I have had Molly for 4 days now, She is between 9 months to about 1.5 years old Where should I start as far as training, I have NEVER trained a dog before and am wondering what to do, and how to do it. So far I have just focused on going outside. We let her sleep in our room(my hubby and I ) and we take her out in the morning and at night, we also take her out periodically when we get home untill we go to bed. Sometimes she goes, sometimes she does not.  We praise her like crazy when she does and so far she has not pooed on the floor, she has peed once, as far as I know in out bathroom on the tile, we put a puppy pad in there and she used it. Is there something else I should be doing?

Second, my husband and I both work 35 hours a week, same shed(same place lol) when we are gone we place a baby gate in our entry way and let her have all the hallways with the doors shut. We put food/water down for her, a soft spot and blanket, and also a puppy pad which she uses, but the last 2 days  we have come home to discover that she has removed the baby gate, or hopped over it(i dont know how)  I dont want to put the gate up again because I fear she will hurt hurself, but I dont know if she will refrain from chewing on cords etc while were gone. I know dogs will become disructive if they get lonely, or bored, is there a better way to make sure she(and our house) is safe while were at work or school? Iwant to give her the most room I can.

:

SORRY IT POSTED TWICE

Thanks! I will review that thread, I have also found a lot of usefull info here, I am really glad I have not purchased a leash yet, because It seems a harness is better for them. Thanks again

Thanks for all the great info guys, I no longer feel lost and you all have made me feel so welcome. I will be crate training her and putting her on a feeding shedule once she gets that down I will worrie about sit and stay and such

I'm sitting here remembering a time when I went to this lady's house to help obedience train her dog.  The first question I always ask is (1)  What are your goals for your dog and (2)  Is your dog already trained to do anything, and if so... what?

After discussing her goals for her dog... with "Rover" sitting nicely beside her on his leash (this was a 2-month old... gorgeous... doberman)... she tells me that Rover already knows how to "sit".  I asked her to show me.  She commanded Rover to sit.. and he sat beautifully.  She was so proud of Rover... and I had to agree that Rover did indeed have a gorgeous "sit".

We were in a fenced in yard... almost an acre I would guess... so I asked her to take him off lead and tell him to sit.  She took him off lead and he started darting all over the yard... with her screaming his name over and over and over again... and with every call of his name Rover became that much more energized.   She had some treats in her hand, but they were commercial treats of some sort (don't remember what).   I asked her to quit calling him.. and we went into the house and left Rover in the yard. 

10 minutes later we went back out... she called Rover and he would come and get about 4 feet away from her and the minute she would stretch out her arm to grab him by the collar, he would dart off again, running all around the fence... he was obviously wanting her to chase him... and play his game. (This is what I fondly refer to as the "catch me if you can" game that dogs like to play).  So she starts yelling again .. over and over... for him to come. 

Now I ask you... was recall important in this scenario? 

I rest my case! 

I agree 100%.  I have NEVER trained using a harness.  I don't know of a single trainer who trains with a harness