Training a Saluki x Greyhound pup

[sandymere 8,263]

2 hours ago, oblivious said:

Thanks bud, really appreciate the advice.

With the tug training - is there a risk that could make him a bit hard mouthed and less likely to let me have rabbits off him that he's caught in the future? 

No, just watch a few YouTube videos. Train to release on command. 

[jigsaw 11,899]

1 hour ago, riohog said:

youll be lucky to get good recall when its 12 years old , never mind 12 weeks  , its got sal in it  , selective hearing is in there dna ....

Not true,....unless it's pure lol

[jigsaw 11,899]

This lad is saluki saturated,and the most biddable dog ever,until he's on the chase then it's futile calling him lol...I've had a few saluki X ,and the only one that busted my balls is the pure bred I have now,but I'm hoping all that's in the past too now

[Maximus Ferret 2,063]

2 hours ago, sandymere said:

No, just watch a few YouTube videos. Train to release on command. 

Best not train the release too soon as it puts some pups off tugging altogether. You can let the dog pullit out of your hands regularly to build it's drive for the game and if you play with the pup on a long lead it can't feck off with the tug. Use the lead to gently encourage the pup to bring the tug to you and the game resumes. If/when the pup starts to get keen, watch out for your fingers.

Think of it as a game between you and the pup rather than between the pup and the tug.

When you want the tug back you have to hold it solid lifeless and immovable. The pup will then let go. I crouch down and brace my forearms on my knees.

You'll probably need to start with something soft like an old child's sock stuffed with other socks.

[oblivious 26]

36 minutes ago, Maximus Ferret said:

Best not train the release too soon as it puts some pups off tugging altogether. You can let the dog pullit out of your hands regularly to build it's drive for the game and if you play with the pup on a long lead it can't feck off with the tug. Use the lead to gently encourage the pup to bring the tug to you and the game resumes. If/when the pup starts to get keen, watch out for your fingers.

Think of it as a game between you and the pup rather than between the pup and the tug.

When you want the tug back you have to hold it solid lifeless and immovable. The pup will then let go. I crouch down and brace my forearms on my knees.

You'll probably need to start with something soft like an old child's sock stuffed with other socks.

Thanks mate, I've been doing a bit of research into the tug thing today and found this article. The principles of it all make sense i.e working with the dog's drive and increasing the dog's desire to be around you etc

The Value of Tug Games With Puppies | The Hunting Life

WWW.THEHUNTINGLIFE.COM

 

[MH1 1,887]

Will the dog always sleep in your room or just as a pup? It'll need to learn it can settle by itself without you there sooner rather than later i think

[tb25 4,627]

12 week..recall, sit and maybe stay at that age..

[MagyarAgar 88]

A lot of good replies so far.

One thing: You said he chews the sofa arms and you reward him when he stops.

Alternatively you can give him something else to chew on e.g. a kong/toy/chicken feet/rabbit sinews. 
It is not all about positive enforcement, it is also about providing alternatives and setting up the environment so that your pup has it easy to be successful.

Don’t stress yourself too much, you will have plenty of good and bad days with your dog. Sometimes you will think that it goes backwards, thats totally normal.

In the end, positivity and consistency will prevail.

Cheers MagyarAgar

[shaaark 10,926]

Some very good replies.  

But, just remember, you are working with a saluki cross, so ALL of the above advice 'might' work, or not.

Good luck, but I'd rather an easier life. 

[oblivious 26]

1 hour ago, MagyarAgar said:

A lot of good replies so far.

One thing: You said he chews the sofa arms and you reward him when he stops.

Alternatively you can give him something else to chew on e.g. a kong/toy/chicken feet/rabbit sinews. 
It is not all about positive enforcement, it is also about providing alternatives and setting up the environment so that your pup has it easy to be successful.

Don’t stress yourself too much, you will have plenty of good and bad days with your dog. Sometimes you will think that it goes backwards, thats totally normal.

In the end, positivity and consistency will prevail.

Cheers MagyarAgar

Cheers bud, i've had a lot of good replies on here now which are really helpful. 

I'll try and get him redirected onto things he is allowed to chew, especially now that he'll start teething soon.

Thanks for the reassurance too mate, I'm sure me and him will get there

[Aussie Whip 4,157]

What's wrong with giving the pup a clip if it's chewing your $4000 dollar lounge? Mother dogs discipline their pups pretty hard according to breed. As long as you don't do it in anger it's not going to make the pup hate or fear you, same with kids. 

[MagyarAgar 88]

4 hours ago, Aussie Whip said:

What's wrong with giving the pup a clip if it's chewing your $4000 dollar lounge? Mother dogs discipline their pups pretty hard according to breed. As long as you don't do it in anger it's not going to make the pup hate or fear you, same with kids. 

In my opinion there is nothing inherently wrong with it.
But it is just way to easy to do it wrong, from a timing and intensity perspective. So for me it is just not worth it. Verbal and physical presence is enough for me.

Besides most mother dogs stop their puppies by growling (verbal, "stop it you little wanker") or physical presence (pushing between two puppies that go at each other to fiercely). Clipping them is reserved for later times when they are older, and even then only seldom. Not at 10 weeks.

To each their own.

[Aussie Whip 4,157]

13 minutes ago, MagyarAgar said:

In my opinion there is nothing inherently wrong with it.
But it is just way to easy to do it wrong, from a timing and intensity perspective. So for me it is just not worth it. Verbal and physical presence is enough for me.

Besides most mother dogs stop their puppies by growling (verbal, "stop it you little wanker") or physical presence (pushing between two puppies that go at each other to fiercely). Clipping them is reserved for later times when they are older, and even then only seldom. Not at 10 weeks.

To each their own.

I agree, with the whippets a harsh word is enough. My old pit bitch would throw her pups across the yard at 5weeks, she didn't hurt them and was a good mother but they were hard dogs and a growl didn't cut it, lol. I'd rather give them a reminder when young and you never have to when they grow.

[mC HULL 13,764]

17 hours ago, Aussie Whip said:

What's wrong with giving the pup a clip if it's chewing your $4000 dollar lounge? Mother dogs discipline their pups pretty hard according to breed. As long as you don't do it in anger it's not going to make the pup hate or fear you, same with kids. 

i just scruff em mate back of the neck 

 

[dytkos 17,824]

On 24/11/2021 at 17:41, tb25 said:

12 week..recall, sit and maybe stay at that age..

Fair play mate, wish it was that easy for us mere mortals  

Cheers, D.