Sn0W
Shohin
Look up a local dog walking group on facebook, puppy classes at local pet shops or vets, dog parks or even general parks are all good places for socialisation with dogs or kids you wouldn't normally have access to
My Canine
- Thread starter thumblessprimate1
- Start date
-
- Tags
- canine dog training working dog
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
I would NOT take him to a dog park. Dog parks, at this point are far above his social and physical skill set, given that any idiot can bring their dog to a dog park and mostly DO. There is a huge potential of having your puppy harmed physically and mentally by dogs with no social skills and stupid owners in those places. There's also a lot of potential for disease for your young pup in a dog park too.
I have had really bad experiences with dog parks with my bullies. From fights to asshole owners who have no control over their dogs to obnoxious kids, dog parks are not all that great. I avoid them like the plague. Better to find a group of dog owners you know personally who take a more active role in walking or exercising their dogs than simply turning them loose in a dog park.
It's also worth mentioning that through three or four months of age is a crucial developmental time for puppies. That window shapes their foundation. Bad experiences in this window of time (and there are a couple of others) tend to set up longer term issues.
http://dogtime.com/puppies/1130-puppy-behavior-basics-hsus#/slide/1
I have had really bad experiences with dog parks with my bullies. From fights to asshole owners who have no control over their dogs to obnoxious kids, dog parks are not all that great. I avoid them like the plague. Better to find a group of dog owners you know personally who take a more active role in walking or exercising their dogs than simply turning them loose in a dog park.
It's also worth mentioning that through three or four months of age is a crucial developmental time for puppies. That window shapes their foundation. Bad experiences in this window of time (and there are a couple of others) tend to set up longer term issues.
http://dogtime.com/puppies/1130-puppy-behavior-basics-hsus#/slide/1
Last edited:
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
BTW , by "idiots" I mean other dog owners who mostly ignore or make excuses for very bad behavior by their canines at the park. In my experience, a lot of people there just don't keep an eye on their dogs.
http://leerburg.com/dogparks.htm
my nellie
Masterpiece
Yes, you do that with a cautious eye.
They are not fond of children playing and screaming and jumping all over.
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
Yes. I'M not going to dog park.
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
Gonna try Lowes now.
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
We ended up doing a lot in an 1.5 hr trip! Went to to my old neighborhood to see my god child's siblings. One older brother is still a kid. Maybe preteen so maybe that'll help. Then went for a walk saw some dogs that were more calmer, so I had to distract him with a tug toy. Next, we went to Lowes. He got to to see a forklift, which still scares him. Saw some nice people, a guy who owns a German Shepherd Dog. Finally we went to to the big Walmart parking lot to see all the people, carts, doors, and noise.
Last edited:
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
I might go repot one last thing before day is over.
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
Never have I seen him sleep like this. I think I did well.
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
I can tell from this picture that you're this dogs whole world.
And in truth there's no love more pure than the love of a dog.
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
I sure hope so. Very tired today from work, and at the end of the day he was sort of chill before his final training for today and walk. Always a squirmy puppy. Likes to wiggle his way into my chest or between my legs.
So I do have some questions for anyone who might know. I'd like to get to know this dog better. I would like to know how do you grade a dog's nerves? Right now he's a puppy still, just about 3 mos old. Is it too early to know what his nerves are like? Are are there tests? He still walks with his tail down as we go through unfamiliar places. He might be scared of a trash bag blowing in the wind or a manhole in the ground as I walk on it, but after I touch it or jump on it, he seems to adjust well. During a walk I was jumping on metal cover on a side walk. At first he would try to get off the side walk, but then he got better. Actually stood on the metal covering with me as I jumped on it. I fed him and he'd eat like nothing was the matter. He's not fearless, but how good are his nerves I wonder.
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
Ahh. Something else interesting that I remember from the other night was that while walking in the parking lot, a couple had a small excited dog on leash that wanted to go towards me and my pup. My dog almost paid it no attention as I marked him for good behavior and gave him his high quality kibble. I was pretty surprised that he didn't bark back at the other dog. The woman was telling her dog, "Do not engage. Do not engage." LOL.
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
He's still young. Give him some time. Everything is new to him right now. He'll be ok as he gets older.
Sn0W
Shohin
It's just a puppy thing, his confidence will build up the more you expose him to new things.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
His nerves are fine. His behavior is in line with normal development. Read up on how puppies develop...Knowing the approximate stages can help greatly in understanding what is appropriate and what to expect.
https://www.paws.org/library/dogs/puppies/developmental-stages/
At this point, he's looking to you to show him what's bad and good, just like a human toddler does. He's got his tail down because he's tense and trying to process a lot of stuff all at once. He will gain more confidence as he learns more. I would also back off a bit on taking him different places all in one day. Two hours of walking around unfamiliar places can make him very tired--which is good up to a point. An overtired puppy is the same as an overtired, overstimulated toddler--both get cranky and inattentive and prone to overexcitement. That makes them both less willing to learn anything.
I'd back off to one place outside your house for an hour or so a day at this point. Give him some unstructured puppy play time. Throw a ball for him, etc. Training is not all about obeying commands. It's building a relationship with the puppy, where it can trust you and become your partner. Partners who are all work are exhausting and not much fun. ;-)
BTW, a fearless puppy is not what you're after. If a puppy shows no signs of fear, you probably have a very challenging dog to train...
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
Thanks, yall! This helps put things into good perspective.
A. Gorilla
Omono
I trialed my dog in French Ring a few years ago (with a Leerburg dog as a matter of fact). It was fun, but I am BURNT OUT ON DOG TRAINING.
However, if you need any tips on whatever, just lemme know.
I sold most of my gear though.
If I ever get another dog, I kinda just want a throw rug. Just lay there and look pretty. Good boy.
However, if you need any tips on whatever, just lemme know.
I sold most of my gear though.
If I ever get another dog, I kinda just want a throw rug. Just lay there and look pretty. Good boy.
Attachments
Giga
Masterpiece
Just remember consistency is key. People just give up or give in(much like with kids) and the dog get bad habits or does whatever he wants. This was likely discussed but puppies look to you to set boundaries and limitations and need to know your alpha(not in a crazy alpha way, just that your dad!), a very practical example of this is to never let the dog pull or walk in front of you. SOOOO many people get this wrong and it sets in the dogs head that he's leader and get to do what he wants. Leash should be loose and they walking at your side. So that in crazy situation they don't have to freak out and know that you got there back and vise versa. Before my boy past away we went everywhere but avoided dog parks for the reason stated. 95% filled with idiots. See if you can find a place the trains dogs that has a dog park. We use to go to place where the dogs are check out before allowed in the park to make sure they behave well. I'm actually in the process of getting another great Dane in the next couple weeks. Dog are the best!
Good for you, congrats! I miss having a dog, but it's so easy when we go on a trip. Just fill up the automatic feeder and waterer for the cat and our son stops and checks her occasionally. (his cat, anyway).
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
My Robert is doing well. We made three passes yesterday by a playground of 4 noisy kids. He barked first time. The later times, he focused on me. Leash has been pretty loose or I'll tell him and no treat. I treat everytime he corrects himself and walks close to to my side. Lol. The whole 30 min walk is marked with a bunch of yes, good-yes, and no, no nos. I usually change direction when he does walk with a little pull. Usually he does well as so much he sees is new to him. I mark and treat him when he doesn't pay too much attention to people in we walk by. Trying to get him used to nor barking at the other dogs. A thought today was I should train him to ignore the cats. I don't want him chasing after small animals. Maybe even some impulse control.