"Our Best Advice" -- suggestions for the new owner

[zoesmom]

I would like to contribute to this thread if I may....

some may have been covered above, but if so, it only reinforces the importance

WHILE FEEDING: touch your puppy, pet her. Add a high value treat to her bowl while eating. Take the bowl away while eating, add a high value treat and replace bowl on the floor. this will teach your puppy that the bowl is *yours*. Yours to do with what you wish, at any time. It will teach non-food aggression.

(on how it relates to Zoe: I am able to do whatever I wish with her food, while she is eating. I can pet her, pull her tail, get in her face. This is what little children may do.)

WHILE CHEWING ON BONES, ETC.: teach to give it, teach to drop it. Again, pet her and get close up and personal. hold on to the bone. If comfortable, have people who come over take the bone away from her. GIVE the bone back. they will learn that it can be taken away, but they will get it back...sometimes. : )

(on how it relates to Zoe: anyone coming into our home, humans as well as dogs, are able to take ANYTHING away from Zoe at.any.time.)

BODY TOUCHING: Your vet will love you. Check her ears, check her mouth. You should be able to swipe her mouth too in case of foreign objects. Check her eyes (like you would check yours if you had an eyelash irritating them). Touch her bum (I do it with toilet tissue) Pull her tail. Pull her ears. Check paws, check all over. Again, your vet will love you.

as for the pulling of tail and ears...little children tend to do this. Get your dog used to being touched by anyone and everyone.

These few things were recommended by our behaviorist/trainer.

if you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.

[vamsi]

woowwwwwwww...that was just an amazing information for new bees like me

[vivekvaid]

Why is my 4 month lab Ignoring me .... i can back after 18 days and he is not coming to me - infact moves away from me

[Bob Pr.]

"vivekvaid," please post questions like this in either "Lab Chat" or in a NEW (separate) thread in this "Training Tips & Puppy Advice" forum. THIS thread is for posting advice, not for raising questions to be answered. Those other 2 forums are for raising questions to get comments.

FWIW, my very strong opinion (having gone through this with my previous Lab, Bess) is that being away that long from that young a puppy probably provoked a temporary psychotic or depressed reaction in your pup. It trusted you and then, "poof" -- you were gone for what seemed like an eternity.

My suggestion -- accept its distancing, do NOT try to break through it with force (e.g., picking it up and holding it when it's squirming to run away). Instead, try to find those things in which the 2 of you can interact in ways that are fun for your pup -- rolling a ball to chase and catch, holding a Teddy bear for your pup to tug at, etc., -- anything that will be viewed as a fun game by your pup. Doing this will very quickly (in a day or 2) break down its reserve and distancing and a cuddly puppy will re-emerge.

[bionec]

Hi................
Really its very useful.
Thanks for sharing.

[Garth]

[titanthelabadorpuppy]

I know I'm new here but I want to add something to a future person who may read this. well a few things as I've only had my puppy for a short while but have learned what seems like a lot of new things.

ok are you ready ?


1. if you are moving out of the sight of the puppy Use a crate.
the crate is your best friend it will keep the puppy from chewing up those 200.00 pair of shoes or that xbox controller your boyfriend/husband/you may have accidently left out on the floor. if you are going to sleep or leaving the room trust me the the crate is your best friend.

2. Don't loose your cool.
As with all babies puppies require a bit on patience. Yes the puppy is going to have accidents EVERYWHERE bed, sofa, floor, ect. (EVERYWHERE) the best thing for you to do when this happens and you find yourself getting annoyed, frustrated,ect is to let the puppy go outside to finish its business, put puppy in the crate for a little bit ( 5 mins) and take a deep deep breath and remember that just like you the puppy is still learning.


3. The Kong is your bestfriend ( I use this for Crate only if I'm leaving the house)

The kong is one of the most wonderful dog toys on the planet not only is it durable it makes for a wonderful food puzzle. here is a list ( this is for first time dog owners) of healthy wonderful low cost treats that can go in the kong.

A. peanutbutter
B.apples.
C. bananas
D. Yogurt (PLAIN LOW FAT)
E. Cheese ( Again LOW FAT)
F. carrots (uncooked)

Most dogs love this treats experiment see what your lil guy likes and doesn't like most dogs take to the yogurt and peanutbutter easily.

Well I think i'm done I hope that I helped you out a bit.

Titans Momma