When Is A Good Age To Start Training? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Gio'sMamamia · 12-22-2005, 10:32 PM

Hey there, I was just wondering when was a good age to start training commands such as sit, stay, come, etc. I've read that 8 weeks is good since at that age their brains are like sponges. I wanted to know when you guys started training your babies and what commands you started off with.

rnnw62 · 12-22-2005, 11:32 PM

Definitely start as early as possible. We got Ted at 8 weeks and
I had him sitting the first night in the home. I tried to work on one
new thing a day with him. It's fun for both of you and they also
get the idea of how pleasing you is pleasurable for them.

Jaspermom · 12-23-2005, 03:25 AM

ESPECIALLY if you have TREATS! lolol Wosie will do whatever I want provided I have a treat in my hand! I have actually begun treating now only occasionally, and she never knows if she will get a treat or not so she still does what I want.

We began the day we got her at 8 weeks, too. Incidentally, one of my favorite tricks for her is to make sure she sits while I go out the door first, and then she doesn't come out until I say OK. That way, she never runs outside when the door opens. I do the same coming inside, too, just to enforce that she doesn't cross a threshold without permission. It's a safety thing.

Training can be a joy for both you and your pup! Have fun!

Carinhosamulher · 12-23-2005, 04:55 AM

As far as training goes, start the day you bring the dog in to your house. Start on one command at a time and master it for a week. Then introduce the next command. Sit and stay are two of the most important commands to start with, sit being the first. Reward, reward, reward.

Petsmart has a great training program. You can do it with the group setting or individually (the latter which costs a bit more, but then you are one on one with the trainer and really getting the money's worth). I would try to get in there if you can.

I used to do dog training when I was married to my first husband. People used to drop their dogs off at my house for two weeks for the sit and stay and housebreaking training. Then I would train the owner to train the dog. That is the most important thing. I now know that that technique was wrong.

The dogs back then only listened to me. If you go the way of hiring a dog trainer, make sure it's one that trains YOU to train the dog. Cause otherwise, if he/she trains the dog, the dog learns to listen to them, not you. Just my nickle though.

Have fun with your training. It's great bonding time - more fun for the puppy than just cuddling.

Also, so far as great training treats go. You can buy a tub of Pup-per-roni at Petmart for like $10. What I do for training is pull out all the treat sticks (they come is long pencil shaped strips), and chop them up into really small bite sized pieces. Not too small that they don't get a good taste, but not to big that they are chewing for the next five minutes and loosing interest in the training session. Carry some of the chopped pieces with you in your pocket. Any time you give the command, you will have a treat on hand for rewarding as well as your petting. The hardest part about treat training is giving the treat the exact moment of command success. You have at most a two second window of the command being followed to give the treat for reward.

Also, with a puppy, their attention span for the training sessions only last for about ten to fifteen minutes per session. Then they will get bored or distracted. Don't force it. You want the sessions to be fun. Have two or three sessions a day if you can until they get older. Then they will be able to concentrate longer.

Again, I recommend Petsmart's training program for one-on-one sessions, unless you have trained a dog before. Just my nickle though.

Jaspermom · 12-23-2005, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carinhosamulher

As far as training goes, start the day you bring the dog in to your house. Start on one command at a time and master it for a week. Then introduce the next command. Sit and stay are two of the most important commands to start with, sit being the first. Reward, reward, reward.

Petsmart has a great training program. You can do it with the group setting or individually (the latter which costs a bit more, but then you are one on one with the trainer and really getting the money's worth). I would try to get in there if you can.

I used to do dog training when I was married to my first husband. People used to drop their dogs off at my house for two weeks for the sit and stay and housebreaking training. Then I would train the owner to train the dog. That is the most important thing. I now know that that technique was wrong.

The dogs back then only listened to me. If you go the way of hiring a dog trainer, make sure it's one that trains YOU to train the dog. Cause otherwise, if he/she trains the dog, the dog learns to listen to them, not you. Just my nickle though.

Have fun with your training. It's great bonding time - more fun for the puppy than just cuddling.

Also, so far as great training treats go. You can buy a tub of Pup-per-roni at Petmart for like $10. What I do for training is pull out all the treat sticks (they come is long pencil shaped strips), and chop them up into really small bite sized pieces. Not too small that they don't get a good taste, but not to big that they are chewing for the next five minutes and loosing interest in the training session. Carry some of the chopped pieces with you in your pocket. Any time you give the command, you will have a treat on hand for rewarding as well as your petting. The hardest part about treat training is giving the treat the exact moment of command success. You have at most a two second window of the command being followed to give the treat for reward.

Also, with a puppy, their attention span for the training sessions only last for about ten to fifteen minutes per session. Then they will get bored or distracted. Don't force it. You want the sessions to be fun. Have two or three sessions a day if you can until they get older. Then they will be able to concentrate longer.

Again, I recommend Petsmart's training program for one-on-one sessions, unless you have trained a dog before. Just my nickle though.

Besides sit/stay, COME is very very important. It can save your pup's life.

