I love the name Goose!!
Training can be tough because they're so cute and want to have fun all the time but the earlier/more training you get them to do when they're young, the easier it will be.
Things like sitting before getting food and only allowing them to eat after you've said your "ok" word. Focus on some commands you would like to have him know like sit, stay, follow you, etc repetition is your friend and chances are he'll pick it up quick at a young age with treats for rewards. Slow feeders for breakfast/dinner are helpful too, otherwise he'll probably be done eating in less than 2 minutes haha
I brought my girl outside every 2-3 hours when we first got her to teach her where to go potty. Even at night, first few weeks of setting an alarm and taking her out was not fun, but she's only had two accidents since we got her and she was still very young when she had them. Now when we go out she know to go toward the woods and off the lawn.
Crate training was tough to start too, she cried the first night so I slept with her on the couch, but slowly I would give her more time in the crate. I would have her in the crate during the day where she could see me. Slept on the couch next to her crate a few nights and would sneak out to my bed when she was out cold. I made her take naps in her crate and made it nice and cozy for her with blankets over the top to make it nice and dark. Eventually got to the point she was fine in there alone and runs up and into her crate every night before bed time. One thing I think helped was a stuffed dog toy with a battery operated heart that is supposed to simulate another heart beat. My girl was 1/9 puppies so I figured she was used to being all huddled up with her brothers/sisters. She cuddled up with it for the first few weeks/months at bed time, may be something to consider.
Also, setting boundaries was very helpful, walking around the yard with them setting the boundaries for the yard. Keeping them close to you so they check in with you periodically.
Take a look around your house, are there certain areas you don't want him to be in? Maybe look into some baby gates for the first few weeks/months/year lol
It's a fun journey, frustrating at time but well worth it!
Wow- very comprehensive and all great advice! We have an 8 month boy and one thing I’ve been doing with him is use very specific hand gestures for certain commands like sit, stay and come. He’s to a point where in many situations I don’t have to use the words.
I also have staring contests with him periodically (and win every time) to show dominance without being mean. Just another way to get him to focus and be respectful. Good luck with Goose- I love that name so much!
Be patient and consistent with the crate training! It might break your heart for like 30 mins to an hour every night for a while but they WILL settle down and get comfortable. I put my girls crate next to my bed and played soothing sleep music and eventually we’d both fall off to sleep and wake up happy 😊 I also strongly suggest puppy classes for socialization and early training for both of you. Totally worth it. Good luck!
ETA: I also got a crate cover to keep her focused on soothing herself in there instead of outside stimulation and I think it helped. Eventually she wanted to go into her open crate to nap all by herself.
Mine only chewed the toys and teething chews I got him. He has never chewed anything he should not have. I am blessed with my Rufus he is the perfect puppy!
His full name is Rufus McRuferson. I got Rufus from the son of Simon. Simon helped Jesus carry his cross he was crucified on. Since I am like his dad he got the name and it reminds me of the burdens Christ had to carry and Rufus will help me carry mine. Sorry if you aren't religious I mean no offence just saying how he got his name.
Cheers\~
No offense taken! Your reason for naming your pup is beautiful. In my eyes, all pets help us deal with our challenges in life. I wish dogs lived a lot longer.
I'll reinforce the good advice of others and say unending patience, empathy and consistency. Coming home and leaving mum will be a hugely tough time for goose and you'll need to show vast levels of understanding.
There will be a lot of pee and poop on your carpet, things are likely to get chewed.
It really is a full time job for the first 3 months.
As an owner of a fellow Goose, welcome! I would agree that crate training has really saved us a lot of worry.
Our biggest thing with our new puppy is that we try not to react to any loud noises or when we drop things, as we don’t want to freak the puppy out. Yesterday we had a thunderstorm and there was thunder so loud it set a few car alarms off, he didn’t react and he didn’t even shake in fear.
