Click on the tabs to the left to read more about training your puppy!
The YouTube link below is a video of me demonstrating the basic obedience commands to start teaching your puppy at 8 weeks old. I have a few other training videos on you tube under "Stofer's Labs"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRtrmbNaaKE
Eukanuba has some very simple videos that will help you train your puppy too. There is a very good episode called "basic discipline" that you should see. Go to:
http://www.puppystart.com/EukGlobal/US/en/jsp/prepuppy/Landing.jsp
and click on Tune in and Train.
All of the "courses" are short, friendly and informative. They only take a few minutes. There is also a segment on crate training and one on basic commands. Both of these are also worth watching.
A letter from Kim Stofer......
Thank you for your interest in purchasing one of our quality family Labrador pups. It is important to me that you raise up your new puppy to be a well mannered, well socialized loving dog. In the following paragraphs, I have addressed a few important training tips. If you ever have any questions or need help, please call me on my cell phone (408)209-5331.
When training any puppy/dog it is important that you praise them 80% of the time and only discipline 20% of the time. Praise your puppy often for all the things he does right. When praising or disciplining your pup, it is important to do it immediately after/during the time they are doing something (otherwise they will not understand).
If you would like to train your puppy to go to the bathroom in a certain area of your yard, you need to consistently bring him there when it is time to go. (The first week, I recommend taking your puppy out every hour during the day when he is awake.) Puppies typically need to go within 15 minutes of eating or drinking or waking from a nap. So, each time you feed your puppy bring him out to the designated area. Then praise, praise, praise when he goes to the bathroom (make a big deal about it just like you would if you were potty training a child). If your puppy starts to go to the bathroom in the house, pick him up quickly and bring him to the designated spot. If you do not catch your puppy right when he is going to the bathroom, do not punish or yell at him-he won’t understand. NEVER rub a puppy’s nose in his poop or pee.
I spend time training the puppies in 3 areas to make it easier for the adopting family. First the puppies are potty trained to go in shavings. They have an area with a crate and blankets that they sleep and play in. We teach them to go out through a doggy door to an area that has shavings in it to "do their business". If you duplicate the same small indoor area next to a door that leads to the backyard, your puppy will know to go outside to go to the bathroom. Make sure the indoor area is covered with a big blanket so that he knows that is his sleeping area. It is easiest if he has access to go outside whenever he wants to (like a doggy door or something similar). As he gets older you can keep expanding his indoor area until you feel confident that he knows exactly where to go. Be patient and consistently bring him outside to go to the bathroom. The other two areas that I start them in is not to jump up on people and not to chew on your hands. I say "start them" because it takes a few weeks/months of consistant training to steer them from these natural instincts. Having lots of chew toys around greatly helps too. Puppies also love to chew on electrical cords, so make sure he doesn't have access to any.
The picture below is how I "start their potty training". They have a small indoor area with lots of toys and blankets. We teach them to go out through the "doggie door" to go pee or poop in the shavings. Once a week (or every few days) I will expand their outdoor and indoor area. You can continue this process until your puppy is completely house trained.
As a family, decide now what the rules will be for your new puppy when he grows up. If you do not want a full size dog jumping up on your couch, don’t allow your puppy to jump up on the couch. If he’s allowed on the couch as a puppy and then when he’s full-grown and you don’t want him on the couch it will confuse him and you will have a harder time retraining him to stay off furniture. (I’ve made that mistake before!)
Puppies often whine for a few minutes before they fall asleep. It is better not to give them attention when they whine because it will encourage the behavior.
Your puppy needs to chew- make sure he has plenty of chew toys so that he will be less likely to chew something that he’s not supposed to. Have patience and consistently redirect your puppy to his own toys. Carrots, ( NO chicken or pork bones-dangerous), rawhide bones/chews, balls and other dog toys all make great teethers for your puppy.
