Staggerz 7 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Hiya forum I will be collecting my new pup in just over a fortnights time. I searched meticulously through all the adverts for some time until i found what i wanted and it woll soon be time to make the 600 mile round trip to fetch her. She is a Deerhound x Collie/Greyhound/Deerhound. I want her to pick up rabbits and the occasional hare whilst also being a family dog. I have never trained a pup before from scratch. I have been reading as much as i can about the subject over the last couple of months. I am going to enroll her into basic obedience classes to supplement what i will do. Some people seem to be slightly against this as it's not a Lurcher specific. The trainers are not likely to know much about sighthound crosses and i am worried this could be detrimental. On the other hand basic obedience is a must, right? I'd imagine that there are no hard and fast rules with regards to training, like do this on day 12 and this on day 28 but any indications on what to be doing at roughly what times is a help. I'm going to start with teaching to sit and lie then a bit of retrieving. Always making a game of things, never letting the training become a bore and ending in a play. What are the most common mistakes made by novices so as i can avoid these? I am the first to admit that i am a complete newbie in puppy training and i am happy to take all advice on board. Pics to follow Many thanks in advance Staggerz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TIMMAY 6 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 My pup sky is nearly a year old now, and i have taken her to training classes from a young age, as I don't know anyone with lurchers to show me how to train her, and I think if you need to go to get basic obedience then go! I admit that didn't know much about training dogs, and that's why i went, and found a trainer who is excellent, recommended by a friend who keeps guarding breeds. However prior to this there were training classes nearer to where i live, and i went a couple of times, and they were crap. Sky was about 3 months old, and he couldn't show me how to train her to do a thing, like many in the class, and just kept handing out his business card saying we needed private lessons and to give him a call (at what expense i can only imagine). So there are bad trainers out there who just want to line their pockets as well so beware! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hannah4181 260 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Puppy training can be a mine field . . . .in my opinion the most important things from day 1 are . . . 1* House training . . . . take the pup outside after everything it does, play, eating, drinking, sleeping, rough quide every 15 mins. Loads of praise and tasty treats when she goes. 2* A puppy cage . . . . . Great to help with overnight toilet training. Also provides a safe place to put pup when your out or if pup needs a break. 3* Chewing . . . . ALWAYS have a good supply of various bones (raw from butchers), toys, and rawhide, around the pup . . . it may not touch them for days, but trust me when it's teeth hurt and it needs to chew it WILL use them! 4* As much a possible have the pup off lead . . . obviously not in dangerous places or next to roads. When puppies are tiny they are naturally scared of everything and will stick to you like glue, as their confidence grows, so does the distance they roam . . . making it harder to get a good recall. From day 1, a bag of tasty treats, recall over and over and over again and reward. Stop mid walk as soon as the pup isn't looking at you . .. turn and walk quickly away. The pup will learn it needs to keep an eye on you. 5* Boundaries . . . . . Decide on them and make sure everyone sticks to them, be firm but not aggressive. 6* Most importantly . . . . .. .. . . . . Cuddles! lots and lots of cuddles and play! Short 5/10 min training sessions then cuddle and play some more! Just enjoy it as well and try not to get too in depth with it, puppies should be allowed to be puppies, they learn most through experience. Puppy classes are great socialisation. Take them out and about to new places all the time, lots of dog places, around farm animals, water, towns, noisey places, roads, pubs, it will all help to give the pup an education that will help to produce a well balanced happy adult dog. Good luck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
craigyboy 1,274 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 (edited) stick with hannahs reply staggerz and you wont go far wrong mate,good reply hannah Edited July 2, 2009 by craigyboy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sully 3 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 As per usual "FANTASTIC REPLY" Hannah, I too am about to start the road to puppy obedience and training, Ive done a few bits with her and amazed how clever she is and how quickly she's picked it up, her house training is going really well, it's tough on me cos 3am when she's howling and crying I know now she needs todo her business, I dont mind getting up to let her out as she obviously doesnt want to sh!%£ in her cage, Ive been working her with a dog whistle and we all have great fun (inc her) whistling her before her BARF meal, she now associates the whistle with something nice, and to see her bound upto me when she hears it is brilliant, good luck with your pup, I'll be taking an interest as to how you and your pup progress, Craig ps mines a Hancock bred 3/4 GH X 1/4 BCollie (no stick please) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Dark 2 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Puppy training can be a mine field . . . .in my opinion the most important things from day 1 are . . . 1* House training . . . . take the pup outside after everything it does, play, eating, drinking, sleeping, rough quide every 15 mins. Loads of praise and tasty treats when she goes. 2* A puppy cage . . . . . Great to help with overnight toilet training. Also provides a safe place to put pup when your out or if pup needs a break. 3* Chewing . . . . ALWAYS have a good supply of various bones (raw from butchers), toys, and rawhide, around the pup . . . it may not touch them for days, but trust me when it's teeth hurt and it needs to chew it WILL use them! 4* As much a possible have the pup off lead . . . obviously not in dangerous places or next to roads. When puppies are tiny they are naturally scared of everything and will stick to you like glue, as their confidence grows, so does the distance they roam . . . making it harder to get a good recall. From day 1, a bag of tasty treats, recall over and over and over again and reward. Stop mid walk as soon as the pup isn't looking at you . .. turn and walk quickly away. The pup will learn it needs to keep an eye on you. 5* Boundaries . . . . . Decide on them and make sure everyone sticks to them, be firm but not aggressive. 6* Most importantly . . . . .. .. . . . . Cuddles! lots and lots of cuddles and play! Short 5/10 min training sessions then cuddle and play some more! Just enjoy it as well and try not to get too in depth with it, puppies should be allowed to be puppies, they learn most through experience. Puppy classes are great socialisation. Take them out and about to new places all the time, lots of dog places, around farm animals, water, towns, noisey places, roads, pubs, it will all help to give the pup an education that will help to produce a well balanced happy adult dog. Good luck. Spot on advice Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Dark 2 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 O I would add that if you can introduce her to ferrets as soon as you can, even if you may not be planning for her ferrets at the moment it is always handy to have your dog stock broken to ferrets just in case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Staggerz 7 Posted July 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 by getting them to drink from the same dish yeah? my pup is on the right and her full 9 month old sister she is currently 26tts should go another inch maybe 28. Opinions are most welcome . Hannah thankyou for your brilliant reply what are the common mistakes to avoid? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Dark 2 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Lovely looking pup mate. I would let them have a play around first before letting them drink milk out of the same bowl, once they are used to each other and you have seen that they get along then let them share some milk. I have always found it a lot easier getting a dog to leave the ferret alone than the other way around. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hannah4181 260 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 by getting them to drink from the same dish yeah? my pup is on the right and her full 9 month old sister she is currently 26tts should go another inch maybe 28. Opinions are most welcome . Hannah thankyou for your brilliant reply what are the common mistakes to avoid? Mistakes . . . . . . . Poor diet. Over exercising. lack of consistency. Not getting the pup used to spending time alone. lack of chewing devices. . . . resulting in damage! Too high expectations of ability in terms of training. Oh and not enough cuddling! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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