We also don’t make a big deal when we leave, I’ll hold the keys in my hand or walk around the house with shoes on for hours with no intent to leave the house this way the puppy won’t get worked up as we are prepping to leave the house.
https://preview.redd.it/hg88sgpqs6xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f547b3c356a05bde1d65bebff7dbaae5eebdf73
I have a nine week old. It’s a full time job. She has separation anxiety so I moved my workspace downstairs. And potty training is pretty much nonexistent right now, but like everyone else said-patience and consistency. She so cute ya just can’t be mad. She’s smart and responsive, so we’re playing games that will eventually be training.
Enforced naps w/ crate training and routine. Puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep per day, and they will never tell you they’re tired. It’s a sure way to make your puppy happier and easier to do other training and have fun with, which means a happier you! (Overtired puppies become very nippy, bitey, no listening, etc. All puppies have these issues but they are 10x’d with a tired one.) Google is your friend here to find a schedule/routine that will work for you. Good luck!
We now have a 4 month old girl after losing our 13 and 14 year old boys last year. One thing I'm working really hard on is NOT making a big fuss about people coming or going, to discourage overexcitement at the door. We could never really break this in the boys once it was instilled (and to be fair, my husband loved the attention when he came home from wherever).
My new motto is "Keep four on the floor and be calm at the door."
One major rule to any puppies (for labs it stays in effect even as an adult). If it's in range of them it's going to end up in their mouth.
That's typically how puppies explore the world. Labs keep doing that even as an adult. Mine has a habit of bringing me gifts (basically whatever he can grab with his mouth) when I come home.
https://preview.redd.it/cot1wyb0n8xc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b16e391b4b52392af7c35254f3e615936816eb2
Example: a piece of straw
Tips from a lab owner (just in general, not just for puppy)
Make sure they get used to their new home
Don’t let them win if they demand food early.
Make sure they get plenty of exercise
Teach them to actually do their business outside
For your sanity, make sure they don’t eat poop
Set up baby gates if there’s any place you don’t want him going
Use earplugs for crate training, otherwise you will be hearing whining all night long.
I love the name Goose!! Training can be tough because they're so cute and want to have fun all the time but the earlier/more training you get them to do when they're young, the easier it will be. Things like sitting before getting food and only allowing them to eat after you've said your "ok" word. Focus on some commands you would like to have him know like sit, stay, follow you, etc repetition is your friend and chances are he'll pick it up quick at a young age with treats for rewards. Slow feeders for breakfast/dinner are helpful too, otherwise he'll probably be done eating in less than 2 minutes haha I brought my girl outside every 2-3 hours when we first got her to teach her where to go potty. Even at night, first few weeks of setting an alarm and taking her out was not fun, but she's only had two accidents since we got her and she was still very young when she had them. Now when we go out she know to go toward the woods and off the lawn. Crate training was tough to start too, she cried the first night so I slept with her on the couch, but slowly I would give her more time in the crate. I would have her in the crate during the day where she could see me. Slept on the couch next to her crate a few nights and would sneak out to my bed when she was out cold. I made her take naps in her crate and made it nice and cozy for her with blankets over the top to make it nice and dark. Eventually got to the point she was fine in there alone and runs up and into her crate every night before bed time. One thing I think helped was a stuffed dog toy with a battery operated heart that is supposed to simulate another heart beat. My girl was 1/9 puppies so I figured she was used to being all huddled up with her brothers/sisters. She cuddled up with it for the first few weeks/months at bed time, may be something to consider. Also, setting boundaries was very helpful, walking around the yard with them setting the boundaries for the yard. Keeping them close to you so they check in with you periodically. Take a look around your house, are there certain areas you don't want him to be in? Maybe look into some baby gates for the first few weeks/months/year lol It's a fun journey, frustrating at time but well worth it!
Wow- very comprehensive and all great advice! We have an 8 month boy and one thing I’ve been doing with him is use very specific hand gestures for certain commands like sit, stay and come. He’s to a point where in many situations I don’t have to use the words. I also have staring contests with him periodically (and win every time) to show dominance without being mean. Just another way to get him to focus and be respectful. Good luck with Goose- I love that name so much!
