Otis is an Outlaw: Fear is a great motivator. Not for a puppy, for the humans. This experience is truly life changing. This little guy shows dominance all over him. He is challenging us every day to be the pack leader and control the pack. I must note again; my family has major league screwed up with dogs in the past. We are committed not to make the same mistakes with Otis “The French Bulldog”. Some of what happened:
- Challenges:
- He did #2 (Poop) in his pen. The good news is this was done ½ on the potty pad and on his Frisbee toy which was near pad (and easily cleaned). His intention was good but his aim was off.
- My wife and I disagreed on when and where to put Otis into time out. (see positives)
- So much to learn and I wish we would have had a better working knowledge before we got the puppy. We still would have don’t it again but could have been better prepared for success.
- Positive:
- He did not cry last night when put to his pen for sleep. We took him out twice during the night and no accidents this morning.
- My wife and I re-watched the training video on puppy “Time Out”. We discussed it to be consistent as a team, for the future. We were still confused on the “Where” time out should happen, so we posted a question on the dog trainers Forum.
- Otis cry’s far less, when we put him in his pen. He is also relaxing more which is the goal. Train them early and train them right and keep them relaxed.
“Potty” Training for our Puppy: Funny how training a puppy is so like training a human. I have no want or need to train a human to go to go “potty”. What I see is praise for the right behavior and consistency. Doggy Dan in today’s video lessons, clearly stated to use the SAME word for going to the toilet for the puppy. In a culture, rich human organizations, it is the same words or names for specific plays. With the puppy, say it when we take it him out to the potty area and give him a GREAT treat when he does his jobs. Word/Action association of sorts. Our word for going to the bathroom with our puppy is “Potty”.
- The treats for proper behavior are outside attached to a branch of a tree, so we don’t forget it. Again, “Consistency.”
- We put a folding chair out there so we can work on our computers, read a book or write.
- We have reduced but not yet eliminated yelling, saying NOOOOO or using loud words if the puppy does an accident (or chews the wrong thing) in the house. This is all part of the learning process. Remember, one of the goals is to relax the dog and be their pack leader.
Change of Food: We had Otis on the wrong puppy food to begin with. So, we changed it on him by gradually increasing new food mixed with old food. This is very My wife made baggies in sequence to make it easier for the family.
- NOTE: To be the pack leader, we should eat first then feed the puppy. Food is a powerful training tool (didn’t I know that right? LOL). When we can’t eat prior to feeding, we hold his food bowl up and eat a cracker in front of him letting him know we are the pack leaders and we eat first. Training is training!!!!