Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.

"Rollinboil" wrote in message
m...
Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.

your instincts are correct. dogs can start training as soon as they can
walk. i think there's some concern about going to a training class before
the pup gets all their shots, but different people have different opinions
on that topic.

as far as training methods... what kind of dog are you getting? i use a
mix of styles, mostly positive reinforcement (in my case rewarding desired
behavior with treats, and using treats to shape or lure behaviors), and the
occasional correction when necessary. some folks can get away with not
using corrections, but i think it depends heavily on the dog.

some books i like are
"The Other End of the Leash"
"So Your Dog's Not Lassie" (good ideas for training terriers and hounds and
other "difficult" breeds)
"Bones Would Rain from the Sky"
"Culture Clash"

though i found that the single best training tool i have is access to a
great trainer. there are so many subtle things you may not realize you're
doing wrong that an experienced observer can point out.

good luck...

-kelly

"Rollinboil" wrote in message
m...
Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.

your instincts are correct. dogs can start training as soon as they can
walk. i think there's some concern about going to a training class before
the pup gets all their shots, but different people have different opinions
on that topic.

as far as training methods... what kind of dog are you getting? i use a
mix of styles, mostly positive reinforcement (in my case rewarding desired
behavior with treats, and using treats to shape or lure behaviors), and the
occasional correction when necessary. some folks can get away with not
using corrections, but i think it depends heavily on the dog.

some books i like are
"The Other End of the Leash"
"So Your Dog's Not Lassie" (good ideas for training terriers and hounds and
other "difficult" breeds)
"Bones Would Rain from the Sky"
"Culture Clash"

though i found that the single best training tool i have is access to a
great trainer. there are so many subtle things you may not realize you're
doing wrong that an experienced observer can point out.

good luck...

-kelly

"Rollinboil" wrote in message
m...
Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.

your instincts are correct. dogs can start training as soon as they can
walk. i think there's some concern about going to a training class before
the pup gets all their shots, but different people have different opinions
on that topic.

as far as training methods... what kind of dog are you getting? i use a
mix of styles, mostly positive reinforcement (in my case rewarding desired
behavior with treats, and using treats to shape or lure behaviors), and the
occasional correction when necessary. some folks can get away with not
using corrections, but i think it depends heavily on the dog.

some books i like are
"The Other End of the Leash"
"So Your Dog's Not Lassie" (good ideas for training terriers and hounds and
other "difficult" breeds)
"Bones Would Rain from the Sky"
"Culture Clash"

though i found that the single best training tool i have is access to a
great trainer. there are so many subtle things you may not realize you're
doing wrong that an experienced observer can point out.

good luck...

-kelly

"Rollinboil" wrote in message
m...
Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.

your instincts are correct. dogs can start training as soon as they can
walk. i think there's some concern about going to a training class before
the pup gets all their shots, but different people have different opinions
on that topic.

as far as training methods... what kind of dog are you getting? i use a
mix of styles, mostly positive reinforcement (in my case rewarding desired
behavior with treats, and using treats to shape or lure behaviors), and the
occasional correction when necessary. some folks can get away with not
using corrections, but i think it depends heavily on the dog.

some books i like are
"The Other End of the Leash"
"So Your Dog's Not Lassie" (good ideas for training terriers and hounds and
other "difficult" breeds)
"Bones Would Rain from the Sky"
"Culture Clash"

though i found that the single best training tool i have is access to a
great trainer. there are so many subtle things you may not realize you're
doing wrong that an experienced observer can point out.

good luck...

-kelly

Rollinboil wrote:

Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.


Never too early to start.
Here's some action at about 9 weeks of age...

no bite
http://dogtv.com/kwame.rm

down and stay
http://dogtv.com/kdown.rm

this is michael
reporting live...
http://dogtv.com

Rollinboil wrote:

Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.


Never too early to start.
Here's some action at about 9 weeks of age...

no bite
http://dogtv.com/kwame.rm

down and stay
http://dogtv.com/kdown.rm

this is michael
reporting live...
http://dogtv.com

Rollinboil wrote:

Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.


Never too early to start.
Here's some action at about 9 weeks of age...

no bite
http://dogtv.com/kwame.rm

down and stay
http://dogtv.com/kdown.rm

this is michael
reporting live...
http://dogtv.com

Rollinboil wrote:

Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.


Never too early to start.
Here's some action at about 9 weeks of age...

no bite
http://dogtv.com/kwame.rm

down and stay
http://dogtv.com/kdown.rm

this is michael
reporting live...
http://dogtv.com

My most recent experience suggests that positive reinforcement training
can begin as soon as you get the dog, but negative corrections, if you
are going to use them, shouldn't begin before 8 -10 months of age. Now
if you just want to use a pinch collar to slow down a dog that drags you
around when you go for a walk, that would be okay. Of course it all
depends on the dog, its drive, temperament, use of dog, etc.

Keep in mind, I have no idea what I am talking about.



Rollinboil wrote:

Hi all,

I am about to get a dog.
I know some training such as housebreaking starts right away, but is
there any reason to delay other training. I'd like to start training
some basic commands as soon as possible. I've heard you should wait
till the dog is 6 months old.
Is this outdated, just wrong, or is there something to waiting until
the dog is older? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would also be interested in recommendations on training
types/methods.
If any specific type of training has worked for you etc.