Have fun!

KellyV · 12-23-2005, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carinhosamulher

Also, so far as great training treats go. You can buy a tub of Pup-per-roni at Petmart for like $10. What I do for training is pull out all the treat sticks (they come is long pencil shaped strips), and chop them up into really small bite sized pieces.

This is exactly what I do! Works very well.... One stick goes a long way, and it's a lot cheaper than buying the "training bits" that my pet shop sells.

FirstYorkie · 12-23-2005, 12:32 PM

I got Joey at 10 weeks at started clicker training immediately. I don't think 8 weeks would be too early at all!

I first taught name recognition and "come". "Drop it" is another really important command and can be taught early. Sit, down, stay. Oh! Another good one to teach early is "Get your toy!" - very, very handy to use when you need to distract pup from inappropriate behavior.

"Bang! You're dead!" was another that I taught early, but only because my kids said that I couldn't!

Gio'sMamamia · 12-23-2005, 09:54 PM

Thanx for all of the great advice. I've had my little guy for almost a week now and he is 7 going on 8 weeks this coming monday. Is it bad that I've waited to train him since I've had him for almost a week? We're currently working on potty training w/ the puppy pads and we have our good days and not so good days. Since this is my first yorkie and first time training a puppy, do you feel that it'd be better to train him myself or actually go somewhere like Pet Smart and have them train me to train him? All input is greatly appreciated.

reneernc · 12-23-2005, 10:03 PM

I am a bit concerned now that my 9 week old may have A.D.D! I can't imagine teaching her to sit or really anything right now, she is always bouncing!
Let me know how it goes and good luck

FirstYorkie · 12-24-2005, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gio'sMamamia

Is it bad that I've waited to train him since I've had him for almost a week? .

No, not at all. He's pretty young; he's needed some time to settle in. AND, I expect that you are training more than you realize! He's probably learning his name, household routines, and, as you say, potty-training.

I'm totally sold on training classes. It's fun! One note, though, be sure your little pup is completely vaccinated before you start taking him around other dogs.

chachi · 12-24-2005, 05:26 AM

We started teaching Chachi commands when he was 8 weeks old. He was real receptive to learning and learned many tricks.

browniesmom622 · 12-24-2005, 05:53 AM

8 WEEKS i started with all my boys !

SnowWa · 12-24-2005, 12:37 PM

I think a good age to start training a puppy is in the car on the way home when you first get him. (Joke!) Carol Jean

Gio'sMamamia · 12-24-2005, 01:28 PM

LoL @ SnowWa's joke. Well I went to Pet Smart today and found that they have puppy classes 8weeks long for $99, is that a decent price to pay? I still have time to work with Giovanni because he has to be at least 10 weeks old before I can enroll him in something like that. I also picked up some pup-peroni (beef flavored) as some of you had suggested. Giovanni and I start training on tuesday so wish us the best of luck.

Muffie's Mom · 12-24-2005, 02:24 PM

We started the day we brought Missy home at 8 weeks of age.

When we get ready to feed her, we put her in a SIT position until we put her food & water down on the floor. Once we put the food down, we tell her "OK".

We also put her in a SIT position to get a treat. No sit - no treat!

We've also put up bells on a string attached to the patio door. We rang the bells and told her "Out". She rings the bells when she has to go outside to go potty! She caught on to this immediately. This is nice as she isn't barking to go out!*!

The sooner you start training, the better it'll be for everyone.

Happy Holidays.

12-22-2005, 10:32 PM	#1
Gio'sMamamia Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: El Paso,Tx Posts: 31	When Is A Good Age To Start Training? Hey there, I was just wondering when was a good age to start training commands such as sit, stay, come, etc. I've read that 8 weeks is good since at that age their brains are like sponges. I wanted to know when you guys started training your babies and what commands you started off with.

12-22-2005, 11:32 PM	#2
rnnw62 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,609	Definitely start as early as possible. We got Ted at 8 weeks and I had him sitting the first night in the home. I tried to work on one new thing a day with him. It's fun for both of you and they also get the idea of how pleasing you is pleasurable for them. __________________ Shelly, Teddy, Toby,Hanne & Indigo

12-23-2005, 03:25 AM	#3
Jaspermom Yorkies Rock My World! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,719	They love to learn ESPECIALLY if you have TREATS! lolol Wosie will do whatever I want provided I have a treat in my hand! I have actually begun treating now only occasionally, and she never knows if she will get a treat or not so she still does what I want. We began the day we got her at 8 weeks, too. Incidentally, one of my favorite tricks for her is to make sure she sits while I go out the door first, and then she doesn't come out until I say OK. That way, she never runs outside when the door opens. I do the same coming inside, too, just to enforce that she doesn't cross a threshold without permission. It's a safety thing. Training can be a joy for both you and your pup! Have fun! __________________ Glad SSLS Ladybugs RULE! Love my girlies! Wosie Dreama

