker training. Is there somewhere I can read how to do it step by step. Will try the http://leerburg.com/ and see if that helps.

thanks sitasmom