CF Dog Tips.

[rjs246]

Crate training is a VERY good idea, but read up on how to do it effectively before hand. I didn't really know what I was doing and although the end results have been okay, there were some problems that I encountered because I didn't know what the hell I was doing.

PPinDC's growling and barking while eating idea is a good one. Dominance. Key.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

PPinDC's growling and barking while eating idea is a good one. Dominance. Key.

All of Sarge's posts are belong to me!

[Susquehanna Birder]

Good tip on the eye boogers. That one has worked well for me (for my dog, that is).

The crate worked well for us, too. But then one cold winter night we got the bright idea to let the dog sleep on our bed. Needless to say, he's never spent the night in that crate again.

[Sgt PSN]

PPinDC's growling and barking while eating idea is a good one. Dominance. Key.

All of Sarge's posts are belong to me!

 

I'm gay.

[Diomedes]

I haven't read everything people wrote because I've stopped reading most of you idiots.  Here goes.

On Crates
Crate training is the best way.  The crate needs to be the right size..this is important.  If the dog can curl up in a corner or a side of the crate, it will crap in one corner and sleep in the other.  Not what you want.  Go for one you think is just a bit small if you're worried.  Put the crate near the door to the outside.  I presume you have a yard?  Put the crate near the door to the yard.  This way when you get home, you open the door to the yard, then you open the crate and usher her outside.  Once she's out there doing her thing, praise her.  If you can do it, put the crate under a table so it's like a cave under a roof..the dog will feel safe there.  It is just that really, a cave.  Not a place for when they are being punished.  Leave it open when the pup isn't in it so it can go in if it wants. 

On the Pack.
You are the Alpha.  Your wife is Beta.  The child is Gamma.  The dog is Omega.  This needs to be established and reinforced throughout life, as it's only the dogs nature to continually check who's who.  Some ways that I use to establish who's the boss:  When the dog misbehaves badly AND I catch him IN THE ACT, I more or less grab the farger, roll him on his back and pin him down by the scruff of his neck, growling at him and saying No.  Never hit a dog..doesn't work at all...confused them and makes them fear you.  Fear is not what you want, what you want is respect.  Don't leave food down for the dog.  Not least because it's unsanitary and encourages poor eating habits, but moreso because the daily feeding of the dog by your own hand is a constant reminder that food comes from you, rather than from "it's always there."

On grooming.
Start on the nails young and do it regularly.  Be extremely careful not to clip to close.  In fact, just clip the very very tip once a week to get the thing accustomed to the routine.  You don't want to have a dog that's freaked out by toenail clippers.  Brush often.  It really, really helps. 

On messes
Messing in the house is your fault, not the puppie's fault.  If you catch it in the act, then scold but not too angrily.  You need to be perceptive to the puppy's needs.  everytime it comes out of the crate, take it out.  Every time it wakes up from a nap, outside.  And I mean right away.  Take it out right after a romping play session.  Same again: right away.  When it has an accident, think about when the last time it was out, about what it was doing RIGHT before the accident, etc.  They signal even before they know they are signaling, and if you pay attention to them you can speed the communication training.

On walks
Use a choke.  Put it all the way up under the dogs chin, not at the base of the neck on the shoulders.  Dogs have muscles down there and it's nothing for them to lean into the chain if it's down there.  If it's up under the chin however, they can't argue.  You've got their head and they won't struggle.  If you're walking the dog on your left side, as I do, you want to make the choke collar in the shape of a P, and if on the right side, in the shape of a backwards P.  This allows the chain to slide easily/with gravity.  If you don't know what I mean, try it both ways and you'll see.  When it's done right, the chain will automatically slack when you back off a bit.  Always walk the dog on the same side (the left), using the dog side hand to hold the lease and regulate how much lead you give, while the off dog hand is holding the other end of the leash.  yes, it's a two handed job.  The left hand keeps the chain in the right position and manages lead distance while the right hand has the anchor.  Keep the dog at your side...NOT ahead of you.  The Alpha wolf walks in front, so do you. 

On jumping up.
Knock 'em down when he does it (without hitting) and turn away from him.  Give as little attentoin to the dog as possible when you first come in to discourage jumping and peeing.  Literally, pretend it's not there.  Once he's chilled out, give him some love.

On naming
Two syllables.  Make it something you can call outloud easily. 

