YOUR DOGS, CATS & Other Domestic Fauna - Cute, sad, buff or silly
- Thread starter Capt MJ
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IamtheFred
C/o2026 Applicant
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Just got a dog on Thursday. The first in the family since I was a toddler. She is four months old, and a lab-german shepherd mix (we think). Does anyone have any training tips they would like to share?
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There are websites, books, videos, info from your vet out there.
Biggest piece of guidance:
Never allow the puppy to do what you don’t want the adult to do. If you don’t want them to beg at table, drool or be annoying when people have food in their lap, never ever feed them from there. Dog food in the bowl, dog treats from the hand at least a little distance away from where people eat, etc. People are amazed at our boxers, enthusiastic food lovers that they are, who go under our dining room table to snore quietly with their heads on approved people’s feet as we have a tableful of people eating dinner. They have no expectations of being handed something from the table. Don’t want a dog on a certain chair or sofa, never sit there with the puppy in your lap, and be consistent about rules. Boxers are allowed on leather sofas, but not on fabric.
Accustom the pup to you gently handling paws, ears, tail, mouth, teeth, with lots of praise and love, because they have to develop trust in you to get burrs out of paws, grass out of their butts (yes, you do), doing all-over tick checks, brushing teeth, cleaning ears, clipping nails, checking injuries, giving oral medication, etc. They will not like it instinctively at first, but as their pack leader, they must let you and give in to the bond that will develop. They will learn it’s no big thing and put up with you doing what you need to. Do this during relaxed petting sessions as your four month old gets to know you; watch the body language.
In puppy days, we drop by the vet’s office with the puppy to just say hi, no appointment procedures booked, maybe score a treat, with lots of praise and visiting with front desk staff, socializing as appropriate with other animals, exploring the waiting room, with no one anxious or worried. None of our dogs have ever been afraid or worried about going to the vet, even the visits where they get shots or bordetella mist up their noses or invasive exams or the Final Visit.
Have a “dog medicine cabinet.” Medicated spray for itchy spots or small cuts. Ear cleaning solution. A box of Success rice (the packets of parcooked rice that after a few minutes boiling gives you a couple of cups of cooked rice), for when there is the inevitable gastro-intestinal upset, and the vet recommends a bland diet of cooked chicken and rice. We have a dedicated jar of sugar-free peanut butter in the refrigerator for giving pills as needed.
There are all kinds of theories and methods of obedience training out there. I strongly recommend puppy classes for basic manners, and intermediate and advanced if you want to. Your vet or the local pet store may have classes or referrals. What has worked for us is never using hands for discipline. Hands are for love, comfort, tending to needs, pleasure, never hitting or threatening. We use two old metal pie plates (foil has worked too), banged together sharply, to get the dogs’ attention when they are not listening or getting out of hand. Now all I have to do is hold the plates where they can see them, and the barking stops, the jumping stops, and I get the “uh, oh, pack leader has spoken, we better settle down.” Even DH stops what he is doing…
When nipping is involved, and it gets too rough, give a sharp yip of pain yourself to let them know it’s too much. If they are chewing things, take the unapproved thing away with a “no” or “off” or your consistently used command in your pack leader firm but not yelling voice, and offer an approved age-appropriate chew toy, with lots of praise. We have a basket of chew toys and other toys in the family room. The boxers know that’s their stuff, so they go get something when they have the urge to chew. They don’t put it back though…
Be consistent and loving, and the rewards of a good fur friend are beyond compare.
Biggest piece of guidance:
Never allow the puppy to do what you don’t want the adult to do. If you don’t want them to beg at table, drool or be annoying when people have food in their lap, never ever feed them from there. Dog food in the bowl, dog treats from the hand at least a little distance away from where people eat, etc. People are amazed at our boxers, enthusiastic food lovers that they are, who go under our dining room table to snore quietly with their heads on approved people’s feet as we have a tableful of people eating dinner. They have no expectations of being handed something from the table. Don’t want a dog on a certain chair or sofa, never sit there with the puppy in your lap, and be consistent about rules. Boxers are allowed on leather sofas, but not on fabric.
Accustom the pup to you gently handling paws, ears, tail, mouth, teeth, with lots of praise and love, because they have to develop trust in you to get burrs out of paws, grass out of their butts (yes, you do), doing all-over tick checks, brushing teeth, cleaning ears, clipping nails, checking injuries, giving oral medication, etc. They will not like it instinctively at first, but as their pack leader, they must let you and give in to the bond that will develop. They will learn it’s no big thing and put up with you doing what you need to. Do this during relaxed petting sessions as your four month old gets to know you; watch the body language.
