New Puppy

[etzbseder]

I just got a new 6month old puppy. I was wondering the best way to train him what his name is. I also was trying to figure what is best to train him what's wrong (spray bottle, loud noise (bike horn), or something else). For comming from a breeder who let hime just live semi-freeley with his adults outside and sleeping in his bed at night, the puppy is a very well mannered pup who doesn't destroy things in his crate. although he starting to get a little more used to his new home and tried to take my sheet off to play with it and likes to run straight to my parents room whenever he sees it.I know you are all going to ask, yes I will post a picture soon and his name is Medjai. He is a 6 month old tricolor with a white spot on the neck but not a white neck. He is my first dog, but I grew up with 3 different dogs with my parents. we just got the newest dog in 2001 wich brings me to my next question.

My mutt (born in 2001, 45lbs. around 26") has been neutered and doesn't mind the puppy, but the puppy (not neutered and planning on being shown/bred) growls at the mutt and tried to lunge when they were both on leashes. (my dad had the mutt). we tried to get them to be civil several times with no success so far. and I was looking for tips to get them used to each other, so the pup can go outside and play with the mutt in the back yard.

Any and all advice will be great.

[jys1011]

There are lots of great training books out there…check out this great website with good authors.

www.dogwise.com

My personal favs are:

Family Friendly Dog Training-6 week program by Patricia McConnell
Dog Speak by Matthew Hoffman
Language of Dogs DVD-Sarah Kalnajs
Don't Shoot The Dog-by Karen Pryor

[jys1011]

Quick way I learned to train a dog to respond to their name…say the dogs name when he makes eye contact treat & praise or click & treat whichever method you decide to use. I'm assuming you're using a type of positive training method. Don't keep the treat where he can see it and be sure to retrieve the treats from different places. Eventually you'll be able to phase out the treats.

Try to use the same tone in your voice when you say his name & don't add anything to his name...if his name is Boomer...then don't add "Big Boomer" "Boomer Baby"...stick to just his name in the same tone.

When they get into a mess or doing something you don't want them to...instead of "BOOMER NO!!!"...instantly distract him..."Boomer Come" softly and calmly...distract him with something MUCH more interesting then destroying the sofa or eating the wires...like a kong, or yummy bone, or some kibble..etc. you get the picture.

[tanza]

Sounds like your pup is leash aggressive already… but not surprising at 6 months. He may never accept the other dog..

[etzbseder]

Yeah I wasn't sure about the leash, but he is on a leash at the store and we passed a few dogs walking around and he didn't mind them, so I'm thinking it has something to do with the way my other dog thinks i'm his family and my puppy doesn't think he's my family. either that or relationships between my dad and I and our dogs.

[dash]

Dash is very leash agressive, but since he is silent many think he is just curious so they let their lab run up to him. I usually give a verbal warning to the owner when the dog approaches that he will bite and they grab their dog and look at me like I am the bad person for walking my "mean dog" even though they are not on leash.

We have talked to a trainer about it but really never followed through. She recommended having Dash sit when other dogs approach and reward him with treats. I have tried but he has NO interest in food when another dog approaches.

We have just come to accept it.

[Quercus]

@dash:

Dash is very leash agressive, but since he is silent many think he is just curious so they let their lab run up to him. I usually give a verbal warning to the owner when the dog approaches that he will bite and they grab their dog and look at me like I am the bad person for walking my "mean dog" even though they are not on leash.

We have talked to a trainer about it but really never followed through. She recommended having Dash sit when other dogs approach and reward him with treats. I have tried but he has NO interest in food when another dog approaches.

We have just come to accept it.

This technique WILL work, but you have to teach the dog to "sit and watch" prior to him being aroused by seeing another dog. Once he is aroused, he won't be able to eat…it is like someone offering you a donut in the middle of a house fire

So start teaching him "sit and watch" in the kitchen, and then the driveway, and then the sidewalk, and then the park when there are no other dogs, and then when he can do it in all of those places, you might be able to get him to do it when the dog is VERY far way and you say "sit and watch" long before the dog is close enough to make him react. You may have to practice with dogs where you can walk away from the dog if he starts to react.

This is basically how we teach reactive dog classes (talk about fun...3-5 reactive dogs in one space!).

[dash]

The problem is Dash tends to see things long before I do. It's like he has super sonic vision:D Or I am not really paying attention:rolleyes:

[Quercus]

@etzbseder:

Yeah I wasn't sure about the leash, but he is on a leash at the store and we passed a few dogs walking around and he didn't mind them, so I'm thinking it has something to do with the way my other dog thinks i'm his family and my puppy doesn't think he's my family. either that or relationships between my dad and I and our dogs.

Don't let them practice this aggression or else you won't be able to ever get them together. Did you introduce them somewhere neutral, like a park? Try walking them together….like parallel to each other. Have some treats to reward behavior that is calm (if either one is calm enough to eat).

Six months is pretty much like an adult, and IME it is hard to introduce adult basenjis to new adult dogs. Just keep calm, and don't try to force them together.

If you have a neutral off lead, safe space...like a friend's yard, or a tennis court, or training center or something, you could try to let them meet just dragging leads, but that is a little risky unless you really know what you are doing. If you are anxious, that can make the dogs anxious....if you intervene too early or too late you can mess it up. If they already have it in their heads they don't like each other, it might be too late.

[jys1011]

Dash-I have to recommend this book that's the foundation for the class we're taking our dogs to. You can get it on Dogwise & it's really very good. It's basically the same idea that Andrea has explained to you here. Teaching the dog to look at you when another dog approaches or is nearby is within smelling distance

It goes into a lot more detail & what to do in different situations…such as my dog can smell/see the dog BEFORE I can...and a bunch of other situation.

I have to tell you that I never thought my dogs would be calm around other dogs..C3PO used to go BANANAS...I mean HAYWIRE when he even smelled another dog with in a 5 block radius...get the picture??!! And TOPAZ used to like to take a bite at my leg she was so nervous...They're not perfect but I will tell you he's 1,000x better then he used to be. I'm no longer terrified of walking them outdoors.

Feisty Fido by Patrica McConnell
www.dogwise.com

[Quercus]

@jys1011:

Dash-I have to recommend this book that's the foundation for the class we're taking our dogs to. You can get it on Dogwise & it's really very good. It's basically the same idea that Andrea has explained to you here. Teaching the dog to look at you when another dog approaches or is nearby is within smelling distance

It goes into a lot more detail & what to do in different situations…such as my dog can smell/see the dog BEFORE I can...and a bunch of other situation.

I have to tell you that I never thought my dogs would be calm around other dogs..C3PO used to go BANANAS...I mean HAYWIRE when he even smelled another dog with in a 5 block radius...get the picture??!! And TOPAZ used to like to take a bite at my leg she was so nervous...They're not perfect but I will tell you he's 1,000x better then he used to be. I'm no longer terrified of walking them outdoors.

Feisty Fido by Patrica McConnell
www.dogwise.com

You make me soooo proud! I love that you came into the world of basenjis and reactive dogs so willing to learn and help educate! Thank you

[jys1011]

Awww shucks….Thank you :o it means a lot coming from you I absolutely value your opinion and your experience is invaluable for us newbies!