How do I train my puppy? I have had him for several months and I can't train him to do anything. ?

Question

He won't use the bathroom outside, he won't stop biting me or anyone else, and he won't stop biting our other dog and cat. I have looked online for a solution and I can't find any that works. Please help. Thanks.

Answer 1

ask your vet abought a good obediance class for him

Answer 2

I hate to say it, but dog training doesn't happen naturally for all people.  My mom has tried to train our dogs in the past, but she just can't do it.  I think you might fall into that category.  The smart thing to do is recognize this and get professional help.  They can teach you how to communicate with your dog and hopefully solve your problem.  If you trained you other dog just fine it could be a mixture of your not communicating with him correctly and he could just be more stubborn.  My Aussie will do whatever I tell him, but my dachshund is so stubborn that he has to test me with every command.  Basically, I'm pretty sure my dachshund is always trying to break me and take control, which he did for awhile, but once I got back in the driver's seat he does what he is suppose to even if he hates it.  Anyways, get a trainer or go to classes, it will make the rest of your life so much easier...

Answer 3

I am so excited because y fv book is now available on my webstore.  If you look back at my answers or use search you will see how often I have given this book as a reference.

http://pampered-puppy.zlio.net/TRAINING-...

check it out!!!!!!!!!! the picture on the front is great.  

There is a page on there worth the whole book on housebreaking, and the games for training make it easy and fun.

Answer 4

Out of curiosity, what breed is he? Toy breeds tend to take longer when it comes to house breaking. My 8 month old Italian Greyhound uses piddle pads in my bathroom as he doesn't always ring his bells to potty outside. IG's are the hardest to house break but it is possible yet can take up to 3 years. He always chases the cats also because of his prey drive being a sight hound and all. If you really need help, I would call a trainer and see if they can help you out.

Answer 5

you might not bringing him out and expose him to other dogs....that might be the reason...

Answer 6

Sirius Puppy Training Classes would have solved or prevented all of these problems and much more.  Be sure to take your NEXT puppy to school!

It is normal for a puppy to bite on other animals.  Don't break it up or try to stop him.  They will work it out better and faster if you leave them alone.

As for biting you and your friends, depending on how old your puppy is, you MIGHT be able to use the Sirius Puppy Training DVD method  Find the Sirius website and ask there.  Another source of humane help would be to look up Clicker training, to ask the pros for expert advice based on the newest scientific knowledge about dogs and how they learn.

The easiest and best way I've ever found on housebreaking (teaching your dog to pee and p**p outside) is Shirlee Kalstone's book, "How to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days" which does exactly what the title says.  It's a skinny book, easy to read, understand and follow and it will teach you everything you need to know.  Plus it's great to have the book around as a reference in case you forget something and also for your future dogs' training.

The book is available at www.dogwise.com and it is only $7.99  You can have it overnight shipped to you if you want to get going right away.

Answer 7

maybe a dog trainer??

Answer 8

Seek Obedience and/or Behavioral Training.   You'll be glad you did.

Answer 9

You need to teach him what is acceptable behavior and what is not acceptable behavior. Here are some things that may help:

1. Always put a drag lead on him. Use a light lead, and clip off the loop at the end so it doesn't catch on anything. Make sure to use a flat collar and not a training collar. When you dog does something inappropriate, non-mark him (ack, ack) and stop him. For example if he jumps on you, turn away; if he gets on the furniture, use the lead to get him down.

2. Time-out. If your dog continues with his bad behavior after you have told him to stop, then say "time-out" and remove him to a time-out area (a safe but boring room, e.g. laundry room). Leave him in there for a couple of minutes and let him out. If he starts up again, non-mark him (ack, ack), and say time-out and put him back in time-out. This time lengthen the duration to about 10-15 minutes. Note that if your dog stops the bad behavior, make sure to praise him a lot and give him good treats. Keep this up and your dog will learn that certain behaviors get him rewards while others get him into a boring room with nothing to do.

3. Hand-feed him

Hand-feed him some kibble one by one. If he bites too hard while trying to get at his food, yelp in a high pitch, and ignore him for a few seconds. Then start feeding him again. This way he learns that biting hard can hurt humans and when he does that, the food and attention stops. Hand-feeding is also good for bonding and establishing your leadership.

4. NILIF program. A great way to establish yourself as leader is through the control of resources. Don't give anything to your dog (including pets and affection) unless he does something for you first. For example ask him for a "sit" before you give him food, toys, or freedom.

5. Obedience training. Try and do some obedience training sessions everyday. Enroll in a class or get a good obedience book, and practice with him for short sessions (10-15 minutes) every day. This will help establish you as a leader, improve your bond with your dog, exercise your dog's mind, and give you good tools that you can use to help control him in the house.

6. Potty training: Take him out right after he wakes up, and after heavy activity (play sessions). When he does it outside make sure to praise him and treat him well. If he makes a mistake inside, and you catch him doing it, non-mark him (ack, ack) and calmly take him outside. When you are not around to supervise, crate him or put him in a long-term enclosure (e.g. kitchen or pen). Put bedding, water bowl, and puppy pad in the enclosure. Also leave him with safe chew toys and food toys. Frozen Kongs are great.

Answer 10

dogs are easy to train it's the owner that's the problem. try a dog trainer or have a freind that knows about dogs help you. once you see how it's done it will be easy.

Answer 11

Enroll in obedience class.

Some people are successful in training their pup by reading books and researching online, but it's best to enroll puppies in class which helps owners how to train puppies and allows their pups to socialize with other pups.  Classes are available at most local pet shops (i.e. petsmart, petco, etc).

good luck!

Answer 12

Enroll him in an obedience class immediately. I can't believe you've waited this long!

Wow, did you give everyone thumbs down? We're trying to help you! Sorry if you wanted an easy solution, but there isn't one. Training a dog takes a lot of time and effort. If you aren't willing to do that maybe you should give your dog to someone who can care for him properly.

Answer 13

The right trainer will give you all the tools for you to help train your puppy.  As your vet for referrals for group classes, or have a trainer to come to your house to work with you for afew sessions and then go into a group class for the socializing.  When you look online, there are so many training methods out there and I think that you would do so much better if you were in a class or had an in-home trainer.  They will give you the knowledge to get you through the puppy stage.  Then there will be the adolescent stage to get through.  

The one thing that I want to say about timeout, because someone has mentioned it here.  Sometimes that can back fire on you.  If you have a dog who is acting up, and you put him into timeout, he may act up again, because it gets him out of a stressful situation.  He will learn that if I do this, then I will go to my crate to get away from everything.  

PetSmart has potty training seminars that are like $15.  You go without the puppy for it.  It's cheap, but it will get you started in the right direction.  

I use to be a PetSmart trainer, and I do in-home training now, and I understand how frustrated you feeling.  Start with calling your vet for referrals.