Piper (The Swiss Army Knife)
- Thread starter PineSapJunky
- Start date
Doctorbrady
Well-Known Member
Yep, hard to beat a photo of kids with a new puppy!
PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
Update February 5, 2016
We've had Piper a week today. Since then she has become a member of our family. The wife and kids only want something to do with her when she is being good. But with her being a puppy that's not all the time. House training and obedience is left up to me at this point but they are coming around. They've never (kids and wife) have never had to raise a puppy.
Piper is doing great on her obedience. Sit/stay, down/stay, come and kennel are all solid and I couldn't be more pleased. I'm working with her release command twice a day during feeding time. She had taken to the antler bumper very well and brings it back consistently on short throws with no distractions.
Hopefully I'll find time this week to build her a place platform to work her on more to strengthen her obedience. Thanks again for following
Zach
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PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
Update February 7th, 2017
Finally found some time to build Piper a "place platform" out of some materials I had laying around. It is 28"x28"x8". I wanted to build something large enough for her to grow in to. It will be getting a couple coats of exterior paint to weather proof it.
Our first session went really well. She is still fighting the leash a bit. I will have to leave it on her more when I'm around for her to get use to it and let her know it isn't going away. She caught on really quick that the platform is fun and yummy. If I can get her trained she won't have any problems with distractions. Between 3 kids, my in-laws and their dogs it's tough to get any quality training time in with her. The best time honestly is 1am for her bathroom break and 5am when I get up for work. During those times she is all attention and willing.
But as the title states. I hope she is the Swiss Army Knife of dogs. So being a family pet and not just another tool is important for her too. Thanks again for following.
Zach
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Doctorbrady
Well-Known Member
Sounds like things are going well. The best way that I have found to leash break a dog is to leave it on for a few hours during play/ feeding time. Most dogs get accustomed to it in one or two sessions. After that they don't pay it much attention until the first time you walk them with it. That's a different story 
.
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PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
That's the problem I'm having now Doc. She ignores it when she's just running around. Go to walk her with it and she's tugging. She's still young. I'm going to stay the course and I'm sure she'll get better. I've been working the approach of "tug and fight=no praise or reward". "Slack leash and compliant= praise and reward" Hopefully that sets in with herSounds like things are going well. The best way that I have found to leash break a dog is to leave it on for a few hours during play/ feeding time. Most dogs get accustomed to it in one or two sessions. After that they don't pay it much attention until the first time you walk them with it. That's a different story
Thanks again.
Zach
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Doctorbrady
Well-Known Member
She will get it with time. I let mine fight and tug and roll while I just stand still. When they settle down, we move again. Fight,stop. Settle, walk. I've only had one dog that required being staked down for a few hours (supervised from a distance) to get it through her head that she would never win the battle. After that it was an easy transition. I like pinch collars for most leash commands once the pup is a bit older.
PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
I too really like pinch collars. All of my previous labs have been finished with a pinch collar. My wife threatened to leave me if I put "that thing" on her "baby". It's an on going battle trying to train pup and family. Thanks for the advice.
Zach
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Zach
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PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
On a side note for anyone following. I found these bumpers made by Browning. They label it an antler chew toy. It is a little more firm than one from "dog bone" but it is still soft and flexible. I found them on Amazon for $10 each which is a substantial savings from "dog bone". I ordered 4. Hopefully I can plant them later on as her training progresses.
Zach
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wbpdeer
Well-Known Member
I let my pup have two little hard antlers to chew on for two days. I was told directly by a good shed dog man in Indiana to get them out of the pen. He said that will create bad habits. Jeremy Moore says the same thing.
I took the antlers out within the hour. Next three days, my pup wanted to avoid me and relocate to a setting where he could chew on my rubber antlers. I worked hard on praise, excitement and treats to get him to come to me again without the avoidance. I also started throwing from his platform.
That antler bumper looks good - I suggest you not let that be a chew toy. It cost me some frustration but I nipped it soon enough to make it go away.
I like the rope on the DogBone rubber antler because I can get a good softball motion and fling it a long ways. The motion excites Scotty - he runs harder and faster when he gets excited. He sleeps better as a result of a good workout.
Wayne
I took the antlers out within the hour. Next three days, my pup wanted to avoid me and relocate to a setting where he could chew on my rubber antlers. I worked hard on praise, excitement and treats to get him to come to me again without the avoidance. I also started throwing from his platform.
