Posted by M.C. on March 27, 2002, 5:56 am I'd start right away with attention exercises. 7 weeks is a very human impressionable period. It depends on your pup's prey drive but most will follow the movement of your hand very well...for watch me, I widen my index and middle finger and bring the two to my pup's nose. Then I bring my fingers up to my eyes pointing (hope that makes sense...LOL!!!) When the pup meets my eyes I praise or you can give them a treat. Soon they learn that the forked to fingers mean to make eye contact. If you'd like to use ASL instead, deafdogs I'm pretty sure has more traditional signals. Or whatever you are comfortable using. Just find one you like and be very consistent with it. Also, it's a good time to start getting him used to the leash. Put it on when you can supervise and let him drag it around so he becomes very comfortable with it. If he tries to mouth it, take it out of his mouth or replace with a toy (distraction). You also might want to think of the signal you'll use for leave it. I use a shame on you signal (none of mine are traditional, I sorta make them up as I go along *grinning*)...but you can begin with the leave it here. He mouths something, you make the signal and take it. He goes for it again, you make the signal. If he drops it or leaves it alone, praise. Always remember to keep the line of sight. That's the only critical factor along with consistency with handsignals. You can also begin the sit command. But he's a baby, that's plenty for right now. No more than a few (maybe four) five minute workouts a day. His attention span isn't going to be strong...so be very patient. You'll also have house training. Karen has one of the best house training articles I've ever seen on her Westwind site (link above). All in the article will work great with your tugger with little to no modification. Those are all good seven week exercises. If he's had all his shots, get him out around people too. Dogs, a little later, but within the next three weeks. Then continue socializing. You sound like a wonderful Mom. We are very glad to have you here.
I have a new job and it cuts into my board time, I just saw this!!! 
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