When should you start?

[meandmypants]

my pup is 6 weeks almost 7 weeks. When should i start training her to come...sit....stay....etc? :confused:

[MrsRottie]

Immediately! This is the best time for them to learn. Get yourself a good book on training puppies and get on with it. In the house you can teach her all the basic commands, then when she is immunised move outdoors and learn them there too.
You need to make sure her level of socialisation is good too - until she has been immunised carry her everywhere with you, into allsorts of situations, cars, lorries, motorbikes etc etc. When she turns 14 weeks old, the 'curtains come down' (so to speak) for her to accept new things. So if she hasn't met a pink inflatable 10metre high palm tree then after 14 weeks is unlikely to accept such a thing without a lot of hard work
Just like to say that was an example, and sadly I have never come across a 10m pink inflatable palm tree. Subsitute aeroplane in and it's the same.
Good Luck!!

[nancy]

Start training right away it is so much easier at that age for they just want to be with you all the time.make play a big part of her training and she will soon pick up what to do. Same with house training every time she wakes up just take her right outside to do the loo and make a big fuss when she does usually takes me about a week even when she is on your knee and wants down take her out for a wee before you let her loose on the floor.

[Taeric]

I agree with the others. We started our Ellie at around 9 weeks, and she did well right from the start. You just need to be sure to make allowance for the fact that they're very young pups and aren't going to behave like little angels all of the time. Start off with lots of treats and then gradually transition to praise and affection.

[chase_pike]

start with obediance training at an early age when they pick up yes and no create rules such as get down or stop when theyre listining and have got the hang on obediance training and youve made rules definate go up to more complicated training but make sure its clear.if you plan to treat them it works just avoid making it look like "hey! when i move i get rewarded!" of course this works most of the time but if you dont plan to let it do every command anywhere or treat them to every little thing avoid this and stick with making it a little more definate what youre telling them goes and the treats are just rewads not a seprate command,like do it and enjoy.

[meandmypants]

Thanx guys great feedbak really helpfull i was really clueless as to when to start....I got some tips on how to train commands etc....so hopefully i will start this weekend on the training.!. If you have any other suggestions love to hear em:)

[dlambertz]

i see you have received lots of great replies. i have not read thru them all (i am suppose to be finishing my packing, the movers will be here in 4 hours!) but remember to keep your sessions short as your puppy will lose interest rather quickly. positive reinforcement is the key :)
good luck ...

[MaryGrace]

Yeah, start training right away and your pup will have a head start. Alot of people think starting training at 6 months is good, but it's way better to start right away! Good luck! :)

[nancy]

Just wondered how the training is comming on? Let us know also if there is anything else we can help with.

[meandmypants]

I decided to wait a lil bit before starting i really didnt think she was ready straight away but i have started shes picked it up really quickly i dont know whats normal but i started with "sit" and i did the 1 session at 10 mins and she picked it up straight away...i only had to show her a couple of times i was really impressed i dont know if thats what normal dogs do....but yer shes smarter then i thought hehe! :D shes really adjusted to her new home...still having sum issues with toilet training:( thats frustrating me the most out of anything but thanx for the interest appreceated :cool:

[Cheetah]

The first thing I usually teach (besides potty training) is a recall, so they will come to you. It's very easy... I usually start by getting down on their level and calling their name very high-pitched and excited-like. If they come running, I always have a pocket of training treats or kibble handy, and the pup gets one. I try to alternate between treats and praise so that the pup comes either way.

For toilet training, I'd suggest a crate. Those things are lifesavers.

[meandmypants]

yer good idea i need to train her to come cos most times she thinks its fun to run away...cos she thinks im playing...what do u mean crateing in regards to toilet training?

[Cheetah]

Well, when the dog is not being closely supervised by you, you would keep it in a crate. The dog will be taught that this crate is its den, and since dogs are naturally denning animals, it works pretty well. A dog won't soil in its den, if it can help it. A puppy the age of yours could probably only be kept crated for about 2 hours at a time right now.

Here, let me see if I can find the crate training thing I wrote in my notes someplace:

Here it is!
Crate Training
There are several suggested methods of potty training, but I find that the most effective is crate training. Crate training is a method where you confine the dog to a crate/kennel when it's not being supervised so that it does not have a chance to have an accident on the floor. Using this method, the dog will quickly learn that outside is the place to go.

First off, you will need a crate for the dog.

An example of a good crate:
http://petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=3553&PC=productlist&Nav=180&N=22%2097&sku=21849&familyID=6227&

It's easiest to get the dog used to the crate before confining it. Put treats or toys in the crate and encourage the dog to go into it without closing the door. Show your dog that the crate is a good place to be. While you're introducing the crate, you will want to supervise the dog a lot since it's not actually being confined.

When you finally close the door, put in a toy like a Kong or favorite chew toy to keep the dog busy. Only keep the door closed for 5-10 minutes and praise profusely while the dog is in the crate. Repeat this many times, and gradually leave the door closed for longer periods of time. Introducing the crate shouldn't take more than a day or so. Remember to put distractions in the crate! It makes it easier.

Once the dog is used to being confined, the real training starts. Any time the dog is not being closely supervised, it should be crated. As soon as it's let out of the crate, it should be taken straight outside to potty. No eating, drinking, or playing till the dog goes potty! When the dog does its business outside, praise profusely. Then it is okay to play inside or out and eat/drink for the next half hour or so. Once play is done, crate the dog again. If the dog ate or drank while it was out, maybe take it outside to potty once more before it's crated.

A dog will learn very quickly that it does not want to soil where it sleeps/lies. Once you are sure that there won't be any accidents in the crate, you can put some soft bedding down like a blanket or crate mat. Dogs are actually very clean creatures. Always crate the dog when you are not home, but remember not to leave it crated for more than a few hours (puppies for even less). You might want to give a friend or family member a spare house key so that if you are gone for too long, they can let the dog out to potty while you are away.

In several weeks to a few months (depending on the dog), times between crating the dog should increase until you really shouldn't have to crate them at all unless you leave the house. After the dog is fully potty trained using this method, it's up to you whether or not you continue to crate them when you leave the house. Some people continue to do it just for the dog's safety.

And, for your viewing pleasure:

Do's and Don'ts of Potty Training
-NEVER crate a dog as punishment for ANYTHING, including potty accidents.
-ALWAYS give loads of praise when the dog goes outside.
-NEVER harshly punish a dog for accidents.
-ALWAYS watch the dog closely if it's not confined.
-NEVER put puppy pads in a crate.
-ALWAYS let a dog out of a crate every few hours for attention.

I hope this helps. >^_^<

[meandmypants]

yer definately that helps heaps.:D