Am I supposed to start my new puppy's training right from the start?!?

[Crafty1980]

Hi everyone,

New to this forum. There looks like a LOT of information here and I've no idea where to begin!
I picked up my puppy 2 weeks ago now. She's a black lab called Isabelle (Izzy) and was 10weeks old yesterday!

I've never had a dog before, yet along trained one! I'm hoping she will be a gundog eventually and she's already signed up to Gundog training classes when she's 9mnths (there's a big waiting list!)

Before she's allowed there though, I've got to train her the basics of Sit, Stay and Some Retreiving... etc...

I'm assuming I should start these things now so I have done (or is that wrong?)... She already sits and retrieves (both without treats being needed) which I think is amazing!

I'm having trouble trying to work out how to teach her how to stay though! I can't think of how I do it. When it's time for food, I get her to sit and then hold onto her collar while I put the food down and keep saying "Izzy Stay" in a semi firm voice, but she doesn't seem to understand that she needs to wait. Am I doing it all wrong?!?! 

The other problem I've got is her chewing her lead when we go for a walk around the garden. Occasionally she does it right and walks slowly beside me and I praise her for that, but then she will suddenly just bite her lead and start pulling... Should I pull back? Let her win? Tell her off? (I think if I do that she'll just start growling!)

ARGH! Help - I'm out of my depth a little! I've highlighted the main questions if that helps at all!?

Thanks

Ben

[rooooooooby]

Hi,

yep - you're right with starting things now   you want a recall before 16 weeks ideally, and the more basics you get in before then - the better    There are posts which explain why

Yay you for getting her to sit and retrieve   What are you rewarding her with - good girl and lots of fuss ?  hope so

i would ditch the lead and teach her to walk to heel off-lead first using treats and praise   there are posts on how to do this too   if you want to carry on with on lead like you describe - i would say "ahah" in a firm (not shouty) voice and gently retrieve the lead from her, whatever you do - dont pull back it'll make it like a game of tuggy.  if she really bites onto the lead use a toy or treat to "swap" and praise for letting go - this will be the start of your "leaveit" i guess

hope that helps a bit - we have another black lab called izzy here so you're in good company !

I'm sure someone else will be along soon and post some threads to start with   The behaviourist/trainer I use has gundogs (clumber spaniels if you know them) and is on holiday at the moment but is excellent - a chat and perhaps some visits from her would certainly get you and Izzy well on the way to gundog training without having to wait another 7 months or so !   She's on here - posts as kizkiznobite   Just to be clear - I'm certainly not saying Izzy has any "behaviour" problems - this would be pro-active visit to get you both on the right track and make sure you're confident with her training etc ..

TBH - i am knackered and off back to bed - laters !

Claire x

[Izzie]

Hi and Welcome,

have a look in the questions that keep getting asked, you will find a wealth of information in there.
best place to be
levels of criteria
etc,

You are doing it right, you are better off starting training now with Izzy as she is in classical stage still, so all socialisation and training will stay with her for life- but will need to be reinforced periodically.

do you use a clicker with her?

Praise the good and ignore the bad!

[rooooooooby]

Praise the good and ignore the bad!

mostly yep, but dont forget that some things need action to "ignore" (e.g. puppy biting - there is a good video of this somewhere of puppy cubert being taught not to bite)

claire x

p.s. now i AM going to bed !!!

[Izzie]

Praise the good and ignore the bad!

mostly yep, but dont forget that some things need action to "ignore" (e.g. puppy biting - there is a good video of this somewhere of puppy cubert being taught not to bite)

claire x

p.s. now i AM going to bed !!!

Yep, agree Claire.

Go to bed! 

[Crafty1980]

Thanks for all the good advice!

Right... I've taken a good step foward and have signed Izzy up to the local puppy training classes... I think it's definitely for the best - seeing as I really have no clue due to total lack of experience and am so worried about teaching her bad habbits in this very important first 14week period!

I'll let you know how I get on - should be starting in a week or so!!!

[Izzie]

Just remember that you only have 6 weeks now to get the recall pups stop with classical conditioning at 16 weeks.

If you look in the stickies there is a thread about recall, that is your most important cue to get in now.

Keep us updated as to how you do. 

[Crafty1980]

Hmm... what is recall?? Is that coming back to me when I call her?

[Izzie]

yes, you ideally want a martini recall (have a search with them)

a Martini recall is her coming back to you anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

[Crafty1980]

Ahh... Well for the past week and a half, she's come straight back to my side when I give a row of steady whistles (the general call used when calling a gundog back)... Is that any good??

I get the feeling she's a fast learner... Although I'm scared that it might all just be a rouse and that she'll turn into a very disobediant "teenager"!! 

[Izzie]

thats great, keep reinforcing her ( lots of praise, treats) everytime she comes back.

She should keep that recall as long as you reinforced it. 

[*Lassie*]

I'm having trouble trying to work out how to teach her how to stay though! I can't think of how I do it. When it's time for food, I get her to sit and then hold onto her collar while I put the food down and keep saying "Izzy Stay" in a semi firm voice, but she doesn't seem to understand that she needs to wait. Am I doing it all wrong?!?!

You have to build up the stay, put her in a sit/down as it is easier than teaching a stand stay, do you use a clicker?

If not put her in sit/down and after 10 seconds tell her good stay clever girl and treat her, try to keep her in the position tell her to stay - after 10 secs praise and treat. Once she has the idea you can make it 15/20 secs.
The idea is to build up the stay time slowly, Put the treats in a pot with a lid on it in front of her so you aren't fiddling in a treat bag and practice 3 - 4 times a day but not for too long at a time.
If she breaks the stay calmly put her back and just try again, don't tell her off or make her think you are cross with her or it makes it harder to teach.

[Crafty1980]

I think I'm going to be getting through a LOT of treats! I'd better go and buy some more!

[xtine]

Hi from me and Fritz.. another Izzy... 

Are you using a gundog whistle for the recall?

What treats are you using? small cubes of cheese are good for in the house... small so she doesn't get full too quickly 


and.. ahem... pics?? 

[Crafty1980]

Yes, I am using my whistle...

Pictures:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29824&l=8bf5a&id=517401552

Enjoy!