# Puppy Training Tips? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598 "2005-05-05T21:50:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/1 "2005-05-05T21:50:41Z")
Yesterday afternoon I saved a little girl from the pound. They had her marked as a two month old german shepard…I don’t see it. Some people have suggested a boxer mix, some a pit mix, but she has tiny paws. Anyway, that’s not the point of the thread! I haven’t had a puppy in forever (my youngest dog is 9) and the last time around my mom helped train them. So I implore you to share your puppy training tips. She’s already potty trained, which is great. Her new thing now that she is comfy at my house is chewing on stuff (including my hair). Whenever she chews on something she shouldn’t be, I bop her on the nose, say “No chewing!” and hand her, her chew toy. When she chews the toy I give her lots of praise. Is this the right approach? I just want her to have the basics: sit, stay, don’t run into traffic, etc. Any help would be appreciated! Oh, some inspiration 😃 : [Bella!](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwD2AiMYu8eo*Q5ALVOQJ7vIp8IS73IyegodrUDBNj2VP1XachIDWh9YPAkSzbE4Wy*JMSghaEJ02K5h1g4LF5cjjqtqEtSpy!R8YVwUpy*C4WOiXHASsA/Picture%20445.jpg?dc=4675521136475903630) [More Bella!](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwDtAiQY*Meo*Q5ALVOQJ1kDB*PuyNICFuxSQDWFTYG6GikYfjzQA2wAgMMb2XIz1rAXqgeXTrtocwUv5AjKQMb2ONrb89Lq6EFaS!jmBSYXue2NwP7*1Q/Picture%20446.jpg?dc=4675521136496085204)[And even more!](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwD9AiUYPcio*Q5ALVOQJzjwx3!UrNe8JrHGdwcyQL5lsI2Uzl*LBexcLM6Vk9XI1epigXelH9rnmFpyaeNwnxKoord7Lg7caQzTeGlIsVFe1xhdEW0ztQ/Picture%20447.jpg?dc=4675521136515746610) ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/2 "2005-05-06T01:40:18Z")
Are her eyes really that blue? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/3 "2005-05-06T01:41:57Z")
No, they really aren’t that blue. My camera did that 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/4 "2005-05-06T01:55:01Z")
Ah. I am wavering between thinking they are really cool and really weird. As to training a puppy its a lot like raising a child. Consistant positive reinforcement for behaviors you like and negative reinforcement for those you don’t (no hitting just a Bad Dog! in a low stern voice). Its a good idea to crate train him as it will save your furniture and carpet. An electric fence is a good idea if you don’t have a fenced in backyard or don’t want one. Other than that just pay attention to her and have some fun. If you want to be her alpha dog and her favorite be the one to feed her 🙂 . ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/5 "2005-05-06T01:55:47Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > She’s already potty trained, which is great. I’m impressed. I had to settle for housebreaking all of my dogs. There are many simple books out there which will give you lots of tips on how to do it. Single most important tip: Put about 20 pennies in a plastic bottle and use it to terrify the dog when she does something really bad, like biting or chewing on things that she shouldn’t chew. Second tip: Reward what you want her to do. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/6 "2005-05-06T01:59:52Z")
A dog that cute? Consider a mixed program of logic or algebra, English literature, and calculus. She should go far. And be sure to post more pics as she grows! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kaiwik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaiwik/32/3978_2.png) [@kaiwik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaiwik)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/7 "2005-05-06T02:35:52Z")
She’s cute cute cute!!! After looking at her, I am witholding judgement on her breed mix. There is a suggestion of “pit” bull, but I would like to see her at six months. I agree that hitting is not a good thing, use your vocal tones to let her know if you are pleased…or not. When she is chewing (and she is teething, and so she **must** chew!) give her a firm “NO!”, take away the innapropriate object and immediately replace it with an acceptable chewie. (note: have a good supply of acceptable chewies) Also, the giver of the food is a dog’s favorite person in the world, that is good advice **treis**. I use a penny can to keep my dogs from barking innapropriately. Pretty much the same as **Plan B’s** advice. About 20 pennies in an empty, rinsed soda can, taped closed. It doesn’t terrify my dogs, (Pomeranians who think they are Rottweilers) but they hate the sound, and will shut up even if someone lifts a can of soda for a sip, and the dogs see it! Let me cruise around my bookmarks and find you some solid tips. The best of luck with her, I hope that you have a long, loving relationship. And thank you for giving her a home! ---
