Coaching Call | March 17, 2022
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Catch up on the March 17, 2022 Puppy College Coaching Call to find out what you missed!
Topics include:
00:06:00 Why “free feeding” vs structured meals is not advised
- until @ at least 6 months, pups should get 3 meals a day
- Why *routine* is more important than a strict *schedule*
00:09:00 Puppy’s been home 2 weeks but doesn’t “ask” to go potty yet
- sphincter control isn’t developed until @ 6 months, pups can’t be expected to ask yet
- it’s up to humans to reliably offer potty trips & watch for telltale signs
- Why we do NOT recommend bells on doors to teach an “ask”
00:14:35 How much food to feed?
- don’t follow guidelines on bag of dog food bag
- use your eyes & fingers to determine if pup weight is appropriate
- Purina Body Condition chart is a helpful visual
00:16:35 Five m.o. spent 2 hours alone for the first time; Bent crate and escaped
- Go back to working structured crate training sessions, focusing on human being BRIEFLY out of sight
- Gradually work on expanding time human is out of sight
- For Houdini dogs that continue to escape or attempt to escape from crates; Zip Ties on bottom where plastic pan slides out, try a plastic/Veri Kennel option, switch to crash tested crates like “Impact” or “Zinger” brands
00:25:30 Pup is trying to climb out of expen
- use broom sticks or pvc poles and zip ties on outside of expen to make walls sturdier
- purchase a mesh/canvas type cover for expen (can also use a piece of MDF from hardware store)
- use foam covered gym weights to anchor the outside, bottom of expen
00:26:45 Jumping up on people
- Dogs do this to demand attention! So don’t reinforce it by giving them attention (even if its negative attention)
- “No look, no talk, no touch” the pup unless all 4 feet are on the ground!!!
- Be preemptive & ask for a sit to promote 4 feet on the ground
- “Down” is NOT an “OFF” command
- Teach “leave it” & “drop it” when pup is demanding play
00:37:00 Owner has been advised not to allow pup outside to potty until fully vaccinated
- pups aren’t typically fully vaccinated until 6 months of age (that’s a lot of time building habits of pottying inside on pee pad or litter pan)
- infection risks in your own backyard are usually very minimal
- stairs to backyard are a bit hard yet, ok to carry pup to grass? YES!
00:55:10 Puppy Mouthing
- Taglines (see the module in the “Manners” section
- Remember pups usually have a daily “witching hour” so pick your battles
01:03:00 Where to find Modules on GD website + supplemental Tagline video on the FB page
01:05:00 Leash Manners
- Modules on GD Website + additional videos on FB page
- start INSIDE your house where distractions are low!
01:08:00 Too many treats during the day?
- You can allocate part of pup’s scheduled kibble meals to use as treats during training sessions
- Watch stool quality
