Hey all...Quick question..Some of Max's stitches came out..is that normal or okay? I would call my vet but I live in a small area..They would only tell me to come in so i can pay $32 and them say...oh well its okay.

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If its not a Doberman...Its just a dog!!

hi,
as far as puppy training advice goes; its reassuring to know others are using the same techniques i've found useful as well! As for obience with young pups who are just going to be companion dogs, as long as you make it all a game, and break it up in to 5 -10 min sessions, ive seen 3 month old dobes sit, shake, roll, stay, beg, place, down, hup, etc. The trick is to know your dog & what motivates him and to make it all a game he wins & loves. If you see him loosing interest, end on a good note and then play; avoid the "one more time syndrome" and yr dog will always be up for training. One thing that has been stressed to me is to always always build your dogs confidence during the puppy stage. As far as house training and breaking him from chewing etc, maybe others have experienced this as well, but i found that males (who generally mature slower anyways) are much harder to house break! At about 6 months, my male was still peeing inside and i was at a loss. He was crate trained, and i was with him almost 24/7, so i was able to be VERY consistent. After I KNEW, that he KNEW he was supposed to go outside and I was always available to let him it so it wasnt a matter of him not being able to hold it, i began using correction. Since day one I would always go outside & while he went I'd praise him and say good potty, and reward with food or toy. The change i made at 7 months was when i caught him in the act, i would hold him (just so he couldnt run, but not rubbing his nose in it or anything), slap the ground near the accident and say "bad potty". Then we would go outside, wait for him to go again, and praise and reward. The slapping sound of my hand against the tile and my unhappy tone, did the trick and within a week and a half he has never peed in the house again. I did the same with chewing. I'd place his toys around the room along with some temptations (shoes, socks, etc) and sit watching tv or reading not paying attention to him, and wait. Playing with toys got praise and play time, whereas if he picked up a shoe, i slapped the shoe, said bad shoe, then directed him to a toy and praised him. As long you build trust and drive with your dog and he is 100% sure of the rules, a correction can help polish up a solid foundation. This is just my opinion bc of my dog and the fosters i've had through my home, hope it will help!