Best age to begin training
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| Hi! Your girl is 16 weeks old, yes? I think your best bet is to find a well run puppy class because you can start that now, which it sounds like she needs (surmising from another post you wrote). One that focuses more on teaching basic manners than playing with the other puppies. One more excellent way to work on socializing her. Unless you intend to do agility with her, and you can certainly make that decision later, there's really no reason to do a puppy agility class (puppies are very limited in what they can or should physically do at this age.) Agility does help build confidence, which it sounds like your girl needs to work on. But then so does any positive exposure and any positive training. Do you know if you have training schools/clubs near you? Kristine |
| Actually you can start obedience training while they are puppies. Good for learning to work in a room with other dogs. If you can find an "Attention" class to start out that is the best. Teaches the young dog to pay attention to you, it's handler, under all kinds of circumstances. A real confidence builder too. I consider it the ground work for obedience. I would say anytime after they have all their shots is OK. Depends on the dog too. One thing to remember tho' is if they want you to do any jumping with your dog, please only do very low jumps if at all. Best to wait until the dog is at least 12 months & maybe even 18 months or older before you start jumping heights closer to regulation. Best for the growth plates & joints. And always on padded or cushioned surfaces. Also, when we practice at home we don't jumpt to height most of the time. Just occasionally, so the dog knows they have to judge the jump & jump accordiningly. Praise & reward method of training. You want your dog to love & want to work with you. If you both can't enjoy it, why do it? |
My dogs start classes the same week we get them  SOmetimes I have had to start with private lessons - but going new places with new smells and new people are important. When I get my next puppy we will start right away again and work woith a trainer who does obedience and focus exercises. And my herding instrutor insists the puppy will go in with the sheep before they start serious obedience  |
| For the little ones, if you have a puppy class available, that is a great way to start. They usually touch on lots of different topics and give a real nice start to obedience as well. Also you want to take your pup and have them be exposed to new things, in a positive way. Broadening their horizons as a pup makes for a much more confident and adaptable dog for the rest of their life. Different buildings, sounds, textures and surfaces all help them in the long run. In nice weather, running errands, going to kids games, camping, walking places with unique sounds, noises and smells all are good. Most consider basic obedience a stepping stone for other activities. Look for a class that works with you and your dog, and emphasizes working as a team. Focus, attention, all that good stuff. Most agility classes require a foundation of obedience and a good working relationship between you and your dog. |
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