puppy training doesn't seem to be coming along.

Hi there,

We recently bought a staffy bitch from gumtree. The owner of the puppy said that she was nearly 8 weeks and she needed rid of her quick because her mini bichon frisse wasn't being very nice to her. As we were leaving with our new puppy the lady said that she was born on the 18th of October. There were no litter mates there only this little bichon frisse. The reason I mention this is that we got Shiva about a week and a half ago so she would have only been six and a half weeks and I had no idea how long she was with the other owner. I am wondering if her training difficulties are because she was taken from her mother too early.

We read a training manual and have tried to stay pretty close to the instructions. The things we have been trying to establish are crate training, potty training using puppy pads, sit, paw, come and bite inhibition. Shiva doesn't seem to be making much improvement. Although she goes in her crate she doesn't like the door closed and whines and paces. Although she will often take herself of for a little nap there. She is sitting on command most of the time but still seems a little unclear on giving a paw. The training pads are just pot luck. I think really the only time she uses them is if she just happens to be near them when she is ready to go. We haven't tried any other commands as she seems a little confused with any new ones and is just not picking them up. Also the bite inhibition seems to have no effect.

My question is, is this normal at this stage? Is she super young for training and all we need is perseverence? Has anyone experienced something similar?

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Well firstly, did you get any papers or anything? Did you pay much?

Secondly, the puppy is far to young to be training. A pup will not be very receptive to training until about 12 weeks or so, so you are wasting your time at the moment.

If the dates are right, you have got a very young pup as you seem to already know, so you will have some work to do. First thing i would recommend is enrolling into a puppy class to start the socialisation.

If you can't find any with a young enough puppy class, you could ring a few breeders or rescues and ask have they any puppies of a similar age that you can put yours with for a while so that it can learn a few dog skills. Pups taken away from mum too early are notorious for dog aggression, due to lack of skills.

Good luck...Pics would be fabulous!!

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12017-how-to-post-a-photos-onto-the-forum

Hi Hayley,

We found a puppy class nearby but the trainer has a knee injury so we can't enroll Shiva until February. However there might be an alternative if we look a bit further afield but again this will probably not be until after christmas and the new year.

So is it really important that the puppies are the same age?How much time would Shiva need with puppies at the moment?

Should I continue trying to teach bite inhibition and toilet training or just kind of abandon everything for the time being?

Thanks for your response.

In addition to the above reply we didn't get any papers for her. The price listed was 100 pounds but the lady said she was desperate for her to go and said the price was reduced to 75. I'm a bit concerned about her diet as a result of her being away from her mother too early. We have only been giving her puppy milk once a day and the rest of the day giving her water. She is fed on Hill's Science plan puppy food four times a day. Is this adequate for her needs?

Shiva is very young and you haven't had her long, so don't expect cute tricks like giving a paw just yet!

Yes, she is super young. She's just a baby, so just concentrate on getting her settled into her new home and the toilet training for now - you'll get plenty of help from this site if you need it!

She will be teething sooner or later, (again, much advice readily available here) where bite inhibition can be addessed.

Cute tricks like giving a paw can wait until later - first things first!

Just ASK for any advice, it's always available here

Awww my poor wee girl. I feel a bit rotten that I have been trying to train her now. Although from her point of view if she is too young to understand then she maybe just thought that it was dinner time with all the treats. Bless her she has been trying hard.

She is far too young to be doing anything as yet.
My baby Girl is only 8 weeks, I don't intend to start her training till she is at least 10-12 weeks as its that time they are most receptive to commands.
Just don't over load her brain with " so much so soon" as she is still a baba.
Meantime, enjoy her xx

I got my first staff very early same situation the guy wanted rid quick. He turned out just fine . Had him 13 years. not saying this is ok but he will be fine good luck and welcome

Sorry, delay on my replies.

I want to ask if you have taken her to the vets yet? Cause if you have they won't have given her jabs at her age...or shouldn't have

It doesnt have to be puppies the EXACT age of her, but it is better to be as close as possible - they will all then have a common ground. Example a 10 week old who stayed at home until 9 weeks will knwo more than a dog taken at 6 weeks.

You should be teaching bite inhibition now, yes. Its best to start that early! but the rest will come later. As for potty training, take her out every 30mins during the day (if possible) but leave the "tricks" until the toilet and mouthing phase is gone.

Buster bumble wrote: I got my first staff very early same situation the guy wanted rid quick. He turned out just fine . Had him 13 years. not saying this is ok but he will be fine good luck and welcome

Yes she will be fine, with good training, a good diet and lots of love

Don't feel rotten - a bit of gentle training won't hurt any pup, just remember what is important (and giving a paw isn't, right now!)

Shiva looks like an adorable puppy who maybe, dare I say it, has not had the best start in life, but I feel confident that you, Shiva's mummy, are going to do your best for her.

Just remember that she is still a little baby right now, and just needs at the moment to have extra special care.

We are all here for you and Shiva and will do all we can to help you - just ask!

I started training Loki a few days after we got him and he picked it up fine, but that was just sit, and the behavioural stuff. I wouldn't start teaching her tricks all at once, she's still settling into her new home and learning things about he world. For the toilet-training, personally I wouldn't use puppy pads. Just take her out every 30 or so minutes, or after waking up, eating or playing. Then stay out there with her (I know, it's cold ) until she does something, and then give her lots of praise. She'll soon realise when she goes outside, it makes you happy. The tricks can come later when she understands things more. Bite inhibition you should start right away though. Say "ow" and then turn away and ignore her. If she continues, put her into another room (a safe one where she can't hurt herself or wreck things) for a moment. Eventually she'll understand that she gets no attention when she bites. Loki took ages with this, he was a terrible biter so don't get discouraged if it seems like it doesn't work. It just takes time.

Also, like Hayley said, if you haven't already, take her to the vets for her first needles. Sooner you get that done, sooner you can start taking her for walks and socialising her.

This will help with the bite inhibition

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/stopyourstaffypuppybiting.html

Awww, Shiva looks beautiful. We are new owners ourselves and we've only had Charlie 4 weeks, he's coming on great and will sit; lie down; stay. Good luck and enjoy your new puppy