Q&A: When is it okay to start training a puppy?
Qυеѕtіοn bу Savannah: Whеn іѕ іt okay tο ѕtаrt training a puppy?
i hаνе two 7 οr 8 week οƖԁ puppies..i want tο ѕtаrt training thеm, bυt idk whеn tο ѕtаrt…іѕ іt okay іf i ѕtаrt now?
Best аnѕwеr:
Anѕwеr bу Rainbow Child
ѕtаrt toilet training now.
Training аƖѕο ..teach thеm tο know thеіr names.
Please remember thеу аrе babies аnԁ ѕο саnnοt concentrate fοr more thаn аbουt 2 minutes.
Add уουr οwn аnѕwеr іn thе comments!
Start now! It’s better to train your puppies when they are really young.
You can start whenever, the younger the puppy is when you start, the better really, but make sure you only do a little each day to start with, because it could tire your puppy or your puppy may get restless, although, some mental and physical stimulation is good for your puppy!
START NOW!! The faster the better! 8 weeks is the perfect time to start. When my puppy was about 8 1/2 weeks i started to train him and he knew “sit” by his 10th week
i would start NOW if i were you.
Like what Rainbow child said.. You should toilet train the puppies now and if you know what you want to call them then you should get them to get to know their names now…
I’m getting a puppy in july who will be 8 weeks when i get her and the breeder said that she is going to toilet train her before I take her home..
You should probably start training your puppy from when you first get it in simple ways like getting it used to humans and “leave it” so it doesn’t chew things up and really start training it around 10-12 weeks.
We did leave it with a strong snap of the fingers and it deterred the puppy very well. The “snap” scared the pup off the item and it coupled it with “leave it” soon the “leave it” or just the “snap” either one was enough and still is 2 1/2 years later. Be consistent and after the pup leaves it offer a treat and tons of love and praise for being a good pup. Also an alternative to chew on like an old shoe from a garage sale or good will or a chewy toy. (we did an old shoe) Soon just the praise can replace the treat praise combo. The key is doing this every time so the pup learns!
Start training it with simple commands like like sit and stay because they are easy and can be taught from early on.
Also you should house break them the first chance you get. Notice things like when they are near the door, circling, sniffing their bottoms, or coming to you and nudging your hands etc. (these are all typical bathroom behaviors and you have to figure out what is specific to your dogs), and take the opportunity to take them out frequently. Do this all the time and they will pick up on the concept that out side means potty time really quickly. Makes sure when you take them out you give them enough time to actually go to the bathroom and that you use the same word to mean go to the bathroom each time. Say out, potty, pee etc but choose one word and stick with it so you don’t confuse them. Then praise praise praise them.
Do not yell at them for having accidents they don’t understand and it makes them afraid of you. Give them positive feedback like treats at first with lots of praise when they do something good rather than yelling and screaming when they do something bad. Then later you can take the treats away and just the good girl/boy and petting will work.
When they do something bad you can put them in their kennel but only for a minute and then let them out immediately don’t leave them in there for extended periods and don’t hit or scream. Instead make it quick and use the positive attention for good things instead. It really works best. The kennel should be a safe place for relaxing and just used to calm your dog down if it is anxious etc.
Use the same positive to start with sit and work from there once they have mastered this command. Add the hand command which is a closed fist raised in front of the dog. Once they can sit then add shake, then lay down with the hand command as well which is an open palm brought down to the floor horizontally. Then stay which is an open palm faced at the dog vertically while you walk away. They will catch on and you will too. It is fun to train. Start with basic sit though and work to the harder commands.
When using your verbal commands speak in a firm authoritative voice but do not yell. Make eye contact so that you establish yourself as the leader of the pack. Let the dog break contact first. Have your spouse and children if you have any do this as well so you establish the pecking order in your home. Use plenty of praise so the dogs know they are members of the family.
When your dog licks you it is returning affection and showing obedience to you so let it do this. It is a natural way of doing things and it would do it to the pack leader.
Another thing to keep in mind is to work with their paws from a young age and their teeth so they will be comfortable with you grooming them touch and massage them often when they are puppies as well as brushing so you won’t have problems as adults.
Other important things to do are make sure they wear a harness or collar, get them used to walking on a leash and being handled. Have puppy play dates to make sure there isn’t any dog aggression. Feed them in a place that is near you so there isn’t any food aggression.
Add catch, fetch, and other commands as well as agility later after you have mastered the basics by using the same principles as above. Start with treats and praise, verbal commands and use what ever hand commands you would like to signify the verbal commands of fetch and catch, weave, up, down, jump, though, etc.
You start training a puppy when you get it home. At this age they y curious to the world around them.
Right now they should be with their mother/and siblings learning some socialization. You continue that once you have it, expose it to all sorts of things until like 4 months, big loud sounds (give treats) make the experiences welcoming, so they won’t be scared of things. I made the mistake of making my poor dog scared of water when it was exposed to it when it was younger. Make things not to be feared!
Train it now if you know what you’re doing, if not try and go to a training class for pups.
They are still babies and if they are closer to 7 than 8 weeks should still be with mom. But you can start by just getting them used to being handled. Touch them everywhere toes, ears, tummy (they usually love tummy rubs) start with a soft cloth or soft soft brush and begin to groom them. You can try to do toenails but just use human nail scissors and gently take off a tiny sliver, just enough so the puppy gets used to having it done but by no means cut any further and only do this once a week to begin with. Put a collar on them while you are there to monitor them and get them used to having something around there necks but don’t leave them on when they are alone. If they don’t fuss at collar then put a leash on them don’t pull them around just let them walk around with leash dragging on ground so they get used to it. You can pick up leash and walk with them as long as you more or less ggo where they want to go. As they get used to collar and leash you can coax them to come with you and most puppies will just naturally follow you. Don’t expect too much at first – just get them used to you handling them, grooming them, and walking with them. Keep your ‘training sessions,’ short as they have a very very short attention span. As they become older try to work with one puppy at a time. If you are observant you can see when to start moving on to longer sessions and can start the sit command sometimes with treats you can get them to sit for a few seconds. Be prepared to go slowly and gently and always make it fun. After they have had all their shots and can go out with other dogs enroll them (take them out separately in puppy socialization classes).
Start now!!! Here’s some helpful links:
How to understand your pup from birth to 2 years old:
http://www.positively.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1981
Clicker training:
http://www.positively.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=513
Just in case of aggression:
http://www.positively.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=6111
Loose leash walking:
http://www.positively.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=858
Canine body language:
http://www.positively.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2959
Dog training books and classes…how to pick them:
http://www.positively.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=6484
Toilet training:
http://www.positively.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=6125
I suggest purchasing this book:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1401308554?tag=httpwwwvict0d-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1401308554&adid=0YVSE37F9WA8PAY6Z141&