924Board.org

[AppleBit]

For the ultimate in laughter, go here... browse, browse, browse and read read read...

http://www.thedogisland.com/


It's so funny I could lay down and die now...
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Classic British Sports Car Restoration v6 + v8 Engine Conversion Swaps

Porsche 924 Wide Body LS1 Corvette 500 Horsepower Engine

[Chrenan]

Timley post....

We just got a puppy last week and we are going through all those "new puppy" struggles. It's tough. Any words of wisdom from dog owners?
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[Redwitch]

I tried to send my dog and they won't take him because he's insane....
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Life is an illusion brought on by lack of alcohol.......

[924RACR]

My doberman is extremely well-behaved, for the most part. Remember that they are just like little kids, topping-out at about 3 years old; plenty of intelligence and vocabulary, if you talk to them.

Also remember that what you teach them, intentionally or not, will stick with them. Treat them now like you wish them to behave when adult. If you let your puppy jump up on people and lick faces, you'd better be happy with it when they're grown.

Also don't forget that they will learn from every way in which you interact with them, whether or not you intend to train them. They will pattern behaviour. I have had to consciously recognize and eliminate patterns of behaviour from my dog, even at 6 years, that I don't want her to pursue.

Perfect example: she farts, you want to let her out to take care of business. She enjoys going out, and so will intentionally behave in ways that will convince you to let her out. I wouldn't put it past her to start farting to get let out! Ask my wife how the dog reacts when I ask "Who's stinky?" Even better, if I wave my hand in my face (for fresh air after she's made my eyes water with a particularly close one).

Another good example or two of why you should talk to your pets with a full vocabulary. My dog does not "roll over" - I hate stupid, cutesy tricks, especially on a dog as serious and intimidating as a Doberman. But my dog will go "upstairs," "downstairs," inside, outside, upon command... not to mention she understands what "out of the way" and "MOVE" mean... and when I tell her to "Bugger off" - she will! (which, incidentally, both amused and upset my mother-in-law who was over visiting when I was gone and my wife said so...)
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[Chrenan]

Vaughan,

Good to know you are a dog resource as well as 924 resource...

It's been a while since either my wife or I lived with a dog (last time was when I was 10, I think her last dog passed away when she was 22). Thanks for the tips, definitely good to keep in mind, my dog training knowledge is zip apart from the reading I have done. My wife remembers some, but it has been a long time since she has had a puppy.

I like Dobermans, I like most short haired lean breeds, but a Dobe is just a little too big for us. We have a Whippet, looks similar to a Greyhound but 30 pounds instead of 60.

That is funny that you think your dog farts to get out. It wouldn't surprise me, it seems most animals are far smarter than humans give them credit for.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[Diesel]

Here's my 110 lb. Rottenhound protecting us when we were attacked by lobsters.



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Dan Flanagan--2002 VW Jetta TDI, 83 Mercedes 300D,83 Mercedes Euro-240D

[Chrenan]

That's a funny picture. My guess is that without human intervention, dogs and lobsters wouldn't have many face-to-face meetings...
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[jpab924]

I`m a firm believer in crate training....good for the dog and the humans sanity. Especially during the puppy stage.

[Chrenan]

Yep, we are going through the crate training struggles now. The puppy came with some crate experience. She has no problem sleeping in there at night, doesn't cry at all, sleeps 11pm to 6am with no issues. During the day is tougher.

She has to go from 8am to noon, then an hour lunch break outside, then from 1pm to 2:30pm, then another hour break outside, then 3:30pm to 5:00pm. She doesn't seem to like it, crys a lot when we leave, sometimes messes her crate. I don't think it is the crate she has a problem with, as she sleeps and eats in it fine when we're home. I think she just doesn't like being alone. Everybody tells us she just needs to get into a routine. Hopefully that is true and being consistent will pay off...
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[kye]

I went through the puppy training stage once, and agree with what's been said.. consistency is important, and they'll definitely learn any double standards you have, so it pays to think about what you're telling them by how you act!
when it comes to paper training (assuming that's the road you go for, does crate training involve this? i've never heard of it) I read a lot of contradicting thoughts on whether you should only encourage them or if you should punish them for getting it wrong.
with my experience, I got frustrated with the apparent lack of progress with the pure encouragement tactic, and started punishing (not harshly either, just with dissapproval) it only resulted in confusion and anxiety for the poor puppy, and is something I would never do again. also, I read in places that you shouldn't encourage a dog too much when it gets something right.. they claimed that the dog would forget what it had done right in all the excitement and praise, but I saw no indication this was true at all, and life was a lot more fun for both when celebrations were uninhibited by what we "should" be doing!
also, i'm not sure at what age it happens, but before a certain age they're not fully capable of controlling when they go to the toilet anyway, so they can't be expected to be making progress from the very start, even if you start training.

just my 2c worth
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it's funny, but when they said "Anything is Possible", that's exactly what they meant....

[Chrenan]

Thanks for the tips Kye. We are going down the "praise" instead of "punishment" route. She is doing well with the house training so far, a few stumbling blocks, but certainly better than I was at 10 weeks!
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[kye]

they're a lot of work, but they're so much fun!
I love dogs..
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it's funny, but when they said "Anything is Possible", that's exactly what they meant....