**Author:** ![kaiwik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaiwik/32/3978_2.png) [@kaiwik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaiwik)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/8 "2005-05-06T02:52:06Z")
Very basic information, but it’s a good beginning. I’ll send more. [http://www.netpets.org/dogs/reference/training/pupobed.html](http://www.netpets.org/dogs/reference/training/pupobed.html) ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/9 "2005-05-06T03:19:34Z")
First, thanks for all the responses and wonderful ideas! I will def. be trying the can with penny trick- that should save my voice a bit. I certainly felt bad about popping her on the nose (all be it gently…very gently) when she bit, so I’ll give just using my voice a try. Tonight she had a little accident, but it really isnt her fault. It is storming like crazy and she has been terrified to go outside. So, basically, she’s forgiven 😃 . My main worry at this point is my two other dogs: Scooby (Great Dane) and Doc (Chow). I had three dogs up until recently when my little black sausage dog passed on to the great beyond. I babble, my point simply is that the two preexisting dogs should take to a third pretty decently. This morning I took Bella out into the backyard with the two boys. The Chow sniffed her, she made a little noise at him, he ran away and hid behind some furniture. I don’t think he’ll be a problem. The great dane, on the other hand, started…well, the best way to describe it is _nosing_ her pretty hard. I would tell him to be calm and he would stop for a few, but he would continue. I’m positive he isn’t trying ot be a jerk- he just doesn’t realize how big he is. Anyway, Scooby walked up to Bella, opened his mouth, and proceded to place his mouth over…well, all of her. He didn’t bite or anything, just slobbered. Ah, once again I’m babbling. Anyway, the point is that I’m worried about leaving them alone together for right now because sometimes Scooby doesn’t realize that he can’t play with small things the way he does big things. Any advice on dealing with the mixed puppy family? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/10 "2005-05-06T05:37:33Z")
As long as Scooby isn’t trying to make Bella a “Rooby Rack” they will be fine playing with each other. They gotta figure out the pack heirarchy (make sure you are at the top) and then they will be happy dogs. Bella will let Scooby know if he is playing too rough by whimpering or some noise and Scooby should stop doing whatever it is he is doing. Lets see pics of Scooby and Doc too! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/11 "2005-05-06T05:47:16Z")
Off hand I can’t dig up any pictures of Doc, but I will take some tomorrow. To tide you over, I present: [Scooby](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwCFAiQY!8eo*Q5ALVOQJ9pzFOiQVsN76PiYTLkBzK*A30nINmAWqByiwmo8kbv3LIzJvf*!ab5nAWIJH8yevlxZwqi70Vrfb1LcUfeaL9su!fac6egFwQ/Picture%20194.jpg?dc=4675513059263499585)[In All](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SQCJAkwWrzgjB!jnv!CICC2tKQBvZrRQYU!ehn7i9GklgM47vzVtsg0sq1Koex2*1GNrj5yA*2UN1DsGa3TNUCPMoUQFCKh6*zUMmbVTKnU1N**15tyf5g/cap_132.jpg?dc=4675484738005663292) [his glory!](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwAAAB8Yr8ao*Q5ALVOQJ95DTNw*6f5w6pUP3VL*RElRac9IqwTu1CYksMKsSDmQ1fbLNAtDmAWSAwpQcFM7y5fg2uO*gSYlNkGXpSWC4CictbrsXGfENQ/Picture%20126.jpg?dc=4675512492218635262) I noticed Doc seems really, really upset by the puppy. Needless to say, that upsets me. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/12 "2005-05-06T06:16:49Z")
Scooby has taken to Bella in the last few minutes. Needless to say, this has lead to adorable photos! [She’s as big as his head…](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwAZAycYv8io*Q5ALVOQJ0CxUps2fIVMQ2LjGOvNgpNO34Ko7PpWl0SDY9d!JUqjT7dmz!ZWha!kciDxbVQYa3r4LQ7mgIXMVw9o9*WcQ1zE*mso80F82w/Picture%20449.jpg?dc=4675521184682559294) [Precious. Just precious.](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwCJAiAY!cao*Q5ALVOQJ*BDDgd675PP!IJWXexyF!eAH*YU3u1r8EgqkwQiG244mAg!p3hu2KDOXl4iGK!TBReeHgAZS3!3oG9WMddsIVnoId34Am*sUQ/Picture%20451.jpg?dc=4675521185649738207) [Do I even have to say it?](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwAhAx8YuMao*Q5ALVOQJ8v53LyU5wSq5jD5O4nptrn3wNGpnhHWcM0jwU!Ve*vttSAg5M9*vuzepuyzUw270bh3UBmxuO!errZxBYD5POVLLLBU5lklzw/Picture%20450.jpg?dc=4675521184712188206) It should be noted that they have been laying on my bed next to each other for the llast 20 minutes. They’ve been “talking” back and forth to one another- he in a low, deep grumble and her in a high, whiny squeek. It’s almost cuteness overload. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/13 "2005-05-06T14:30:12Z")
