OT..our family just got a puppy
- Thread starter Joannafit
- Start date
allwildgirl
Cathlete
First of all, I have absolutely no advice for you at all. The only dog I've had was housetrained when I got her. But I just have to say this. She's a 7 week old golden retriever...
WE NEED TO SEE PICTURES AND LOTS AND RIGHT NOW!!!
WE NEED TO SEE PICTURES AND LOTS AND RIGHT NOW!!!
dss62467
Cathlete
Crate training is a very good method. Since he's going to be a big dog, you'll want a big crate. But while he's a puppy, you'll want to block off the crate so he won't be able to utilize the whole thing. The idea is that he won't relieve himself in his sleeping quarters and if the crate is too spacious, he'll just go in the far corner.
If you're going to crate him, make sure you're consistant with it. We weren't with our dog and he never took to it.
The method that worked best with us with our dog when he was housetraining was to keep his leash on him at all times. We kept him with us always so we'd know when he was getting ready to go. Then we'd get him outside in time. The hardest part is recognizing his signals. They do let you know when they need to go, but sometimes you don't know it.
Goldens are pretty easy to housetrain. Be patient and understanding. Never, never, never punish him for having an accident. He's just a baby. If you're gone from the house and he has an accident while your out, it's no good reprimanding him when you get home. He'll have no clue why you're upset with him. Never rub his nose in it either. My mother used to do that with our dogs. It's cruel.
Good luck! Goldens are very sociable dogs. They need a lot of human interaction. Make sure he has a lot of chew toys or he'll destroy your shoes and furniture. That's another good reason to have a crate, so he can't get to your favorite things while you're gone and he's bored.
If it makes you feel more secure, I found housetraining my dog easier than toilet learning my daughter. I couldn't keep her on a leash.
If you're going to crate him, make sure you're consistant with it. We weren't with our dog and he never took to it.
The method that worked best with us with our dog when he was housetraining was to keep his leash on him at all times. We kept him with us always so we'd know when he was getting ready to go. Then we'd get him outside in time. The hardest part is recognizing his signals. They do let you know when they need to go, but sometimes you don't know it.
Goldens are pretty easy to housetrain. Be patient and understanding. Never, never, never punish him for having an accident. He's just a baby. If you're gone from the house and he has an accident while your out, it's no good reprimanding him when you get home. He'll have no clue why you're upset with him. Never rub his nose in it either. My mother used to do that with our dogs. It's cruel.
Good luck! Goldens are very sociable dogs. They need a lot of human interaction. Make sure he has a lot of chew toys or he'll destroy your shoes and furniture. That's another good reason to have a crate, so he can't get to your favorite things while you're gone and he's bored.
If it makes you feel more secure, I found housetraining my dog easier than toilet learning my daughter. I couldn't keep her on a leash.
Your in the same boat as I! We already have a 7 yr old dog and we just got a puppy.
He seems to be adjusting really well.He is 6 weeks old.I thought that he was going to be afraid of our 120 lb dog but I think he thinks its his mom.He spent an hour chasing him around and trying to grab boobs that weren't there.
As for training, I am just learning.We got our other dog when he was 8 monthes and was already trained.We never get mad at him if he as an accident in the house while we aren't home b/c its not his fault no one was there to let him out.I have read that you shouldn't punish them unless you catch them in the act b/c they forget...ah...I don't think so.When our dog does something bad, he doesn't even meet us at the door when we come home.He just stays on his bed with his ears down.Puppies may forget,full grown dogs don't.They remember everything else,why wouldn't they remember that they crapped all over the floor? Anyway,we don't punish him for things he can't control.
My only wish is that this puppy is as good as our other dog.We have been putting the puppy outside constintly and he is doing his duty outside but had 2 accidents in the house today.No biggie.He is smart enough to know that when he is finished he goes to the door and yaps.
They are only babies and they are gonna need alot of love and PATIENCE! Im just hoping he doesn't turn my new leather couch into his chewing bone!
Lori
He seems to be adjusting really well.He is 6 weeks old.I thought that he was going to be afraid of our 120 lb dog but I think he thinks its his mom.He spent an hour chasing him around and trying to grab boobs that weren't there.
