[NAGDU] Training my own...again.

[Tami Jarvis]

Vivianna,

I got Mitzi at 7 months and discovered that house training an adolescent 
is much more difficult than house training a baby pup. Also, accidents 
are much larger. Then again, they don't need to go every two hours, 
which is a plus. A five-month-old won't be into adolescence yet so may 
not be as difficult as a 7-month-old.

I got Loki at 11 weeks, so getting the point across was easier, and he 
was almost past needing to go every 2 hours. Of course, as pups mature, 
their systems get off schedule, so accidents do happen now and then. We 
have a good carpet cleaner, which I think all puppies should come with.

As for determining tempermanent in a youngun, there are temperament 
tests like the one Buddy mentioned that I can never remember except as 
the "V something." You may need to adapt some of the tests so you get 
the reaction nonvisually. It's also great to work with a breeder you can 
really communicate with about your needs, since they tend to have a good 
idea how their pups are likely to develop. I was fortunate to find a 
breeder who had donated pups to a guide dog school and worked with that 
trainer on the temperament tests and all specifically for that job. Whew!

Good luck in finding the best pup for you and in the training.

Tami

On 03/30/2017 07:19 PM, Vivianna via NAGDU wrote:
> Hi Buddy,
> o.o wow!  8 weeks?  how did you manage the housetraining with such a young pup?
> at least at 5 months i can do all that by keeping it on leash for a couple weeks.
> i don’t think i can deal with pee all over the floor.  lol.
> and, that’s a great idea about sudden movements.
>
> Take care;
> Vivianna
>
>> On Mar 30, 2017, at 7:56 PM, Buddy Brannan via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Heh...I started mine even younger, as I got her at just 8 weeks old. Can't tell you what to look for, because I got a fantstic dog and my breeder picked very well. You know what kinds of personality characteristics you want from a grown up dog. Obviously you won't see all of that in a pup, but I know you'll see the potential. Certainly lack of noise shyness is a good trait, so is a steady reaction to sudden movements or startling things. Have a look at something like the VOlhard Puppy Aptitude Test.
>>
>> --
>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>> Phone: 814-860-3194
>> Mobile: 814-431-0962
>> Email: buddy at brannan.name
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Mar 30, 2017, at 7:33 PM, Vivianna via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hello all.
>>> Well, it looks like i will be taking on the job, journey, task, etc.  of training my next guide.  I was hoping to go to a school and get a dog but, it looks like it will be a year minimum until i get my desired breed.  so, tuesday, i am off to look at several 4-5 month old dobermans.  I’d love to hear from those of you who have started from such a young dog some things to help me insure a suitable temperament.  I am well aware of the basics and these dogs have been used to loud noises, including gunshots and loud tractors and other machinery.  the breeder is very willing to work with me and is willing to exchange the pup if, after a couple weeks to a couple months the pup does not work out.
>>> even at 5 months a pup can learn basic obedience easily and begin the sidewalk work that will lead into guiding such as learning to sit patiently by my side at curbs, etc.  i have all summer to whip this little bugger into a guide.  lol.
>>> i really, really didn’t want to start with such a young dog but, the breeders that i have talked to have said that it’s very rare that they will get a returned dog and, if they do, it’s because there was some problem that i most likely won’t want or need to take on.
>>> thanks for any input on this matter.
>>>
>>> Vivianna
>>>
>>>
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