Tips for a Lab Pup

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Stevie

Stevie Nicks

Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 11:07am PST


	We recently adopted our little chocolate lab mix, Stevie. She's almost 5 months old (we adopted her a few weeks ago) and she's coming along with her training. Is it too soon to start obedience training, including leash training? She has good days and bad days with her walking abilities. If she has a lot of energy, she pulls and smells everything. If she's a bit calmer, she doesn't pull as much. Also, we think she could be mixed with a terrier becasue of the shape of her ears. Any feedback regarding her possible mix would be appreciated. She was 18lbs when we adopted her at 4 months of age. Stevie had parvo as a pup so we're having trouble gaging how big she'll be when full grown. Lastly, any tips for introducing her to the dog park? She's very friendly with other dogs but definitely has a ton of puppy energy. I get nervous that she'd annoy some more dominate dogs and get bit.

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Juniper

SQUIRRELLLL?- Where??

Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 7:43pm PST


	Certainly not too young to start obedience training! I raise pups for the Guide Dog Foundation and we start basic obedience at about 9-10 weeks! To start with, keep training sessions short (10-15 min) and offer lots of praise. I recommend beginning with the "sit" command as it is the easiest to learn and to teach, and sets the foundation for other commands. Also, only say the command once, give her a few seconds to process it, and if she doesn't sit, make her (push her butt down or hold a treat over her head until she sits) but do not continue to repeat the command. Once they are sitting, give lots of praise (Good Sit! Very good!) and make it a very big deal Good luck! Very cute dog! As far as the dog park, I would go during a low traffic time of day (you would just have to go and scope it out for yourself). Times that tend to be lower traffic here are midmornings during the week. I would suggest maybe going with a friend who has a dog, and letting your pup and their's get to know each other well before hand. This way, your pup will have someone to play with and maybe not be so interested in pestering unfamiliar dogs. As long as she does not exhibit aggressive behavior, she should be ok because she would instinctively submit to an older larger dog that is "scolding" her.

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Donner

EVERYTHING THATS- YOURS IS MINE!!

Barked: Fri Nov 6, '09 8:13pm PST


	Thats not to young, I got donner at a year and six months, hardly a puppy. But Lacy my Husky I started her at 5 months, her attention span was too short before that. I would agree, start with short periods and progress from there. Carry treats everywhere you go, consistancy is the key. I took Lacy to the park the first time around 6 months, I wanted to make sure she had all her shots first. I would keep your pup on a leash or long lead for the first couple of visits, just in case you need quick access to them. Small exposures at a time so they can build their confidence.

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Savannah- Blue Belle

A Heart of Gold!

Barked: Sun Nov 8, '09 1:03pm PST


	I took Savvy to a puppy level class at the Kennel Club in our area before she went into obedience. In puppy class they learn how to socialize and a few basic commands. It is a good experience for the dog and also a lot of fun for the humans to watch their pups play in a controlled setting with a trainer right there. Mostly they will even try to group "like" dogs together - Savvy was put in a class with other big puppies and made best friends with a chocolate lab. Check and see if one is available in your area. If you have a kennel club group nearby they might offer one. I think even PetsMart does, but I really like the kennel club classes better. (Oh - they aren't "breed snobs" either. I took my two mixed breeds to the classes and also enjoyed them.

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Hailey NPC

Sweet as- chocolate

Barked: Tue Nov 10, '09 10:00pm PST


	For the dog park you have to remember all dogs react differently to puppies. Most dogs are more tolerant, though if she pushes them too far they will snap. My recommendation is to introduce her to some tolerant dogs that can teach her some doggie manners before you take her to a dog park.

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