Hi, Great to be abooard. Already founs some great information and advice. Looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing advice and stories
Re: hello From maximo Sorry should have supplied a little more info. I have a new 12 week old black labrador pup. We got him at 8 weeks old. He is beautiful. His name is Max. We are training him using positive reinforcement only at the moment. A far cry from what I was used to and reared on back in Ireland.I had a shepherd and Lab mix as a kid. We also had poodles. My lab mix had a wonderful temperment but looking back he must have put up with an awful lot from me. I knew very little about training a dog. He ended up quite well trained and had quite a pampered life because he was my soul mate but it came more from massive repetition and the choke chain and putting his rump down and saying sit etc. etc. I have read Karen Pryor's reaching the animal mind and also Mary kays cllicker training for dogs. I also love Kikopup on you tube. The one most valuable thing I have learnt is if a dog is not doing what you want him to do, what alternative are you offering the dog and what incentive are you giving the dog to do that alternative behaviour. Because, before I understood that, it was a battle of wills between me and the dog and we call ourselves the most evolved and intelligent of all the species yet we have a battle of wills shouting and gesticulating admonishing etc.etc. with an animal that can't talk or understand our language. I am struggling with distractions outside which I will expand on in training but for now that's it.
Re: hello From maximo Hi Maximo, welcome to you and to Max. My pup Rachael is just two weeks younger at 10 weeks old. Look forward to hearing about your adventures! Pippa
Re: hello From maximo Hi there, this is a great place to come for help and advice - I have already received lots of both regarding my 16-week old puppy .