cgf@infinet.UUCP (Chris Faylor) (10/24/85)
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About a month ago, we became the proud owners of an eight week old pup.
Patrick is part Labrador, part Golden Retriever, and will be a beautiful
dog when he grows up. I have a couple of questions about raising puppies
with which this learned community could, perhaps, help:
1) A couple of books I've read have suggested a kennel as the most
humane way of housing a dog. Supposedly it promotes a sense of
security in the dog to have his own little enclosed space.
When I told my vet about this, however, he looked at me like I
was crazy. Should I find another vet?
2) What is the best way to discipline? The book _Weekend Dog_ implies
that punishment is always wrong, and that redirection of attention
works best. Will the dog be permanently scarred if I hit him with
a newspaper after 20 "No!"s don't stop him from chewing on the couch?
I try to redirect his attention to his chew toys when he does this,
but when he is in overdrive mode (when he first wakes up) this
doesn't work for long.
3) How old should he be before we take him to obedience school?
Is taking him as a puppy worthwhile?
4) Patrick even at this early age periodically gets "amorous" after
periods of heavy playing. Isn't he a little young for this? We
had a number of dogs as I was growing up. I don't remember this
behavior manifesting itself this early. Is there any way to curb
this behavior now, or must we wait until he is neutered?
I would appreciate mail replies. I will post a summary to the net,
if anyone is interested.
--
-cgf-
I feel more like I do now than I did when I first got here.
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