Brodie shakes quite often

[Dan]

Just to let you no I'm being quite tough on Brodie but being loving and kind aswell if that makes sense she nows her name and when to go out side for the toilet already and also understands no! Which is good since I've only had her since last Wednesday te only problem is she shakes alot when I take her out in my coat or to the vets could this just be because it's new to her or maybe because I'm being quite tough on

[MaggieR]

I suspect its more because she's quite excited by all the new things... but have to say, personally I'd steer away from a "no" form of training cos as a pup there's a high chance that most things she does will result in a no which will soon lose its impact for her, and means nothing to her.  Rather than no, steer her to an alternative action and reward her for that. 

[jessandme]

I think she will be shaking either because she is excited or because she is afraid.  You'll be able to tell which it is, by her behaviour.  She is a very little baby, remember, and absolutely everything is new to her.   You don't need to 'be tough on her' - just consistent, and kind.

Be careful about saying no - it is a very general word, and we use it to mean a lot of things - no (don't chew my shoe), no (don't eat the grass), no (don't jump up), no (don't go in the cupboard).  And these multiple meanings can be a bit hard for a baby puppy to understand - basically although you say she understands 'no', she really won't have any idea what you are on about.   She will understand your disapproval from the tone of your voice, and know that you are not pleased with her.

I think you will find it much more effective to distract her when she is doing something you don't want her to do, and use positive reinforcement for desired behaviour instead.  Call her, praise her like mad when she comes to you, offer her a toy as an entertaining alternative. 

[KayJay]

Dogs really don't understand "no". They understand that you are cross or disapproving in some way, but not why. Continually using "no" leads to a dog that's afraid to offer any behaviour for fear of earning disapproval. Instead, try and teach what you would like the pup to do instead, and reward that! There is no need to be tough on a puppy, especially one so young. The saying is, reward the behaviours you like, ignore the ones you don't like, and distract from those you can't ignore.

The shaking may well be uncertainty or fear, the world is a big place to a small pup. Make sure she isn't overwhelmed by new experiences, don't force her into situations she's not sure about, and make sure you are a safe haven for her....that way her confidence will grow.

[KayJay]

I posted this  in another thread but it's very appropriate here....how to teach a positive interruptor rather than saying "no" all the time. Has the added bonus of teaching attention and the beginnings of a recall too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBvPaqMZyo8&feature=share

[dal55]

do remember she is only a baby and away from all her comfort zones. It is such early days yet and I agree with the other posts NO  means nothing and it is tone that is affective. I think you will find that most members are keen on positive reinforcement as opposed to any thing else.
Cassie has always shook / trembled (especially as a tiny pup) but she is a wuss and it is cold that causes it. In fact she has just had her summer haircut and not happy !!!!!
As I say remember she is only a baby  and although it is never too early to learn there is plenty of time .... enjoy her being a puppy ,like children they grow so fast

[Joules]

I think she will be shaking either because she is excited or because she is afraid.  You'll be able to tell which it is, by her behaviour.  She is a very little baby, remember, and absolutely everything is new to her.   You don't need to 'be tough on her' - just consistent, and kind.

Agree with this  - not sure what you mean by "being tough on her"

I also agree that saying "no" all the time becomes pointless as she will eventually just ignore it - better to try to distract her with something else that she is allowed to do - a toy or a game.  Best way is ignore bad behaviour and praise good behaviour like mad 

Remember she is a tiny baby - she has not even been with you (and away from her mum and siblings) for a week so everything is still new and strange 

[Jimyg]

No does not work for Hugo, it means nothing  i use a pointing finger and an sharp 'Oi' when hes done wrong, i read that dogs are more capable of understanding hand signals than words. With the 'Oi' i get an instant lie down and sad puppy eyes (unless in the garden) he is now 15 weeks and he is starting to know what right is as a sausage is always involved after 

[maddy74]

Hi Dan,

When Willow was small i used to say "aaa aaa" to her in a sharp/distraction kind of way but not to frighten her. I would then distract her with something she could have. She learned this quickly. Even now when i say it now she knows. Not that I often have to use it, just when we are over the field and she heads for the dirty brook   We also had a house line and if for example she kept jumping up as a small pup I would lead her with the line into the hallway for a minute, if when she came in she did it again, out she would go, she soon knew what was acceptable. this might not work for everyone but it worked for Willow. We always gave praise verbally and with fuss or and treats for all the desired behaviours.

Willow used to shake when we first had her, she did this when we took her out and as she was going to sleep, she was cold. When we went camping last summer at 7 months even in the warm summer evening she would do the same. When we used to walk with her in the street before her jabs we wrapped her in a blanket. She also shook near noises she did not know too as they were new to her, dustbin lorries, road noise, schools etc.
I held her telling her she was a good girl and often treating her so she associated good things happening to her near the noises. She was soon fine with the noises. I found that by the time came for her to be on the ground she was fine, I think it was a combination of her being used to the noises and with all the smells on the ground she was pro occupied with those  

As others have said she is still a baby and not even a week ago she was with her mummy and litter mates, its a huge change for her. It will come with time. I expected miracles overnight and they did not happen. i had to keep telling myself that 'you get out what you put in' patience being a must and on many days when i was tired I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep smiling  

[Dan]

I new people would ale the word tough the wrong way I don't mean as in hit her shout all the time tough I mean when she does something wrong I will tell her!

I will also change no to something different I appreciate the comments and respect what people are trying to say! But she is not shaking because she is scared because info nothing to scare her she a good pup and I'm proud to be her owner! But thanks for your input

[maddy74]

Hows Brodie getting on?

[Dan]

Hi maddy Brodie getting on great I've stopped saying no now and sayin aaaa! It seems to work alot better I only have to tell her once! The shaking has stopped I took her to my mams last night as we were going for tea and she loved it was shy to start with then starting playing etc she truly is a great pup she getting on really well in her first week and slept right through till 6 this morning and did her business out side! I'm so happy and proud of her!

Thanks for your info and advice maddy and also your concern much appreciated

[maddy74]

No probs, glad she is getting on well. I will be honest with you no matter how much research I did or could of done and being around other folks dogs and pups, nothing could have prepared me for the 'whirlwind' that was our lovely Willow. At 16 months she is a much calmer doggy. imho the puppy stage was stressful 

[Dan]

Ye I agree with you especially when you have a 2.5 year old son aswell but it is well worth it I'm happy to put in the hours etc make the most of it she such a lovely pup! I'm trying loads of techniques and they are working so far thanks to this forum!

Thanks again maddy

[maddy74]

We dont have children but Willow was still hard work.  Have you dont any clicker training with her,worth a go. Willow learned so much in those first few weeks.