Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated

• 08-18-2008 11:19 AM

  moonra Joined on 08-18-2008 Posts 8 Points 5

  Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact Hello, I've been lurking on this site for the past couple of weeks but feel I should now post and express my concerns regarding the training of my 9 week 3 day old Labrador - Boomer. First of all, this is our second dog, our last was a Lab mix that we had to put down last Oct. due to hip issues at 10 years old. Unlike the training of our first dog, which we got at 7 weeks old, everything seems to be going wrong. I’ll start with my list of complaints/struggles: -It’s extremely difficult to get his attention - when you say his name he doesn’t acknowledge you (maybe 1 out of 10 tries), he rarely comes when you call him, I was almost convinced he was hard of hearing, but upon observation I watched him become attentive to unfamiliar noises. This also makes it hard to praise him for good behavior because he’s not paying attention - I’m worried he’s not connecting the praise to the desired behavior. -during the day, when left alone in his kennel cage (which is adjusted to his size) he will pee in it, even if left alone only briefly for maybe 2 hours. - 4 hours has been the longest so far. -yesterday, he actually pooped in his kennel cage ;( -He not hesitate to naturally pee in the house when he has to go. (For this I have rubbed his nose in the pee and scolded him, this worked immediately with our last dog and after a couple times I never had to do it again) but with Boomer, he seems oblivious as to why it’s happening - this makes me like a mean owner. -he yelps to go outside approx. 3 times during the night. he’s let out and brought back in quietly, but when the sun comes up, he cries loudly in the kennel until it’s just unbearable and he just has to be let out and the fed. less important but I’m sure this is wrong: -he doesn’t like to walk with the leash; he’ll drag his body and I’ll nonchalantly just keep walking, which he’ll then join, but always wants to go back in the direction of home (?) Overall, I’ve been loosing my patience with Boomer. I’ve been feeling angry and resentful toward him, which really depresses me. I feel like we might have made a big mistake adopting him. Not sure what to do. Just looking for some support. Thanks,

  Filed under: house training, crate training, new puppy info, distraction, accidents, potty, housebreaking dog, pee, poop, puppies, crate training your dog, dog training, puppy, whining, yelping, puppy training Post Points: 0

• 08-18-2008 11:54 AM

  In reply to moonra

  CoBuHe Joined on 08-03-2007 Southeast Texas Posts 3,006 Points 90

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact Hi, and welcome to the board. Your 9 week old 3 day puppy is an infant. He knows nothing.  Realistically, you can't expect him to do whats right..cause he just doesn't know.  I doubt he knows his name yet.  I think you are expecting way to much, way too soon. Let him just drag the leash without any expectations...just to get used to it.  Please don't rub his nose in his pee and scold him...all this will do is scare the baby.  Right now, the thing to do is take him outside to do his business and keep him on a schedule.  For a while, you will be taking him out on an hourly basis (unless you feel he needs to go out more).   At this age, they simply cannot hold it, so its unfair to expect him to stay in the crate for 4 hours without relief.  If you read this board, you will find lots of good information about puppies.  Patience, consistency and schedule is key.  Take the time to bond and enjoy your pup right now...if you are feeling tense, angry and resentful, he will feel it too.  Relax and good luck. "No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich." Louis Sabin ________________________ Barbara, Proudly owned by

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• 08-18-2008 12:55 PM

  In reply to CoBuHe

  Maxs Mom Joined on 09-26-2006 Livonia, MI Posts 1,850 Points 105

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact WELCOME!!! I also want to add, I am a lab owner. Labs are WONDERFUL dogs but can take a while to get there. PLEASE don't get frustrated. I like to tell people they make great 3 year olds! They can be a "stubborn" breed. Not that they are not trainable, they are VERY trainable, they kind of want to know "what's in it for them". Once they get the hang of praise and reward over scolding they come around to see your side. They are steadfast, dependable and loyal beyond anything when they mature. All puppies create their own frustrations. They are only young for a short time. Please enjoy this time. Your pup is a baby, he does not know anything.  I am so jealous, I want another pup so bad. One thing you might want to do your pup is too young right now but it is not too early to investigate a good trainer. You sound a bit overwhelmed, and perhaps because your last dog was a mixed lab you may run into different situations than you are used to. A good trainer can help you and offer advice when needed. Labs are a breed that like to work. Hunting, agility, obedience they can excel at all these things and a working lab is a happy lab. My lab is now 5, we had a rough first year. I have had dogs all my life, I was not ready for her type of personality. She was my second lab. She was by far the toughest dog I have had. I am not trying to discourage or worry you, I hope I am not coming across that way. We found a trainer who helped me understand dog behavior why she does what she does and it helped me focus her in the correct direction. She is a WONDERFUL dog, I would not trade her for anything. I am actually hopeful my next lab has more energy and more drive than she does. Now that we have fun together, I would like more. Labs are fun loving dogs. I wish I were closer to help you. I LOVE taking care of puppies.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-18-2008 12:58 PM

