carrots Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Hello, Im new to the boards so forgive me if im posting in the wrong section. I will soon hopefully be getting an 8 week old border collie (fingers crossed). I will have around 2 months with him before i go to work. My question is how can i train him to learn to be well behaved when im not in? When i first get him he will have lots of attention throughtout the day..... should i slowly leave larger gaps in time alone as i approach going to work? Please reply as im alittle unsure. Cat x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Exercize, confinement, structure, routine, education. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrots Posted March 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Exercize, confinement, structure, routine, education. Julie Thank you. I may be at home more than 2 months...... it depends how long i can go without work. I am determined to have a furfilled life with my pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc4pack Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 There are tons of posts on crate training as well as household manners.The search feature is a good asset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silhouettestable Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 You'll probably want to be crate training him anyways when he's little, to help with the house training. I always found it helped speed things along and prevent night time messes, and that way the pup is used to the crate for when you have to be away. At bedtime I'd tell mine to "go to bed" and give them a biscuit in their crate, and same when I had to leave the house, making sure not to make a big fuss over leaving or returning. Also, if you can give him something safe to chew on to occupy his time (especially since the time frame when you'll be going back to work is when he'll be starting to teethe), that will help. Kongs are great, especially if you stuff them. If you stuff them and freeze them the dogs really have to work at them for a while so that would keep him busy and the cold would be soothing when he's teething. I also like to use the great big smoked marrow bones, but if you choose something like that make sure it's big enough to be safe, and that there are no small pieces that can be broken off. Also be aware that the smoked bones make the dogs thirsty. I've tried leaving water in the crate but it always got spilled, so instead when I crated I switched to using a really big rabbit sized water bottle attached to the crate. They can't get a really big drink, but they do have access to some water and it can't be spilled if attached securely from the outside (the one I have has a metal spout so chewing can't do it any harm). It doesn't take them long to learn how to lick it to get water, especially if you draw their attention to it and kind of show them by rubbing the end of the spout with your finger and then touching it to their nose. Oh, and yes, lots of exercise before going in the crate will help him to settle. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 My advice is to do as much as you can in the span of two months as far as pottytraining, crateing etc is concerned BUT do not expect for everything to be perfect in two months. You will set yourself up for way too much. I know from any of mine, recues etc that it takes a while and a pup will be a pup for much longer than 4 months of age! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Exercize, confinement, structure, routine, education. Sign up for a puppy kindergarten class as soon as you can. The instructor should help you understand how to follow Julie's excellent but rather compact suggestions above. It all sounds so serious to newbies, who tend to rebel and just spend their two months (or whatever) playing with their puppies and "having fun" instead. But pups, like human kids, thrive on structure and routine. A structured environment can be just as fun as an unstructured one, possibly more so as the pup is not constantly having to guess what you expect of him. BTW, the first two months are usually EASY compared to the next year or two. Laying a good foundation while it's still easy will pay off many times over down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc4pack Posted March 24, 2007 Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 Another added note: SOCIALIZE that pup. Take it at the pup's pace,DON"T overwhelm him. Meet and greet as wide a variety of people as you can, includes kids of all ages, men,women ,older folks with canes,chairs; uniforms;different races.Most behavior issues tend to stem from undersocialization during that CRITICAL window,usually 8-16 weeks. Just remember to never let the pup get scared,you always want it to be fun.Using treats is a good way for him to start thinking 'Someone new= good things for me.' If you have other animals,slow introductions are the way to go. Socialization is basically exposing him to EVERYTHING he may encounter as an adult. Puppy kindergarden is a good way to continue increasing his knowledge of dog language. In my opinion,socialization to different people and environments(and MAINLY people) is the best thing you can do for that pup. Another thing... Take plenty of photos,they don't stay little very long.. And, above all....ENJOY!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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