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Sometime in the not-too-distant future, I'll be getting a new (probably Boxer) puppy to add to the family. Until then I'll be continuing to read everything I can on here to be as prepared as possible... but it's no secret that real life is often different than a book.
So for those of you that have done your homework and also put it to use successfully with a puppy, please give me an idea of what to expect. Or if things just went way different than you expected and you have some great/funny stories to share please feel free.
From the things I've already read here like the stickied article from Dr Ian Dunbar I plan to:
1. Be home with the dog so it will never be alone during the day.
2. Spend a significant part of the day outside on walks or in our fenced in back yard with the kids and puppy.
3. Crate train. (if done properly do dogs prefer to sleep in the crate rather than in your bedroom on the floor... dog will never be allowed in the actual bed?)
4. Set up a gated play area with crate, water bowl, kong toys stuffed with kibble etc (probably in kitchen)
5. Spend a lot of time clicking and reinforcing.
Anyway, what i find strange is that I have all of these "goals" in mind for myself, but I still can't really picture how a typical day actually plays out. Do you spend most of your time outside with him teathered to your belt just having a good time loving each other while trying to reinforce as much good behavior as possible? Do you confine the puppy to the play area for most of the day as Dr. Dunbar suggests to help time out potty training attempts?
Hopefully it's not like going into battle where all of the tactics and strategy go out the window when the shooting (peeing) starts. If that's the case you'll be treated to one funny picture thread!
So for those of you that have done your homework and also put it to use successfully with a puppy, please give me an idea of what to expect. Or if things just went way different than you expected and you have some great/funny stories to share please feel free.
From the things I've already read here like the stickied article from Dr Ian Dunbar I plan to:
1. Be home with the dog so it will never be alone during the day.
2. Spend a significant part of the day outside on walks or in our fenced in back yard with the kids and puppy.
3. Crate train. (if done properly do dogs prefer to sleep in the crate rather than in your bedroom on the floor... dog will never be allowed in the actual bed?)
4. Set up a gated play area with crate, water bowl, kong toys stuffed with kibble etc (probably in kitchen)
5. Spend a lot of time clicking and reinforcing.
Anyway, what i find strange is that I have all of these "goals" in mind for myself, but I still can't really picture how a typical day actually plays out. Do you spend most of your time outside with him teathered to your belt just having a good time loving each other while trying to reinforce as much good behavior as possible? Do you confine the puppy to the play area for most of the day as Dr. Dunbar suggests to help time out potty training attempts?
Hopefully it's not like going into battle where all of the tactics and strategy go out the window when the shooting (peeing) starts. If that's the case you'll be treated to one funny picture thread!