Hello from New Jersey!

oh great advice. i got home and decided to do some clicker training with the SIT command before he eats his dinner. Soaked some of his biscuit treats in water. Actually too much water so it was all sloppy on my hand when I picked them up. First few times he messed up, after the 8th try he was flopping his butt in a hurry to sit. He was having fun licking the slop off my fingers. Then he lost interest and started nipping which is about fine since I ran out of treats. I did have one last bit and he was happy to be distracted to go and SIT! After that he voluntarily sat after the SIT command with no treat. So awesome! Figured the smell of the treats weren't strong enough to keep him lured, wetting definitely unlocks the smell.

 

Thank you Rosie!

 

Pics!

 

and a boring video

 

Oh he is so cute

Just remember, training sessions should be no longer than a couple of minutes at this stage. By which, I mean two minutes. 120 seconds. He shouldn't be getting bored or distracted - you want to teach him that you're an exciting person to be around and work for, not a tedious one. You can increase the duration when he's older, but now isn't the time. I know it's frustrating, because you want him to learn so much, but he'll learn faster and better in several very short bursts spaced throughout the day than in one long one.

 

really 2 minutes? that's sooo short. but yes hard to keep his attention for so long before he ends up going playtime turbo mode. I'm just really happy he is now responding to C&T. I started with clicking and tossing food on the ground. Then yesterday I started clicking and treating from my hand. I couldn't get him to follow my hand then, but with a "smelly" lure he was following it around like the videos on youtube, and he sat on command! it really does take alot of patience. annoying that you need to remove yourself whenever he gets too riled up and starts nipping. then you need to wait for him to settle down and then he starts paying attention.

oh and he puts his paws up against the pen when i try to get in. i say sit and he sits I open it. he tries to pounce again on the door. I close the door and say sit and he sits. he stays seated and i finally get in. I was quite impressed.

 

Yup, literally two minutes. Build slowly up to five. If you do that, it'll be a cool game that leaves him wanting more. At this stage, he's learning so much about the world because everything is new and exciting. Trying to keep his concentration on you when there are a million new things isn't feasible for any length of time, and you don't want him to end up associating you with boring. You need to ensure it's always you that ends the game, not him. Whether the game is tug, or learning to sit nicely when asked. They're all games for your puppy.
At this stage, he wants to be with you. You're the most important thing in his world. But soon, he'll be getting more confident and independent, and that's when loads of people struggle to keep their puppy's attention, when they'd rather be chasing other dogs, investigating smells, generally ignoring you. If you have a puppy that has learned that being with you means nothing but fun (by making your training into games that always leaves him wanting more), then he'll be more likely to stay connected with you. If he learns that you can be boring, well, why should he come back and see what you want him to do, when that patch of grass way over yonder just smells so good, and, look, another dog to play with - dogs are so much more fun than my owner!!

 

crocopup's first casualty... my niece's shorts!

 

Sparky's been having some sporadic bouts of something like wretching and gagging. Started about two days ago. He threw up a small amount of kibble two days ago and on one incident I was present, he sent one kibble flying out. I hope this is not Kennel Cough. He did receive a Bordetella vaccine last Monday. I read online that it can produce Kennel Cough symptoms to a small percentage of dogs. He's still the hyperactive puppy. No behavioral changes. No problems with eating or drinking. We are going to the vet tomorrow for his next schedule immunization. I hope the vet has an answer.

Nothing new today. He made it down his first flight of stairs, well almost. He got cocky and ran down halfway. Good thing I was at the bottom and caught his butt. Wish I had it on camera it was so funny!

 

Sparky took his first dip in the Hot Tub today. Impromptu hot tub cleaning. Let him in the tub while I was filling it back up. He was like "oooo water!" and started swatting the water with his paw. Little nudge to the deeper part of the hot tub and he took a quick circle around. Swimming like a pro!

 

Sounds like he's a natural,if he's still coughing I'd put a call into the vet just to run it by them .....

 

Welcome to you - he's lovely. Keep an eye on his cough but it could easily just be a reaction to the vaccination.

 

Yes. Leaving for the vet soon for his next vaccination. Will ask the vet about the cough. It is somewhat diminishing now. Thanks everyone!

 

Ah good to hear ,hope he's ok and not too knocked about by his vaccination,I'm sure he will be a very brave Puppy x

 

Just came back from the vet. Lungs were clear and she couldn't make Sparky cough. She doesn't think it could be from the Bordetalla vaccinre from last week. She thinks he may have a 'cold' and put him on an antibiotic. Vaccination put off for another two weeks.

 

BTW, my mother finally agreed with reservation to a dog sitter. Maybe doing a meet and greet with the sitter tomorrow evening. We shall see.

Sparky's weight is now 14.4 lbs up from 11.5 lbs a week ago.

 

That's wonderful news!

 

Glad to hear Sparky is doing well - hopefully the antibiotics will clear up whatever bug he has caught. Also good to hear you have a potential dog sitter lined up - that will make life so much easier for all of you. Fingers crossed all goes well in the interview!

 

Yes let us know how you get on x

 

That's great news about the dog sitter, well done you!!!

Bit surprised your vet put your pup on antibiotics, when he/she couldn't find anything wrong with Sparky...