Training Stubborn Puppy?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I have a 8 month old westie, and i got him when he was 6 months old. So far, he’s semi-potty trained, meaning he slips and pees once in a while. He understands sit. But I want to train him so he barks less and that’s he’s a super obedient dog, except I dont really know where to start. He’s really hyper, but sometimes I want him to “calm down” on command. Is that possible? And he loves to hold my wrist in his mouth, why is that? Also, I’ll be moving out into and apt in a year, and I am bringing him with me, but I want him to learn not to bark at every noise, is there a way to do that?
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With so many things going on it seems the best place to start would be an obedience class with a professional trainer. Having a puppy is a pretty big responsibility and takes more time than some people realize. If you give it your all, it’ll all work out just fine but I do recommend you contact a trainer. They’ll answer any and all questions you have concerning your pet.
http://www.perfectpaws.com/pup17.html
This site will give you lots of information on training puppies. It claims it only takes 7 days to get the basics down.
Good luck training your baby. You may want to buy a couple of books on dog training to take him futher on to advanced training. Check out several books, look through them before you buy so you know that the book does things in a way that you can understand.
Westies are VERY stubborn.
I’ve had mine for almost 2 years and made very little progress with him, and thats working with him 3-5 times a day.
That doesn’t really help, but I figured I’d share my story.
haha.
search for bark busters on the internet..
they are an amazing dog training business.
helped a ton for me
good luck
hahahahahaha trying to get a puppy to calm down on command. Don’t we all wish. Can anyone make a two year old child calm down on command? nope.
But there are definitely some tricks in that question we can work with.
With tough, scrappy terriers like Westies, Jacks, Scotts, and many more you must first take many distraction away (if your teaching a trick) because as puppies they tend to be a little ADHD. Then, make them remember who’s boss. All you have to do is keep your bodily movements to a minimum and your voice monotone, not to excited, then roll him over on his side and put your hand on his neck, no pressure just the jesture and look him in the eyes saying in a calm voice, “NAME, you are my dog. I am your boss.” He won’t understand anything but his name, but the rest is to set your frame of mind.
Next step, terriers are majorly attracted to foods. Especially something they don’t get any other time, ever except training. Then its special.
For barking, a citrus spay collar works wonders! Some may think its cruel, but it doesn’t hurt them at all, it sprays a little orange smelling mist near their neck. They hate the smell, but come on, they are being punished, but smelling like an orange is not that cruel.
When a dog is raised at an early age with oen. They learn quick that barking is a no no. You won’t have to use it for more than two months, I promise. I work at a dog daycare that is no kennel, all inside outdoor play time and nap times with us trainers. When a dog gets too barky and excited and just won’t stop we take out the citrus collars to keep the peace. Sme dogs who were raised with it, know exactly what it means just seeing it in our hands. Others learn fast. We have a barking Corgi mix named Maddie who had never seen one. She tries to herd the other dogs into doing what she wants by constantly barking at them, and we can tell the other dogs don’t dig it. We started using it, after two days, she barely barks anymore, she’s really learned and her owners have seen the change in her behavior. All we do is take it out in our hands when she starts and she shuts right up.
One way I make my 9 month old pup chill out on ‘command’ is I keep a filled kong in the freeze. I never let her have free range of it all day. But when I need a little piece and quiet, I take it out, you’d be amazed out long it keeps them quiet and busy, and they love it. Especially on a hot day.
Hope it all helps.