JordanReagan

First of all, thanks to everyone who posted in response to my first question about housetraining. There are more than a few very intelligent Doberman owners and I'm hoping to get a few more good responses for my next question.

Killian is not fully vaccinated yet. He had his second round of shots a week ago and won't have his third (and final) set for another two weeks. From what I've read from training books and around this very forum, after the third set of shots is really the first time Killian should be allowed outside of his immediate yard and into the surrounding areas.

My question (long story longer) is; are there any good games or activities (besides tug-o-war - Killian is already a very mouthy/nippy pup and I don't want to exacerbate that habit - or other general toy games) to help rid him of some of his excess puppy energy? I don't want to play chase through the house (for a few reasons - 1. Some of the floor is tile and very slick and dangerous for the pup to go flying into walls or furniture and 2. I don't want to develop a habit of Killian chasing anything that runs past him...especially animals and children).

We have a small (7'x20') back yard with grass that is fenced in but the weather in RI does not always allow us to enjoy the outdoors. We train Killian in basic puppy manners as much as his attention span will allow but his energy levels always seem insatiable and to finally get him to that "I need to go to bed now" level of exhaustion seems to take a lot longer and with a lot more play biting than needs to be involved.

Has anyone had any success with other, maybe even unorthodox, kinds of activites?

Thanks in advance to all the fellow Doberman lovers.

boomerjunier

When Spok came home he was close to 12 weeks so we were able to get him out a little more.. However, it was in the dead of winter at -20 weather so we did a lot of in house activities. To burn his energy I did mostly mental exercises with him. I tought him all kinds of tricks (targeting my hand with his nose, sit, down, stand, bow, say your prayers, heeling, pivoting on a book to teach rear-end awareness, leave-it, stay, finding a target etc). He learned very quickly so it was rewarding for the both of us and it really burnt that extra energy because he was using his brain.
Check the youtube channel "Kikopup". She has great exercises for attention, tricks, leave-it, all clicker based and using positive reinforcement. These can all be done with your pup!.

Take lots of pictures and have lots of fun!!!

Organdonor

1. Perhaps a smaller flirt stick would do the trick. Google it. Easily made, or bought.

2. Where in RI are you? My pup is coming home this weekend, and will have some restrictions, too. I'm in CT, right by the southern RI border. She'll be 8 weeks old.

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JordanReagan

My wife and I are in Middletown, right outside of Newport on Aquidneck Island. Killian is now 9 weeks and a day. I have a book with a lot of "tricks" to learn and I'll check out that YouTube video series. We'll just step up our training and see if that helps. It certainly couldn't hurt.

Jenn

Definitely flirt stick/pole.
I made Fin one a week ago and it's awesome!
It's only small and I only play for ten minutes but it definitely wears him out
The only thing I'd probably suggest which I have done wrong ..
Was I need to teach a good 'drop it' command as when he arches it he will not for the life of him let go and there's nothing really I can do to stop him so I've stopped the flirt till he will drop items at command!

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Matt Vandart

Playing tug is a great way to teach a dog bite inhibition.

He bites your hand, game stops, easy.