As for training, I am just learning.We got our other dog when he was 8 monthes and was already trained.We never get mad at him if he as an accident in the house while we aren't home b/c its not his fault no one was there to let him out.I have read that you shouldn't punish them unless you catch them in the act b/c they forget...ah...I don't think so.When our dog does something bad, he doesn't even meet us at the door when we come home.He just stays on his bed with his ears down.Puppies may forget,full grown dogs don't.They remember everything else,why wouldn't they remember that they crapped all over the floor? Anyway,we don't punish him for things he can't control.
My only wish is that this puppy is as good as our other dog.We have been putting the puppy outside constintly and he is doing his duty outside but had 2 accidents in the house today.No biggie.He is smart enough to know that when he is finished he goes to the door and yaps.
They are only babies and they are gonna need alot of love and PATIENCE! Im just hoping he doesn't turn my new leather couch into his chewing bone!
Lori
We have always crate trained our puppies and it has always worked out great. I do agree w/getting the right size crate though when they are puppies, or otherwise it won't work. Also, if you can get home during the day at least once (or have a neighbor do it?) while he is still a puppy you'll have better luck.
Good luck w/the new puppy! Give him a hug for me! :+
Good luck w/the new puppy! Give him a hug for me! :+
67firecracker
Cathlete
I am sooooo jealous!!!
You're probably in luck - Goldens are usually pretty easy to train. Here's a link - there's lots of info out there on crate training.
http://www.perfectpaws.com/crt.html
I also highly recommend crate training...for a completely different reason. I pet sit and the happiest dogs I look after are those that are crate trained. Dogs that are used to sleeping with their owners may be great at home but when holiday times come they really have a hard time adjusting. (Trust me there may be times when you will want to or may have to leave your dog.) A dog that is crate trained always has his own 'home' that he can take with him.
Good luck...and do post pics soon!
Trish
You're probably in luck - Goldens are usually pretty easy to train. Here's a link - there's lots of info out there on crate training.
http://www.perfectpaws.com/crt.html
I also highly recommend crate training...for a completely different reason. I pet sit and the happiest dogs I look after are those that are crate trained. Dogs that are used to sleeping with their owners may be great at home but when holiday times come they really have a hard time adjusting. (Trust me there may be times when you will want to or may have to leave your dog.) A dog that is crate trained always has his own 'home' that he can take with him.
Good luck...and do post pics soon!
Trish
You'll love your new puppy! Check out this website:
www.leerburg.com
(For some reason, it's currently down, but it has some extremely valuable information on dog training, and one section specifically on puppies. Check out the puppy articles section.)
Definitely crate train! Some people think it's mean, but they're just misinformed. Dogs need an area where they feel like it's their own. Plus, it will make housetraining your puppy 10x easier. Dogs will not pee where they sleep, so if you keep your puppy in the crate whenever you can't watch him (when you're not home, when you're busy, etc), he won't have accidents. Don't let him run free unsupervised; that will encourage accidents. Get a crate just large enough for him to move around comfortably in it. (If it's too big, he will be able to pee in one corner and sleep in the other.) Feed him in the crate, give him his toys in there, so he'll get more comfortable being in it. Of course, he won't like it at first, especially at night. He'll whine (a lot!), but if you ignore him, he will get used to it much quicker. (If you respond to his whining, he will know that he can whine and you will get up, so he'll do it all night.)
Another thing: establish "no" early. He will understand. It's never too early to train your puppy. Then he won't get into bad habits that you'll have to break later. If he chews on your things, so "no" sternly (but don't yell), take the thing away, give him something he CAN chew on, and praise him. Also, if you exercise him a lot, he won't feel the need to chew as much or be destructive in the house.
I have a 1 year old Lab myself, so I did a ton of research on this. This just touches the surface, of course, but hope it helps a little. Good luck! Your dog will be a valuable member of your family.
www.leerburg.com
(For some reason, it's currently down, but it has some extremely valuable information on dog training, and one section specifically on puppies. Check out the puppy articles section.)
Definitely crate train! Some people think it's mean, but they're just misinformed. Dogs need an area where they feel like it's their own. Plus, it will make housetraining your puppy 10x easier. Dogs will not pee where they sleep, so if you keep your puppy in the crate whenever you can't watch him (when you're not home, when you're busy, etc), he won't have accidents. Don't let him run free unsupervised; that will encourage accidents. Get a crate just large enough for him to move around comfortably in it. (If it's too big, he will be able to pee in one corner and sleep in the other.) Feed him in the crate, give him his toys in there, so he'll get more comfortable being in it. Of course, he won't like it at first, especially at night. He'll whine (a lot!), but if you ignore him, he will get used to it much quicker. (If you respond to his whining, he will know that he can whine and you will get up, so he'll do it all night.)
