Training puppies?

[Sin]

Ok i have 2 little puppies about 4 months old. I rescued them because they were going to be drowned and i couldnt bear that. But the thing is i have no idea how to train them or anything. I considered finding them a good home but im after getting sooo attached already. I couldnt give them up now they stole my heart

There very good at night, they sleep all night long thank god. During the day they are so so so hyper. No matter how much attention i give them they will still jump up on everyone all the time. Everytime i leave the room they cry. I tried just leaving them cry but they wouldnt stop until i went back in!!

Any ideas on how i could start training them?

[Tara.]

Petco usually holds free training classes.

[Whisperer]

Like Tara said, you could try training classes. Also, don't give into them even if they are crying. That just teaches them that if they cry, they'll get what they want. If you are teaching them to walk on the leash, keep it short and everytime they stay with you praise them. At home, if they listen to you and sit down or stop doing something give them treats. Use lots of positive feedback and only negative when it's necessary.

[rac146]

Def see if you can find some training classes, or at least someone who knows alot about training and can mentor you. you say you tried to leave them cry but it didnt work - you have already started a pattern of giving into them, it will take longer to break them. most puppies cry at night or when left alone. sometimes they will cry allllll night. you have to be strong and heartless for a few days and you will give yourself of lifetime of not having to put up with dogs that cry when they dont get there way. what kind of puppies are they? lets see some pics!!!

Also, im sure your vet can give you a reference to a good trainer and help answer any other questions you have.

[EL&MT]

I put my puppy through training classes, but she was so terrified of the other dogs that she didn't learn much. She passed the class, but only because my trainer was pretty cool. I opted to train her at home myself. Training doesn't end with the classes anyway, it's a lifetime experience. I'd recommend this book called The Power Of Positive Dog Training. It helped me out a whole lot

I'd tell you not to give in when they cry, no matter how hard that is. Put your headphones in and occupy yourself with other things until they stop crying. Then you can give them affection. Puppies tend to jump all over everybody no matter how much attention you give them. When the puppies jump, don't give them any attention until they stop jumping. It'll teach them that jumping doesn't give them the reward that they wanted-- which was your attention.

[The Man And XX Master]

Unless you know how to train a dog, then it's best to go to training classes. I've helped train many dogs if only briefly but I'm by no means a professional. One thing that may be said in the classes is it's only 50% training the dog. Other 50% is training the owner because many are clueless. If it's your first time owning a dog, much of it is common sense.

First thing though is dogs have a pack-like mentality. You have to be "top dog", otherwise they're not going to listen to a lower dog and it just creates a mess. If you want the dog to do something, you can ask it and see if it does but as "top dog", you tell what to do, you don't ask. So you don't say "hunny, please come here for pappa", you say "_____ come!". Because you've got 2 dogs, make sure their names do not sound similar at all. You can tell the difference, the dogs will get confused. For example, my cousin owned one dog named "Gracy" then got another one named "Macy". If you tell either a command, both may respond, or the one you didn't intend may respond. Only solution is to rename one of the dogs or if you use clickers, use ones with clear distinguishable sounds (hard to do since all sound pretty much the same).

Likewise, when they whine because you've left the room, don't go back in because it teaches them you do what they want. You're better off getting them some toys so they can amuse themselves when you're gone and not destroy furniture.

Second, you own two dogs and owning 2 is in a way easier than owning one because one will be more dominant over the other yet still submissive to you.

One thing to not do is teach them to give you their paw. It's cute and all but the actions are similar to other ones and it's quite hard to untrain the dog. Many dog trainers also advise not to for this reason. If you are though, make sure it's a very different hand command and sound.

[Sin]

Thanks for all the advice guys really appreciate it I started the puppy training classes last week..they hate it!!! But to be fair they have got alot better. They still cry when im not with them but im learning to ignore it. lol. There now answereing to there names thank god and they have mastered 'sit' :O I think im getting better at this! Hopefully anyway coz i love them to bits!

Oh and there names are Lilo and Stitch...and the vet isnt really sure what breed they are. He thinks its a cross between a lab and a jack russell.

I wanted to attach a pic of them but i have no idea how to do that!