Originally posted by: datalink7
Find a local trainer that gives dog classes. Go once a week. If you haven't trained a dog before YOU need to be trained as well, which is what dog classes will help with. In addition, it gives your dog a good chance to socialize. Most trainers will have puppy training and then you can graduate to regular training when your dog gets older.
Then, during the week, work on what was taught in class. You have to reinforce it so 30 minutes of training a day is good. Don't let your dog develop bad habits. While a puppy chewing on you down't hurt and can be cute, when the dog gets older it can hurt even though the dog doesn't mean it. And it won't understand when you tell it to stop because you've let it go on for so long.
But really, I highly reccomend a weekly class.
Originally posted by: SOONER
Originally posted by: datalink7
Find a local trainer that gives dog classes. Go once a week. If you haven't trained a dog before YOU need to be trained as well, which is what dog classes will help with. In addition, it gives your dog a good chance to socialize. Most trainers will have puppy training and then you can graduate to regular training when your dog gets older.
Then, during the week, work on what was taught in class. You have to reinforce it so 30 minutes of training a day is good. Don't let your dog develop bad habits. While a puppy chewing on you down't hurt and can be cute, when the dog gets older it can hurt even though the dog doesn't mean it. And it won't understand when you tell it to stop because you've let it go on for so long.
But really, I highly reccomend a weekly class.
This is good advise. We have a Golden and they are great dogs. I would emphasize the point above about not letting them do things as a puppy you don't want them doing when they are grown. We never let our puppy on any of the furniture and as an adult he doesnt even consider doing it. Set your boundries early and stick to them.