Another thing: establish "no" early. He will understand. It's never too early to train your puppy. Then he won't get into bad habits that you'll have to break later. If he chews on your things, so "no" sternly (but don't yell), take the thing away, give him something he CAN chew on, and praise him. Also, if you exercise him a lot, he won't feel the need to chew as much or be destructive in the house.
I have a 1 year old Lab myself, so I did a ton of research on this. This just touches the surface, of course, but hope it helps a little. Good luck! Your dog will be a valuable member of your family.
i have never successfully crate trained, but i have always had dogs my entire life, so i had to put my 2 cents in and say Congrats on your new family member. :7 that is so exciting! puppies are so much fun! take alot of pics, because they grow big VERY fast and you will miss it! Donna is absolutely correct on the idea behind crate training. Fortunately for me, i have been a stay at home mom with my dogs and housetrained them by taking them out often. puppies have very small bladders and when they are really young, locking them up in a crate doesn't change how often they have to go. it just makes a mess. when they get a bit older it is very effective from what i have heard from many friends. I personally am a big fan of the doggie door, which i realize is not always an option for everyone. but, goldens are very smart dogs and they pick up quick. i bet yours will do great! Wendymin72 has one named Clyde and i bet she chimes in here soon. good luck and try not to get frustrated! they are babies and it take time to housetrain it's so worth it though!
jes
it's so worth it though!jes
dss62467
Cathlete
When your adult dog has an accident in the house when you're gone, it's probably an emergency for him. Our "baby" will be 8 this year and I think he's only left a pile for us 2 or 3 times. Each time it was because he wasn't feeling well. I've seen him in this state and he will hold on for all he can...but there's only so long you can hold it.
Definitely don't hold it against him. If there's any place in the house that absolutely can't handle a pile of poo, don't let the dog in there while you're gone.
Definitely don't hold it against him. If there's any place in the house that absolutely can't handle a pile of poo, don't let the dog in there while you're gone.
wendymin72
Cathlete
I just want to say that I have a Golden Retriever and they are AWESOME! You are gonna absolutely love him!!!
Best of luck with the new addition!!!:7
~Wendy~
I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?WENDYMIN
http://lilypie.com/days/050519/1/0/1/-5/.png[/img]
EDD: 05/19/05
Best of luck with the new addition!!!:7
~Wendy~
I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?WENDYMIN
http://lilypie.com/days/050519/1/0/1/-5/.png[/img]
EDD: 05/19/05
Yes, Donna and Jes are absolutely right, which I forgot to mention earlier. Puppies have to pee/poop all the time, so a crate will only help to keep them from going in your house, but if you don't let them go outside often enough (at least several times a day), they will inevitably go in the crate. But this way, they will learn to only go outside and will make it less confusing on them.
dss62467
Cathlete
I think my next dog with be a golden retriever. I had one as a teenager and he was an awesome dog. I gave him to a friend on a farm when I went away to college because he was so lonely (Mom and step-father were not dog people). Goldens kind of need to be house dogs, and they kept him outside all the time.
My mixed german shepherd/pit bull is actually the smartest dog I've ever had and I love him. But we totally lucked out with him and I'd like to go with a breed I absolutely know will be a great family dog. Of course, I don't know that I'll feel as safe as I do with my current dog. While he's extremely friendly and social, I know that he would take care of business should anyone threaten any of his family.
