Moon's Graden

I recently got a black lab/rotweiler puppy from a friend. It is about 3
1/2 months old and ready to be housetrained. However, I am having
extreme difficulty because it tears up the newspaper (even the special
training pads I purchased) the second I put it down. Crate training is
not an option. The puppy is also extremely hyperactive and will rip at
people's clothes and ankles.I am sure that this is just her way of
playing, but it makes the puppy unpleasant to be around. I desperately
want to keep and love this puppy. What do you advise?

Ashlyn

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Before you buy.

She may not like the feel or sound of paper; I had one "***"
dalmatian who would not touch or chew anything - but the minute she'd
spot a roll of clean toilet paper, paper towels, newspaper, etc. she'd
attack it.

Funny thing is, is she would never touch anyone's writing pad or
magazines, go figure.

As for the attacking the ankles, the only thing that I can think of to
ask (or say) is, could she be part of a Herding Breed?

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she is old enough to be trained to the outdoors only
you need help with her other training (like nipping and hyper behaviors too)
let me suggest www.superpuppy.com for a good puppy rearing book that covers
the correct way to crate train, the way to housebreak and start getting
control of your dog in a way the dog will both understand and not resent
better yet find a local puppy kindergarten class and enroll right away!
Nancy

Why?  A hyperactive, anxious dog will benefit enormously from having a
"safe" house all its own to which to retreat.

I suggest you find a "clicker-trainer" instructor in your area and go
to him/her for classes with your puppy asap.  Ashlyn, I truly don't
want to sound brutal, but this pup is clearly in need of training in
order to socialize it.  A Lab/Rotty mix is volatile, and down the road
the dog will be so big and heavy that you will not be able to control
it unless it is well-trained from puppyhood.  I am sure you don't want
to risk a bite to a child or a passer-by, or a runaway pup, or both.
If you cannot afford (either in terms of money, time, or patience)
good training, I would reluctantly suggest that you see that this dog
is placed with someone who is not only loving (as you clearly are) but
is able to handle the demands of this dog.  

You may want to consider a more manageable breed, in terms of both
size and temperament.

Kind regards,
-=Darla=-

"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching." ---Satchel Paige

Hi, You will get man many different thoguhts on the training
issue here.  the best advice is to go straight to a training
centre with your pup.  Dont be afraid to question the trainer on
techiques used.  Different trainers have different methods.  If
your not happy with a method used by a trainer then tell them so.

Remember your dog has an mind that needs programing.  It needs
to learn and the best training schools are those that train the
owner to train the dog.  Your probably in the U.S, i dont know,
but if you can get to a library, perhaps you might also want to
go and check out the dog training books around.  Can make for
many hours of reading. But the first thing is though to get the
dog booked into a training school.

If anyone suggests neck contraptions such as prong collars these
are best avoided.   nick

P.S.  Your gonna have a big dog there.

My love shall hear the music of my hounds.
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Ashley-

Why isn't crate training an option?  If your pup has had all its shots you can
start teaching her to go outside.  Sounds like your pup needs to start
obedience lessons.  Your pup is just being a pup and needs to start to learn
what is ok and whats not ok.  Be sure she has appropriate puppy toys.  Kongs
are great.  There is a Buster Cube which is good but noisy and a ball called a
Tricky Treat which is not noisy. You put kibble in them and the puppy has to
push it around to get the kibble out.  Its not to early to learn how to fetch
either.  See if you can find a good puppy class near you.

Good luck!  Beth

I don't know why you say crate training is not an option.  Crate
training is the best, quickest, and most humane way to train a
puppy.  It follows the way the dog would live in the wild with
the mother.  The puppy won't go in the den because of part
instinct and part what the mother taught when weening the
puppy.  If you crate train, the puppy will be in its most
natural environment and the whole bathroom issue will be
solved.  The book The Monks of New Skete; The Art of Raising A
Puppy gives an excellent rationale for crate training, the
procedure to follow, and some sample schedules depending on your
work schedule.  I highly recommend you get it right away and
jump to Chapter 11.
As far as the nipping at the ankles and ripping the clothes-that
is not the puppy's "way of playing."  He (She?) is trying to
assert *** and the puppy will do the same thing with the
mother and the other puppies in the litter.  How would the
mother of this puppy handle it?  She would bite the puppy firmly
between her jaws and hold him to the ground until the puppy
started the scream and cry holy ***.  She would let him go
and then probably catch him again and do it one more time to
make sure he got the message.  What would the puppy do?  Act
like it was being ***ed and then, three seconds after its
released, start wagging its tail,***ing the mother's face, and
go off to play with the other puppies.
You need to begin discipling that puppy right away before it's
too late.  When the puppy nips at you or other people, grab it
(don't lift) by the back scruff of the neck, shake the puppy
strongly, and make a very loud noise or a loud "Hey!" (avoid
saying 'no' it becomes over-used).  The puppy will act very
scared, cower down, and look hurt (almost enought to break your
heart), but I guarantee you, about three seconds after, the
puppy will be back to being happy and won't hate you for the
discipline.  The puppy will love and respect you even more.

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