Any good puppy training tips?

Question

i have 2 female black labs. there about 10 weeks. we live on a farm, so they stay outside. they don't listen very well when i call them..i want them to:

-learn there names, and come when i call them( i don't want them getting hit on the road)

-sit and stay

-not beg

-fetch

-not bite,

etc. any tips you have will help, much appreciated.

i dont really want to use treats much, because i don't want them to only respect me to get them....

Answer 1

the key here is time, and alots and lots of patience! remember their young and willing to play and learn.

using treats to start off their training is a good thing, it gets their attention and holds it as little else can. when you know they've learned to sit, stay, roll over and what not, just close your hand in front of them and give them a short, sharp come; gesturing with your hand what it is you want them to do, i've done this with my jack russell; one of the harder dogs to train, and have had success.

instead of the treats, praise them and pet them let them know they've done something right..soon they'll do it because they know it pleases you. hope i helped.

Answer 2

-Down

-Off (if they are jumping on you/something they shouldn't be jumping on-NOT to be confused with 'down')

Leash manners are important as well. Since they are still puppies I would drill in on the leash manners now before they develop any bad habits-its much easier to teach the manners than it is to break the habits!

This means; don't pull, heel on command, and don't lag behind!

It is okay to use treats when you are beginning to teach or re-teach a command. Once they are 100% on the command with the treats, then you can begin weaning them off of the treats. It's okay to use them for motivation, so don't worry about that.

Be patient! These things are not learned or perfected overnight, it will take time. Be as consistent as possible with it. When you are teaching them recall (come, here, etc), avoid calling them if you don't think they will listen. You don't want them to get the idea that it is okay to not-come when you call them, and you can avoid that by make sure you are always prepared to reinforce the command. If they don't come on the first call, then you have to get them to you or go out and get them WITHOUT saying it again. The more you 'nag' on them ("come...COME...COME HERE RIGHT NOW!") the more they get it in their head that 'well she's only going to tell us to come like five more times...so mayyyybe we will listen later..'  

When you're first working with recall, do it with a leash-preferably a long one (15 or so feet). Say the command, then pull the dog in to you. Once they get to you, give them the treat and tons of praise.

Do not ever punish the dog for coming to you. Even if the dog didnt listen the first time-once they get to you, you NEED to give praise and reward. Coming to you should always be a good experience for the dog. If you punish them for coming to you, then they aren't going to want to do it. So always always keep that in mind.

ALWAYS make sure you give pleanty of reward and praise when they do the job right. Be patient and consistent.

Answer 3

You need to spend time with them.  Attend a training class.  Hopefully they don't have free run of the farm.  They are behaving like any puppy.

Answer 4

Labs have so much energy you have to have a lot of time to train them when there younger other wise they will never listen. If you dont wanna use treats try useing a squeeky toy. it really just takes time

Answer 5

Try a clicker on sale for around £5.00 at all good retailers. It's basically a plastic box that you press. You can also adjust the setting from a low pitch to a really high pitched sound. This forces the dog to listen because it's brain can't take the noise. But every time you click you must treat. Otherwise the dog will think why bother if i don't get any thing in return?

Secondly it's good that your starting young. As their more likely to catch on quicker. Keep the training sessions short, otherwise they will become bored. About 10-15 Min's per day should do.

As you live on a farm there is (i imagine) quite a lot of space and things to distract them. So take them to a patch/Field on the farm. That is quite & out the way so it's just you & them. This enables them to concentrate for longer.

Stick to one thing until they cotton on ie: don't say sit then 5 Min's later say down this will only confuse them & complicate the situation.

Think outside the box use toy's, as puppies are playful & play is important for them to progress to adulthood. So use toys for a bit of the training session. And let them have a good run after the session.

Answer 6

you should go to pet smart and they will teach you but they are kinda expensive but it is worth it.