Bamps (07-31-2015), WhoopsaDaisy (07-31-2015)
Dear All,
Just dropping by to say a hearty 'Hi!' to all the forum members.
I have recently (12 days to be exact) adopted an 8 week old puppy - a bundle of golden joy!
He goes by the name of Luffy.
Having owned him for for near enough two weeks, he can be described as a lovable little terror with a developing alpha attitude!
He loves to jump, sniff and nip you. He has acquired a penchant for sniffing places you really don't want him to sniff, and thus requires you to be on your guard at times!
Having had his first vet visit a week ago: for first round of vaccinations, de-worming, de-fleaing and a checkup, we tend to let him out in the garden (I don't know if we really should) where he tears around uprooting the carefully planted flora and digging holes. He has a tendency to eat small amounts of compost and brings in small pebbles that he vivaciously brings into his crate. Yesterday he bought in what we thought was a lump of compost, but turned out to be petrified cat turds...With a highly concerted effort we managed to deter his attention away from them.
So far in the way of training we have managed to get him to sit, and come to us when called (4/10 times!). When we try and put on the collar and lead he tends to get into a twirly whirly hissy fit - only tried that once. Are in the process of using clicker training.
House training has proven to be very taxing, as we keep him in a crate (always open) within a closed pen.This is situated in our conservatory (not sure if this is the ideal place as this is where he sleeps during the night) We lay newspapers outside the crate in the pen, on which he does his 2 biological businesses. We do tend to find that he loves to wee on the carpet in the living room whenever he's let in...
At night he retreats to his cage, where he tuckers out and so far we've not had any whimpering problems.
We feed him Royal Canine Medium (on breeder's recommendation), 4 times a day, though he never seems to have much of an appetite. He loves his chicken treats - used only when training, or if he's been exceptionally good we will give a chicken filled Kong that keeps him occupied.
He is our first ever pet, and being the 6th in our already family of 5 we love him to bits! There's no doubt he loves each and every one of us too, though the method by which affection is shown differs.
All in all: We give him kisses, caresses and cuddles + He gives us inexhaustible licking, bite nipping, and jumping = An all round happy loving family!
I believe I have gotten rather carried away in my enthusiasm to write about my little pup - My apologies! But I'm sure you'll appreciate the rambling
I humbly take my leave now and like many others I would like to ardently thank you all for the info this site has already offered and the help and the advice you'll will give when I no doubt will post about future queries, and quandaries I'll run into with Luffy!
Cheers & Cheerio,
Resi
Here be a pic of Luffy!
Last edited by Luffy; 07-31-2015 at 07:33 AM.
Bamps (07-31-2015), WhoopsaDaisy (07-31-2015)
Luffy is your first ever pet? I am pleasantly surprised and impressed with your first post. I'd say you are on track with the training and seem to have good expectations and plans in place. Way to go, you.
COME was the first command my puppies absolutely Knew for sure. Here is how I teach it, maybe you are already using this method.
Teaching COME
Oh, and if your garden is not frequented by unvaccinated other dogs then Luffy is fine there. My puppies went out lots of places to socialize and habituate with sights, sounds, places etc. If it was dog intense place, like the Vet's, their little feet stayed up on my lap. Out in the bush and a newly developing subdivision they ran around on the ground. We made play dates with dogs we knew were safe too.
Welcome to the board.
Welcome!! Luffy is a cutie!
Julie & Jake, Bacon's Humans
Instagram: @mrbaconthelab
Born: 9/02/13
Gotcha: 11/08/13
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In memory of Lily 1/1995 - 2/2/2012
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Thank you Snowshoes. It's been a fair few years since I've posted anything on forums, let alone the on the net - I feel a little bit like a fish out of water! Thank you for your kind words! We're all trying our best to look after Luffy. The first week was quite taxing on my parents as they didn't know what to expect, but now are getting into routine.
I've read your method on how to teach COME. I will take to reinforcing this command in public, as you suggested, by hiding behind bushes etc after he gets his second shot of vaccinations.
Right now though, when let out in the garden (which is only frequented by our neighbor's cat who's been vaccinated), Luffy becomes rather absent minded and goes off exploring. The command 'come' more than often falls on deaf ears! I do tend to inject a bit of enthusiasm and energy when I call him by kneeling down on the ground and splaying my arms out wide and putting on the chirpiest voice to say 'COME LUFFY'. With that he happily abides and runs up wagging his tail!
On the topic of socialising, today I was thinking of taking him around the block, not walking him but carrying him (couldn't walk him even if I wanted to, as he abhors the lease). However, he's only had his first set of vaccinations and does not have a ID tag, though he is chipped. Being in the UK, i'm apprehensive that I might get slapped with a hefty fine of £5000. :S
Thank you Julie
Bacon's Beautiful
Wow, Luffy sounds like he found a perfect home. Congrats on your new addition!! Good for you working on clicker training already! I often wish I could've started so early with Daisy - she didn't come to live with me until she was 7 months old- how nice for you to be able to start fresh. And it sounds like you are doing a great job!
Katie and Aric (7/1/17) Hidden Content
Whoops-a-Daisy B. 1-26-13 Gotcha 8-25-13
Jett B 8-17-17, Gotcha 10-7-17
Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.
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Hi and welcome to both of you. Luffy is an adorable little boy.
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Lynn 5/17/1999 - 7/23/2013
You shall never be forgotten, my friend
Mel *6/14/2013
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Thank you Katie
I don't think I've read so many books nor watched so much media in such a short time span. Having a puppy really changes your life. For the better. I now can't wait to get home from work!
Trying to get a handle on clicker training myself :S
BTW - Love the Dean Koontz quote in you sig
Thank you Mike
That picture was taken after taking Luffy into the garden to do his training. Sadly he took to running rampant and uprooted and decapticated some daffodil and Marigolds plants. He was promptly placed in the crate to calm down. My Father was not a happy bunny...:P
Welcome! Luffy is adorable - of course I think Yellow boys are the best. And they are mischievous little babies. Patience and training now will definitely pay off - you're on the right track! I lived through puppyhood and now we have a 1.5 year old 70 lb wonderful ball of personality.
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