What age do you start 'training' pups?

kita · #1 25-10-2008, 05:39 PM

Just thought this might make an interesting topic.

I start from day one of bringing the pup home. Things like 'sit' etc.

These two video's on youtube make interesting viewing:

This is a 4 month old GSD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnfcYj9m7uA

This is a 10 week old lab:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJP9QCXhL1k

Impressive!! I don't think these dogs are being forced!

I think it should be remembered though that all dogs (and all owners) are different and can achieve different standards at different ages.

I know the breeder of my present dog (not a GSD) does not bother with the dogs until they are six months old as she says before that she does not have the patience! I think that is a little late - but then if it suits her I would not slag her off for it. She is the one living with the dogs.

What are other people's opinions?

Sue

wildmoor · #2 25-10-2008, 05:51 PM

Hi Sue,
Like you I start when I get them at 8wks, they also attend the dog club from 11wks.
Pam

GSDOWNER · #3 25-10-2008, 09:34 PM

Thanks Kita for posting this, I felt guilty after being accused of force training my dog at an early age, George went every ware with me from eight weeks old, lol I had a bag for him

He started training at 11 or 12 weeks until I retired him last year, however I still train him every day, voice and hand signals, still ring the bell at meal times *he associates the bell with food, and always comes to the sound of the bell,*

Wooferhound · #4 31-10-2008, 12:32 PM

I train my own from day one (8 weeks) and take into class from full vaccinations onwards (usually 12 weeks).

I whistle train mine for recall only.

Mine are trained daily, sometimes just a little, sometimes alot, but every little helps!! I use hand signals aswell as vocal commands.

Jo
x

jakesmummy · #5 01-11-2008, 10:26 AM

i took Jake dog training when he was younger how embarrasing was that lol the lady that trained them said she had never failed to train a dog but she couldn't do anything with Jake , me and jakey kept persevering going every week but in the end i just gave up as jake is a good boy for me even though he wouldn;t do anything at dog training
when we went in he used to hide under the table until we started training he was ok while he was walking with me but whenever he had to be away from me he wouldn't sit and stay .
there was one time the dogs sat at one end of the room the owners stood at the other and when the owners called their dog the dog went to them and sat down Jake had to be held on his lead and when it was my time to call him he flew across the room to me and nearly knocked me over , another time we was doing a charity event and the dogs had to lay down 3 foot away from the owner and stay for as long as they were told , i got jake into position told him to stay and when i moved back jake kept slyfully shuffling towards me hehe bless him i just gave up and ever since jake loves to be by my side even walking he nearly trips me up as he has to be so close , but he is my beautiful jake and i wouldnt swap him for the world

Ria & Hannah · #6 01-11-2008, 11:04 AM

My Hannah is only starting proper training at 8 months old! I've only had her since month 7. My mum had her before with her sister from the same litter. My mum intended to take them to training classes but never did due to financing. She attempted her own training but couldn't control the both of them. Hence why I now have Hannah. So I know I've got my work cut out for me. I've only taken her to 1 class and she was SO disruptive, she just kept trying to get to the other people and their dogs. But whenever we went near them she got to boyystrous and would start growling. So I ended up having to be the outcast and stayed at the edge of the group. The training lady noticed and has asked me and one other owner to bring our dogs half an hour earlier for more 1-1 training. Which I hope helps, gotta take her today. I do feel if she'd had the training earlier she'd have been easier to teach.

AllyCat · #7 01-11-2008, 02:43 PM

I started all the basic "house rules" training from the first day Tess came home at 8 weeks. By four months she could do all the basic stuff like sit, down etc. I know why your trainer friend doesnt touch dogs till six months is because that is the perfect age for getting in the more complex training but basic stuff should start from day one in my opinion.

If training is simple and fun the pup just thinks its a game and is eager to join in so you are not forcing it!!

Poly · #8 31-12-2008, 11:40 PM

day one for me...but only gentle training, and then after second injection they go to puppy training...followed by basic 8week course.
With apollo I only went to 4 of the 8 puppy classes...he just wasnt interested and too be honest wasnt a very good place. Luna's puppy class was fab and an on-going on so you could progress when you are ready. I then did alot of the training at home etc with apollo. He recently completed an 8week basic course, but I didnt find it very useful...Luna is just doing her 8week course and may go on from there...I find my own training methods are more successful...