You have the IDEAL set up for training a new dog in a very short amount of time. I waited until i owned a house with a fenced backyard, where I could install a doggy door that led into a room that could be sealed and belong solely to the dog. This is very similar to your setup.
I would highly suggest getting a puppy, older than 8 weeks, but preferably younger than 3 months. AT this stage they are their most trainable. Since your dog will have the ability to move in and out on its own, there's no reason to crate the dog, or hire dog sitters, etc. Just plan on a week or so of cleaning up some messes in your "doggy room", and ensure the room is completly puppy proofed. >From there, training the dog is pretty easy actually. Just spend an hour or two of your free time with the dog and a bunch of doggie treats. Get it familiar right away with the doggy door so it can start going in and out while you are at work. One thing that is very important, and usually trips up a lot of people at this stage, is you HAVE to be firm with the animal. This can be so hard because they are so damn cute, and as a dog lover, it's hard to yell at em....but in the long run it is the best thing for the dog, and you. Don't beat the dog, but dont be afraid to "control" it physically. Rough play, forced restraint, even pinning the dog for a few seconds, all help to assert your dominance at an early age. It took only about a week of this for my little puppy to be house broken. Do it right in the beginning, and you'll find you almost never have to scold the dog again (i don't). Good luck and welcome to dog ownership....there's nuttin better! > Hey all, > <snip> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Purchase Contribute 3 from House of Fusion, a Macromedia Authorized Affiliate and support the CF community. http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=53 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:165285 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
