train my puppy

Puppy training is not going well at all. I am getting so frustrated. I am constantly cleaning up accidents in the house, even after I let him go outside. He’s been sleeping on the futon, which I really didn’t mind at all, but I also let him have toys up there, and last night I discovered that he actually ended up chewing two holes in the sheet that I have covering it. At least it’s only a normal full sized fitted sheet, but still. He hasn’t gotten “Sit” on anywhere near a consistent basis, and that is going to be the foundation for all other things. I’m really wondering now what I was thinking. Some of this I know is completely my fault. Most of it, but not all. The really bad part is that after I try and work with him is when things are worse. I know I’m not taking the time that I should be though. But it just seems like he’s out to do things wrong. I’m really hoping that the library sends me my email that the copy of “Dogs for Dummies” is in soon, so I can get some incite as to what I am doing wrong. It is so hard not to take it out on him. So far no real official name, but I’ve pretty much been calling him “Mister” for now, which works. If something better comes along, it’ll be easy enough to add and then transition.

I just got a new puppy last Thursday, and so far he is doing pretty well. He seems like he will be a really good dog once I get him trained.

First things first housebreaking. He is three months old, it was actually his birthday when I picked him up, and was kept outside, but I definitely want to have an inside dog. I think it’s just more fun that way. I mean I got a dog for the companionship, so why wouldn’t I want to keep him in the house with me? The problem is that my room is right across from the sliding glass door, but I have to go through the hallway and then down the same distance to go out. So he hasn’t figured out, and if he had how would I know when he does it, that he can scratch on the door to let me know that he needs out. I’ve been pretty good about taking him out every so often, even if it is freezing cold outside, but he’s still had a few accidents. He is pretty good now though about going every time I take him out.

Leash breaking. Lately he hasn’t done the thing where he throws himself all around just because he’s on a leash type thing. I did figure out that I have a hard time putting him on the leash and then trying to lead him through the house to go outside, but if I hold the leash in my hand he will follow me, I can then put him on it and take him outside. He does pull which is fine for the most part, but eventually I would like to teach him to Heel, just so if I take him for a walk and there are cars or anything he would be less likely to get hit. I’ve only tied him out once since I’ve had him, and he did go all crazy. So depending on what I decided to do about what to do with him when I’m not home we might have to work on that. I tried shutting him up in the garage, but some how he managed to squeeze out of the cat door. Not even duct tape the second time stopped him.

Sit. He’s been doing pretty well with this one too. It doesn’t always work, but that’s understandable. Hopefully I’ll be able to progress this into Stay, Shake, Lay Down, and things like that. Sit has worked a few times when he’s gotten excited in the house, now I just need to get it working more so he doesn’t jump on me, or other people, and when we are outside so I don’t get paw prints all over my legs.

I was proud of him because he got the concept of playing fetch right away. It’s a great way for him to burn off some of that puppy energy while I stay relatively lazy. I have high hopes for this one. The other day before I got him I was buying supplies that I would need, I picked up a Frisbee for him. I hope I can teach him to catch it.

He’s pretty good too about coming when he’s called. Hopefully when I find a name for him he’ll be even better. And he rides in the car great, just lies down and sleeps. So for right now at least, that’s about all I have in mind for him. But who knows if he does well enough with all of that I just might have to teach him some other tricks.