  In reply to moonra

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 7,188 Points 705

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact Puppies can be very frustrating, especially if you haven't had one for ten years!!  We tend to forget what it was like not to mention that like human babies, all puppies are different in their personality.  Your puppy is learning all the time what you want to do is make sure he is learning good habits not bad habits.  He is too young to expect him to not have housetraining accidents.  Every minute that your puppy is in the house he must be watched by you.  Puppies don't have much bladder control at this age and they certainly don't know why they can't just "go" when the urge strikes.  If you can't watch him put him in his crate but give him the opportunity to go outside before you crate him.  Also, when you take him out have some yummy treats and when he goes praise him and treat him.  Start to use a word for going to the bathroom.  I use the word "business".  He will come to associate that word with going to the bathroom, but that will take some time.  DO NOT punish or yell at him if he has an accident inside.  This is not his fault and what he may learn is that you are a very weird, unfair person.  He may also learn to go in places out of your sight and this will make your job harder.  There are many helpful books on housetraining and plenty of advice on this board. All puppy accidents are the result of the owner not paying attention. Puppies have very short attention spans.  He is too young to expect him to come when called.  He needs to learn that when you say his name and clap your hands and get down to his level and do WHATEVER it takes to get him to come to you, he gets a yummy treat and big praise. Take a deep breath and it will all work out.  He is just a babe and he needs your patience as hard as that can be sometimes.LOL

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• 08-18-2008 1:30 PM

  In reply to moonra

  moonra Joined on 08-18-2008 Posts 8 Points 5

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact First of all, Thanks to all of you and your quick responses, it's extremely helpful and supportive. I was wondering if I was expecting too much from him, and from your suggestions this has been confirmed. It's time to take a new approach to the whole situation. With two younger children in the house, he has been an added "chaos," and my approach to him I'm sure was unfair and unproductive in many ways. I do have about three newer training books on ordered right now, which I'm sure will be extra helpful. I'm concerned about my return to work in a couple of weeks. Boomer is going to be in his kennel cage for a minimum of 8 hours, 3 days per week. Other than a neighbor letting him out, is there a suggestion for this?

  Post Points: 0

• 08-18-2008 1:41 PM

  In reply to moonra

  janetmichel3009 Joined on 11-28-2006 Beijing, China Posts 3,181 Points 360

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact definately make sure someone takes him out while you are at work! 8 hours is way too long for a young puppy like that! also for boredom: get him a kong! a frozed kong can keep a puppy busy for hours (although one thing that isnt stressed enough is that you have to start them off easy, like just filling it losely with yummies!) Janet

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• 08-18-2008 1:55 PM

  In reply to janetmichel3009

  CoBuHe Joined on 08-03-2007 Southeast Texas Posts 3,006 Points 90

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact I agree its too long of a time for a pup that age to be kenneled.  However, sometimes it cannot be helped it you have to go to work.  If your neighbor can help, great!  You should also be prepared to fix up the kennel (hopefully its big enough) with a spot for him to eliminate. I had to do that too...its not pretty, but they simply cannot hold it.  So, I had a big kennel with a water bowl in one corner and laid out newspapers (they make wee wee pads too) in another corner.  Clean up and out constantly. Its a short term solution, remember.  They don't stay little for very long.  "No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich." Louis Sabin ________________________ Barbara, Proudly owned by

  Post Points: 0

• 08-18-2008 2:09 PM

  In reply to CoBuHe

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 18,882 Points 2,200

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact I'd just fix up an ex pen type set up rather than a crate. That really does kinda fix that pooping and peeing near where you sleep is okay. Ex pen's at least allow for some movement away from the mess. Put the crate into the ex pen and leave like mentioned...a potty area as far from that as possible. Alternatively gating into a room that' easily cleaned is another option...as is a dog door with access to a secure outdoor area (like an ex pen) Gina H. aka "Tellingmewhattodoperson" Happy St. Paddy's Day, all! Cleo's Blog: lionessrampantblog.blogspot.com/ My blog: ryngwrayth.blogspot.com/

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• 08-18-2008 2:20 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  VanMorrison Joined on 07-02-2007 Probably North of you... Posts 1,989 Points 820

