What kind of Pet/animal do you own?

[springhill]

No, not at all commenting about the combination, springhill. Rather, that both breeds are - in different ways - inclined to be strong natured: therefore they need to be well trained in order to be a polite member of your household and when out in public.
The Border Collie is a working dog so needs to have the challenge of 'a job to do'.
If not trained, they can become escape artists in order to chase cars, people, other dogs, anything. The Staffy is less that way inclined but can sometimes really dislike other dogs so you need to watch for any aggression and curtail it.


There are different views about puppy classes. Personally, I'd never put my puppy in them because they are usually pretty unstructured and the puppies are encouraged to roll around and play with one another. Now, you might think, hey that's a really good thing for their social development, but you have to balance that up against the puppy getting the idea that it's always good to rush up and engage with every other canine creature it sees when you begin to take it out in public. This can be very difficult to counteract and will depend on your puppy's basic disposition.

Example: I've had German Shepherds for 35 years. They are usually a pretty reserved breed and as a rule have much more interest in their owner than in other dogs. Consequently they are pretty easy to train. However, my current girl has been quite the opposite and is immensely social. So I've had a really hard time discouraging her from a determination to make friends with every person and every dog she encounters.

You might think that it's really nice that your dog is so friendly, but many other dog owners simply do not want your dog pestering their dog. You will find plenty of opportunities for your puppy/dog to play with dogs belonging to your friends etc in controlled circumstances.

You want to train your dog to walk calmly at heel beside you, knowing he/she will not suddenly rush off to meet another dog/chase a bird etc. Apart from the obedience factor, an impulsive dog can cause harm to itself or others.

With apologies if you already know about pack structure, this is fundamental to your relationship with and training of your dog. The dog is a pack animal and absolutely requires a pack leader. So far this is its mother. When it comes into your home you have to become the pack leader and set boundaries for it.

You need to decide where the puppy will sleep. In a cosy basket, or padded dog bed in your bedroom will help the puppy settle. If you're not comfortable with this, make a warm and comfortable place in the laundry or other suitable small room. Hopefully you won't want to put the puppy outside by himself. Be firm about where he sleeps. He shouldn't be allowed to decide for himself e.g. that he will sleep on the sofa!
Do not allow the puppy on your bed. This is in his mind elevating him to human status and will be a powerful message to him as to his status if you let it happen.
And yes, it's really difficult to resist this with that cute, cuddly little thing.


I'm assuming the puppy is going to be in the house with you.
If you have carpeted areas, the easiest thing is to get large pieces of plastic and lay over the carpet, anchoring firmly with furniture. Until you get the pup trained, he will simply go when and where he feels like it.
If you don't do this and he does go on carpet, do not get angry with him, especially if it's after the event. If you see him about to go or starting, say a very loud NO! and just pick him up - midstream if necessary - and take him outside and put him down where you want him to go.

I have an area covered with smallish stones, about 3 metres or so square and this is the dog's toilet area. It's easily hosed down and avoids those hideous yellow patches on your lawn if you have one.

The puppy's bladder is very small and he will need to go about every two hours.
He will also usually go when he wakes up and after eating and drinking.
So, decide where you want him to go and just pick him up and put him on this area with whatever word you decide to use, e.g. "toilet, Rover". Let him sniff around and wait for a while, but if he clearly is not going to go, go and do something else with him and then put him back there in half an hour or so. Keep doing this until he does go. Then, in a hugely delighted, high voice give him heaps of praise and maybe a small food reward.

Don't ever have a conversation with your dog. They don't understand English and you don't understand Dog. What they respond to is your tone of voice and body language.
A good example of this is when a dog is afraid of thunder. Many owners cuddle the shaking, terrified animal, making what they think are soothing, comforting reassurances. e.g. "it's all right, Rover, it will all go away soon, you're quite safe here with me". Do not do this. The dog just perceives your 'reassuring' tone of voice as your approval of what it is doing and you will further cement his reaction to storms.

Instead, act as if nothing unusual is happening, adopt a bright, cheerful tone and divert the dog to something else. e.g. get a toy out and play with him, roll a ball along the floor etc.

There's a bloke I walk past often who stands outside his house with a miniature Dachsund on a lead. When we approach, my dog is calmly walking beside me, not going anywhere near the small dog. The small dog, however, barks furiously.
The owner says "it's all right, ratface, the nasty big dog isn't going to hurt you, daddy is here looking after you" and other such garbage.
What that owner should be doing is saying to his dog a very loud NO! and then giving the dog a command to SIT and then enforce it.
His nonsensical murmurings to the dog are totally reinforcing its current behaviour.

If you are consistent and patient with your puppy in the above toilet training, he will catch on quickly and will be trained for life to go when and where you want him to.
This, particularly if it's a male, is way better than having the dog stop at every lamp post when you're out walking.

There will be accidents inside the house. Do not get cross and do not punish the puppy for this. Just clean it up without comment. If he does go on carpet, just blot immediately with plenty of paper towels. Do not rub. Then saturate the carpet with soda water, blot with fresh paper towels to absorb but leave area wet. It will dry with no stain and no odour. Do not use bleach, detergent or carpet shampoo.
I have even got liquid diarrhoea type poo off cream carpet with this method.

