[Isis03]

I'm in need of some help in regards to working out my training plan for my golden gall, will be getting her from 8-12 weeks of age. It's a very overwhelming thing to try and work out on my own and I am fearful of doing something wrong and ruining that dog's ability to be a great companion and service animal, which is the reason I'm getting her. I will be crate training her, and will not be clicker training. Those are two things that I've decided. I'm aware that socialization and exposure are extremely important, especially due to the fact that she will be accompanying me in most places at an older age. But due to my inexperience in dog training, I am left in a subpar position, and unsure where to start

To summarise, I would like some help, or advice in creating a training plan to ensure my pup has the best chance to become her best self, live her best life, and help me live mine

Side note, name ideas would be well appreciated to. All I've got atm is Squishy, or Maze

 

[Shadowfox]

I'm curious as to why you're not clicker training? Or, do you just prefer marker training? What kind are you doing?

The first few weeks, so 8-12 weeks, I would just focus on letting her settle in and bond with you, learn her name. The key step at this point is building the foundations for a confident dog; not bombarding her into advanced training. Same with socializing her. It's not about throwing her into the face of everything she comes across. Rather, new things happen and are not scary or worth being alarmed about. I recommend looking up Kikopup on YouTube, reading "Inspiring Resilience in Fearful and Reactive Dogs" [even though she is neither at this time] and "On Talking Terms with Dogs." I'd also encourage you to get in touch with service dog trainers (particularly self trainers) via Facebook groups and blogs.

Does your breeder know she is a service dog prospect?

 

[Isis03]

Well, my preference would be marker training, as that seems like it would be the easiest for me to work with. As well as I tend to misplace things, and would do so with the clicker, so that wouldn't really work for me. And I think we would probably be getting her closer to 12 weeks, and I've heard there's sort of a window for exposure and socialization? Correct me if I'm wrong though, I've not gone too deep into researching things as of yet.

And I'll give the channel a look over, and watch/read (unsure which was meant,I suckkk at understanding things) and I will try and get in touch with a service dog trainer, I plan to get help training her later on down the track with the more complex stuff

 

[Shadowfox]

There are several windows, the ones at 12 and 16 weeks being some of the most important. Getting her at 12 should be perfectly fine, and you'll still have a month to go of that birth-16 week window. And the socialization process is ongoing.

I was suggesting watch Kikopup's training videos, and read the book titles. And to also read blogs from people who do and have trained service dogs from puppies. Just to help make sure you are building her foundations correctly; especially since you are new to all of this.

The reason I asked if your breeder knows is because the temperament and some other requirements are different from between a pet puppy and a service dog prospect.

 

[BigBlackDog]

Here's a good article on puppy socialization. Obviously you don't have to do everything, but it gives a good perspective on what socialization (aka exposure) should look like:

Socializing Your Puppy: how it should look | Naughty Dogge - Monique Anstee

The Biggest Mistake Of All: PUPPY SOCIALIZATION. Dogs need to be socialized. That means that dogs need to SEE the world, and handle it with social grace. We need to teach them the skills and habits necessary for participating within our society. Unfortunately socialization got misunderstood as...

www.naughtydogge.com

 

[JoanneF]

The link in the post above is OK as examples of the sort of things a dog should be exposed to, but what I don't think it makes clear is that this should be done without scaring them - like throwing towels over their head. It should be like a game.

But why on earth does that blogger call her page the Naughty Dogge? It starts the reader off on the wrong perspective. When dogs do something we don't like, it's because they don't understand what we want, or they find something else more rewarding. Dogs aren't 'naughty ', they do what brings them the biggest rewards.

Anyway, rant over. @Isis03, two other useful articles for you. The first is on bringing a new puppy into your home, the second on crate training (its a long read, but it is excellent).

Kidnapped From Planet Dog - Whole Dog Journal

Sometimes new owners tell me getting a puppy was supposed to be fun, but all I feel is stress. Here's what new owners need to remember.

www.whole-dog-journal.com

Emma Judson's guide to crate training

The following guide was written by the behaviourist Emma Judson and is shared with her permission. Crate Training - Step By Step Guide to A Distress Free, Force Free Crate Trained Dog or Pup Please sit and read this guide thoroughly before making a start, as it is important that every...

www.dogforum.com