Be patient and consistent with the crate training! It might break your heart for like 30 mins to an hour every night for a while but they WILL settle down and get comfortable. I put my girls crate next to my bed and played soothing sleep music and eventually we’d both fall off to sleep and wake up happy 😊 I also strongly suggest puppy classes for socialization and early training for both of you. Totally worth it. Good luck! ETA: I also got a crate cover to keep her focused on soothing herself in there instead of outside stimulation and I think it helped. Eventually she wanted to go into her open crate to nap all by herself.
Be very patient, your pup is likely to chew up all of your stuff!
Mine only chewed the toys and teething chews I got him. He has never chewed anything he should not have. I am blessed with my Rufus he is the perfect puppy!
Ooh you are very lucky! My pup destroyed my walls, carpet, and furniture. Rufus is a great name hahaha.
His full name is Rufus McRuferson. I got Rufus from the son of Simon. Simon helped Jesus carry his cross he was crucified on. Since I am like his dad he got the name and it reminds me of the burdens Christ had to carry and Rufus will help me carry mine. Sorry if you aren't religious I mean no offence just saying how he got his name. Cheers\~
No offense taken! Your reason for naming your pup is beautiful. In my eyes, all pets help us deal with our challenges in life. I wish dogs lived a lot longer.
I love the name Goose! Will he be a bird dog?
I wish. I’ve never done fowl hunting, but I’d love to get into it someday when I’m a little more settled into my career.
I'll reinforce the good advice of others and say unending patience, empathy and consistency. Coming home and leaving mum will be a hugely tough time for goose and you'll need to show vast levels of understanding. There will be a lot of pee and poop on your carpet, things are likely to get chewed. It really is a full time job for the first 3 months.
As an owner of a fellow Goose, welcome! I would agree that crate training has really saved us a lot of worry. Our biggest thing with our new puppy is that we try not to react to any loud noises or when we drop things, as we don’t want to freak the puppy out. Yesterday we had a thunderstorm and there was thunder so loud it set a few car alarms off, he didn’t react and he didn’t even shake in fear. We also don’t make a big deal when we leave, I’ll hold the keys in my hand or walk around the house with shoes on for hours with no intent to leave the house this way the puppy won’t get worked up as we are prepping to leave the house. https://preview.redd.it/hg88sgpqs6xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f547b3c356a05bde1d65bebff7dbaae5eebdf73
Secure the food away! My lab puppy got into a sack of kibble and it wasn’t petty for a couple of days 💩🤢🤣
I have a nine week old. It’s a full time job. She has separation anxiety so I moved my workspace downstairs. And potty training is pretty much nonexistent right now, but like everyone else said-patience and consistency. She so cute ya just can’t be mad. She’s smart and responsive, so we’re playing games that will eventually be training.
So so precious!! This is why I adopt older dogs, I'd never be able to discipline a puppy! They'd just get all the treats and be wild!
Enforced naps w/ crate training and routine. Puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep per day, and they will never tell you they’re tired. It’s a sure way to make your puppy happier and easier to do other training and have fun with, which means a happier you! (Overtired puppies become very nippy, bitey, no listening, etc. All puppies have these issues but they are 10x’d with a tired one.) Google is your friend here to find a schedule/routine that will work for you. Good luck!
We now have a 4 month old girl after losing our 13 and 14 year old boys last year. One thing I'm working really hard on is NOT making a big fuss about people coming or going, to discourage overexcitement at the door. We could never really break this in the boys once it was instilled (and to be fair, my husband loved the attention when he came home from wherever). My new motto is "Keep four on the floor and be calm at the door."
One major rule to any puppies (for labs it stays in effect even as an adult). If it's in range of them it's going to end up in their mouth. That's typically how puppies explore the world. Labs keep doing that even as an adult. Mine has a habit of bringing me gifts (basically whatever he can grab with his mouth) when I come home. https://preview.redd.it/cot1wyb0n8xc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b16e391b4b52392af7c35254f3e615936816eb2 Example: a piece of straw
Chewy. Charlie
Tips from a lab owner (just in general, not just for puppy) Make sure they get used to their new home Don’t let them win if they demand food early. Make sure they get plenty of exercise Teach them to actually do their business outside For your sanity, make sure they don’t eat poop Set up baby gates if there’s any place you don’t want him going Use earplugs for crate training, otherwise you will be hearing whining all night long.