Training Jeffrey

Feb. 11, 2008

Things that happen to a person with a new dog...

Jeffrey's vet visit went well. He got lots of treats there, so I'm sure he can't wait to go back!

Here are a few things that have happened to this sleepy, puppy thought girl:

I saw little sister Rebekah sucking on a block (big block). "No, Jeffrey!" I cried, snatching the block away from her. "No! Bad dog!"

Stephen goes running out of the room I'm in, "Jeffrey! Come back here!"

Nadia starts crying about something, "Oh, Jeffrey! What's wrong?"

Stephen comes up to me, I scratch him behind the ears.

It all comes from lack of sleep and chasing after puppy dogs!

~Rose

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Feb. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by writer4him

Hello again (this is Beth from Doodle's Templates, signed in on my other blog)!
Aww, Jeffrey is adorable!! He reminds me of the puppies my dog had last year. They're all gone now except one, and she's getting big. I can't wait to make a doggy template for you :-D!
~Beth

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Feb. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by tulip

HUH???????????????? I don't get it explain in a message please. That is the last little bight about no Jeffery or something like that.

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Feb. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Abbypie3000

LOL That's Funny!

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Feb. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Psalm27

:-) Stan said he did the same thing when he was training his dog. But, he says you'll get over it. :-)

~Rob

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Feb. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by brittanyrose

ROFL!!! That's funny Rose! Sorry to hear about Thumper. (I think that's his name).

Brittany

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Feb. 13, 2008 - Training Jeffrey

Posted by Anonymous

Rose,
I read your Mom's blog and understand that Jeffrey is a handful...most puppies are! I think the idea of putting him in a crate for "down time" is a good idea. Puppies are like toddlers; they wear themselves out and then "act out". I have a book "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete in upstate NY. They raise German Shepards and everyone wants their dogs. I'd be happy to send it to you.

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Feb. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by blondie

Hi Rose!

Your new puppy is adorable. Congratulations!

Training a puppy is a LOT of hard work, but don't give up! We have a puppy we just got right before Christmas, a 3-month-old golden retriever named Luke, so we're in the midst of puppy training too. He is very cute, and he's growing big and strong VERY fast. Looks like Jeffrey will be a good sized dog too! It's important to teach him who is boss now, while he's little!

I strongly encourage you to get a large crate if you haven't done so already. It REALLY helps with housebreaking, and keeping him out of trouble. A dog will not mess in his own crate. Putting a puppy on a feeding schedule (3x a day when they're young - breakfast, lunch, dinner) and then taking him out about 10 minutes after every meal really helps. You can even train him to understand what "go potty" means (or whatever you prefer to call it). When we first got Luke everytime he would start going, I would repeat "Go potty! Go potty!" enthusiastically and then praise him afterward. He soon associated that phrase with going potty. Now, he is actually trained to go on demand! I take him outside and if he doesn't go right away, I will say, "Go potty!" and he will immediately look for a place and relieve himself. It is great.

If he doesn't relieve himself outdoors, then when you bring him back inside, he goes right into the crate - not as punishment, but just because he will not mess in his crate. Then about 10 minutes later take him out again. Repeat until he goes. Pretty soon he will go, and then you can let him have some free time in the house without worrying about him messing in the house! The crate is also great for giving him a place to rest when he gets too wild or hyper - which is a sign that he is overtired. (Kinda like children!)

Also make sure he gets lots of exercise - remember a tired puppy is a good puppy. If he doesn't get enough exercise he will find ways relieve his energy - probably by destroying your house. Provide plenty of toys with different textures - but just give him one or two at a time. When he chews on your mother's table legs, firmly say "NO Bite!" and give him a nyla bone or something to chew on. Then praise him when he chews on his toy. If he doesn't listen you can also grab the scruff of his neck to pull him away - like his mother dog would do.

Have you discovered the "Kong" yet? It is a strong, rubber flexible toy with an opening in which you stuff a goody for the dog. He then spends a long time playing with it, chewing it, bouncing it, trying to figure out how to get that goody out. Our puppy LOVES it, and it keeps him busy for at least 1/2 hour at a time.

Two books I have really enjoyed reading have been "Puppy Preschool" and "My Smart Puppy."

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Feb. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by blondie

Oh, I wanted to mention something you want to start teaching Jeffrey now - for his safety. Since puppies will pick up just about anything they see in their path, teach him the command "drop it." This is how I have trained Luke.

Give him one of his favorite toys. Have a treat that he REALLY likes, more than his toy, in your hand. Say "drop it" and show him the treat by holding it above his nose. He will drop his toy to take the treat. Say "good boy!" Repeat this a few times, and after he gets the hang of it, start hiding the treat and giving it to him as soon as he drops the toy. Practice every day, or he will forget. Eventually, reward him with the treat only occasionally but always praise. He will continue to drop what he has, just to see if he gets a treat. This works great when he picks up something he isn't supposed to have. We have fished all sorts of dangerous objects out of Luke's mouth - including rocks and screws! (Where in the world does he find these things??) It's great when you can say "drop it" and they will drop whatever they picked up.

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Feb. 14, 2008 - Book

Posted by Mennobrarian

Rose, I saw someone on here offered to send you the book "The Art of Raising a Puppy." If possible- get that book!
~Monica~

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Feb. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by writer4him

Hey Rose! It looks great :-D!
Hoping to have another update one Jeffrey soon...
~Beth

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About Me

Jeffrey Todd is a naughty, but cute puppy. This blog will be about my experiences while training him. He is an attentive pupil when he wants to be, but often his mind seems to be elsewhere. It's hard being a teacher, but rewarding to see him catch on to tricks and commands. Join me as I share how things go in this area of my life. Right now (March 2008) Jeff is almost 5 months. He is growing! He's nearly 40 pounds already.