Stoli is 9 weeks old. She knows her name 100%. She sits 90% and lays down 85% of the time when asked. The lay downs are very short and I have to be right there. Some times she gets belligerent about the lay down and will make little doggy sighs....or humphs...like people do when you ask them to do something they don't want to do... lol....She knows "come" and I only ask her to come when I know she will. I haven't tried any long distance except after she poops I used to call her but she just runs to me now when she is done....I still call her though even though I don't have too. She doesn't bark hardly she only barks when she gets worked up over a toy or when we play...she loves every person and dog she has come in contact with. She whines when she has to go poop but not when she has to pee...is that weird? She still has occasional accidents with the pee but we are working on that. Some of this is because I bring her everywhere with me she even comes to work with me...also I spend I'd say at least an hour a day working on commands. Is this just a stage of brilliance? This all just started to happen early this week....last week she was kind of wishy-washy during our training sessions and would often lose interest and sigh and humph like I described above.....Now she is like a diligent pupil....sometimes...she still has a short attention span sometimes she spits her treats out and walks away which I think is hilarious....It's kind of like a take this job and shove it attitude she gives me....it's funny......anyone else have quick success with their pups? Or is this just normal progress?
Is my pup a genius?
- Thread starter BullyLover
- Start date
Well it seems you have a good little puppy, probably will turn out to be a great dog. I remember when I took my little Madeline to the vet for the first time around 9 weeks and I told him how good she was and she slept really good, did some commands and never soiled on the floor only outside and on her pee pads. Well he just smiled at me and I asked him why he was doing this he said she maybe good now, but dont be dissappointed if around 4 months she starts pooing and peeing all over the place and being a little devil.
He said alot of dogs do this and that is the time alot of dogs end up in the shelters because the owners get really dissappointed as they thought they had a fully housetrained dog and then that happens. Its quite normal for this to happen its just part of their development and around that time they feel really comfortable with their new owners and go through a stage where they dont care about pleasing you so much. Madeline actually never has done that not yet anyway she is 5 months now, but she still has the occassional peeing accident but thats to be expected.
He said alot of dogs do this and that is the time alot of dogs end up in the shelters because the owners get really dissappointed as they thought they had a fully housetrained dog and then that happens. Its quite normal for this to happen its just part of their development and around that time they feel really comfortable with their new owners and go through a stage where they dont care about pleasing you so much. Madeline actually never has done that not yet anyway she is 5 months now, but she still has the occassional peeing accident but thats to be expected.
We had quick success with our guys, too. It's so gratifying, isn't it??
Although I must say your little girl sounds pretty special. Good for you - you're definitely doing something right. I'd say the amount of time she spends with you has a huge influence on why she's so well behaved. Just proves that our dogs need as much time as we can give and more.
I think an hour is a little long on training, though. Most pups get bored after five or ten minutes, and trying to teach them after that is a waste of time. Her little huffs are telling you she's had enough. I would break your sessions down into three twenty minute sessions, maximum, daily. That's plenty of time to learn, and it'll keep it short and snappy enough for her to retain nearly all you teach her in that time, too.
She's super-cute, btw
Although I must say your little girl sounds pretty special. Good for you - you're definitely doing something right. I'd say the amount of time she spends with you has a huge influence on why she's so well behaved. Just proves that our dogs need as much time as we can give and more.
I think an hour is a little long on training, though. Most pups get bored after five or ten minutes, and trying to teach them after that is a waste of time. Her little huffs are telling you she's had enough. I would break your sessions down into three twenty minute sessions, maximum, daily. That's plenty of time to learn, and it'll keep it short and snappy enough for her to retain nearly all you teach her in that time, too.
She's super-cute, btw
While she's pretty bright, I don't necessarily think your pup is a genius. My last dog also knew commands at 8 weeks.
However, I do give YOU a whole lot of smarts points for teaching such a young puppy! Many people don't start teaching young pups because they believe they're too young to learn. I personally think it's the opposite. The younger they are, the faster they learn. I know that's been the case for me.
Kudos to you for doing something wonderful with your puppy! Keep it up!
*cheers and applause*
However, I do give YOU a whole lot of smarts points for teaching such a young puppy! Many people don't start teaching young pups because they believe they're too young to learn. I personally think it's the opposite. The younger they are, the faster they learn. I know that's been the case for me.
Kudos to you for doing something wonderful with your puppy! Keep it up!
*cheers and applause*
Thanks for the replies. I am confident if I stick with it she will turn into a great adult.....I am sure there are going to be problems....but I have all the time in the world for my dog.
I mean a hour total in a day. She has a 10-15 minute attention span now where last week I was lucky if she stayed interested for 2-5 minutes.
I am real excited that she is doing well.
I mean a hour total in a day.
She has a 10-15 minute attention span now where last week I was lucky if she stayed interested for 2-5 minutes. I am real excited that she is doing well.
Well done, good for you. She is a gorgeous pup, and you are obviously a fantastic puppy parent. So many people neglect training and companionship, and it is vitally important. You sound like you really know what you are doing, and I congratulate you for doing such an excellent job with you baby girl
sounds like you are doing so well with her! I sometimes compare puppies to small children...the age when they are so easy, loving, eager to learn. and like human children...your pup will become a 'teen'. just don't be shocked if she tests your last nerve! truly, you wonder for a brief time if this is even the same dog. LOL since you work with her all the time, your 'teen' years may be less difficult. also remember that really intelligent dogs are the ones that get into the most mischief....so be ready.
sometimes they are too smart for their own good.Mary learned shake sit and down before she was 8 wks..shake at 7 and then absolutely refused to learn another "trick" until she was 10 except for jump the hoop but that was a game not a "trick"..she watches Vic learn his new routine with a sarcastic expression on her face like "what a sap"
This is why I feel good breeders are so important. I didn't expect them to do it, but from early age with daily grooming , I'd say " sit " and put the pup in a sit to brush...down , roll over etc. Some of you may say " how do you groom a pup from day one ?" It's not so much needed grooming, but one on one with a handler for 10 minutes daily . ( Not as long in the beginning !! Just the weigh and check ! ) I used my kid's baby brushes , most of them went to sleep as I was doing it ! How I miss those days !!
Great job you are doing with your pup, keep up the good work.
I agree with the adolecence stage, they can push you to the limit. I have been going through that phase with Brutie for the last couple of months. Just be firm, but loving when your your pup gets there. Be prepared for anything and everything.
I agree with the adolecence stage, they can push you to the limit. I have been going through that phase with Brutie for the last couple of months. Just be firm, but loving when your your pup gets there. Be prepared for anything and everything.