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Some advice for 9 week old puppy.

angelbears

angelbears

Well-Known Member
Thank you Boxergirl. I'm pretty sure I've read How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves. My memory has gotten so bad I can't remember most of it. I will have to see if I still have a copy.
 
Boxergirl

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
AB, I have them both digitally. I think in kindle format, but I'd have to check. I have a million books, lol. Shoot me a PM with your email if you'd like me to share with you.
 
angelbears

angelbears

Well-Known Member
Whoops, just ordered it. LOL. The first one that is. I'm pretty sure I have the other book. I just have to dig it out. You are really too kind. Now, lets just hope I keep it straight in my head. :)
 
NYDDB

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
angelbears said:
TM & NYDDB, that is how I have always done it but I was told by Cane's breeder that I was catering to his fears and that would make them worse. She said I was babying him. With Justice I'm going back to ya'lls way. :)
Click to expand...
What I mean is that you are with him (on his level, or not), just staying with him while he's showing distress, being calm-- and not babying him, In other words, it's not about coddling him and reinforcing his fears, but showing him with your energy, your presence...that all is well.

Does that make sense?
 
angelbears

angelbears

Well-Known Member
NY, this is where I get a little confused. He was on leash, took off towards the house. I got down on his level and tried to call him back to me but he started pulling and backing up. I just let him go back into the house. Should I have picked him up and brought him back and just stand there with him without telling him it is okay? I'm worried that he doesn't have enough of a history with me to have trust in me. Maybe I'm just overthinking this. However, I think the next couple of weeks are the most important ones.
 
Boxergirl

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I'm going to post this link here again. The Patricia McConnell article as well as the Suzanne Clothier video explain it pretty well, I think.

Its OK to Comfort Your Dog! - eileenanddogseileenanddogs

I am of the opinion that at 9 weeks old, this baby just needs some time to adjust to new things. If he were mine, I would move him farther away from whatever was frightening him - calmly and in a no nonsense manner - and work on exercises to get him to focus on me rather than what he is afraid of. At this age it would be high value treats and pets when he looks at me. Rewarding eye contact when you say his name would be great. But this is just what I would do.
 
DennasMom

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
At 9 weeks old, his desire to return home PRONTO is pretty common.
I'd just spend more short trips outside, try to entice him to chase you away from the house - get a reward (LOVE) - then take him back in BEFORE he goes to pull you back (if you can). Repetitions should help - and as he bonds more with you and learns that 'home' is where YOU are, and not just where the food dish resides.... he'll get more adventuresome away from the house.
That's my take, anyway... and... you CAN link FB pictures here... and if they're set to 'public' we should be able see them.
A Denna baby pic, just for an example. :)https://www.facebook.com/303661206377738/photos/pb.303661206377738.-2207520000.1449790364./304305432979982/?type=3&theater
 
season

season

Well-Known Member
Im the guy that doesn't allow them to dictate what they do if they are resisting etc. they will resist as much as they are allowed to. If resisting and throwing a fit works for them then they'll do it. Move forward. Use treats. Use whatever works. For Solo it was treats and me not allowing him to resist. Sometimes it got ugly but I'm stubborn so once he figured out he wasn't going to win then he relaxed and did what was expected. It helps build a foundation for everything else.


"Today is victory over yourself of yesterday."
- Miyamoto Musashi
 
angelbears

angelbears

Well-Known Member
Thank ya'll

We think he is the most beautiful dog EVER! Okay, so we are just a little biased. We are very pleased with him. He seems to be intelligent, along with the appropriate amount of stubbornness. LOL
 
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