Hi my name is Emma and I am new to this site, I have a 13 week old Puppy and to be honest I am struggling with most of it, house training, nipping, she is wild and never really very calm and settled (apart from night when she is really good) I have read loads of books on training but I don't know where to start, do I try and teach all the commands at once or master one then move onto the next? as for walks, I don't want her to learn bad habits but she is crazy on the lead, how do I teach her to walk nicely on the lead? thanks for any help. One more thing, how long can she be left at home for? I am at home with her most of the time but sometimes I need to leave her at home but don't know how long it okay.
Thank Emma

What breed is she and what are you feeding her? Certain foods can make a dog hyper.

It would be a good idea I think if you sign up for a puppy training class, but do sit in on one and see how they go about things, whether you agree with their methods. Some are very outdated.

Here are some posts that might help

Housetraining your pup or older dog

Help with a nipping pup

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I would really recommend calling your vets and ask for recommended puppy classes. Take your pup along. All will be explained and magically become clear You will be taught how to do it as well as your pup. At the same time you will both have lots of fun

Hey! I dont have any advice to add but I wanted to offer you a bit of support. Dont be worried that you're feeling a little overwhelmed with your new puppy. Most of us go through the "puppy blues" before we get into a routine and settle into our new lives with our bundles of joy. Just search puppy blues on this forum and you'll find many pages of people feeling like you do now. Is this your first puppy? If so then read all the stickys available on this site. There is loads of information on them to get you started.
Keep your chin up and remember that your pup is just a baby and dosen't know what you want from him. Once he learns everthing will fall into place and you'll look back at this time and laugh. All the nipping, peeing in the house, short attention span and wildness wont last for ever
Good luck and I hope we get to see some pictures of your new baby!

Getting a pup can be overwhelming and a lot of hard work but you just need to get yourself into a routine. Then the pup gets into a routine too and life starts to get easier.

Pups in the main tend to have periods of wild activity then the need to rest although some dont know when to give in so you need to make sure they have wind down time and rest.

For toilet training take her out every 30/45 minutes, when she starts to go use a word, she will associated eventually the word you choose with going so you can use it as a toilet cue later. When finshed lots of praise and treat her.
Take her out too, after drinking, eating, play and sleeping, they usually need to go then. If she has an accident dont tell her off it can make them nervous about gaing in front of you. Also clean any acidents up with a pet stain/odour remover smells left can encourage them to go in the same places. Look out for her circling scratching and sniffing at the floor and get her out quick its usually a sign they are looking to go. Sometimes you dont see it until they are a little older as when younger they dont always recognise the need to go or realise too late. At Night I did sleep downstairs and if they woke or stirred popped them out to toilet. If she is within sight and sound of you, you will be able to do it. If not some people set an alarm and pop them out. Some revert back to newspaper at night. Its entirely up to you. Usually within 2/3 weeks they go through the night eventually and going out if they do need to seems to be quicker in the long run.

she will need to be fed 3/4 times a day, so first off, sort out what times you are going to feed her at regular intervals and stick with it.

Then set up a routine that fits in with your day around that. Take her for her walks at set times or as near as you can manage, work out inbetween that a couple maybe even 3 training sessions where you can start teaching her the basics sit stays etc etc. also mix it with some play chasing a ball or something,
this will give her periods of mental and physical stimulation to tire her out.
Once you have your times for meals, walks, training/play roughly sorted out you should find inbetween she will be tired. A tired pup should settle easier. An ovetired pup often gets naughty and nippy too if they wont quit so might be some of your trouble too. So inbetween the activity times, leave her for periods on her own to amuse herself and rest and go to sleep. Pop her in her room with her bed, and give her an activity to amuse herself. Kongs are good, see link and section how to Kong for fillings and to make them last.
KONG Classic | KONG Company
Treat balls and toys you fill with kibble and set too distibute bits as they play are good, heres an example
Buster Food Cube Review : Labradors Worldwide
Safe chews like stagbars are good too
Our products | Pure Dog | Stagbar antler dog chews | natural dog treats | organic dog snacks | hypoallergenic dog chews | long-lasting dog chews | teeth cleaning dog chews | low fat dog treats
Just pop her in give her the toy and walk away and leave her to amuse herself.
Make no fuss, and later when you return. then let her out, but ignore her for a few minutes then give her attention. Done a few times a day inbetween the activity it will give you a break, teach her to amuse herself and rest, and start to prepare, a routine and get her used to being left on her own when you go out for longer and longer periods.

If she doesnt automatically seem to settle straight away, try leaving a radio on a talking station, putting an old t-shirt or jumper you have worn in her bed (Your smell can re-assure them) You can leave her with a large soft toy that often mimics a litter mate to cuddle up to like they did in the litter and can help comfort some pups. You may need at first to just leave her for short periods and dont let her get too distressed. You should though be able to b uild it up lonfer and longer as she accepts the routine and gets used to it.

Obviously you will need to tweak the routine and times etc to fit in with your life style but it should at least give you a clue to get into some kind of routine you can cope with. Also consider taking her to a training class, that will deffinately be a help for you and her, you will be taught how to train and get some support too.

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Thanks for all your replies I am going to look into a puppy training class today. Her routine is pretty settled as far as food and walks goes (not sure how long her walks should be though)

She is a cavachon (cavilier cross bichon)

How do I add a picture?

Thanks

Certain foods can make them hyper

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A great post from sled dog hotel

So great there's not an awful lot I can add, other than with the training side, probably best to start with the basics of sit, stay etc one at a time then gradually combine them so sit becomes sit-stay and take a few steps back, call her over and treat her etc.

As for photos you can use the attachment (paperclip) button above

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The rule for pups is 5 minutes lead walk per month of life. So if your pup is 3 months old, she should not do more than 15 minutes lead walking per day. But she can still play ball in the garden.

When you press to reply to a post, at the top next to the smiley face there is what looks like a paper clip/exclamation mark with a drop down list. If you click on that it will take you to a box where you can upload a photograph.

__________________
http://www.gentle-newfoundland-dogs.com
http://www.royston-pet-care.co.uk



Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

If you want real love, buy a dog

If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

http://pettaxisg8.yolasite.com/
http://www.help-for-learner-drivers.yolasite.com/

Like other posters I would recommend puppy training classes. But also try The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell, I can't recommend her enough. Her book is easy to read and understand and her methods work well

Good luck!!

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