RE: Puppy Training

Question
You could not have answered my question before because it is the first time I have ever asked you anything.
Thanks.

Answer
Something funny is happening.  This link, http://www.allexperts.com/expertx.cgi#  shows I gave this answer 2 December, You answered this question on 12/03/09
Questioner:   Tammy
Category:   Dogs
Private:   No     View Published Answer
Subject:   Puppy Training
Question:   Hi there,
I am wondering if you could please help me out.
What would you suggest is the most effective method (including cost) out there for puppy training?

I just got a yellow lab about 1.5 weeks ago who is turning 3 months this coming Sat Dec 5. She is generally a very good puppy, but the main issues I am having are as follows:

(1) She eats up all the furniture (she gets bored of chew toys even if you put them in her face she doesn't stay on them long and bitter apple spray hardly works either).

(2) She only goes potty outside if you take her out every 2 hours (I will be going back to work soon after a leave of absence and have no clue in heck how I will manage this when that time comes, my dad will be home with her but he is fairly busy and she can't be in a crate for over 8 hours).

(3) She gets in random "monster" phases where she will chew everyone's flesh up and put holes in your clothes (my skin is sensitive and hurts a LOT when she bites and I just can not afford to buy a new wardrobe). Saying "no mouth" does not work. I was told to blow on her hard and tried this and she got scared, but I don't want to overdo this because it seems mean...is it OK to?

(4) She has major separation anxiety. If I leave her in the car for 15 minutes to pick up take out or a coffee or laundry, she will bark the entire time. She is getting slightly better at this, but in general, I'd like her to start getting a little more independent over time.

Thanks in advance for your help and your time! I really appreciate it.
Kind regards,
Tammy
Answer:   Puppies don't learn near as fast at 3 months as 2 months.  Somebody either needs to be watching her constantly, or she needs to be in her crate.  We have an 11 week old now, and she requires almost constant attention when she is awake and out of the crate.  There is no solution except large amounts of attention.  This includes watching for the signs she needs to go out.  It needs to go out the first thing in the morning, after eating, drinking, and sleeping. If it quits playing, and starts running around sniffing, it is looking for a place to go. Take it out quickly. You will just have to be what I call puppy broke until it is a little older. How successful you are depends on how attentive you are.

Young Labs, which I know best, and other puppies tend to very bad about biting. You see a litter of them, and all the ones that are awake are biting another one or themselves. I am not even sure they realize that when they are alone, if they quit biting, they would quit being bitten. At 3 to 4 months they are getting their adult teeth, and it seems they spend every waking moment biting or chewing. One thing you can do at that stage is to knot and wet a piece of cloth. Then freeze it. The cooling will soothe the gums. Only let the puppy have it when you are there to watch it. I maintain a Lab's favorite chew toy is another Lab. Otherwise they settle for any person they can. They keep hoping to find one that won't yelp, jerk their hand away, and leave.

You just have to keep on correcting them, hundreds of times, not dozens. Provide sturdy, safe toys such as Kongs and Nylabones. Avoid things they can chew pieces off and choke on them. Keep them away from electrical cords. Crates are essential for most young Labs and other dogs.

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages. If you are not there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs. Keep a close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in pieces. Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed. I don't trust any of the consumable chews. The dogs just gnaw them down to a dangerous size too quickly. These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive chewers such as Labs.

The barking should lessen as she learns to trust you to come back.  You can't expect too much in 1.5 weeks.