How early is too early to begin training?

[scsrot1219]

We got our new puppy Nala this past Saturday. The breeder said that she was 6.5 wks, so today she would be 7 wks old (however she still has puppy breath and is a little furry bear so I suspect she's a little younger then that... )

She weighs approx 5 lbs right now. How early it too early to try and begin training her for housebreaking, sit, come, etc.

For housebreaking, we have been taking her out constantly, praising her when she goes, etc.. but I know at this point her bladder must be the size of a pea so she can't hold it for long even if she understood what we wanted her to do.

To get her to come, we get down and call her name in a high pitched voice and clap our hands, she comes running... but will also run after a leaf if it catches her attention.

I guess I'm just seeking advice as to what age she'll begin to understand the lessons that we're trying to instill.

[Patty1231]

You'll probably find a lot of information in the Puppy Development Forum. Have you reviewed that information yet?

And welcome to the forum!

[scsrot1219]

Thank you! Yes I have been reading through the forum, but haven't quite found answers to these questions yet... but all the reading is at least giving me hope that at some point she'll stop thinking my toes are chew toys!

[scooterjohansen]

Maybe wear some shoes in the meantime it will reduce the stress on the pup..

[RottiMomCT]

Offer a suitable item for chewing when she goes for the toes or other inappropriate chew items. Praise her when her teeth are on that item.

Patience, consistency and patience will help her learn what you want her to do. Make sure everyone in the household uses the same commands.

[Canadianrotti]

DO your self a HUGE favour and get the book Culture Clash. It will help explain a lot about puppy development, and answer a lot of your questions.

Right now all you need to worry about is puppy manners, things like playing with out biting, don't eat the cat, things like that. There will be plent of time to work on recall and formal training.

ANy plans for puppy class?? I highly recomend that you find a good training facility that has a puppy class.

BTW, are you sure about the 5#?? That seems to be awfully small for a 7 week old pup.

[scsrot1219]

"BTW, are you sure about the 5#?? That seems to be awfully small for a 7 week old pup"

Yes that's how big she is. I just posted a pic of her in the gallery section (Nala). Her sister was around the same size (just a bigger head). We got her saturday and took her straight to our vet for a checkup and she weighed in at a little over 4 1/2 lbs.. I'm guessing she's around 5lbs now because she looks a little bigger.... but this and the puppy breath are what make me suspect that she's younger then we were told. I need to check the AKC registration paperwork again to see when they said her birthdate was.

As soon as her shot are done, I'm planning on puppy obediance and socialization classes... just want to make sure I'm not expecting to much from her now... we're doing the motions and corrections for the behavior we want, just dont' know if she's so young it's just all going over her little head.

[scooterjohansen]

Originally Posted by scsrot1219

"As soon as her shot are done, I'm planning on puppy obediance and socialization classes... just want to make sure I'm not expecting to much from her now... we're doing the motions and corrections for the behavior we want, just dont' know if she's so young it's just all going over her little head.

Nope your not expecting too much from her. Your being hard on yourself. Enjoy the cute puppy while it is fluffy. Puppy's are so much fun.

[jazzie23]

You might want to read this forum:
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45994
and this forum:
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=44486

I got my puppy at 5.5 weeks and she was 5.3lbs. As far as obedience and training I agree with scooterjohansen

Nope your not expecting too much from her. Your being hard on yourself. Enjoy the cute puppy while it is fluffy. Puppy's are so much fun.

.

Me and my puppy have been seeing a trainer since she was 6.5 weeks and now at 14 weeks she housebroken, sits, downs and we're working on other stuff. My trainer told me it's never too early for obedience training, you just have to be patient and understand she's only a puppy. Don't expect too much, it'll take time and consistency - that's the key.

As far as bitting, look at this forum:
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=49863

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW PUPPY!
WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

[spidey]

we're doing the motions and corrections for the behavior we want, just dont' know if she's so young it's just all going over her little head.

Corrections have no place in puppy training. Redirection is what to do when she does something you don't like (she bites your toes, you distract her with an appropriate toy, praise her when she takes it, that sort of thing). Puppies have puppy breath and puppy fuzz for quite a while, they don't disappear when they're a few weeks old and are not reliable indicators of age. Good luck with her, please take socializing her VERY seriously, especially if she's as young as you say, she is missing out on some very important things by not being with her mother and siblings during this time.

[scsrot1219]

By corrections, what we're doing is saying "No" or "Leave it" firmly and giving her one of her toys to chew on instead.

We do take socialization seriously. We have let her meet all the human neighbors and one of the dogs (who we know is up to date on shots). She also interacts with our 7 yr old shepherd mix (who acts like an annoyed uncle with her)...

Personality wise, she seems like a happy, playful puppy who isn't bothered by much. She's been for car rides, to our parents house, to the vet, didn't even flinch when I started the lawn mower... she is just happily exploring the world. I want to expose her to as much as I can (safely of course ie. shots). As soon as she's older we plan on taking her to the pet stores, the home depot, parks, etc.. so she can encounter sites, sounds, smells and be comfortable in any sitation.

I have a 4yr old and 8 m/o daughter.. she's met both, but only has interaction with our 4 yr old when monitored.. the two play very well together.

[pazzo]

In addition to the book that was already recommended (which I also read) I read "The art of raising a puppy" from the monk's of new skeete, I reeaaallllllyyyy enjoyed that book, and after I read it, I re-read it, and then again!! good luck, enjoy your puppy and keep reading, it is very important, it really is a shame she was taken so young from her mom. But she found you and you sound like you are on the right track, and in love, enjoy your puppy, it goes by sooo quickly!

[damp]

Originally Posted by scsrot1219

Yes that's how big she is. I just posted a pic of her in the gallery section (Nala). Her sister was around the same size (just a bigger head). We got her saturday and took her straight to our vet for a checkup and she weighed in at a little over 4 1/2 lbs.. I'm guessing she's around 5lbs now because she looks a little bigger.... but this and the puppy breath are what make me suspect that she's younger then we were told. I need to check the AKC registration paperwork again to see when they said her birthdate was.

The breeder SHOULD know how old the pup is!!!

Seeing the picture of your pup, my guess is, it’s only about 5 weeks old! (and a decent vet, should have told you that, or at least 5 pounds is not suitable for a healthy 7 weeks old Rottweiler pup!

You better read all the threads here, how to handle and raise pups, who the breeder threw out of the door way to early.

Good luck... and be prepared for lot of work!

[RottiMomCT]

Originally Posted by damp

The breeder SHOULD know how old the pup is!!!

The breeder LIED.........

[rottcrazed]

That is a pretty tiny puppy for 7 weeks old. Even for a small Rottweiler, that seems excessively small to me.

I think you are best not expecting too much too fast. A puppy's adult brain doesn't kick in really until they are 49 days old, which is also the optimum time to do temperament assessments on a litter (which is about 7 weeks, which is another reason why pups need to stay with their breeders until then ). SO, my best guess is she is a little younger, than that, and I wouldn't really expect she is going to be able to absorb too much more than housebreaking and learning her name, for about a week or so.

Basic stuff, like her name, sit, maybe shake a paw, simple stuff but things to make her start to use her brain, would be all I would be doing with her. But in a few weeks you should feel comfortable to ask a little more from her, teach her what you want from her and watch her learn!

Kristi