Sorry to probably give you more than you ever wanted to know, springhill. Hope it's useful. I'm pretty passionate about dogs being properly trained.

And you can start training him right from the start to get the idea of walking at heel.
Put a little soft collar or small slip chain on him and for just a few minutes at a time encourage him to walk at your left side, staying level with you, not pulling ahead, and then when you stop walking gently push his bottom down while saying "Sit". They learn this easily and it's setting the foundation for having an adult dog which walks calmly beside you, off a lead, automatically stopping and sitting each time you stop walking, ignoring all distractions.

Keep us posted on how you're going. Puppies are gorgeous, such fun. Just remember that you are the boss and that is what they need. This co-exists perfectly with giving your puppy all the love and affection it needs.
There's a great little book called "Who's the Boss" by dog trainer Val Bonney.
You can order it from Val at http://www.bonnies.com.au/

PS Do not take your puppy out to public areas until he/she has had the 12 week vaccination. Not safe from parvo etc until that time.

All the best
Julia

Thankyou so much for taking the time to provide all this information, Julia. My partner and I sat down and read it several times over and although I have always had dogs, they have always been outside/orchard dogs. So not alot of experience with raising one indoors, she had her first night, last night, and was quite reserved but when we took her outside to familiarise herself with our block she sparked up a bit and this morning she is alot more playful and sure of her surroundings.

Just one question, if that's ok. When we went to bed (our laundry is directly across the hall from our bedroom) and left the door open on both rooms. She started crying immediately, but we thought it best to ignore it as not to encourage this behaviour. After 2-3 minutes she gave up and went to sleep (we can tell because she snores a little ). During the night she did it again a couple more times and we are unsure whether to continue to ignore it, or if she is crying because she wants to go outside to toilet. The first time I decided to take her out but she did nothing. After that there was more crying later but we ignored those. This morning there was a solid and a puddle on the floor, which is no big deal, easy enough to clean up.
What do you think is the right course of action here?

 

[Julia]

Hello springhill, if you've decided she should sleep in the laundry and you're at least going to leave the door open, there's nothing wrong with that.

It's not at all unusual for her to cry during the first couple of nights or so, but as she adjusts to being away from her mother and littermates, and realises you and your partner are her new pack, she'll be fine.

However, what I said earlier about a pup's bladder only being good for 2 hours applies during the night just as much as in the daytime! Sorry, but you need to get up every couple of hours and take her outside to her toilet area and instruct her to go as described. She may not oblige you by going immediately. Remember, she's just a baby and is in a whole new, quite possibly frightening, environment. Just wait with her for a few minutes. She is not going to get the whole toilet thing in a couple of days. The puppy of all of mine that was the most quick to get it still took a couple of weeks. You just have to persist.

It's worth doing it, I promise.

Is she eating well? Four meals a day?
Do you have vaccination certificates for the first two vaccinations?

 

[springhill]

Hello springhill, if you've decided she should sleep in the laundry and you're at least going to leave the door open, there's nothing wrong with that.

We had to compromise . I have never been a fan of indoor dogs, but partner's family have only ever had indoor dogs. I said as long as she stays off the carpets then I am happy to have her inside (the pup, not the girl!).

It's not at all unusual for her to cry during the first couple of nights or so, but as she adjusts to being away from her mother and littermates, and realises you and your partner are her new pack, she'll be fine.

Good to hear, we were torn between not encouraging the behaviour, but recognising she needs to go outside several times each night. Is the right course of action to pick her up, without making a fuss of her, take her straight outside and when she is done bring her straight back in? Again making no fuss when we leave her to go back to bed?

She is actually really good already with the toilet situation, she will not indiscriminately wizz all over the house, but waits until we take her outside. Quite a blessing, hope it continues!

However, what I said earlier about a pup's bladder only being good for 2 hours applies during the night just as much as in the daytime! Sorry, but you need to get up every couple of hours and take her outside to her toilet area and instruct her to go as described. She may not oblige you by going immediately. Remember, she's just a baby and is in a whole new, quite possibly frightening, environment. Just wait with her for a few minutes. She is not going to get the whole toilet thing in a couple of days. The puppy of all of mine that was the most quick to get it still took a couple of weeks. You just have to persist.

It's worth doing it, I promise.

We don't expect miracles, but as stated above she is incredibly good for age and state of training already.

Is she eating well? Four meals a day?
Do you have vaccination certificates for the first two vaccinations?

Eating habits are good, we feed her 3 times a day. Morning, lunch and night, but she has a ball with treats inside she can play with if she feels playful or snacky.
First vaccination has been completed and the vet said bring her in at 10 weeks for her next one.

Thanks again for all the help and advice, it is much appreciated.

 

[Julia]

Good to hear, we were torn between not encouraging the behaviour, but recognising she needs to go outside several times each night. Is the right course of action to pick her up, without making a fuss of her, take her straight outside and when she is done bring her straight back in? Again making no fuss when we leave her to go back to bed?

