When To Start Basic Training

[Kaos Central]

I have always started training my dogs from the day they come home, my current dogs are all rescues, but i was told today that i am too firm with my 13 week old jack russell. She has mastered stop, sit, drop and is pretty much house trained. However today at puppy pre-school i made her stop and sit while i opened the car and was told by the vet running it that i was too firm with such a small puppy. I have always thought that the basic's will save a puppys life and make the vets job a lot easier.

What do you think?

[BC]

Basic obedience is started here at 8 weeks, or when puppy comes home. Just basic and fun stuff though.

If your puppy is doing what its told without force from you, great

[Working_Setters]

it depends how you define "training". I use a lot of conditioning and positive training to shape the pups behaviour. The day will come that the dog will know what you want, but will decide not to obey and I will use a negative to convince the dog that obeying is the path to follow. But that's far down the track with mature dogs. Pups, keep it fun and take advantage of early conditioning opportunities. When you say " I made her stop and sit", if you are making/forcing a pup to sit/stay, then perhaps you are using too much force too early??

[Kaos Central]

I start with the basics, after pre school, all i did was ask the dog to sit and when she does reward her with a snack. i never growl at or punish even my adult dogs. i have the joy of being home with my dogs all day so we might train for a few minutes every hour, and by train i mean, i will ask the dogs to sit. when we go to the park, i will ask them to stop, on leashes, and reward compliance.

i dont physically force the dog to sit !

any one who has ever tried to train a jack russell knows that trying to force them to do anything is like moving a mountain.

Edited August 27, 2007 by pepsi bt

[The Spotted Devil]

In my limited puppy experience, I train from day 1 - all gentle, luring, positive reinforcement etc. Once Zig got the hang of 'sit' he had to do a sit/stay for a few seconds when I opened a door...his reward was being able to dash into the lounge room to say good morning to every living creature That quickly became too easy so we moved to drops and stands.....the tail never stopped waggging....nor has it since

[Kelpie-i]

I think what you're doing is wonderful. I wish more people were like you. You are teaching your dog manners from the get go which is a lot easier to do when they're still young as opposed to having to struggle later with a head strong teenager or adult dog.

All of my dogs were made to sit and wait before any entrances and exits as well as anything else they wanted from the moment they arrived home. I had no choice as with 4 dogs, I could not afford any barging or rude behaviour.

As long as the methods you use are not harsh, then keep going!!

[bridgie_cat]

haha - discount one vote from the 3mnth section! I meant ASAP and assumed youngest would be at the top (note to self: read ALL the answers! )

The basics should be started as soon as you get the puppy home! It is not about teaching it anything specific at this stage - but it is teaching it about listening to you & developing the correct mentality towards training - sorta like all that learning to learn poop they teach you at school - but you are teaching the puppy how to train - doesnt matter what it learns - just that it DOES learn something!

Bridget

[Over It]

We start training our puppies before they leave for their new homes... and any other pups that come to live with us - training starts from day one. Especially if you have a very confident, outgoing pup like our new BC who is trying to pull the ropes!

They're like little sponges - the more you can get in the better you will be in the long run (as long as you aren't expecting too much or flooding the poor little baby!)

We start out simple and once they start to get the hang of what is expected (the point when we begin to introduce a verbal command) we can start the learning phase of a new command. Then we can mix the commands up and really test the pup.

The key is to be patient and give plenty of praise - always end on a good note and reward every attempt that is closer to the final goal.

[jesomil]

As long as you are not putting too much pressure on your pup and you are keeping training fun and happy, its all good.

I train my pups from 8 weeks. I only do short sessions and use lots of treats. It is so much easier when they are young and innocent.

[leopuppy04]

basic training and play games started as soon as they are settled in their new home.

Nothing serious until they are ready and i'm ready

[Kaos Central]

Because we have 3 dogs all different ages, i had to enforce the rules with the older dogs to stop the younger one from getting hurt, especially at meal times and the younger dogs follow the example.

Our poodle cross is very well trained, i spent a lot of time with her when she was little and our younger dogs seem to follow her lead. i use a lot of games and treats and positive reinforcement, i dont punish any of my dogs when they do something bad becasue i dont think it works.....dogs are like small children you need love, patience and a sense of humor.

even our groomer says that our dogs are a joy to work with because they are well mannered around other dogs, understand stand and sit commands and freeze when you say stop! I know stop is not a common word to use but i didn't know a lot when i got my poodle cross and i used stop. now the other dogs have learned it. it is very handy at the park or beach if they are off the leash or if you are near a busy road and they are excited.

i love my dogs and i want to protect them!

Edited August 27, 2007 by pepsi bt