MY FIRST GS PUPPY - Page 2

Buy a crate, learn to use it...No one has to pet your puppy but the people that will be in contact with him most (if anyone but you, your choice!). He can be pet by 3890573857 people and still be a good PP dog IF he has the nerves to be a good PP dog, who pets him won't change that. 


Keep redirecting him and give him lots of bones to chew on, frozen carrots, kongs with yogurt in them...Good luck, sounds like a keeper if you are bleeding lol. :)

If you are not using a crate and he is out tie him to you with a leash and keep an eye on him, just NUH UH him if he starts to chew on something he shouldn't and give him something appropriate. And get a trainer. :)

  Exercise that tires him out will help, have him chase soft toys on the end of a rope, allow him to catch the toy then relax it when he drops it let him chase it again or put it up. This is the start of a relationship where he trusts and needs you, don't jerk objects out of his mouth, exchange. Puppy proof his environment, give him a proper outlet for his energy. Now is the critical time for socialization, protection should come naturally but needs training to direct and control it. Supervise the contact with others, don't let others discipline your dog, no one should chase him, have him get in the habit to follow you now as he will not want to in a few months. Ignore bad behaviours like jumping reward instantly when he gets off. Learn about training with markers. So much more... In addition to the other good chew items recommended I would add bullysticks he will spend hours chewing. If you are bleeding a lot, you have a good dog.

Thanks for the advise guys. I keep him in a crate, and have plenty of chew toys. He will start crying if he can't see me. I guess all the middle of the nite outside potty training has caused that. I will keep it up, and see how it goes. He sleeps alot, is this normal?? 

  He is probably recharging his batteries, I'm glad you are going out with him.

Lol.... Odd to hear "if you are bleeding a lot, you have a good dog.". 6 months ago i would have thought y'all were crazy, now...... I see what you are talking about.

Don't worry, we're still crazy!

Is it ok to play tug of war with the pup? Also, he has a bad habit of bitting your feet when you are walking around the house. My wife got it pretty bad and I can't let this go on. What do you do??

Yes it is ok to play tug of war. You have to be careful not to tug too hard at his age and through teething as it can pull out teeth and misalign the adult teeth. You could play tug let him win, praise him, then you back up encouraging him to bring it back to you, you then tug a little so as to keep the toy alive but still not take it from him this can build trust and can be the start of fetch when he knows drop. There are other ways to do this the biggest thing is you are going to initiate and control the game as he grows up. He will really look forward to his obedience sessions if you follow them with play. You need to be proactive and try to forsee those times when he harasses your wife, put him in a crate for a time out, puppies are some times cranky when they are over tired and may need the opportunity to sleep. Raising a puppy some times can be tough but the investment you put into it will pay off for the rest of his life. You have to pull the energy out of you and keep him busy, these next couple of months are very important , he will be a good citizen if you can tire him out. Punishment at his age can damage the relationship you have with him, save the punishment for when he gets older then see it as a correction for deliberately blowing you off, then the correction should be swift, firm, fair, consistent and delivered with no animosity and forgotten the moment that it achieves it's goal. If you stay mad at them you will only cause conflict as the dog does not have the association over time the way we do. Get him into a puppy class that teaches with treats, it is not to early to teach him.