Discipline vs Affection

[allie_jane]

Hi there,

I was wondering if I could get some more advice...

Our pups are nearly 9 weeks old and I'm having concerns regarding discipline vs affection.

They fight (not to bad), chew, try to jump up, she sucks stones, they try to nip us if we disturb them when they are fighting

We set boundaries, stop them jumping, definitely scold when they nip us, expect them to sit for affection, for food, to get their collars on etc

My concern is that over the last week, all we seem to do is say NO to them.

I want to play with them but I also don't want to ruin them by letting them get away with things. How do you strike a balance, and do you really need to concentrate on training at such a young age?

Thanks in advance

Alison

[Lisa/Colin]

This is a great age, enjoy them at this stage, everything is new and exciting and they just want to have fun...

BUT I think you need to start as you mean to go on. For example chewing your hands etc doesnt hurt much when they are small but imagine what they will be like fully grown.Also jumping up with the big puppy eyes is sooo cute but imagine what any visitors to your house or strangers in the street might react to 2 bouncy Springers leaping at them!

You do feel like ALL you do is be a party pooper and say NO all the time but they will eventually get the hang of it!

I would say play with them by all means because thats half the fun of having puppies and before you know it they'll be fully grown, but YOU set the rules. If you think things are heading in the direction of getting out of hand, say NO very firmly and separate them then ignore them until they calm down.

I think repetition is definately the key but it wont happen overnight!

Good Luck with double trouble!

[Lorna]

Lisa is absolutely right. Now is the time to make the rules clear. Discipline should be short and then go to a calm state where you give affection. You may need to separate them to achieve the calm state as they will wind each other up. Whoever is emerging as the leader of the two is the one to concentrate on achieving calm with.
But have fun with them. The joy of puppies is do short lived. Enjoy!
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Regards,
Lorna, Basil & Poppy
Great Danes are not substitute children. They are much more important than that!

[Jack]

I'm 100% with Lisa on this.

No means No and they HAVE to learn that so keep re-inforcing it but also relax and have fun - I adore the puppy phase even if I didn't adore the needle sharp teeth following me everywhere Oh .... and the puddles of piddle!

You sound like you are doing just fine to me
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[Janis]

good advice all round...............my two eldest are 2 years and i still have to tell them no but no longer in a telling off way it's now more of a command!

sounds like you are doing ok............it comes with practice.........why not try paying fetch on the floor with them. holding one in the sit position,by the collar if need be give a command of stay with a flat palm to the face!............roll the ball or whatever and encourage puppy no.2 to go and bring it back praising them on their return.

swap over at one stage and do the same again and that way you are interacting with them and controlling them at the same time!
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Cockapoo's...a little of this, a little of that..........
the perfect combination!

[Joe]

[geri carroll]

turning your back on them ie removing your attention and ignoring them works well in discouraging unwanted behaviour

[Suzanne H]

Correct bad behaviour, reward good behaviour.

Dogs don't hold a grudge - and soon learn that being calm gets a cuddle and being bad gets a row.

[John Thomson]

Dogs respect a leader........do not feel guilty about putting them in their place........it will make life so much easier for the whole family..

John
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk