[kanesdad]

I was wondering when is the best time to start training a pup?

Kane is 14 weeks old just now & I have 2 weeks off work when I was hoping to do some serious training (nothing severe really, just a little more than normal). Is there a time when they are too young?

He seems very quick on picking little things up (as long as there is a treat on offer!! 8O )

I am looking forward to some quality time with the wee man

 

[bradleysmum]

Hi Kanesdad,

I bet you're looking forward to having some time of work, and spending it with little Kane. I think it's fine to start training from about 12 weeks to be honest, this is when we started to do basic training with our puppy Bradley, who is now four & a half months old. We started of with the 'sit' and 'down' command, which he picked up really quickly, probably within 2 days or so. We are now training him the 'come', 'fetch' commands and lead training him also. Treats- yes, a very good idea - they definately do the job when it comes to training exercises. You could also try using a 'clicker' as they begin to realise when they have been good, and get used to the training exercises.

I'm sure Kane will love having his dad about for a whole 2 weeks, i hope you both have lots of fun. Have you got any specific training you would like to start him of with?

Let us know how the training goes.

Bye for now 8)

 

[kanesdad]

Hi Bradleysmum,

I am looking forward to a whole 2 weeks off. Have taken Kane for a little walk today which he really enjoyed & it seems to have knocked him out. Bliss!! :evil:

I am just hoping to get him trained on the lead. He already sits & gives a paw for a treat. Just going to sotry & install me discipline (as if!!)

I have seen the clicker on telly, may get one. Does it come with instructions? 8O

 

[bradleysmum]

I have seen the clicker on telly, may get one. Does it come with instructions?

It sure does Kanesdad,

We got ours from this website:

www.companyofanimals.co.uk

The website appears to be down at the moment though for some reason, it will probably be back online later. They also sell Kongs, haltis and other goodies, and quite good prices.

Hope you get what you need. :wink:

How did you get Kane to do the 'Shake A Paw' Command? We have been trying with Brad, holding his paw and saying shake a paw, or tapping his paw, with a treat in the other hand..but he doesn't understand. P.S it's really hard lead training, so be prepared... do you have a halti? We have a long lead and a halti, but so far we're doing better without the halti, and just using his flexi lead, but on quite a short lead.

Any pointers?

Cheers :lol:

 

[chocolabs]

The ideal age to socialise a pup is 6-12 weeks - training is best done continually - a rustle of a packet of treats works just as well as a clicker! It's just a case of the dog associating the sound with a treat.
It is a sucessful way to train provided you time it right.

 

[kanesdad]

Hi Bradleysmum,

How did you get Kane to do the 'Shake A Paw' Command?

It just happened really, was the same with Alfie. Once we got him to sit for a treat the next progression was to give a paw. Just by tapping it & actually picking it up & shaking it & giving him a treat. When he has been good now he gets all excited & waits for the treat to appear. He then sits & gives a paw...Most times

He gets confused when I show someone him doing it but haven't got any treats on me. Looks well put out. Bless him 8)

 

[Labman57]

One thing to remember is your pup has a very short attention span at this age. Only train for about 10 mins. or so. For the leash training, start with attaching a short lead to his collar & let him drag it around the house as he goes about his day. Only do this while you are directly supervising him. After a day or two start with a short walk holding the lead and build from there. If he is already used to a leash, then when you walk imagine a two foot area all around you. This is the area your pup should stay in while walking. If he goes further than the 2 ft. then a small correction with the leash & a "With me", By me", or "Back" command is in order. If you start teaching the recall,(Dog, Come) always make this exercise the happiest, best thing going. Calling your dog to you should always be a rewarding experience for the dog. In the beginning you should always have a treat ready for the dog when they come to you. If you have to correct/chastise your dog, always go to the dog, never call it to you. It won't take long for your dog to refuse to come if he thinks he is going to be corrected/chastised when he is called. And if you start to get a bit frustrated during the training it is time to stop. Nothing positive will be accomplished if you are "torqued" at you dog. :lol:

 

[bradleysmum]

He gets confused when I show someone him doing it but haven't got any treats on me. Looks well put out. Bless him

Argh....bless him...he sounds adorable Kanesdad!

Thanks for the tips...we're gonna keep working on the 'shake a paw' command..i'm sure he'll soon pick it up.

 

[bradleysmum]

It won't take long for your dog to refuse to come if he thinks he is going to be corrected/chastised when he is called. And if you start to get a bit frustrated during the training it is time to stop. Nothing positive will be accomplished if you are "torqued" at you dog

Hi Labman57,

Good advice - thank you. I'm definately finding 10 minutes or so at a time is enough time, our Bradley gets bored quickly, and after a while, gives in on the training session! lol. He's great for about 10 mins though, so i think this is the ideal training time.

 

[Stanley]

I trained my last lab to go with me virtually anywhere without her lead.

All started by taking her out in the country off the lead as a pup. She always came to us and didn't run off too far away.

In town, she was trained with a "Choke" Chain - as they were called back then - by the time she was 2.5 years she was pretty much off the lead in most everyday situations (I really only had to put it on her when in very busy areas and places where use of a lead was compulsory)

you obviously need to be very careful, but I think if the dog gets used to being off the lead in relatively safe environments (country, beach etc) from a young age, it is possible to carry that through to walking in built up areas once the dog is trained to consistently stop, lie down, come to you and stay.

I will be trying this method with my new lab puppy from next week (when she has had her jabs)

 

[Guest]

when to start training

Hi Kanesdad
The time to start training changes from dog to dog they are all individuals and all different.
The time to start is when you can get your pups attention, but what you must not forget, is that it is only a game and as such should be enjoyed by all, we all learn through play, and it should be rewarding. Before you lose your pups attention that is the time to stop, and only you can decide when this is but as a small puppy two to three minutes to start with, as I say this is only play training, when he or she is older three to four months only ten to fifteen minutes a day is plenty and then back to the kennel so that he has time to reflect .

 

[Stanley]

The traiinng course i am following recommends clickers and rewards with no hitting or use of chole chains etc.

Instead of the clicker it espouses using a "bridge" word spoken when you would click eg "good" and spoken at a fast pace and higher than normal pitch. Hand signals are used to accompany the click (or use of bridge word) and reward, and then specific commnds eg sit introduced once the dog is performing to the hand signal and click/reward.

This is working for poppy and as I really didn't fancy carrying a clicker about with me I am using the bridge word instead.

 

[kayc]

Basic training should start at 7 weeks,the best time for a puppy to take things on board. the periods between 8 and 12 weeks are crucial. By 12 weeks he should be sitting on command.
A recall is easy at this age because you are their safe haven. Take puppy into the garden and walk away from him, go down on hunkers as this bring you down to his level. Shout puppy's name and the word come, he will come running to you, give loads of praise and cuddles. Only shout once, if you keep calling he will know that he will be able to come back eventually. This is not a recall this is the puppy doing what he wants. Never scold him for not coming, he wont know why he is being scolded, just try again later, and when he gets it right, give loads of cuddles. When he does a recall, never put him on a lead immediately, he will associate coming to you with that. He will always come if he knows good things are going to happen, ie cuddles, treats or a favorite toy.
this goes for any command
My dogs are fully trained by the time they are 5 months, with 100% recall.
I also have a gundog that was ready for retrieving at 19 weeks, only he was too young to be allowed to trial.
It is easy to train young pups, it is very difficult to untrain an older pup.