Could someone please advise at what age can I start training my new puppy.
I just got him today! He's 6.5 weeks (I know...very young) and touch wood, has settled in quite nicely (so far). We are concentrating on just making him feel welcome, safe, and loved. He still seems so tiny for formal training (classes). Do I need to think of sending him to classes soon though? Is this something I can do at home? If so, what commands are good to introduce? I have heard that sit is not a good one at such a young age (apparently too inhibitive for an english springer spaniel) but recall is all he needs at this point. He is in the process of toilet training, though it doesn't seem to be such a drama (so far).
I have heard that springers are really intelligent and need to be mentally exercised. What sort of games could I play with him to do this?
Sorry, I know it all sounds so basic to people here in this forum but any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I am sure you will get loads of advice. :-) I agree - I think he is rather young to have left his mother and siblings - though I am aware other people have differing opinions. And in answer to your question - I would start training straight away. :-) Positive reward based - clicker training is brilliant. :-) I have just started reading an excellent book called "The Idiots Guide to Positive Dog Training" by Pamela Dennison - I would recommend that one. Can't think of any books that teach you clicker training off the top of my head but somebody will know one. I have "Dog Tricks" by Mary Ray, and I think there's a bit about clicker training in there. Sessions short and sweet - pups can't concentrate for too long, like kids - and they learn really well through play. I would just start with games of playing with toy\ recall & coming to you, cos recall is probably the single most important piece of training in any dogs life. :-) And I was rubbish at it!!!!
Good luck - and enjoy him. :-) What's he called?
Do I need to think of sending him to classes soon though? You won't be sending him, you will be taking him -and you will learn just as much as he will. :) It's important to take a new puppy to a good class no matter how experienced you are at training dogs, as it is vital socialisation. At home you won't be training with the distractions of other dogs and other people, a strange environment etc. However he has to be fully vaccinated before starting a class, so that means at the very least 10-12 weeks old.
There is no problem whatsoever with teaching any breed a sit -it's usually the second thing most pups learn after their own name. The one exception is that a lot of people who intend to show the dog will prefer to teach a solid stand first, to avoid the dog sitting in the show ring. You can teach both a sit and a stand, but personally I have always found you get a much more reilable show stand if the dog is taught that first. But if you're not going to show then "sit" is a nice, easy first command to learn. :)
You brought him home today?
You have shown him his bed, his food, where to go to toilet.
Well done you are training your puppy...
Not that hard is it : - )))
Sorry slightly of topic but thought it may be useful :Regarding clicker training I have been given this link it is an online course and its free takes seven days.
http://www.canisclickertraining.com/newsletter/ Havent tried it yet but told it is worth a go not sure how it would be for such a young pup maybe later
I think I am just going to repeat what everyone has said, you are already training him and will continue when you take him out in your arms to socialize him. Good training clases to look at are APDT classes. Just google it and see whats in your area . They only do positive training methods and pups start for just after injections.
Good luck and enjoy him, although I havent had springers my relatives do and they alwats seem such a happy breed.
You won't be sending him, you will be taking him -and you will learn just as much as he will.
Absolutely....I think I definitely have a lot more to learn.
I know he's a bit young and I asked the breeder to hang on to him for another couple weeks as it is my understanding that pups should be with their siblings/mother till then. However, the breeder told me the siblings would be gone by this weekend and Reiver would absolutely have no contact with his mother anymore. So, given that, I didn't think there was much more that I could do other than bring puppy back home asap.
Toilet training is going well, though my son and I (he's 4) are watching him with hawk eyes. We figure that the first six weeks will be devoted to the new pup....and I guess in some ways, because we've accepted the fact that we will work with our dog to get the rhythmn of the day down, it doesn't feel like "work" having him in our lives.
He has his own cosy little cage. He seems to really enjoy it and when he's looking tired, we take him there and he is quite happy to plop down and sleep. When he calls out for us....we find that it's always for something, he's not just doing it to be "annoying." The first night was good...I took him outside in two-three hour intervals and in the morning, I heard him yelping and took him out where he did a poo. He's pretty clear about what he wants so we are really lucky so far.
He loves to chew things as he's obviously at that stage. So when he starts on furniture or carpets, we hand him his chew things and he seems quite content to switch.
I guess my next question is how will my dog be affected with being separated prematurely from his siblings/mother? What can I do to mitigate any deleterious affects?
Again, many, many thanks. I will look into training classes. If anyone can recommend someone in the Nottingham (Beeston) area, I would appreciate it.
Just also wanted to say thank you to the forum. After reading the blogs/messages on this site, it gave me the confidence to get this new puppy. I don't think I would have done it without everyone's input here. Thank you.
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