My mixed german shepherd/pit bull is actually the smartest dog I've ever had and I love him. But we totally lucked out with him and I'd like to go with a breed I absolutely know will be a great family dog. Of course, I don't know that I'll feel as safe as I do with my current dog. While he's extremely friendly and social, I know that he would take care of business should anyone threaten any of his family.
merrybaker
Cathlete
awwww a golden is the cutiest puppy !!! I have a almost 8 month old Saint Barnard ,He had 3 accidents in the house thus far .. Mind you I'm home all day to work with him . anyhow Consistency is the Key thing here . Also I over exagerate the words "good " "Bad" and "NO"and just be patient ... you picked a great breed ,that will be my next dog ... Also treats help tons .Teach him/her to shake hands by like 6 or 7 weeks with a treat . Get a basic book on Golden's training at a pet store . Me personally dont like the idea of a crate !!! But we also live out in the country !!! Oh also take puppy to same spot out in yard to go poo and pee the smells will remind him thats the bathroom . Also to clean up accidents ..use Vinegar !!!! kills the smell !!! It works !!!! Good luck !!! Oh puppies and kids go hand in hand . Take tons of pictures !!!! ps I'm a dog lover huge ..Our Saint sings to the Harmonica LOL Soooo cute . Good luck and have fun !!!!
ps I'm a dog lover huge ..Our Saint sings to the Harmonica LOL Soooo cute . Good luck and have fun !!!! Joanna~
Use the crate. If it's too big right now, you can make it smaller by using a partitian (some crates have them). Another guideline is that generally, a puppy can hold its bladder for one hour for each month of age so figure about 2 hours for your new bundle of love. Your five year old is probably very motivated right now so teach him/her to put the puppy on its leash and bring it the same spot each time you take it out. Encourage the puppy by saying somthing like, "Hurry up, Fido!". Try to stay out with puppy until it does something and then lavish it with praise, "Good job, Fido!" Don't play with the puppy while you're taking it out to the bathroom. Right now his first life lesson is that he is to go to the bathroom outside not inside his house (crate). When he has an accident, clean it with NATURE'S MIRACLE. This stuff completely eliminates the urine/poop scent. If you don't eliminate the scent, he'll think it's ok to go the bathroom there.
There is a wealth of information about training your new puppy. I personally use a "reward" system with my dogs. I do not use force or ever strike my dogs. The best advice I can give you is to pick a training method/philosophy that you and your family can live with and don't deviate from it. You'll only confuse the dog and thwart your efforts. Good luck!
~ Kim
"Welcome the challenge...Embrace it...Don't fear it." -Cathe Friedrich
Use the crate. If it's too big right now, you can make it smaller by using a partitian (some crates have them). Another guideline is that generally, a puppy can hold its bladder for one hour for each month of age so figure about 2 hours for your new bundle of love. Your five year old is probably very motivated right now so teach him/her to put the puppy on its leash and bring it the same spot each time you take it out. Encourage the puppy by saying somthing like, "Hurry up, Fido!". Try to stay out with puppy until it does something and then lavish it with praise, "Good job, Fido!" Don't play with the puppy while you're taking it out to the bathroom. Right now his first life lesson is that he is to go to the bathroom outside not inside his house (crate). When he has an accident, clean it with NATURE'S MIRACLE. This stuff completely eliminates the urine/poop scent. If you don't eliminate the scent, he'll think it's ok to go the bathroom there.
There is a wealth of information about training your new puppy. I personally use a "reward" system with my dogs. I do not use force or ever strike my dogs. The best advice I can give you is to pick a training method/philosophy that you and your family can live with and don't deviate from it. You'll only confuse the dog and thwart your efforts. Good luck!
~ Kim
"Welcome the challenge...Embrace it...Don't fear it." -Cathe Friedrich
Joannafit
Cathlete
thank you everyone......after each nap and each trip to the food dish..and many times in between..him and i are venturing out to the same area in the yard..........and the neighbors must think i am crazy..as i hug and kiss him after each success!!!! we have a crate but i need to make it smaller..as i have read he should have room to turn around and thats about it...this one is a little bit bigger, but i am sure he will grow into it quickly
oh....and do puppies poop several times a day.........my goodness!!! it is a little soft, but the breeder said he was just wormed so i dont know if that has something to do with it..he is eating eukanuba puppy for large breeds
oh....and do puppies poop several times a day.........my goodness!!! it is a little soft, but the breeder said he was just wormed so i dont know if that has something to do with it..he is eating eukanuba puppy for large breeds
Donna, as much as I love my dog & other animals I was totally clueless. Thank you for your compassionate advice. Mine have always been rescues for the most part so they have been house trained.
Do you have any ideas about older, more senile dogs? My Lola, is getting up there & I'm not quite sure how to handle her.
Marla
Do you have any ideas about older, more senile dogs? My Lola, is getting up there & I'm not quite sure how to handle her.
Marla