I started walking Gavin on a leash right away. He would kind of quit on me in the beginning so I used a treat or a squeaky toy to coax him along. The first walks were pretty short. I learned my lesson by going too far with him and then having to carry him home. He was 20lbs at the time. The breeder said the first shots would carry him through on walks and socialization with dogs that you know and that you know have had their shots. I would not take him into the bush or to the dog park until after the second set of shots though.
For the first week we took him out to potty every three or four hours during the night, which translated to getting up once or twice. After the first week it was only once a night and by 4 months he could hold it all night. We tried to keep the lights off and keep it strictly business: ring the bells, no talking or playing except for walking him about (always on the leash) and telling him to get busy. Of course praise well when he does the deed. Sometimes you are out there quite a while. In the beginning we carried him outside so there was no chance for accidents between the crate and the door.
We took puppy socialization at the vet office, basic obedience in a gymnasium with a trainer and are now in intermediate classes at Petsmart. The trainer there seems quite qualified for what we need and I like the fact that there are tons of distractions there on Saturday mornings – staff, shoppers, other dogs, cats, food etc… those are what we need right now to help Gavin listen and obey despite his attention being on other things. A lot of the training takes place right in the isles of the store (sit stays, recalls, heeling etc.) plus he can practice his greeting without jumping up as the staff there wait till he sits and then give him a treat and pets. If your dog doesn’t have any major issues, I think that Petsmart is just fine. Now if I had a dog with behaviour issues, I would go back to the more qualified trainer.
I am very excited for you - any pictures yet?