In conclusion, focus on praising your dog for all the things he does right- he will learn a lot quicker. When your puppy is a little older, I recommend taking him to a basic obedience class (Petco/PetSmart offers some) so that he learns to obey you around other dogs. Again, please call me whenever you need to. Let me know what works for you, I love to give other adopting families new ideas. These puppies are very precious to me and I would love to help in any way I can. If your circumstances ever change and you can’t keep your dog, please call me first.
Enjoy your sweet puppy, they grow up fast!
Preparing for Your Puppy~
Some basic things you will need are:
Large or medium crate (if you are buying one then you might as well get an adult size lab crate~some of them come with a divider)
Mendota Slip collar lead~ ½” X 6’ ~Best leash you will ever buy
Eukanuba Large breed puppy food (your puppy eats about 3 1/2- 4 cups per day). Ideally feed your puppy 3 times a day. Last feeding should be by 4pm (he/she will be less likely to have accidents at night if your last feeding is before 4pm)
Bowls for food and water
Blankets or towels for crate
Lots of chew toys, stuffed animals, ect.
Nail clipper, styptic powder (just in case the nail bleeds)
Dog brush, puppy shampoo and ear cleaner (use ear cleaner each time they have a bath so that they don’t get an ear infection.)
Flea Control – I recommend Frontline Plus (make sure it says for puppies 8 weeks and older).
CVS Brand Anti-diarrheal liquid cherry flavor (if your puppy ever gets loose stool or diarrhea give him 1ml.) You can call me to confirm dosage.
Hydrogen peroxide – if they ever eat anything that is toxic or dangerous, hydrogen peroxide will make them vomit everything up in their stomach. You can call me for dosage amount. Small pup -1-2 tsp adult dog 1/3-1/2 cup
Don’t put your puppy down in a public place until he/she has had all their shots (16 weeks old). That means he/she can only go in your house or backyard or a trusted friend’s backyard. Play dates are fine with another healthy puppy or dog. Before your puppy comes home ~ puppy proof your house. Don’t leave shoes or anything you don’t want your puppy to chew on laying around the floor. Watch your puppy while he is wandering around. If you aren’t watching him/her then put your puppy on the slip collar lead next to where you are working or in their crate/pen. Start training your puppy when he/she is 7 or 8 weeks old. Within the first 2-4 weeks your puppy can learn: Sit, Down, Stay ~ start with a few seconds and work up to 3 minutes, Come ~ start with being 1 foot away and work up to 20 feet away, Heel on leash in house~ stop every 10 feet and have puppy sit~ give treat when sitting, Leave it command, No jumping up and no biting, How to sleep in a crate, and How to potty outside. Don’t say the same command over and over if your puppy isn’t responding(he will learn to tune you out). Say a command once and help your puppy to follow through. I have several training videos on You Tube under “Stofer’s Labs”. You must continually remind yourself that training is 80% Praise and 20% discipline. If you reverse these numbers you may cause your puppy to be insecure, afraid or overly defiant. Puppies also need time to just be puppies. Like cats, they have sudden spikes of energy which cause them to run wildly around the house. (They are very similar to kids). Enjoy this season in their life because they grow up so fast. If you need help or guidance, feel free to call me or email me. If you need a place for your puppy/dog to stay while you are away on vacation or at work, I board and train dogs all year (more info on website www.StofersLabs.com under “boarding tab”).
Stay positive, be consistent, love them unconditionally and don’t ever give up.
Below are links to buying some of the items online
1. If you ever have an issue with barking get this bark collar http://www.gundogsonline.com/bark-control-products/bark-collars/SportDog-NoBark-10R.html
2. crate- http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Life-Stages-Double-Door-Folding/dp/B0002AT3M4
3. You can use towels, blankets or a crate pad - http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-40236-23-Inch-Quiet-Time/dp/B00063KG7S/ref=pd_bxgy_k_text_b
4. Mendota Slip Lead- http://www.gundogsupply.com/britsliplead.html
Blessings to you and your family~
Kim Stofer
Cell (408)209-5331