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact We all forget how hard the puppy days are, hang in there and Boomer will be worth it! In regards to housetraining - being able to take him outside to "do his numbers" before he has to go will help him learn.  To do this you need to learn his signs that he is about to go.  A good starter for this is to remember that he will need to pee right after he wakes up from one of those dead to the world puppy naps and after playing or getting excited.  When he does go outside use a high pitched voice to say "good potty" (or something) and give him a treat. While you are playing with him let him run after you and catch you, use his name and treat him.  Get down to his level and use a high pitched voice to call his name, clap your hands, and treat him when he arrives.  He will learn his name very soon! We used to feed our boys half their meals by treating them throughout the day for different things

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• 08-18-2008 2:31 PM

  In reply to VanMorrison

  Maxs Mom Joined on 09-26-2006 Livonia, MI Posts 1,850 Points 105

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact When my Teddi was little I had a neighbor and her daughter let her out. I gave them a key to my house. It worked out GREAT for me. The neighbor would come over in the AM and early afternoon. Then when her daughter got out of school she would come over and she would usually still be there playing with Teddi when I got home. I was glad she got play time too. I know not all neighbors are as willing to help, I am fortunate to be SURROUNDED by dog people.

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• 08-18-2008 3:04 PM

  In reply to janetmichel3009

  moonra Joined on 08-18-2008 Posts 8 Points 5

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact janetmichel3009: definately make sure someone takes him out while you are at work! 8 hours is way too long for a young puppy like that! also for boredom: get him a kong! a frozed kong can keep a puppy busy for hours (although one thing that isnt stressed enough is that you have to start them off easy, like just filling it losely with yummies!) Janet, could you elaborate on the frozen kong? Do you freeze it or just put frozen treats inside of it?

  Post Points: 0

• 08-18-2008 3:10 PM

  In reply to moonra

  VanMorrison Joined on 07-02-2007 Probably North of you... Posts 1,989 Points 820

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact Start the puppy off with some peanut butter or yogurt in the kong so that they learn to get the good stuff out.  After that there are a whole bunch of "recipes" for frozen kongs. I use different things to stuff - kibble, vita-gravy, cut up carrots, green beans, yogurt and peanut butter are on top of the list.  I make 5 or 6 at a time and toss the whole thing into a little bucket I have in the freezer.

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• 08-18-2008 3:32 PM

  In reply to VanMorrison

  janetmichel3009 Joined on 11-28-2006 Beijing, China Posts 3,181 Points 360

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact yup, you freeze the whole thing! google "kong recepies" it'll give some ideas on how to stuff them. ultimately it doesnt matter what you use. the basics of the advanced kong (meaning once you eased your pup into the basics of the kong) is you seal the bottom (small) hole (peanut butter works great), then put in bigger treats or kibble, then comes something gooey or pasty or somewhat wet (canned food, yoghurt, whatever you got and your pup can handle) then then you stick some longish treat in it, so it sticks out. this will be the first motivator for the pup (stick of carrot for example) to get "into" the whole kong thing. then you put the whole thing in the freezer! best thing to do is to buy a whole bunch of kongs. prepare them and stick them in the freezer. that way you got a good supply going! ;) Janet

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• 08-18-2008 3:33 PM

  In reply to moonra

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 7,743 Points 4,510

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact  regarding attention: Make it a game. Carry around itty bitty soft treats in your pocket. If your dog looks at you (without calling its name) tell it GOOD BOY (insert name)! and give it a treat. Keep doing this throughout the day. this teaches a few things: 1) it's name 2) that looking at you means good things will happen (ie. treats). After about a week of this, start calling the pups name through out the day. You may have to reward the littlest bit of attention - such as ears going towards you (doesn't have to look at you), a turned head in your direction etc. When you see that behavior reward immediately. This will encourage the pup to look directly at you and come get its treat. Remember - puppies this age are scatter brains, but most are very food motivated (especially labs!). So make training fun and up beat and keep lots of tasty, smelly treats around.

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• 08-18-2008 4:14 PM

  In reply to janetmichel3009

  CoBuHe Joined on 08-03-2007 Southeast Texas Posts 3,006 Points 90

  Re: Lab Training - Struggling and becoming frustrated Reply Contact Nuthin better than a frozen kong.  Keeps my two occupied for a good while.  Here's a link to some recipes:  http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2006/02/dog_recipes_for_kong_chew_toys.php Enjoy! "No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich." Louis Sabin ________________________ Barbara, Proudly owned by

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