Training Plan

[Schubert]

I will be the proud owner of a 4 month old Standard boy (SP) [after the Schnauzer Schubert, who is no longer with me - we started here 13 years ago] - I have made a list of dog owners among my friends and plan to see them for a meet and greet. A dog trainer said, she wanted to write up a training plan for him. Has anyone ever done this? Or had it done?
Greetings from Australia

[zeta1454]

Sorry to hear of the loss of Schubert
Have you thought of a name for your new boy?

Meeting up with other friendly dogs is a great idea and will help to socialise your new puppy. Just be careful not to overwhelm him in the early days as puppies do tire quickly and meeting lots of new dogs in one go can be exhausting. However if you are planning to visit different friends at separate times that should be fine

Is the dog trainer someone you have approached to write a plan or have they just contacted you? To a large extent early training with a puppy will follow the same general lines for all puppies unless there is a specific issue you are trying to deal with. Puppies need to be exposed in a positive way to a variety of different environments, people, animals etc. to build up their resilience to deal with novel experiences in the future. This is the ‘socialisation’ which is referred to as an important stage in puppy raising. If you are looking for training in terms of lead walking; sit /stay ; recall etc. then having some guidelines or a ‘training plan’ can be useful. You must be confident though that the trainer who is offering the plan is qualified and experienced and that they advocate and use positive / reward based training techniques and not a dominance /punishment approach.

[Dawnspell]

Its very easy to get overwhelmed with a new puppy. The "plan" could be just simple schedule as outlining how often to take them out for potty breaks, planning nap times, play time, times for walks etc.
I'd ask, especially if this is a trainer you are wanting to work 1-2-1 rather than group puppy class.

[Schubert]

Hi Zeta 1454
Hi Dawnspell

thankyou for answering to me.... I am excited indeed. And I will NEVER lose Schubert from my heart.

Losing Schnauzer Schubert, who grew up here with extensive forum-help, is one of the worst things that ever happened to me. I was with him all the way, held him when he had convulsions, slept with him in my bed with a hand on his body to notice all stirring, carried him out to the grass and back into the house, and held him in the last moments of our relationship. I lost MY LOVE.
(That was in April)

Now: the new bubba will be called Kipling. I send a picture next week.
When I read what you are both saying, I think, I have to find my own way with my dog before I let a trainer in. What I am mainly after, is the contact with other dogs... close up. And I can do this... and I will do it in acceptable portions! Thankyou for the reminder.

Happy to be here!

[Dawnspell]

If you're looking for a easy to read, down to earth puppy training book Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann is good. It has lots of tips for toilet training, crate training, puppy focus and just general day to day tips that when you read it make you think "Oh yeah, didnt think of that, thats a good idea" I'm sure you would be able to get it on amazon.
We love puppy photos

[Schubert]

Hi Dawnspell
I did just order a book, will check the title. I will post photos -- indeed, I will. - and I hope I can remember toilet training and crate training is easy. I am most worried about how he will approach people.

[Schubert]

[zeta1454]

Lovely photo of Kipling - he looks very sweet

It is unusual for a puppy to be anxious around people if he has had good experiences at his birth home and you will just need to build on that to make sure the people he meets when he joins your family are friendly and gentle with him. I am sure you will do just fine settling him into your home.

[Schubert]

zeta1454

YES--- INDEED - it is the confirmation I NEED.... I thankyou.