Puppy Questions, I can try to help!

[Keaton]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum.

I got my best buddy Fenris (my pic over there) two years ago when I was 19. He's a greyhound/wolf mix.

I raised him from a pup with no guidance and no manuals - I didn't even spend time with a dog until I was 18! I just got him and we grew together and somehow it worked out :D My old friend, a so-called "dog expert", got a dog a few months before me and he turned into a nightmare!

I used a mixture of dominance and sweetness and he's grown into an amazing dog. He knows a lot of commands and tricks, doesn't pull on a leash, doesn't treat the house as a bathroom, doesn't show aggression, and has no real problems. He even loves kids and other animals, even if he doesn't understand he's bigger than most children... We even wrestle and box, but when I say "Enough." he calms down instantly.

My girlfriend loves him to death, my friends want to take him to work, and my mom and dad, notorious dog-haters, fell head-over-heels for him, cook for him, walk him, and even offered to take him in while I'm at basic training.

So, enough bragging :D If you want any puppy training help from someone who went in with exactly no experience, then I'd love to help you guys!

[dobetaztic]

welcome to the site hope to get to know you more and that you enjoy it here

[lucysnewmum]

welcome to the site keaton. looking forward to some pics of your pup...he's adorable. good job you saw him first;)

[turfgirl]

Welcome to our K9 family I just got my Lexcee 2 weeks ago so I may just be taking you up on that advice lol. Look forward to seeing and hearing more from you. Susan & Lexcee:D

[kandk]

Welcome to K9 Mania! Fenris is so cute and sounds like an awesome dog!

[caninejan]

Welcome to K9! Sounds as if you're a natural!

[Jr_K9_Expert]

Yup, welcome to K9mania, I hope to hear from you around the forum!

[6dogmom]

Welcome to k9 the more knowledge we all have the better. Greetings from Max, Ty, Ellie, Dalyce, Rocky, Conner, Lilly and Keegan.

[Keaton]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I know this is the wrong place to post it, but while we're all here...

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4145/pict5039gg3.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/936/pict5043nm1.jpg

Me and the goofball. Before I joined the Army, please excuse the scruffiness

#1 trick to puppy training: Embarass him in front of his friends, apparently :D

[dogforever]

Welcome to the K9Mania ... Enjoy your stay with us.

[caninejan]

He looks like a happy pup!

[turfgirl]

:D What a sweet puppy, you are both very lucky to have each other, it shows in the pic. Look forward to seeing and hearing more from you. Again welcome to our K9 family Susan & Lexcee

[NoodlezxMama]

I have a question!! How about yappy puppies? My six month old papillon freaks out around other dogs, and nothing I've done has been able to stop the yapping.. It's annoying and hurts everyone's ears. He used to be aggressive when approached by other dogs on the leash..now he just yaps..once in awhile he'll nip at a bigger dog.

[Keaton]

Fen used to have barking and howling troubles when we met other dogs and people. Mostly I think it came from him being nervous and protective of me. Once he got close to someone, he quieted down and just wanted to be petted.

So I kept him on a short leash (literally) and held his mouth like a muzzle, then let the person approach *him* to show dominance, or let the dogs meet halfway. If he kept quiet and did well until we got close, I'd give him a dog treat and let the dogs meet.

When I let him run around off-leash and kids might be in the area, I put a shock collar on him. I tested it on myself, and no, it doesn't hurt but it'll surprise the hell out of you! He learned that soft barks don't get punished by the collar, so I'm ok with him greeting a dog that way.

Then again, bark training seems to be real hit or miss with the little yappy dogs. My neighbor has a pomeranian that freaks out when Fen's outside, but he just stoically ignores her (or steals her bones if they're left outside :D)

[dobetaztic]

he looks like a stunner and realy happy to be with you

[Jamie2626]

Hi all!

I have a 9 week old pitbull and he likes to bite and chew on things including on me and my husband lol he has toys that he plays with but it doesnt stop him from doing it. is that something he will grow out of when he gets older? Do you have and suggestions?