How We Start Puppies at Fort Causeway and Training Information
Training videos on our YouTube Channel
Check the 'Playlists' Option - we are trying to find good ways to separate the training videos out from the others.
When starting puppies on our farm, we feel even very simple and age appropriate training can begin as early as 4 weeks of age. We work to breed good dogs for small farms, acreages or ranches and that drives our starting philosophies. We've described some of our methods below:
- Exposure - One of the most basic methods of starting puppies is supervised exposure to many different stimuli. Puppies are handled by adults and children of various ages. They are also directly in contact with cats, chickens and other dogs. The puppies are indoors and out and exposed to many things in both places. They also get to go on car rides when they are older. We do a bit of leash training with them as they get too big to carry by 6-7 weeks of age. The puppies, see, hear and smell sheep from a very young age. When they are older, fence line contact with sheep is started if we know puppies are going to more of a guardian home. Direct contact with sheep is limited to avoid negative interaction. The puppies are also exposed to limited extent to other adults, cows and horses.
- Deep Voices - We have found that puppies can grow to be fearful or timid around large, tough men with deep voices. Some shy away, run away or pee all over the floor when confronted with a deep commanding voice. As crazy as it sounds, we use different inflections of voice around the puppies and Kevin, the largest of us with the deepest voice, takes time to work a bit with each puppy in what we call "desensitizing". This is training that is very important for new owners to continue, but we attempt to expose puppies while they are still with us. And yes, it is possible for women to do this too. Keri is often found talking to a pup in a deep growly voice while interacting gently with them so they know all is well!
- Behavior Training - We've heard many training instructions that say to start training puppies around 4 months of age. We respectfully disagree, especially with large dog breeds. We start age appropriate behavior training as early as 4 weeks of age. Most training at this age is reactive, but is still important. We do not allow puppies to jump up on people. While super cute at 4 weeks, they could really hurt someone at 1 year and 120 lbs. We do not allow puppies to bite at our hands or other extremities. We do not allow puppies to bark or growl at people. Puppies as young as 6 weeks old can be taught to "Sit". We start teaching, "Come!" but most puppies will come to you naturally at a young age. We feel it helps them to hear the command, though, and will make it easier to learn in the future.
- Water training - We get asked a lot about this. We do try to expose the puppies to water and swimming IF it is warm enough and when they are old enough. Some puppies take to it right away, others aren't as interested. We do make a note of this on each puppy's page if and when we do water desensitizing.
- Crate Training - We are happy to start acclimating your puppy to a crate at a young age. Please let us know if this is something you would like to have done. We do this for every puppy who is going on a plane.
- Housebreaking - This is one part of training that does take some time on the part of the new owner. A puppy's body simply needs to be able to control its bodily functions before true housebreaking can occur. But as breeders, we do take steps to start teaching the puppies that there are places to go potty and places not to. One thing we have consistenly heard from owner's of past puppy litters is that their puppy was very easy to potty train. This encourages us to keep on doing what we're doing!
