When Can I Start Training My New Puppy?
You will be training your puppy from the moment you bring it home and start to house train. Puppies start learning from birth and good breeders begin handling and socialization right away. Some training can begin as soon as the puppy can open its eyes and walk. Young puppies have short attention spans but you can expect them to begin to learn simple obedience commands such as “sit,” “down,” and “stay,” as young as 7 to 8 weeks of age.
Formal dog training has traditionally been delayed until 6 months of age. Actually, this juvenile stage is a very poor time to start. The dog is learning from every experience and delaying training means missed opportunities for the dog to learn how you would like him to behave. During the juvenile stage, the dog is beginning to solidify adult behavioral patterns and progresses through fear periods. Behaviors learned in puppyhood may need to be changed. In addition, anything that has already been learned or trained incorrectly will need to be undone and re-taught. Puppies are capable of learning much from an early age.
“Mental exercise tires a dog physically more than physical exercise does”
Proper socialization os also a key point in training. This means providing positive experiences with as many new people, dogs, and situations as possible. It’s essential for developing a confident and well-adjusted adult dog that is comfortable with all life has to offer. Unfortunately, despite the significance, many people aren’t providing enough socialization for their young canine companions. New reserch rom the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph shows that puppy classes are an important part of ensuring that your dog is properly socialized.
The researchers sampled 296 puppy owners across North America, giving them questionnaires when they enrolled in the study and again when their puppies were 20 weeks old. The results showed that nearly one-third of the puppies in the study received only minimal exposure to people and dogs outside the home. The researchers defined “minimal exposure” as interactions with up to five dogs and 10 people in a two-week period. That may seem like a full social calendar, but it’s nowhere near what a puppy needs for proper socialization. The researchers warn that a lack of socialization opportunities can lead to behavior problems down the road.
A well-trained and obedient dog can make a wonderful addition to any family and provide years of faithful companionship, but it generally takes a little work and dedication to instill these characteristics in a pet and arrive at a mutually beneficial relationship for them and their owners. Training a dog is much more than just teaching commands. It’s about everyday living with your dog & having a relationship with your dog. It’s about creating good habits, preventing bad habits, and having the confidence in your dog to perform when you need it most! Paw Pals offers workshops, group classes, and private training sessions led by local certified trainer, Frank D’Andrea, that will help enhance the bond between you and your furry friend and curtail behaviors and habits that may be causing trouble at home.
It is the goal of our professional team to teach dog owners more about the background and personality traits of their dog’s breed so they can better understand why they may act a certain way while at the same time developing a more well-behaved pet through dog obedience classes. Our lessons are very simple; we create a customized program around your specific goals. Each dog is different, each family is different. Whether a brand new puppy or an adult dog needing behavior modification, our expertise working with all breeds gives us the knowledge to create a program that delivers results.
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