Raising a Pup

[Brade4]

As I posted earlier, I am going to be buying a pup early summer and have a few questions. How do you go about a pup when arriving to the farm? Should I have a fenced in kennel that is able to go indoors if needed? As time goes on, how do you teach the dog to stay in the yard without shock collars? I know it is a lot of work, but I am ready for it. Anything else you think I should know, post away!

[gixxer01]

I personally like the indoor/outdoor kennel setups from a liability stand point. Spaying and neutering can help a dog resist the urge to wander. Showing the dog the boundaries will also help. Discipline when crossing, and praise when they don't. Start it early!

[drewbop]

Gotta stay consistent on the pup's boundaries when allowed to roam around freely. Discipline when they go out of bounds, praise when they stay in. Always be aware of your actions towards the pup. Consistency is key when training at any level.

[magnum mike]

When I got my first hunting dog years ago, my wife (GF at the time) got me a book called "Training Your Retriever" by James Lamb Free. It is a wealth of information and I highly recommend it to anyone just starting out.

[Ufatz]

Patience. Repetition. Firm and simple commands and corrections. Lots of fondling and ear scratching. Patience. Did I say repetition?

Oh. And patience.

I take new puppy in my lap out and away from distractions and we have a little talk. Mainly, I talk. "You are here because I WANT you here. We are going to make a deal. You help me and make me smile. You boost me up when I feel down. You act silly when its a gloomy day. You love me and we have fun together. And last, but not least, I promise to take care of you....all the way to the end.

And I do.

[BLACKJACK]

Emphasize the basics, Sit, Heel, Stay, Come, lots of leash work. Do a little every day, short sessions, multiple times a day if possible. Be patient, they don't become good citizens overnight.

I live in the country, the way I keep them close is no unsupervised time at first, then short 'free times', with me checking every 10 minutes, with a doggie bone as treat. If its going to be any longer than an 1/2 hour, in the kennel they go. As they get older, over a year, you can give them more free time but you can't expect a 'teenage' 6 month old pup to stick around when you're not there.

Don't be one of those people that move to the country and think 'my dog should be able to run loose all the time'. Next thing you know they're over at the neighbors or worse yet if there are two of them then they're out running deer. I see it all the time around my place. Then the dogs eventually disapear, either hit by a car or into the pound.

[TylerS]

Blackjack nailed it. Free roaming time outside is a privilege that is earned. There's a fine line to tread between instilling confidence to range, and creating a monster that wonders wherever it wants.

Set the basics, be patience, keep a high standard, and make it a part of every day life. If they are taught that sitting quietly in a corner is a part of their daily routine from Day 1, by Day 30 it's old hat.