When to actually train my pup?

[rsaarinen]

Alot of you know I will be picking up my puppy this Saturday! I've been trying to read up on training methods and just training in general. But one thing I haven't read is when to start. I imagine at 8 weeks I can't exspect muxh out of him, but I don't want any bad habits ethier!

When do you think I should start with the sit/stays. I have to wait untill he finishes off his shots before puppy class, but shouldn't I start before this? For example I don't want my pup on the couch of our bed. So should I not let him on these places as a puppy? Or is it ok for a bit sense he's so young?

All these questions I have. You guys are going to be busy over the next 6 months.

[rottielover2004]

if you do not want it done at 100lb , then start now not to allow it, so there is no confusion for the dog. Start training as soon as he gets home. Positive, love and most of all alot of patience

[spidey]

You can start with fun, motivational training from day one. I brought my pup home and had our first clicker training session within a couple of hours of getting home. I would NOT be doing any stay work for a while, stays can be very stressful and you want ALL the learning for the next few months to be directed toward developing a good working relationship and a dog who LOVES to work - making things negative or stressful, or asking a dog to do more than they're physically/mentally mature enough for, is a very bad idea. You can train stand, down and sit (and I would do it in that order, personally) with treats and play, you can start working on out (trade a treat for a toy), and off (hold treat in fist, say "off", wait for the puppy to stop nosing/biting/pawing at your hand for even a split second, say "yes!" and feed the treat). Be patient, keep your expectations reasonable for the age of the dog, and above all keep training short, sweet and fun.

Get some books - Ian Dunbar's "Before & After You Get Your Puppy" is a great puppy book. Also Jean Donaldson's "The Culture Clash".

[rsaarinen]

So basically when he gets home let him get used to the enviorment then start in on training? I think that while playing with him I can instill some sits/down stuff in and make it fun!

Another question I have is about socialization. I want this dog to have seen all types of dogs, people, kids ect. I've read the forum about this but want to make sure I don't stress him out with people holding him ect. How will I be able to tell if anything!

[hcelsa]

Whether you're interested in competitive obedience or not (it's much easier to start with a competitive outlook than it is to go back and fix a foundation that isn't as good), I'd recommend Linda Shea at The Educated Dog for puppy classes: http://www.teddogtraining.com
I sure wish I lived as close to her as you do!

You can do lots of confidence building activities and muscle memory stuff with your puppy. Even if you aren't comfortable taking him anywhere (my puppies start playing out at herding at about 5 weeks...), you can do lots of things at home. Give him lots of different surfaces to walk on (x-pen wire, chicken wire, plastic tarps, clear stuff, tilty boards, etc), and different things to smell/see/taste. You can work on sit, down, stand etc, just remember to make it fun so your puppy learns to enjoy training (playing) with you. Heel position is more important to me than stationary commands so I do lots of muscle memory games in heel position (moving). One of my favorites involves a spoon, p-nut butter, and a happy puppy prancing along by my side licking the spoon . I also do lots of tug and fetch games, and build on a puppies desire to play with me (I'm the source of all kinds of fun stuff...food, toys etc).

Here's a couple articles/sources for good information about raising a working pup:
Everything you wanted to Know about puppies
Ann Marie Silvertons Puppy Video
Puppy fundamentals article

Oops...forgot to add...Lisa Miller (Premier Canine Club) at Argus Ranch in Auburn (http://argusranch.com/ARFAgility.html) has a Puppy Agility class starting in January (perfect timing). Puppies have to be under 6 months, and agility is a great way to start building a super positive attitude toward classes.
Here's a description of the class:
"This class is geared for your puppy's growing bones and learning mind. This class covers clicker training, basic obedience, puppy agility and socialization. Using a fun puppy playground filled with specialty equipment, we introduce your puppy to various surfaces, situations and obstacles that safely challenge and stimulate their body and brain."

[spidey]

So basically when he gets home let him get used to the enviorment then start in on training? I think that while playing with him I can instill some sits/down stuff in and make it fun!

