training age?

[josef]

my question is... what age should i start training my puppy in basic obedience? i have heard that its best to wait til he is 4 to 6 months of age because he needs to mature a little bit. can anyone offer any insight. it would greatly be appreiciated. thanks

[Dobs4ever]

I strongly recommend starting immediatley with training at home. I focus on down, sit, stand and stay from 8 to 12 weeks. Then add heeling at 10 weeks. If you are speaking about classes at a training center then 16 weeks after all the shots is good. I don't think waiting to start is productive because whether you are training or not the puppy is learning - either good or not so good. I prefer to make sure it is all good.

[RKCM]

I understand training is good to start early but make it fun and not harsh corrections or any of that. They want to please you but demanding too much too soon can be not so good. Most of our training at 8 weeks would be housetraining, coming when called, not licking or biting on us, learning to sit quietly for petting and crate training. Anything else is a bonus and has to be fun. Need lots of encouragement and love.

I have found if the puppy likes to follow you and associates you with fun, the lead training is easy. Learning to sit takes days. So to me, there is no rush. Have fun with the puppy and teach it to live with you and learn your routines. And Have FUN and don't rush it. Early is good. Too demanding isn't so good, in my opinion.

Dobes4Ever has more experience obedience etc. than me but I think she will agree with this.

[Sue J]

Josef: I'm sure not as experienced as dobes4ever, RCKM, Big Dogs and many many others on this site, but I will say that with our girl she started sit, wait, down, leash walking, off and a few others in house early. The "formal" structured outside and private trainer instruction started at 5 months. What seemed fine in the house didn't always hold up outside, like pulling like a blasted mule on the leash. Holding back a 50# crazy pup isn't fun!! Wish I had started "formal" earlier! Good luck with yours and keep us posted.

[Dobs4ever]

RKCM you are soooooooooo correct - Never any corrections. It has to be fun fun fun and they usually have sit in two days without touching the puppy at al, sometimes down takes three or four sessions. They are very very smart. A dog regardless of the age should never have a correction unless they absolutely know the command and just don't do it. I don't even start corrections til a year old and then only lightly to keep the drives and enthusiasm up up up. Every session begins with play, break and play, end with play. My puppies love it and it is set for life with them because they learned it so young.

[Dravens]

Your pup is always learning whether it be what you want them to learn or incidental learning based on what you allow. Not allowing bad habits to form is the easiest way to avoid them. Remember that what ever you allow a pup to do or 'get by with' sets him up to repeat the behavior. Redirect bad behavior into a good one (nipping at hands replaced by giving them the correct toy to nip at etc.) What may be cute with a small puppy seldom remains cute with older larger pup or a grown dog.

When young, learning should be done in small lessons throughout the entire day. There are hundreds of opportunities through out your normal interaction if you just see them as such. Sitting before petting, allowing you to go through doors first, not jumping up on you etc. These are all micro lessons that are repeated numerous times a day. There is no pressure during these little lessons, no harsh corrections (replacing a bad with a good as in nipping or chewing on the wrong thing, baiting/luring or gentle physical manipulation into a sit etc.) and all can be fun for both you and the dog.

[Dobs4ever]

Hey Dravens - welcome to the Hub and very good solid advice!! Glad to have you with us. If you get a chance please tell us a little about yourself so we can all get to know you better.

[RKCM]

Dravens has a good point. Glad to have a new member on DH, we all are glad you have joined. Good points!

Puppies have to learn and since we are part of their world, we have a great responsibility to teach them to live amoung us. Harsh corrections too early is one of the worse things you can do to a puppy. While you don't want them wild or biting, we have a great breed that is more than willing to please. Many times that playful spirt is to get your attention. In the long run, teaching them to be calm and gentle will be appreciated and you'll enjoy your dog a lot more. Fun and consistancy has been the key for us.

[magtie]

if you make it fun enough, your pup will love training from a young age

[Rhiannon]

Good points Dravens and welcome to the hub......