Hi I am new to this and was just hoping for a few pointers and tips on my 14 week old lab duke. Dukes toilet training went great, he cracked it within a few days the only problem we have with this now is if the back door is shut he doesn't let us no he will just do it in the hall, how is it possible to teach to tell us he needs to go? (He can bark) Also biting he started off really bad biting furniture and everything onsite he seemed to have calmed down in the last week couple of weeks but all of a sudden he has started again what has caused this? We where finally allowed to take him out for a walk this week, I want to be able to let him off his lead but his recall isn't very good he doesn't listen in the house so is he going to listen outside? What if he just runs away. Really hope someone can give some tips thanks
Welcome to you alice. Some never let you know they want to 'go' but you will start to read subtle signs. Bruce just goes and stands by the door. The new bout of biting could easily be teething, but lots of pups are crocapups up to five months or more. Get 'Total Recall' by Pippa ----> It's brilliant and answers all your recall questions, you can get a e-copy if you need it quickly ..
Hello and welcome to the forum! Were you toilet training with the door open? It sounds like it, and this is a common problem with people who use this method. Your pup isn't really toilet trained at all; as you have found, he will just go where he can when there's an obstruction. So, you need to start back at the beginning, keeping the door closed this time, taking him our regularly and watching him like a hawk for any movement towards the door. Biting is normal in puppies of that age, and nothing to worry about. Just keep being very consistent in disengaging form him when he gets too rough, and you'll come out the other side. As for recall - most puppies have a built-in survival mechanism for staying close to their owners when they're young pups. Still, it's worth not relying on this the first time you go out if you're concerned, so find an enclosed area so he can't run off too far.
No toilet training was done with the door shut this only happens now again we have noticed he runs up and down the hall with toys so we think he is playing then all of a sudden he does it, thank you for your help
When you go out for a walk try and make yourself really interesting........run away from Duke calling his name, jump around and call him as soon as he looks at you, wave one of his toys around in an excited voice and make sure you give him a really high value treat every time he comes near you. This will encourage him to come back to you.
I don't think he will run away When you take Duke out, choose a safe place and then walk with him off the lead, keep turning away from him, walk left for a bit, walk right for a bit, say nothing to Duke. At the puppy age, they are keen to be with you, so he learns to watch you and is anxious to catch up with you. I used to suddenly nip up a path out of sight, or hide behind a tree. Now my adult dogs watch where I am and if I disappear they are with me in seconds. There is advice on this forum somewhere, have a look in the titles and see if you can find it.
This post may help give you some ideas for keeping him close: http://thelabradorforum.com/threads/keeping-your-dog-close-on-a-walk.12214/ As for toilet training, most puppies won't be fully trained at 14 weeks, so just keep doing what you're doing. My Willow will scratch at a door if she wants to go out, but Shadow just sits by it. Eventually, he'll come and stare at me instead, until I take note. In the early days, though, you have to keep an eagle eye on them to pick up on their signals, because they just can't hold it for very long.
Another vote for Total Recall. Brilliant, just brilliant. None of our dogs have ever let us know they want to go out, it's just subtle signs you pick up on - maybe they walk into the kitchen and back, or sit at the back door, quietly. Coco will give a tiny whine if he's desperate for a poo, but he whines for all sorts of reasons . Once Duke is old enough he will hold on until you give him the opportunity to "go", until then, keep taking him out often. (says the woman with no puppy experience!)
Hi I can only echo what the others have said - my boy never lets us know by barking or scratching, he just comes and sits in front of me and does this really weird, kinda creepy Children of the Corn stare! If we are somewhere new then he will whine until I ask what's wrong then I get the Children of the Corn stare again! Chewing and biting are perfectly normal - Bailey still occasionally has a go now and he is nearly 6 months old, especially when he's getting tired. Good luck
Yeah, at this age "my dog is toilet trained" is more about good management from the humans than proper conscious control by the dog. Xena (4 months) wanders to the back door when she needs to go - no sound, I have to be aware of where she is. I follow her and she's just sitting there, looking at me. Creepy. I still keep an eye on the clock and try not to get complacent.
Yep same problem here with the no sound to go out, Millie used to sit and wait at the door and if none saw her or if I was in the shower she peed at the door. And they wet a bit when they play a lot and get excited, just like babies that giggle a lot. It will improve fast. I teached Millie the commando bark, so now for the past 2 weeks or so I tell her to bark every time we go out when I'm certain she will go do her buisiness. Yesterday was the first time she went to the door and made her little not so loud bark to get out and poop (yay I'm happy). Some people teach their dogs with some bell at the door, but that is not an option for us since we got a 2 year old that just can't let things be lol.
I agree with Xena. My puppy is 15 weeks old and we seem to have the potty training under control - because we still have a schedule. I also echo the "Children of the Corn" stare. I get the same look, but could not place it. Perfect description! Diligence will be key here.