In puppy days, we drop by the vet’s office with the puppy to just say hi, no appointment procedures booked, maybe score a treat, with lots of praise and visiting with front desk staff, socializing as appropriate with other animals, exploring the waiting room, with no one anxious or worried. None of our dogs have ever been afraid or worried about going to the vet, even the visits where they get shots or bordetella mist up their noses or invasive exams or the Final Visit.
Have a “dog medicine cabinet.” Medicated spray for itchy spots or small cuts. Ear cleaning solution. A box of Success rice (the packets of parcooked rice that after a few minutes boiling gives you a couple of cups of cooked rice), for when there is the inevitable gastro-intestinal upset, and the vet recommends a bland diet of cooked chicken and rice. We have a dedicated jar of sugar-free peanut butter in the refrigerator for giving pills as needed.
There are all kinds of theories and methods of obedience training out there. I strongly recommend puppy classes for basic manners, and intermediate and advanced if you want to. Your vet or the local pet store may have classes or referrals. What has worked for us is never using hands for discipline. Hands are for love, comfort, tending to needs, pleasure, never hitting or threatening. We use two old metal pie plates (foil has worked too), banged together sharply, to get the dogs’ attention when they are not listening or getting out of hand. Now all I have to do is hold the plates where they can see them, and the barking stops, the jumping stops, and I get the “uh, oh, pack leader has spoken, we better settle down.” Even DH stops what he is doing…
When nipping is involved, and it gets too rough, give a sharp yip of pain yourself to let them know it’s too much. If they are chewing things, take the unapproved thing away with a “no” or “off” or your consistently used command in your pack leader firm but not yelling voice, and offer an approved age-appropriate chew toy, with lots of praise. We have a basket of chew toys and other toys in the family room. The boxers know that’s their stuff, so they go get something when they have the urge to chew. They don’t put it back though…
Be consistent and loving, and the rewards of a good fur friend are beyond compare.
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- Apr 25, 2018
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My kids bought a puppy with Christmas money when they were 10-12ish. We went to the base library for a book on training puppies. The one we checked out had chew marks on a corner. We read it but it didn’t work for us either. Our dog chewed everything including video games and TV remotes.
FlyFalcon
'26, FFS (NWP 2021)
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- Jan 4, 2020
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Looks like Heavens getting another guard dog today....though I guess more of a lap dog honestly
We found out yesterday that Sammy would probably have to be put down today ( not making the top ten birthday gifts).
He's been blind and deaf for close two years and been on insulin for one and half...but he always wagged his tag if you walked near him. Still loved to go on walks. Still jogged across the house even though he bupped into every little thing.
Always asked for food at the table... He was a good pup. A very good boy.
I guess I can count my blessing for the shutting down of California forests because it ment I got to spend more time with him. Even just a few more days.
Thank you Sammy for everything, you will always be loved by this family, your cats and everyone who had to listen to your 6 am songs. Enjoy running around in heaven, where you can see, hear and sing as much as you want.
We found out yesterday that Sammy would probably have to be put down today ( not making the top ten birthday gifts).
He's been blind and deaf for close two years and been on insulin for one and half...but he always wagged his tag if you walked near him. Still loved to go on walks. Still jogged across the house even though he bupped into every little thing.
Always asked for food at the table... He was a good pup. A very good boy.
I guess I can count my blessing for the shutting down of California forests because it ment I got to spend more time with him. Even just a few more days.
Thank you Sammy for everything, you will always be loved by this family, your cats and everyone who had to listen to your 6 am songs. Enjoy running around in heaven, where you can see, hear and sing as much as you want.
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LurkingQuietly
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3 day old English Bulldog puppy....Semper Fi !
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- Sep 27, 2008
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I’m so sorry to read this. He was clearly a good friend and the epitome of a Good Dog.
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What a wonderful companion. I'm always amazed by how loving they are even through their hardships. RIP Sammy. See you at the Rainbow Bridge.
Fergall
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I have two cats and a dog. We thought about what breed of dog to choose and decided to get a poodle. We were attracted by its looks, composure, and ability to listen to its owner. It is essential to create all the necessary conditions for a good life for a pet. I believe that pets require the same attention and care as children. I like not only to play with the dog but also to be engaged in its education. In my opinion, educating and training dogs is just as important as feeding them. We signed our poodle up for weekly training. In this way, these exercises actively promote the development and education of our beloved pets. If you are interested in this thread
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Serenity2517
Member
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This morning? Not really interested in their annual Christmas photo!!
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Exhausted from running in the snow all morning.
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A tired dog is a happy dog. And a peaceful one.
Sealion II
DD c/o 2027
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