New Puppy....Labrador?

Question

I got a new puppy he is the cutest thing ever. Trying to toilet train him at the moment and its going ok with a few accident but thats to be expected. He is going through a phase of nipping which we are training to get him out of. He also seems to have what looks like eczema on his skin, i thought this was fleas but i cant see any. I am taking him to the vet this evening to get him checked out.

We have only had him 3 days so we are doing well so far, bu i wondering if anyone had any tips for toilet training, biting or skin conditions?

Many thanks xx

Answer 1

I got my labrador when he was a puppy and he had to be one of the nippiest dogs we have ever owned! He's 3 now so has totally grown out of it except at times when he is hyper!! lol

When it came to getting him clean, we used to never let him out of our sight and when he sat down to pee, we would make a lot of noise so he would understand that it was wrong. Then we called going to the toilet a name (like wee-wees) so he would recognise it. So after stopping him from peeing on the carpet, we would say this name and take him outside. Then we would praise him when he did something outside. We were lucky that he has never pooed indoors!! lol :-P Generally the times to let him out to the toilet will be just after his meals and just after naps (as well as other times during the day and first thing in the morning and last thing at night).

When it came to nipping, when he bit one of us or nibbled on our trousers, we would make a high pitched noise which would startle him. It's much the same showing you're in pain. When he persists, put him on the floor and ignore him. This is what happens in the packs - when a dog would get too rough, the other would stop playing with him. So in order to play, he has to learn to be a bit more gentle! We also used a bottle of water and sprayed him when he got too boisterous, which obviously he didn't like. Now, when he's being the same, we just have to present the bottle (not squirt it) and the threat of it is enough to make him settle down. Don't spray near the eyes and face though.

With dogs, it's all in the tone of voice. My lab is generally well behanved now (he has his moments like all dogs! lol), but he knows when he's crossed the line when I raise or change the tone of my voice (which doesn't happen often). Also, when you show him you are annoyed with him, don't do it for too long as their attention spans aren't like ours.

I really hope this helps and enjoy your new puppy! :-)

Answer 2

You sound as if things are going well. When do these accidents happen??? Do you leave him crated, confined or loose in the house while you are gone??? Is he supervised when you are at home? Need a little more information to answer the accident portion. As far as the nipping thing, redirect his attention after letting him know the nipping is unacceptable. If he is hard headed grab his head between your hands, look him in the face and say NOOO!!!!! Release him and give him a toy to play with and bite. Be consistent with your correction of this inappropriate behavior and hopefully he will get the message. You may need to consult a trainer if you continue to have a problem for more suggestions in correcting any problems you have.
As for the skin thin he may have a low grade staph infection or just plain dry skin. Both of these can be treated and treated successfully. One with anitbiotics the other with a food supplement
Good luck in all respects with the cutest puppy ever.:):):):)

Answer 3

I remember when we first got our lab and he would nip chew and tear at everything what we would do would grab his snout and make sure he knew we were in control and now he never does it anymore. As for the toilet training make sure to start taking him out at the same time every day and once he gets the habit he'll learn to go when he's out there. About the skin thing if he's young enough it could be from his birth if there was any problem dogs get weird skin conditions you should ask the owner of it's mother about this and if they don't know call your local vet and ask him/her.

Answer 4

For the skin condition: It may be dry skin or it could be dsomthing serious. Get Salmon Oil (sold at natrual dog food stores i imagine our salom oil is the same and just fine) Then get him a natural high quality kibble ( this will help the coat as well!) For treats get "Vitality" by dogswell, it has stuff in it to help with the coat,skin and eyes! I feed my dog these. And try an oatmeal shampoo as that will help moustureize.

As for the peeing: Mkae sure you have a "potty clock" ie : every 30 mins or ever hour. And take him out, it's a pain in the butt but it will help potty traing. And every so on ( twice a month maybe more as he is a lrger dog) increase time before outing so every hour and a half or every 2 hours! And make sure you take him out right after eating/drinking and playing as he will need to go. When he pottys outside praise him, and give him a bit of a treat. I always keep mine out for a few minuets after they potty, so that they don't start holding it to stay out longer. Hopefully this will help, i think your on the right track!

The nipping: I assume he is teething and he is trying to chew on everything? Get him a "chilly bone" or a hand towl, wet it put it in the freezer for an hour or so then give it to him it will help sooth his gums. If he is nipping agressivly, tell him "NO!" If he doesn't stop stcik him in the crate (i did this with my dog, and he LOVES his crate, this also helped crate train him. It gives him time to calm down) for 15 minuets with no acknowlagment. It doesn't sound as though he is nipping agressivly :). But that will help crate train although when crate train, don't leave him in there for more then a couple minuetes!

Answer 5

Watch the pup. When he begins to squat to go say "No" and take him immediately outside. Praise when he goes.

AS SOON as he wakes from a nap, take him out. Praise. This is also a superior time to begin training him to heal on lead, sit, stay, come....basic dog manners. Stern "No" when he nips or bites. Again, basic manners.

You have to be vigilant and observant. Pups have a particular "walk" just before they squat.

You vet can tell you what the "eczema" all retrievers are prone to "hot spots" - won't comment further.

As for crates, I don't do "box dogs". I am the Alpha B of all of my packs. The two Goldens with me now are 6th and 7th canines that I've had the honor to be associated with.

Good for you taking such good care of your new kid. Congrats!

Answer 6

It's best to toilet train in stages. First start with newspaper - leave out sheets of newspaper for him to go to the toilet on. Everytime he does anything on the paper praise him for it. If he does it somewhere other than the paper then try and catch him and correct him.

For example, if you see him peeing on the carpet instead of the newspaper then quickly pick him up and put him on the newspaper. He will soon learn that he is meant to pee on the newspaper instead.

Then once he has grasped that begin doing it outside - if you see him peeing on the newspaper quickly pick him up and put him on the grass outside. That's how I did it with my dog and he learnt within a couple of weeks that he should wait until he can get outside.

Nipping is usual as he will be teething and he should naturally grow out of it. You're already doing the right thing for his skin condition by taking him to a vet, he's probably allergic to something.

Answer 7

I have a yellow lab and he had horrible allergies as a puppy. His skin was always dry and he would scratch and scratch but he didn't have fleas. He ended up outgrowing it after about a year, but for awhile the vet gave him allergy shots. Crate training is the best method I know of to potty train. Plus if he is anything like my lab he will love his crate- mine still goes in there even when he doesn't have to. It's his "safe place". Good luck!

Answer 8

Housetraining - I recommend crate training. See below. It works very well.

http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

Skin conditions can be fleas, environmental allergies or food. Feed a high quality puppy food. I recommend California Natural (formulated for allergic dogs - I have one), Innova, or Canidae. And once your puppy is old enough, start with Advantage or Frontline Plus monthly to keep the fleas off. One flea can start a serious itching attack.

The biting phase is something you just have to work through. When he starts to bite, end the play session and ignore him. He'll learn that biting stops the fun.

Answer 9

I have always "crate trained" mine, and it works very well. At night put him in a crate or box that is small enough that he can't get away from any mess he has made. He will not mess up if he has to lie in it. First thing in the morning, take him out, and when he pottys, praise him. He will learn to like the crate, and think of it as security, and go in there during the day just to get away. If you have trouble with him crying at night when you put him in the crate, cover it. If he still cries, just put up with that for a night or two, and he will quickly learn that it is his bed.

Answer 10

sounds great!
I would highly reccomend a puppy training class also - you can see the difference when the pups grow older, of which was taught manners and which weren't.

and the nipping is just a normal puppy phase - all pups go through it, buy him some rubber chew toys - his teeth are coming in.