Part of what I did with my dog was make "play" and "training" almost the same thing early on, it is REALLY useful if you have a dog who likes games enough for you to use them as a reward. Like we'd play with a toy, but I'd lure him into a sit (hold toy over head), or down (hold toy on ground until puppy lies down) as soon as he sat (or downed), I'd click or say "yes! Good sit (or down)!" and throw the toy for him again (I use "yes" as a marker word, it means the same thing as a click to my dog). Definitely avoid drilling, the point is to convince your dog that working with you is more fun than anything else. As Becky says, there are also some good books out there, one I used (some of) is "Building Blocks For Performance" by Bobbie Anderson, I don't love everything in this book, but there are some really good games and ideas in it.

[myzeus]

with my 2 rott boys, i discovered that they already knew how to sit on command. i asked the breeder about this and she told me that she had taught them to sit before i took them home. i was real easy on them though and just let them be puppies. puppies have a very short attention span and just want to play.

[devilindisguise]

Training a pup is sooo much fun. Their brain is a sponge and what they experience in those first few months becomes well and truly imprinted. Expose the pup to as many different environments as possible including other dogs. Don't spend too long on any one thing as attention is short. The rewards will be seen if you mould the pup the way you would like. Loud noises and music etc is very important as this will give you an idea of the temperment. Introduce these slowly.

[Shakatak]

You can train a puppy as early eight weeks but just make sure that the length of each training session will not be that long in order for the puppy not to feel bored. remember what they have in mind at this stage is play....play...and play

[SABELLESMOM]

Great responses. Just one small detail to add. Keep your actual sessions short, 2-3 repetitions, at first. (8 wks) Your pup will zone out if you do too many. As the pup gets older, you can do more. Learn the signs your pup gives when he's had enough.

I like to keep things happy and fun. Enjoy your pup! You'll never regret one moment of time it took to train your dog. And your will bond and grow together. Have fun!

[JuneyB]

Training and having fun with a young puppy go hand in hand. At 8 weeks, their life is play, play, play....and their favorite person to play with is you!!!

And it is really easy to incorporate any of the basics (and some of the "just for fun") commands into playtime....just keep it short, keep it fun....and you're both guaranteed to have fun and keep that bonding thing going!!

Enjoy!

[Bastianboy]

We start a little bit of training from day one. Tessa knew sit and down by both voice and hand commands by about 10 weeks old. We also did really light leash work. Mainly just getting her used to it and walking around a little. I never did any stay work with her until she had a little more of an understanding what I wanted her to do. I always try to keep early learning (and all of it mostly) as fun as possible. When they're young training sessions are very short...5-10 minutes.

[poohbearsmom]

Life is training for a pup. Pure and simple. Every environment, person, critter, smell, sound... blah blah blah... all of it is training. Be sure that you are building your pup's confidence levels whenever you treat him to a new experience. If her ever shows hesitance.. help him through it, and let him discover he is stronger than he thinks!

As for basic behaviors; sit, down, stand... those maneuvers can be easily taught to him, at an elementary level the day you bring him home. Just remember that he is a little pup at this time, and each little achievement should be appreciated as it comes. Keep your expectations age and developmentally appropriate. (in addition, keep your expectations even with YOUR experience level!!)

Socialize your pup well, and remember... engaging him in the world around him, and teaching him basic house and people manners is much more important than stellar obedience..... that comes a little later. It's much more important to build a pup's confidence, and give him a consistant environment in which to develop, than to whip him into competition level obedience at a young age.

Enjoy your new charge!

[Indyjones]

I agree totally that socialization is EXTREMELY important for a puppy. There's nothing more dangerous than a +100 pound dog that is afraid of people/animals. I started socializing my pup from the beginning, avoiding dog parks before he had his shots.

Regular training I also started straight away. I at first couldn't believe how intelligent this breed is! This little imp requires 10 Minutes and he will know a command! It's amazing. I started with "sit" and "down" first. Then "stay", "paw", and "kiss". "Up" when he was lying down to get him to stand up. "Come" is always trained in between, although when he's distracted outside, sometimes Toby still has a little difficulty coming. "Fetch" he got pretty quickly, as he likes to play ball. "Lie" (on his side) came next, as well as "crawl" (hasn't mastered that yet). And then the commands "No", "Release" and the likes.

It's really a lot of fun to see how quickly these dogs can learn. I think the earlier you start, the closer the connection of the owner to the dog.

Have fun!