I’m no expert on the training stuff, though it sounds to me like you’re doing just fine, but I have to say that your dogs are just adorable. Awww, cute puppy…aww, huge Dane…awww, aren’t they CUTE! ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/14 "2005-05-06T14:43:24Z")
She’s adorable! As a dog trainer, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of “Don’t Shoot the Dog” - it explains operant conditionning quite well and is a helpful training manual. The “dog training for dummies” book, written by the Volhard clan, is also EXCELLENT. If you’ve not done so already, consider crate training 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/15 "2005-05-06T14:44:31Z")
My father used to teach obedience class. He would have his students practice the “20 Minute Down”. Basically, you make the dog stay down in the same place for twenty minutes. The first couple times you usually end up practically sitting on top of the dog, but it gets easier. The point of the exercise is that it establishes you as the alpha. He could always tell which students did the exercise and which didn’t. (Hint: One group _always_ complained that their dog was untrainable.) ---
**Author:** ![Prancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8dc957/32.png) [@Prancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prancer)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/16 "2005-05-06T15:05:23Z")
Great Googly Moogly! You’re getting a lot of conflicting advice here. I’m with Ellenfair - get one of the books she recommends and stick to what it suggests as best as you can. One dog, one method that works for you both and sooner or later, happy family. Good luck and keep those picks coming! She’s so cute and the “conversation” story is really great. As far as breeds go, boxer & shepherd or maybe boxer & terrier? There’s something Jack Russle-ish about how her ears lay. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/17 "2005-05-06T15:32:02Z")
Thanks again for the advice, everyone. I tried the penny can earlier…it didn’t work. She just looked at it and then tried to attack it. She isn’t afraid of it at all. She’s now Scooby’s biggest fan. She follows him around everywhere and is always trying to get his attention. Hopefully some of his behavior rubs off on her! Doc is still freaked out by her. Right now she was on the patio with Scooby and Doc started growling. He kept growling. He then attacked her. As soon as she yelped and I jumped towards the door he stopped. I’m not sure whether he was asserting dominance or he was just being mean. He still fights with Scooby every so often, so I hope that wont be the case with Bella. I’m def. picking up some books today. Thank you all for the advice! As far as her behavior, the only thing that is bugging my right now is that she tries to chew my hair…my hair is _way_ to nice to be eaten by a puppy 😛 She has had a couple accidents, but it was raining and I figure she was scared to go outside (she was shaking the whole night). ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/18 "2005-05-06T15:38:16Z")
way TOO nice 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Wartime\_Consigliori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9d8465/32.png) [@Wartime\_Consigliori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wartime_Consigliori)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/19 "2005-05-06T18:16:59Z")
[Order this book right now.](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0525944729/103-0436704-5907020?v=glance) Family Dog, by Richard Wolthers. I swear by this book, as well as its companion Water Dog, which is essential for those dealing with Retrievers. **A Warning** : Wolther’s methods are old-school, so if your reluctant to employ a swat on the fanny with a rolled-up newspaper when correcting your dog, you may wish to look elsewhere. Good luck with your puppy! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598/20 "2005-05-07T02:06:32Z")
[ASPCA Guide to Dog Training](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1564584879/ref=pd_sim_b_4/002-8337828-0367218?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance) Worked for our dog. I’ve loaned it out several times and have received only good things about it and seen the results with their dogs. BTW, your dogs are really cute. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puppy-training-tips/302598.md?page=2)