Training and socialization for 14-week-old Labrador puppy
Here are the things we worked on this week while training of Bubba.
As Bubba matures, we need to work on more control. Bubba must learn to control herself in different situations. We started working on this when we added SIT before feeding and SIT before getting a lead on to go outside. We continue to work on these control situations, but we are now adding more opportunities to exhibit control. When we release Bubba from her crate, we open the door and command KENNEL to keep her inside the crate until we say OKAY to release her. This is challenging for a puppy her age, she wants to bolt out of the crate, but she must exhibit control and wait for the release command.
We continue to work on obedience training using a chain collar and heeling stick. Bubba is learning to walk at our side, but it is far from perfect. She is also sitting on command, with occasional reminders from the heeling stick.
I continue to work on strengthening her SIT. I can currently walk away from Bubba 2-3 steps, and she will remain seated, but she makes lots of mistakes. I move my body while I stand a couple feet from her, and command SIT at the same time. It is very hard for puppies to understand that they must remain seated and still when someone else is moving. But it will all come. It just takes a lot of repetition and enforcement. I will slowly extend the distance between Bubba and myself.
A stronger SIT will also take some maturity. As Bubba gets older the obedience will get easier for her to understand and to complete the necessary commands. But I will also make the training more difficult by adding distractions.
How often should I play with my puppy?
Keep to a regular routine of taking your puppy outside at least every two-to-four hours and after every change of activity. This is especially important during house training and will keep accidents to a minimum. Several short play sessions during the day are better for a puppy than one long one.
Can you walk a puppy at 14 weeks?
From 1 week after the first C5 vaccination (at 12-14 weeks old) – puppies can start going for walks on sealed surfaces but should not go onto public grassed areas especially dog parks. They may also start socialising with adult dogs that are fully vaccinated (and up to date).