Proper upbringing of a working pup.

[EnlightenedOne]

I am trying to facilitate a sequence of sessions to develop respect, leadership and drive with my pup. I have purchased numerous videos to introduce me to such instances,however I am stumped with sequence of events and how each one builds off another. Is there a certain approach members who work their dogs follow with regards to puppy rearing?

Thanks

[poohbearsmom]

Confidence building. Confidence building. Confidence building.

Luckily, I have a good supply of dog savvy folk who love to have puppies hanging off their limbs.

At 12 weeks, puppy is no longer allowed to bite me or other respected members of the household, but everyone else is still game till about 16 weeks or so, then only helpers are chew toys.

New environments for play at least 3 times a week from 7 weeks till..... (remember, night/day, rain/shine, etc... are all different environments!)

Puppies learn behaviors such as sit, down, stand, and walking nicely on a leash, using positive reinforcement and negative punishment.

Drive building with rags, tugs and balls is constant. I teach the game of work for reward from the get go. I use food to shape behaviors, then switch to toy rewards.

Household manners are taught from the get go.

Don't make it more difficult than it is. Most importantly, light stressors are good, but be careful not to overstress the pup. You'll want to teach it that what does not kill it makes it stronger.

Hope this helps.

[lblax]

yes common sense and let the puppy be a puppy... the young dog needs basic manners sitting to be petted walking on loose leash sit down short and sweet but for now all he needs is manners. he does not need anykind of formal obediance including a strutctured puppy class and lots and lots of socvialization...... as far as the drivy biting and general tearing around it doesnt need nipped in the bud if he gets to much for you at times or gets you frazzeled just put him up. if your planning on doing schutzhund find a club and start taking him as soon as he has had his shots.

[hcelsa]

This is one of my favorite articles about raising a working prospect. It's focused on a different breed than ours, but in my opinion it still applies quite well.

Raising a Working Prospect--The Real Old Fashioned Working Bouvier Homepage

[poohbearsmom]

That's a great article, Becky. Thanks!

[EnlightenedOne]

Thanks Poohbearsmon. Iblax and Hcelsa(great article), I have hitherto followed your rearing plan. I have steered clear of any obedience except "go potty","come", and "Yuck." It was my understanding to focus on drive for the first 13-14 weeks. He does go bananas sometimes with the nipping; when it does happen it is a great time to exercise patience and I let him be. He has a very heavy mouth for his age. I have the privledge to work from home so I spend all waking moments with Ace. I have for the last 2 weeks been taking him to different environments without fail. All unsupervised time is spent in his kennel which he readily accepts. Thanks everyone I really mean it.

[EnlightenedOne]

I am confused as to when to intoduce food treats into my program and how. I did it for a few days and rewarded him for eye contact. I noticed the treats(100% freeze dried liver) softened up his stool considerably so I stopped.

[lblax]

yes very nice artiucle all you need to do is replace the breed name with rottweiler. its an article everyone on the forum should read

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by EnlightenedOne

I am confused as to when to intoduce food treats into my program and how. I did it for a few days and rewarded him for eye contact. I noticed the treats(100% freeze dried liver) softened up his stool considerably so I stopped.

For exercises like eye contact, you do this with no distraction, and kibble usually works just fine. I bring out "bigger guns" when in public or the distractions are greater.

Treats don't have to be big... you can make 100 treats from one slice of cheese or a hot dog. That way you're not replacing a meal with them, since little sessions only run for a minute or two tops.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by lblax

yes very nice artiucle all you need to do is replace the breed name with rottweiler. its an article everyone on the forum should read

Great minds...

[linedog]

I agree, good article, don't inhibit what you will need later, I'm glad I'm not the only one with holes in the sleeves of their sweatshirt, yes they are mouthy and like to bite, good time to introduce them to other things to bite on,tug toys, balls and such, very easy to redirect at this age, also a good form of exercise.I had no idea that bouviers were little hellions also.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by EnlightenedOne

Thanks Poohbearsmon. Iblax and Hcelsa(great article), I have hitherto followed your rearing plan. I have steered clear of any obedience except "go potty","come", and "Yuck." It was my understanding to focus on drive for the first 13-14 weeks. He does go bananas sometimes with the nipping; when it does happen it is a great time to exercise patience and I let him be. He has a very heavy mouth for his age. I have the privledge to work from home so I spend all waking moments with Ace. I have for the last 2 weeks been taking him to different environments without fail. All unsupervised time is spent in his kennel which he readily accepts. Thanks everyone I really mean it.

One of the biggest things to remember, and Larry touched on this:

A puppy must be allowed to be a puppy before he can be a DOG.

[EnlightenedOne]

Hi Linedog and Poohbearsmom...........gotcha. :) I have loads of toys for him. Poohbearsmom this is the same advice I received from the breeder. It seems everyone is on the same page.