That antler bumper looks good - I suggest you not let that be a chew toy. It cost me some frustration but I nipped it soon enough to make it go away.
I like the rope on the DogBone rubber antler because I can get a good softball motion and fling it a long ways. The motion excites Scotty - he runs harder and faster when he gets excited. He sleeps better as a result of a good workout.
Wayne
PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
She's got plenty of chew toys for being a puppy. The antlers are for training purposes only. I gave her a small shed early on but have since removed it. I can tell she has the wheels turning up there. Hopefully it will all come together.
She'll be 9 weeks old Thursday. I keep forgetting how young she is and how far we still have to come. It been over a decade since I've had a puppy and it's all slowly coming back to me.
We had a major breakthrough yesterday on her platform. She is becoming increasingly food driven which works good for her obedience. 2am is a great session for us since everyone is asleep and it tires her out again to be able to go back to sleep.
We have an appointment with our vet tomorrow for her 9 week check up and I'll be having her chipped as well.
Updates to come
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PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
https://goo.gl/photos/n2X3npkceyAyVs4k9
Piper is doing very well with her platform. She knows it means fun. We have to jog for awhile before she calms down enough to listen. She has a lot of energy in the afternoon. I think it's good for both of us. Thanks again for viewing
Zach
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Piper is doing very well with her platform. She knows it means fun. We have to jog for awhile before she calms down enough to listen. She has a lot of energy in the afternoon. I think it's good for both of us. Thanks again for viewing
Zach
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
https://goo.gl/photos/g7Ci5AuV5AQVFSEk9
She is really taking good to short throws. 4-5 throws is her max right now. I'm beyond excited how well she is doing. I apologize in advance for my high pitched voiced and enthusiasm. We've had some good days lately.
Zach
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She is really taking good to short throws. 4-5 throws is her max right now. I'm beyond excited how well she is doing. I apologize in advance for my high pitched voiced and enthusiasm. We've had some good days lately.
Zach
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
wbpdeer
Well-Known Member
Piper ...
Is doing super on the obedience training. Believe she is ahead of us - means I need to spend more time on that.
She is doing great on the retrieve also. Part of the reason she tires out is the antler is too big for her at this point. With 3 or 4 weeks growth that issue will basically disappear.
Two great videos - thanks for sharing. Piper is a star at an early age.
Congrats Zac.
Wayne
Is doing super on the obedience training. Believe she is ahead of us - means I need to spend more time on that.
She is doing great on the retrieve also. Part of the reason she tires out is the antler is too big for her at this point. With 3 or 4 weeks growth that issue will basically disappear.
Two great videos - thanks for sharing. Piper is a star at an early age.
Congrats Zac.
Wayne
PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
Wayne,Piper ...
Is doing super on the obedience training. Believe she is ahead of us - means I need to spend more time on that.
She is doing great on the retrieve also. Part of the reason she tires out is the antler is too big for her at this point. With 3 or 4 weeks growth that issue will basically disappear.
Two great videos - thanks for sharing. Piper is a star at an early age.
Congrats Zac.
Wayne
Do you think cutting the antler throw down will help. I don't want to use a small shed in fear of her poking herself while learning and being scared of it.
Any ideas will help.
Thanks,
Zach
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wbpdeer
Well-Known Member
I would leave the antler size alone. To me sight recognition is important and we want Piper to see that from a good distance.
Watch her reaction to the antler when she first lays eyes on it. Read her face - we want her eyes on the antler.
Sit her on place, walk out and drop or set the antler down. Keep the distance short - give her command and let her get the antler and bring to you. Keeping the walk out distance short saves her energy.
Do this - sit two antlers at 90 degree angle to her platform. Walk her out - work her a little on obedience and when see is settled direct her to the antler. My command is "Find the Bone"
The throw and motion of the antler drives her retrieve want. What I have detailed above will help her sight recognition and save her energy.
I am impressed with what I saw on the video - she will be a star - just a yellow one. Mine is a black one.
My Dog Bone antlers have a rope - I get to swing them and that jacks Scotty up.
Yep - Piper has all the stuff to be a star. Be patient - she will be sluggish from time to time. Stop that training session sooner - she is telling you she is not ready at this specific time. My pup ain't a morning dog - he needs about 90 minutes to 2 hours and he is ready Freddie. I let him play in an exercise pen when he is getting in the mood.
I hope my comments help.
