Re: [PyrNet-L] New with questions and new beginnings

["Tracy Bassett" <espinay@dynamite.com.au>]

    Tia wrote:
    I am new to this list, and have recently adopted a 7 week old puppy.  I
have a couple of questions re: obedience and potty training... hopefully
someone can answer!

    And

    Amy wrote:
    Here's hoping that I have this e-mail correct.  My husband and I just
    purchased our first Pyr on Sat.  She is 3 months old and 3o lbs.
..............Does anyone have any ideas on how we could help Bear regarding
her treatment of Mischief and how we might train her in general?  Any adivce
would be appriciated.


    Welcome Tia and Amy!

    (hope people don't mind, I combined this into one post)

    At the risk of sounding like a broken record to those on the list who
have heard me mention most of these thing before, here are a few things you
might find useful/interesting. (to those who have read these before - I
apologise - just hit delete!!! :-D)

    A fantastic book which in my mind should be issued to all new puppy
owners is one called "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey (from the number of
times I mention this one, I am going to have to investigate shares in the
company!! :-D)  It covers a lot of good stuff including housetraining, crate
training, basic obedience, care, and generally how to help your puppy become
a dog you can live with as a member of your family for the rest of its life.

    Booking you and your puppy into a puppy kindy style class as soon as
possible (usually from three months to allow cover for vaccinations - sooner
at some classes run by vets) is also a good move.  Probably the most
important part of these classes is the socialisation puppies get with other
dogs.  This is where they will start to learn appropriate 'puppy manners'
around other dogs and people and learn to interact with them.  Socialising
your pup, and continuing to socialise it as it gets older, is one of the
most important things you will do.  A good article on manners, and how to
recognise a 'rude' dog etc is this article by Suzanne Clothier
http://www.flyingdogpress.com/sayhi.html

    Some good articles on bringing a new dog into a home where there is
already another dog are these ones:

    http://www.doggiedoor.com/2dogintr.htm
    http://www.doggiedoor.com/twodogs.htm

    Hope these help a little!  Keep telling us how things are going.  I am
sure I speak for the majority when I say we LOVE hearing all about new
puppies!!!!!! :-D

    Tracy Bassett
    espinay@dynamite.com.au
    Canberra, Australia