12-23-2005, 04:55 AM	#4
Carinhosamulher YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 308	As far as training goes, start the day you bring the dog in to your house. Start on one command at a time and master it for a week. Then introduce the next command. Sit and stay are two of the most important commands to start with, sit being the first. Reward, reward, reward. Petsmart has a great training program. You can do it with the group setting or individually (the latter which costs a bit more, but then you are one on one with the trainer and really getting the money's worth). I would try to get in there if you can. I used to do dog training when I was married to my first husband. People used to drop their dogs off at my house for two weeks for the sit and stay and housebreaking training. Then I would train the owner to train the dog. That is the most important thing. I now know that that technique was wrong. The dogs back then only listened to me. If you go the way of hiring a dog trainer, make sure it's one that trains YOU to train the dog. Cause otherwise, if he/she trains the dog, the dog learns to listen to them, not you. Just my nickle though. Have fun with your training. It's great bonding time - more fun for the puppy than just cuddling. Also, so far as great training treats go. You can buy a tub of Pup-per-roni at Petmart for like $10. What I do for training is pull out all the treat sticks (they come is long pencil shaped strips), and chop them up into really small bite sized pieces. Not too small that they don't get a good taste, but not to big that they are chewing for the next five minutes and loosing interest in the training session. Carry some of the chopped pieces with you in your pocket. Any time you give the command, you will have a treat on hand for rewarding as well as your petting. The hardest part about treat training is giving the treat the exact moment of command success. You have at most a two second window of the command being followed to give the treat for reward. Also, with a puppy, their attention span for the training sessions only last for about ten to fifteen minutes per session. Then they will get bored or distracted. Don't force it. You want the sessions to be fun. Have two or three sessions a day if you can until they get older. Then they will be able to concentrate longer. Again, I recommend Petsmart's training program for one-on-one sessions, unless you have trained a dog before. Just my nickle though. __________________ Carinhosa Mulher - Loving Mother to my daughters and furry kids! bheuston@gmail.com or carinhosa@comporium.net

12-23-2005, 09:54 PM	#8
Gio'sMamamia Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: El Paso,Tx Posts: 31	Self Training or Professional Training? Thanx for all of the great advice. I've had my little guy for almost a week now and he is 7 going on 8 weeks this coming monday. Is it bad that I've waited to train him since I've had him for almost a week? We're currently working on potty training w/ the puppy pads and we have our good days and not so good days. Since this is my first yorkie and first time training a puppy, do you feel that it'd be better to train him myself or actually go somewhere like Pet Smart and have them train me to train him? All input is greatly appreciated.

12-23-2005, 12:32 PM	#7
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	I got Joey at 10 weeks at started clicker training immediately. I don't think 8 weeks would be too early at all! I first taught name recognition and "come". "Drop it" is another really important command and can be taught early. Sit, down, stay. Oh! Another good one to teach early is "Get your toy!" - very, very handy to use when you need to distract pup from inappropriate behavior. "Bang! You're dead!" was another that I taught early, but only because my kids said that I couldn't!

12-23-2005, 10:03 PM	#9
reneernc Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: alabama Posts: 799	I am a bit concerned now that my 9 week old may have A.D.D! I can't imagine teaching her to sit or really anything right now, she is always bouncing! Let me know how it goes and good luck

12-24-2005, 05:26 AM	#11
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 22,521	We started teaching Chachi commands when he was 8 weeks old. He was real receptive to learning and learned many tricks. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

12-24-2005, 05:53 AM	#12
browniesmom622 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New york Posts: 9,180 Blog Entries: 2	8 WEEKS i started with all my boys ! __________________ Lenora Brownie- Kayko- Austin & the rest of the zoo! We Love our Yt Angel! “A dog is not almost-human, and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such”

12-24-2005, 12:37 PM	#13
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,991	I think a good age to start training a puppy is in the car on the way home when you first get him. (Joke!) Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.

12-24-2005, 01:28 PM	#14
Gio'sMamamia Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: El Paso,Tx Posts: 31	Training Classes LoL @ SnowWa's joke. Well I went to Pet Smart today and found that they have puppy classes 8weeks long for $99, is that a decent price to pay? I still have time to work with Giovanni because he has to be at least 10 weeks old before I can enroll him in something like that. I also picked up some pup-peroni (beef flavored) as some of you had suggested. Giovanni and I start training on tuesday so wish us the best of luck.

12-24-2005, 02:24 PM	#15
Muffie's Mom And now Missy's Mom, too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: FL Posts: 1,496	When Is A Good Age to Start Training We started the day we brought Missy home at 8 weeks of age. When we get ready to feed her, we put her in a SIT position until we put her food & water down on the floor. Once we put the food down, we tell her "OK". We also put her in a SIT position to get a treat. No sit - no treat! We've also put up bells on a string attached to the patio door. We rang the bells and told her "Out". She rings the bells when she has to go outside to go potty! She caught on to this immediately. This is nice as she isn't barking to go out!! The sooner you start training, the better it'll be for everyone. Happy Holidays. __________________ Pat...Mom to Muffie & Missy! Our Photos are HERE* Missy on Dogster Muffie on Dogster