I need tips on getting an 85lb puppy under control. He is a beast and loves destroying everything. using the house as a potty. The vet loathes him. I am thinking of using a clicker for training. I can leave the back door open for an hour, he goes outside and plays, but when he comes in he lets a load loose. I ususally have him on a harness but I am thinking of trying a herms collar for training. Please provide your input and thoughts.
Traning tips for a 1yr old puppy
- Thread starter Daveone23
- Start date
LifeofRubie
Moderator
Hello!
What training have you done with him? What outlets for energy does he have? Is he crate trained? Why does the vet loathe him?
The potty training is frustrating for sure. Honestly, I would "start over." He get's put on a leash and you go out with him. Once he does his business, he gets praise and then he can be taken off leash to play or left to his own devices. Every time, yes, and make it a routine. Even better if you can REALLY start over. First thing in the morning, after breakfast, after any nap, during a midday break, before and after dinner, evening break, before bed, etc. Give him TOO many opportunities and be present.
If you aren't already using an enzymatic cleaner to clean up his inside accidents, would highly recommend using one of those, too.
Based on what you've said, just sounds like he's a big dog with puppy brain that might be lacking some routine, structure, and clear expectations!
Why do you think clicker training will work for him?
What training have you done with him? What outlets for energy does he have? Is he crate trained? Why does the vet loathe him?
The potty training is frustrating for sure. Honestly, I would "start over." He get's put on a leash and you go out with him. Once he does his business, he gets praise and then he can be taken off leash to play or left to his own devices. Every time, yes, and make it a routine. Even better if you can REALLY start over. First thing in the morning, after breakfast, after any nap, during a midday break, before and after dinner, evening break, before bed, etc. Give him TOO many opportunities and be present.
If you aren't already using an enzymatic cleaner to clean up his inside accidents, would highly recommend using one of those, too.
Based on what you've said, just sounds like he's a big dog with puppy brain that might be lacking some routine, structure, and clear expectations!
Why do you think clicker training will work for him?
Can you provide more info? We love photos here too...
A harness is a pulling tool so it's only going to make matters worse for you. A prong would be 100 times better but you need to learn how to use it correctly too.
Okay, so by no means do I mean to sound like a jerk in my reply…
A one year old 85lb puppy?
One year old, uses the bathroom in the house?
Beast that the Vet loathes?
If you’ve had this pup for a year and did no training up to this date then that is the problem. You can’t have a Doberman and not train them. They will become monsters and cause chaos.
In my experience, it’s easier and better to begin training when receiving as a pup ~4 months old. They are more malleable and ready to learn not set in their ways. But maybe you acquired an older one or just didn’t have the ability to train- whatever….you now have a problem though.
What to do?
1. You have to be patient and consistent.
2. You cannot be lazy about training and not do it- doesn’t work that way. You must train.
3. You have to train daily for at least 30mins.
Even at 1yr old, if you put the time and energy in- you can have an obedient well behaved Doberman. You just have to put in the time. You don’t?? and you get a crackhead Doberman. Not the Dobermans fault that they are not trained….
Click and read these threads- lots of advice from some experienced Doberman owners.
Potty training
Training:
Good luck and read this website forwards to backwards.
BGpa
Hot Topics Subscriber
Back to basics Dave.
Like others have said, potty train, basic obedience. These dogs need exercise, structure and consistency, and daily dedication by you to do so.
Get a trainer to help YOU know what to do, and coach you in training the dog.
Look through all those threads I posted, lots of great info in there.
You have to lock him down and be consistent. You get control so he can be in control without being crazy. One of the important concepts of NILIF is that his food you normally feed in a bowl is now hand fed him little bit at a time if and when he is in control and adheres to simple commands given during training.
I really did not know much for training until I came on here with my first Doberman. Kinda the situation you are in. I read everything and asked a lot of questions.
Lots of YouTube videos also.
Read some stuff, watch some stuff and try it. You have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
BGpa
Hot Topics Subscriber
Add crate training
'If you don't change, the dog's problem won't change.'
When animal behaviorist Dennis Fetko walks through the door of his Poway home, he is instantly surrounded by flying fur and wagging tails.
www.latimes.com
Yes, this!
Go to the "training & behavior" and also the "puppies" threads - so much info there, you will certainly find some similar to what you're going through. Unfortunately your very short description of the problem(s) doesn't really explain what's going on and there are a thousand variables that could change any answer.
Almost all wild puppy antics can be controlled by structure and leadership and setting boundaries that are non-negotiable all while inserting obedience training via rewards, play and exercise.
Hi, and welcome (if I have not already welcomed you).