Yes, absolutely, on the picking her up and taking her straight outside without fuss, but if she goes, you should give her lots of praise and a cuddle, then bring her back to her bed, give her another cuddle, then leave her.
Remember she's still just a baby and in a strange situation. Nothing wrong with giving her some affection and praise.

She is actually really good already with the toilet situation, she will not indiscriminately wizz all over the house, but waits until we take her outside. Quite a blessing, hope it continues!

We don't expect miracles, but as stated above she is incredibly good for age and state of training already.

That's just terrific. You're very lucky. Probably there will still be accidents, though.
Do not get angry with her when this happens.

Eating habits are good, we feed her 3 times a day. Morning, lunch and night, but she has a ball with treats inside she can play with if she feels playful or snacky.
First vaccination has been completed and the vet said bring her in at 10 weeks for her next one.

Thanks again for all the help and advice, it is much appreciated.

You're very welcome, springhill. Happy to help with step by step obedience training when she's ready for this.

Do you both work? Will she be left alone during the day?

 

[springhill]

You're very welcome, springhill. Happy to help with step by step obedience training when she's ready for this.

Do you both work? Will she be left alone during the day?

Thanks for the offer, will have no hesitation in asking for help with obedience if we are unsure or she is not responding.

We do both work, but I come home for lunch during the day between 12-1.30, so she will not be stuck alone for 8-9 hours. Maybe 4-5 hours at a time tops. Partner has bought her all the toys in the world, but would leaving a radio on during the day be of some comfort for her? What else can you recommend in the way of comfort/entertainment? We are kind of dreading Monday, as it will be her first day home alone.

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

A rather delicate request.

My dog after years of crapping at a distance from the house, has started crapping just on my favourite lawn.

How does one train a mature dog, to crap in the appropriate place?

gg

 

[Julia]

Glad to hear you will come home and spend time with her at lunchtime. Where are you going to leave her? If outside, have you checked for any potential dangers, i.e. plants that are poisonous to dogs, swimming pool, garden pond etc?

I had a real fright with one of my new puppies when I left her (I thought) secure on the patio which is contained by a pool fence. I went inside and just shortly after I heard a splash. She was so tiny under all that fluff that she was able to squeeze through the bars on the pool fence, had gone exploring, and had fallen into the pool.
If I'd not heard the splash, she would have drowned.

Is there a neighbour who would maybe like to have her for an hour or so?

Most people love puppies and this would break the time up for her a bit.

She will still be sleeping a lot, so if you make sure to play with her and wear her out before you leave for work, then keep her active at lunchtime, she should be OK.

 

[springhill]

A rather delicate request.

My dog after years of crapping at a distance from the house, has started crapping just on my favourite lawn.

How does one train a mature dog, to crap in the appropriate place?

gg

Is it a Gillardski Terrier? As they get older, uglier and more sure of their environment, they tend to crap closer to their own nest, until they just start sh!tting right in it.

 

[springhill]

Glad to hear you will come home and spend time with her at lunchtime. Where are you going to leave her? If outside, have you checked for any potential dangers, i.e. plants that are poisonous to dogs, swimming pool, garden pond etc?

I had a real fright with one of my new puppies when I left her (I thought) secure on the patio which is contained by a pool fence. I went inside and just shortly after I heard a splash. She was so tiny under all that fluff that she was able to squeeze through the bars on the pool fence, had gone exploring, and had fallen into the pool.
If I'd not heard the splash, she would have drowned.

Is there a neighbour who would maybe like to have her for an hour or so?

Most people love puppies and this would break the time up for her a bit.

She will still be sleeping a lot, so if you make sure to play with her and wear her out before you leave for work, then keep her active at lunchtime, she should be OK.

Our block is not secured appropriately enough at the moment to leave her outdoors during the day, so she will be indoors. Our laundry is directly connected to our garage, so was going to leave the internal garage door open in case she felt like more room to amuse herself during the day, rather than just the laundry, that would be too small i feel. At lunch i will have her outside and after work when i am outside setting up garden areas. We live in a small cul-de-sac and neighbours are mostly double income as it's a new-ish area so time with neighbours is probably out of the question for now. She is not shy on the snooze, but will be sure to make it so she gets plenty of out and indoor playtime to tire her out. She is very much in exploration stage still.
There are no waters she can get into strife on our block, and no plans for a pool or pond, so all safe there. Glad to hear you saved your pups in time, that would have been heartbreaking. Plants are all good for animals, nothing dangerous there.

Is it true dogs do not have a great concept of time, or just an old wives tale?

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Is it a Gillardski Terrier? As they get older, uglier and more sure of their environment, they tend to crap closer to their own nest, until they just start sh!tting right in it.

He is a Lab, I love him and he loves me, however his craps are not inconsiderate.

Puleeze someone help me.

gg

 

[sptrawler]

When he goes to crap at your place, kick him towards next door, when he craps on their lawn give him a treat.
Just joking.

 

[Knobby22]

She was cold. Our dog Miffy.

 

[Dona Ferentes]