Woof! Bark! And also Whiiiiiiiiiine.

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RooA Jan 2022 1:37pm, 27 Jan 2022 1,750 posts	0 RooA Toilet training, handling for vet work, recall, lead walking, settle in place. Get those sorted early and you've set yourself up for an easy dog! I'd add an automatic leave it, or at least a solid leave it on command and socialising/habituation to as many things as possible with a focus on not being interested in other dogs but not being scared by them either and being polite with people and ignoring livestock to my list if/when we get another puppy. I basically wouldn't worry about too much else. (Silly tricks can come later. We spent stupid amounts of time in the puppy classes I went to on stupid things.) Crate training under toilet training and settle in place. There's probably other things I've forgotten but a dog that isn't going to be upset by medical treatments and is easy to take for walls and isn't going to eat things he shouldn't and can lie down and be quiet when required is much nicer to live with and a happier dog. My current two don't live up to this list by the way (see comment about puppy classes and focusing on less useful stuff!)
Ultracat Jan 2022 2:05pm, 27 Jan 2022 13,950 posts	0 Ultracat As part of Finn’s puppy training classes we basically touched every part of his body including putting hands in his mouth, all done gently. He was fine with it other puppies in same class not so keen being touched in certain areas. Finn is now 9 months, what age do you get them neutered? Going to speak to the vet obviously, he has started humping my OH leg at times.
PenW Jan 2022 6:09pm, 27 Jan 2022 2,439 posts	0 PenW There are many things I’d do differently with Albie if I had him again - he’s not good at me handling his ears and eyes unless he’s sleepy and is totally scared of his harness. It’s an ongoing process… I’ve not neutered Albie yet (he’s 16 months) and I’m not sure when or if I will do. He still seems pretty clueless sexually. He occasionally goes to hump another dog if over excited but stops when I interrupt and doesn’t do it often. I’ve not seen his Willy emerge for ages now and he doesn’t hump things in the house. He’s also quite anxious so I don’t want to take away his testosterone yet. The vet said not to do before he’s fully grown.
Sharkie Jan 2022 6:18pm, 27 Jan 2022 19,360 posts	0 Sharkie In many ways I reckon Leave!/ Leave it! is the most useful command of all. It can mean, 'STOP what you are doing this minute,' to the dog so can stop them interacting with another dog or person as well as leaving foodstuff/undesirable objects/ dangerous objects or whatever. We use 'stop' as well as 'leave it' but leave it is tops! I certainly agree the more used to handling a dog is, the better. We really tried with Jess as a puppy and she's not bad with most parts of her anatomy but can get upset about her lady's area. Eyes, ears, mouth, paws all fine to touch, tail so so.
Grast_girl Jan 2022 7:47pm, 27 Jan 2022 2,590 posts	0 Grast_girl Yes, we're trying hard with leave it today. Haven't found the best treats yet, general petting seems top so far, which I guess would be no bad thing, except when we're trying to stop her from nipping hands/toes. Her eye seems fine again, so maybe she did just bash it.
RunningRonnie Jan 2022 8:29pm, 27 Jan 2022 2,279 posts	0 RunningRonnie Anyone know how much it costs to get the rabies vaccine and pet health certificate to take the dog to France?
Dave A Jan 2022 10:01pm, 27 Jan 2022 23,261 posts	0 Dave A Haven't found the best treats yet, general petting seems top so far, which I guess would be no bad thing, except when we're trying to stop her from nipping hands </q> If fuss works as reward, use reward. Same with toys. Lots of working dogs work for a ball. Find what works best for the dog.
Alice the Camel Jan 2022 8:01am, 28 Jan 2022 9,392 posts	0 Alice the Camel RunningRonnie where are you travelling from? AbbeywellVets at Folkestone offer a very good online service for AHC for £99, collect it on the way to Eurotunnel. Our local vet was charging £240 so a big difference! There’s a place in Havant near Portsmouth doing similar. As for rabies, probably best to get your own vet to do that. I can’t remember how much the initial vaccination was but I think typically the booster is around £60. Allow plenty of time if it’s the initial dose - I can’t remember the exact time frame but it’s a few weeks between having the vaccination and being allowed to travel.
RunningRonnie Jan 2022 8:02am, 28 Jan 2022 2,280 posts	0 RunningRonnie Travelling from Scotland. That is a massive difference! Thanks for the info Alice
Ultracat Jan 2022 8:05am, 28 Jan 2022 13,952 posts	0 Ultracat GG with regard to nipping I always had a toy on hand to direct him to nip on that instead. My daughter took to wearing wellingtons to protect her feet.