I admit I don't have time right now to read all the replies on here, but I did read @Ravenbird 's and I wish to echo her very well-phrased wisdom: "Almost all wild puppy antics can be controlled by structure and leadership and setting boundaries that are non-negotiable all while inserting obedience training via rewards, play and exercise." ( – @Ravenbird)
In our household, we are living with firsthand evidence of what the opposite can do. We adopted a mixed breed puppy back in October. This is considered my wife's dog. I already have "my" dog. She wanted this puppy, as did our children of course. Well, my dear wife is almost completely a normie when it comes to dogs. She is like her siblings who just have dogs and maybe they teach the dog sit and that's about it. Aside from that, they just expect the dog to be trouble-free in the background. In the case of many of their dogs, the dog is a little deviant, getting into the trash all the time, grabbing shoes and socks and running around with them, etc. etc. Well, we certainly have a little deviant in our household as well. It certainly does not help that this pup also happens to have what I consider a disorder. He is highly driven to seek out things to get in his mouth, and ingest. It's a miracle we have not had to face thousands of dollars in emergency vet bills yet. I mean, it is far beyond the level of the typical naughty puppy.
While I khow my way around dog training, and have tried, and then backed off, ten tried, then backed off training this pup my wife is not effectively participating. The way she handles the pup works against my training. It has been extremely frustrating for me. So, I have nearly washed my hands of this dog, but it is painful to see my wife get so frustrated when the pup misbehaves for the 100th time. I've tried speaking to my wife, and I have told her this pup needs the NILIF system; but she is a very proud and stubborn woman who will NOT ever do what her husband thinks should be done.
So we, as I said, are living out the evidence that effective, consistent training solves most every problem.
I admit I don't have time right now to read all the replies on here, but I did read @Ravenbird 's and I wish to echo her very well-phrased wisdom: "Almost all wild puppy antics can be controlled by structure and leadership and setting boundaries that are non-negotiable all while inserting obedience training via rewards, play and exercise." ( – @Ravenbird)
In our household, we are living with firsthand evidence of what the opposite can do. We adopted a mixed breed puppy back in October. This is considered my wife's dog. I already have "my" dog. She wanted this puppy, as did our children of course. Well, my dear wife is almost completely a normie when it comes to dogs. She is like her siblings who just have dogs and maybe they teach the dog sit and that's about it. Aside from that, they just expect the dog to be trouble-free in the background. In the case of many of their dogs, the dog is a little deviant, getting into the trash all the time, grabbing shoes and socks and running around with them, etc. etc. Well, we certainly have a little deviant in our household as well. It certainly does not help that this pup also happens to have what I consider a disorder. He is highly driven to seek out things to get in his mouth, and ingest. It's a miracle we have not had to face thousands of dollars in emergency vet bills yet. I mean, it is far beyond the level of the typical naughty puppy.
While I khow my way around dog training, and have tried, and then backed off, ten tried, then backed off training this pup my wife is not effectively participating. The way she handles the pup works against my training. It has been extremely frustrating for me. So, I have nearly washed my hands of this dog, but it is painful to see my wife get so frustrated when the pup misbehaves for the 100th time. I've tried speaking to my wife, and I have told her this pup needs the NILIF system; but she is a very proud and stubborn woman who will NOT ever do what her husband thinks should be done.
So we, as I said, are living out the evidence that effective, consistent training solves most every problem.
Yes, many conflicts are simply due to different humans in the household giving the dog different boundaries or lack of.
BGpa
Hot Topics Subscriber
Next time she is frustrated ask her "Honey, if I could find 2-3 trainers for YOU to pick one from, would you be willing to learn together?"
When she says yes, say "ok, will you be willing to pay for it"...(or split it).
The best free advice in the world is worth exactly what you paid for it...
LifeofRubie
Moderator
are you out there with him monitoring if he poops outside or is it just opening the door and leaving him to his own devices?
I really think he needs to be leashed (if you have a fenced yard) and that someone needs to go out with him and monitor him. Reward him when he potties outside. Again, really start over with potty training.
We had a really tough time potty training our second dog and when I looked back on it, it's because we finally had a fenced yard (my first dog was always on leash when she was being potty trained) so it's tempting to just... let them outside. He was too busy sniffing or exploring or playing with our other dog that pottying wasn't his 1st or even 5th goal, probably. When he was a bit older and still having challenges, we really doubled down on putting him on a leash, rewarding the outside potty act, and then allowing him off leash to do whatever else.
You haven't said that it's liquid or loose stools to indicate any sort of parasite or food that might be disagreeing with him so has that been ruled out?
I really think he needs to be leashed (if you have a fenced yard) and that someone needs to go out with him and monitor him. Reward him when he potties outside. Again, really start over with potty training.
We had a really tough time potty training our second dog and when I looked back on it, it's because we finally had a fenced yard (my first dog was always on leash when she was being potty trained) so it's tempting to just... let them outside. He was too busy sniffing or exploring or playing with our other dog that pottying wasn't his 1st or even 5th goal, probably. When he was a bit older and still having challenges, we really doubled down on putting him on a leash, rewarding the outside potty act, and then allowing him off leash to do whatever else.
You haven't said that it's liquid or loose stools to indicate any sort of parasite or food that might be disagreeing with him so has that been ruled out?
THIS: "Again, really start over with potty training." @LifeofRubie hit it on the head....it sounds as though this dog has no idea what the expectations are, so starting over is your best bet. Means keeping him on leash in the house, and taking him out every few hours, and making a big party when he does his business outside.
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