 Raising
a Puppy
Puppies are seriously cute. Those endearing
scruffy little baby Griffy faces will have you wrapped
around their paws within two bats of those loooong eyelashes.
But, let those of us
who have gone before you offer two sage words of advice: TRAIN
EARLY. It is much easier to train an active 10
 pound
puppy who is quite tractable and has a mental sponge for learning new information (as long as you don't
ask them to concentrate for more than 12 consecutive nanoseconds), than it is to try
to mentally and physically wrestle with a smart 60 pound adolescent
Griffon whose hormones are running amok and who has streak of independence
blossoming. Trust us.
Just as with the topic of raising human children,
there are as many theories and  techniques as there are grandparents with
advice. There are many excellent
obedience
club classes, books,
DVD/Videos,
equipment,
software,
and websites
available for learning about puppy raising, housebreaking, obedience training, and
puppy care.
But one
of the best sources of information for YOUR dog will be the breeder from
whom you purchased your puppy. NO ONE knows your dog and its
inherent traits and learning styles better than your breeder.
S/he can offer advice and guide you to resources that can offer you the
most appropriate support and guidance. Your breeder will probably have sent
you home with a "New Puppy Packet" of information about vaccinations,
worming, crate training, spaying or neutering, feeding & watering
instructions, bathing, socializing, and basic training for your puppy.
But the bottom line remains the same.....YOUR
DOG'S BEHAVIOR IS - FOR THE MOST PART - UP TO YOU. If you and
every other member of the household use the same gentle but firm
reinforcement techniques with your dog in EVERY situation, your puppy
will become a well mannered, pleasant member of the family. If you
are inconsistent or wimpy in your "parenting," you will end up
with a spoiled brat that no one wants to be around.
If you put
your puppy in a situation that is inappropriate for his age and maturity
level to be expected to exercise good judgment, s/he will
naturally take advantage of the situation. The resulting behavior is not
the puppy's fault, its the owner's. Griffon puppies are
 very
curious, intelligent and hard working. Given an opportunity, they
readily volunteer for important jobs around the house, such as Landscape
Architect, Shoe Repair Specialist, Plastic Bottle and Tin Can Recycler,
and Laundry
Inspector :-). Please puppy-proof your house and pay
attention to the situations you put your puppy in. For your
puppy's and your sanity's sake.
The best part of
having a dog that you have trained, is that both you and
s/he will be
much happier. Clearly
communicated age-appropriate expectations for behavior, patient
repetition, and ample positive reinforcement, are all that your
dog needs to know in order to do what you expect of him.
Griffons work very hard to please their owners, and a dog that
understands what the rules are is a happier, more self confident dog who
is a pleasure to be around.
In addition to basic obedience training and
behavioral modification, it is important to encourage puppies to
explore and exercise their innate hunting instincts. This
 instinct
to hunt feather and fur are appropriately quite strong in Griffs, and
households with cats or other small furry or feathered creatures are
encouraged to be cautious and use good judgment when combining animals
of different species in a household. Griffons do, as a rule, get
along well with other dogs of all breeds. They are not known for
instigating a problem, but will stand their ground if challenged.
Careful and constructive exposure to water, birds, bumpers, fields with high
grass and varied terrain, new
places, whistles, guns, watching other dogs hunt, traveling in a crate,
etc., at an early age, contribute greatly  to the dogs success as a
steady, enthusiastic hunting partner. Even
at 5 weeks old, puppies can been seen locked hard on point when
baited with a wing attached to the end of a fishing pole, which has just
dropped into their field of vision/smell. Its THRILLING to watch.
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