On food.
Like I said, put it down for a time and let the dog eat.  If it leaves the food after an hour or so, pick it up and no more until next feeding.  Feed morning and dinner time.  Never ever give treats from the dinner table, or wherever you eat.  Never.  Seriously, take this seriously.  It's farging Pandora's box.  My dog stays away from me when I eat....because she's never gotten anything and I get gruff when she comes near.  After dinner, she might get scraps...in her bowl, or possibly a plate to lick on the floor next to her bowl.  Treats are great for training and also to give once in a while for no particular reason, but don't go overboard.

On chewing.
there is very little you can do here.  Have toys, stuffed animals they can have, etc.  Make sure they get plenty of outdoor time to tire them out.

On socializaiton.
If you have a cat, that really helps.  Get the dog out as much as possible with other dogs and people.  It's as much for you as for her because the last thing you need is a dog that can't be around other dogs because it's super aggressive, or super passive, etc.

that's enough from me.  I'm dying to get a second dog now that I've moved, but I figure the landlord should get rent checks on time for six months or so before I spring the idea on her.  That means probably not until late fall. 

[PhillyPhreak54]

If he shteins on the floor....show him who's boss by shteinting in his crate.

[tnt4philly]

We just got done crate training our puppy, and it went ok. One thing is that you pretty much have to keep and eye on the dog all the time when it is outside of the crate. At first, it seamed like our dog would mess in the house whenever we turned our back on her. We could never catch her in the act. She is completely house trained now. It took about 2-3 months. She is an American Eskimo and I read that they act like puppies longer than most other dogs.

Tips on crate size, like some already said, if the crate is too big, they will sleep in one corner, and mess in the other. To keep from buyin more than one crate, get one big enough to hold the dog when it is full grown. Use a box or something else to divide it up so that the dog only has enough room to lay down comfortably in. Do a google search on crate training, and you should find some good tips.

[Sgt PSN]

On naming
Two syllables.  Make it something you can call outloud easily. 

That explains alot.  I named my dog Humpernickle Shickadance and he never responded to me when he was younger.  I always thought the little farger was just ignoring me so I kept beating his ass.  Oops.  

[SD_Eagle5]

Crating is the best method for dogs, I've raised 5 in my lifetime and its never failed me.

Terriers are known for having seperation anxiety. When you or any member of your family leaves the house, don't pay the dog any attention. When you enter the house, ignore the dog for 5-10 minutes. Do this early and it will help relieve some of this.

[Seabiscuit36]

Crating is the best method for dogs, I've raised 5 in my lifetime and its never failed me.

Terriers are known for having seperation anxiety. When you or any member of your family leaves the house, don't pay the dog any attention. When you enter the house, ignore the dog for 5-10 minutes. Do this early and it will help relieve some of this.

Another thing that works well for Separation Anxiety is D.A.P.
and if your dog is a pain going to the bathroom use Pee Post

[Susquehanna Birder]

On naming
Two syllables.  Make it something you can call outloud easily. 

That explains alot.  I named my dog Humpernickle Shickadance and he never responded to me when he was younger.  I always thought the little farger was just ignoring me so I kept beating his ass.  Oops. 

I'm glad I didn't go with my first choice: Infantfarger.

Good points, Dio. I don't completely do the food thing, but it hasn't been a problem.

[Diomedes]

I don't completely do the food thing, but it hasn't been a problem.

You mean you just leave food down, or you feed the pooch from table?  Or both? 

I should also say that I continue to learn as this goes along.  I sound like a helicopoter parent, I know...but living with a dog teaches you shtein.  It's one reason life is worth living.

There aren't that many reasons, incidentally.

[Susquehanna Birder]

I leave the food down. He sometimes eats it all, especially if there are scraps involved. Sometimes he saves some for later in the evening. Either way, though, I make it a habit to feed him after I (and the family) eat. Gotta establish the pattern of dominance.

[Diomedes]

...I make it a habit to feed him after I (and the family) eat.

I do that too but on principle only, because I've noticed that with this dog it doesn't matter; even if I do put it down before I eat, she won't even look at it until after I've finished eating.

She's holding out for the possiblity of the plate.

You get to know them after a while.  This one is 8 1/2 years, and I've raised her from a pup.

[Zanshin]

Good tips.  Thanks.  The size thing came up a few times-- this dog will be between 16-20 pounds or so, and bald.