New Puppy Coming - Training Advice Needed!

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

Hi All!!

We are so excited about our new puppy. We are getting a Yellow Lab, male. He'll be nearly 10 weeks old when we pick him up from the breeder.

We always rescue dogs, typically senior dogs. We wanted our daughter, who is now 10 years old, to know the love of a dog from the beginning. Every dog she has ever loved, she has lost within a year or two. We will continue to adopt senior dogs and give them tons of love, but we will welcome a "baby" into our home for the first time.

We always have had labs. We love them. We know as puppies they can be a handful and we are prepared.

We want to lovingly and firmly train this dog right from the get go.

So, we need advice. What books or methods of training do you believe worked/works best? Our entire family wants to be on the same page from day one. So, we want to spend the next two weeks reading and preparing and practicing before we bring the little guy home.

Thanks to all of you who can offer advice and help!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Your breeder will likely be a good resource for you.

I honestly found Puppies for Dummies to be a HUGE help. They believe in positive appropriate training and crate training - both of which have worked well for us. See if your library or Half Price has it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Crate Training for Labs esp.!!!!!

If not they will eat everything in site when they hit the chewing stage.

Plus it is safer and more secure for them. Locking them in your bathroom for example, may result in the eating of your drywall.

Leash the dog at all times in the house until it is 100% potty trained. It is called the "umbilical method". This has the added bonus of you being able to correct right away any chewing, nipping, potty issues. The dog HAS TO go where you are going, making you the alpha. Clear message where his place is.

Basically you are teaching puppy what is allowed and what is not.

Also we found boundary setting to be very effective, once they were potty trained. We did not allow them free run of the house. That really sends a clear message to the dog whose house it is.

And then start walking, even if it is for a short period. Gets them used to a leash and starts basic training.

OH and TREATS!!!! Withhold treats only for training. Treating a puppy will mess with potty training, so be careful.

Have alot of patience.....post a pic....and congrats!