How To Train A Puppy

Question: How to train a puppy to be friendly to dogs/people?

(Posted by: firstoneontheblog on 2008-07-18 12:56:24)

I have a puppy(shih tzu/ maltese cross) who is almost 5 months old, and he gets along with the other dog(cocker spaniel) I have that is 10 yrs old. My cousin also has a puppy (jack russel cross) who is 6 months old and my puppy and his were were bought from the same place and they were in the same cage, so I was hanging out with him and his puppy, and my puppy got along with his at first but then the next day when they met again he started growling and barking at his puppy and tried to bite him. Also when my cousin and his mom came over (they didn't bring their puppy) my puppy barked at my cousin but when his mom walked in my puppy went after her ankles, luckily he didn't actually bite her ankles. After that he was calm and my cousin even held my puppy and he didn't growl. So I'm a bit nervous to have people over, and to take my puppy for walks. What should I do to train my puppy?

Posted by: Luvsdard on 2008-07-18, 13:09:10

You need to take your puppy out MORE not less so he gets used to different people and smells and animals. Just don't let him too close to ppl or animals. The water spray bottle is a great idea. If you want a well socialized dog, you must get him into different situations everyday to get him accustomed to the world. A puppy class might be in order also. Are you sure he wasn't play growling? Mine does that and to an untrained person, it can sound like a real growl. Also puppies do go for ppl's ankles to play. Don't yell at the puppy cause they think it's funny and that you're playing with them.

Posted by: XITsKrisiiX on 2008-07-18, 13:04:29

You should get a spray bottle, fill it up with water, and spary it at your dog whenever hes being bad like if he bites or barks. trust me do this. when my puppy that is 3 months old bites or does something bad i spary her and she stops right away! the dogs hate it. also you have to yell at your dog for being bad. tell him no bite ! when he bites, and spary him. or you can put him in his cage and if he barks just ignore him. trust me this is working for my dog! Hope i helped :)

Posted by: angela o on 2008-07-18, 13:06:36

He is a puppy... give him time. he's just gettin used to everythin. correct him sternly whenever he growls or barks and keep him seperate and dont play. keep doin this till he outgrows it or understands wht u want of him. when he does somethin right treat him and pat him.

Posted by: Lyn B on 2008-07-18, 13:08:14

He aggression is from fear. The best thing you can do is make sure he meets people and dogs every day. Let him know that bad behavior will not get him affection. Pet him when he is calm not when he is being aggressive. Have a pocket of treats every where you go and around your house. When he is good, give him a treat and praise him and when he is bad even give him a timeout (take him to a room alone until he calms) You may have to do that over and over and over before he gets the message. When friends come over, hand them a small bag of treats that they can give him when they arrive. Have them come in with no eye contact, no verbal greeting. Just have them ignore him and wait for him to come to them in a quiet manner. If he is bad, take him to another room. If he is good give him a treat and praise him. He will learn that company means treats and good things and aggession means I get send out of the room. It take a while but it does work and will work quickly if you are consistant.