Wayne
Watch her reaction to the antler when she first lays eyes on it. Read her face - we want her eyes on the antler.
Sit her on place, walk out and drop or set the antler down. Keep the distance short - give her command and let her get the antler and bring to you. Keeping the walk out distance short saves her energy.
Do this - sit two antlers at 90 degree angle to her platform. Walk her out - work her a little on obedience and when see is settled direct her to the antler. My command is "Find the Bone"
The throw and motion of the antler drives her retrieve want. What I have detailed above will help her sight recognition and save her energy.
I am impressed with what I saw on the video - she will be a star - just a yellow one. Mine is a black one.
My Dog Bone antlers have a rope - I get to swing them and that jacks Scotty up.
Yep - Piper has all the stuff to be a star. Be patient - she will be sluggish from time to time. Stop that training session sooner - she is telling you she is not ready at this specific time. My pup ain't a morning dog - he needs about 90 minutes to 2 hours and he is ready Freddie. I let him play in an exercise pen when he is getting in the mood.
I hope my comments help.
Wayne
PineSapJunky
Well-Known Member
Veterinary Update
Took Piper today for her 9 week check up. She weighed 14lbs 7oz!!!! The vet gave her hips an "ok-good" grade. She said they should tighten up as she grows and her muscles developed. One area of concern is that she has an "inverted vulva". The vet suggested that we wait until she's at least 10 months old before we look into any type of surgery if after coming into heat her first time doesn't fix it. In the mean time I will have to clean her lady parts daily to avoid any bacteria growth and the resulting UTI'S.
I have a call into the breeder to discuss this. If it isn't corrected and she does require surgery than that will almost guarantee any chance and me breeding her.
I'm interested to know if anyone has dealt with this particular problem and how you dealt with it.
Thanks again
Zach
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Took Piper today for her 9 week check up. She weighed 14lbs 7oz!!!! The vet gave her hips an "ok-good" grade. She said they should tighten up as she grows and her muscles developed. One area of concern is that she has an "inverted vulva". The vet suggested that we wait until she's at least 10 months old before we look into any type of surgery if after coming into heat her first time doesn't fix it. In the mean time I will have to clean her lady parts daily to avoid any bacteria growth and the resulting UTI'S.
I have a call into the breeder to discuss this. If it isn't corrected and she does require surgery than that will almost guarantee any chance and me breeding her.
I'm interested to know if anyone has dealt with this particular problem and how you dealt with it.
Thanks again
Zach
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Doctorbrady
Well-Known Member
Hopefully dogdoc will chime in on the anatomy issue for you.
Your training is progressing nicely. A couple of minor pointers that may help you over time...
I like to use the dog's name with every command. This focuses the dog on you, and lets it know you are about to tell it something. This will help when distractions are an issue, and many people are talking around the dog. "Piper, sit" will let her know that you are directing the command at her.
When going through progressions of command, I like to give the dog time to "settle" into a command before moving quickly to the next. For example give a "Piper, sit" command, and let her sit for a bit before a "Piper, down" command. Working through too quickly may cause your dog to not hold a good sit or down because it seems them as a progression of orders that they associate in that manner. It looks good, but isn't as effective in real life in my experience.
Lastly, I prefer a sit/stay and down/stay with the stay being implied rather than spoken. I can't find any usefulness for a dog that only sits momentarily or until rewarded. Using the single command for both actions makes the expectation that the dog remains in place until released. With a young puppy, I would expect a minute or less.
You are doing great. I hope this pointers help.
Your training is progressing nicely. A couple of minor pointers that may help you over time...
I like to use the dog's name with every command. This focuses the dog on you, and lets it know you are about to tell it something. This will help when distractions are an issue, and many people are talking around the dog. "Piper, sit" will let her know that you are directing the command at her.
When going through progressions of command, I like to give the dog time to "settle" into a command before moving quickly to the next. For example give a "Piper, sit" command, and let her sit for a bit before a "Piper, down" command. Working through too quickly may cause your dog to not hold a good sit or down because it seems them as a progression of orders that they associate in that manner. It looks good, but isn't as effective in real life in my experience.
Lastly, I prefer a sit/stay and down/stay with the stay being implied rather than spoken. I can't find any usefulness for a dog that only sits momentarily or until rewarded. Using the single command for both actions makes the expectation that the dog remains in place until released. With a young puppy, I would expect a minute or less.
You are doing great. I hope this pointers help.
