It is bad to teach early?
 

The first week that I got Mahina (at 8weeks) I started teaching her basic commands and some tricks.

She's twelve weeks now and she knows how to
Sit, Down, High Five, Roll over, Come, Go around (which means to go up the ramp to my bed).

A lot of things I've read says to start teaching at 12 weeks. Is teaching her early going to cause problems later on, or is it better to start early. :confused:
She learns pretty quickly and always surprises me.
I hope I havn't been doing anything wrong with teaching her at an early age.

:animal-pa

If she likes learning keep teaching. If she gets tire of it giver her a break. it should always be fun for both of you.

If I notice she's getting distracted or walks away or trys to play with a toy I stop. I never force her to learn. So once she goes for a toy I just let her play or play with her. I'll then try a couple of hours later, since puppys tend to have short attention spans.

No that is not correct as long as you keep it light and fun take time once and a while to just play you can start them as soon as they can see.... and hear.
The recomendation coming in on new studies is that breeders start sound acceptance as soon as the ears of a puppy can hear and other skills as soon as they can see... early learning helps wire the brain for learning all ones life and the wiring should be laid early.

I started my last puppy at 7 weeks. non yorkie..
And I tend to recomend that you start as soon as they get in the door at home of course after giving time to settle in. Even then I am working soical skills.

With clicker you can start sooner then yank, correct and yell at as you can do it hands off so no strain on little necks and bones.

With clicker they tend no not burn out as fast if at all.

JL

no way
 

I say the sooner you start the better. You can nip any destructive/negative behaviors in the bud! I started basic commands with paddy at 3mo because thats when I got them home. I would guess they are saying to wait till then 1. because thats when most people get them home, 2. they are discribing an optimal time, like maybe it isn't as easy at 7wks as at 12 but it is still possible.

I say go for it and have fun!

I've considered getting a clicker. The only command I've done that I would put my hands on her was to sit. But then I found an easier way that she responded to. I'll have to look into a clicker.
I havn't done any of these on a leash yet.

Thank you for your response

Lure works as well and working clicker does nto mean you need the device to do it although it does make things go faster.
It the principle of it and the catching and doing good even if you never click.

Happy training and have lots of fun with your little one.

JL

I believe that a dog should be taught commands pretty much the second they walk in the door. That's how I've done it with all my dogs. My Golden learned "sit" on the first day. We of course, made it fun for them, and did short training sessions with lots of breaks because pups get easily distracted.

I have been doing lure. I usually use her morning meal. But I think she's getting picky and wanting "real treats" :rolleyes:. I gotta go get her some plain cherrios and see if she settles fot that. Haha

Oh okay good. I was just worried I was doing something wrong. Thank you

we hired a dog trainer for our outside dogs..he said when they're pups, to work with them about 10 min at a time, as they are just like a kid and don't have a very long attention span..if she enjoys learning and you're doing it for short periods of time, that should be fine

It is ok you use the dog food after the thing you have been training is proofed and put on cue. Or if your working guarding of the food bowl.

Try working with a higher value treat for them as it makes them want to work harder to get it and then put it on random reinforcement. Which is after you get the say sit every time you ask for it. You then treat every second or third and mix up the treats you give them. So they never know when it is coming or what treat type it will be.
Oh and make sure sometimes it just a pat or snuggle.

Treats can be chopped carrots or steamed green beans or raspberries or apples.
Cheese, steamed chicken breast of ground beef.
Cheerios although I can not use them do to wheat allergies in my dog. As you said you are going to try.

Then do a taste for the dog test in one hand have one kind of treat and in the other hand a different treat kind. Rank for your dog which it loves the best.

For us it is Peanut butter and yogurt drops. I keep them for using when we are in a high level of stress or distraction so the pay cheque being offered comes up to the level of stress.

I also every now and then do a mixed bag of treats so that we never know what will get pulled to hand out.

JL

That's a good idea to use things like fruit and vegetables. I've used little bits of cheese but I've only given her a little bit and it seems to make her poop a little smelly/soft. I don't think I'll be giving her any more cheese.

I've also done the "random" treat. She sometimes expects a treat but she'll get a tummy rub or a hug instead. I don't want her gaining unhealthy pounds.

I have used training treats, small liver treats and I break those into four pieces but I still don't like giving her a bunch because they are so high in calories. I'm going to give the vegetables, yogurt drops, fruits and cheerios a try. I can't use peanut butter with her as the smell makes me sick to my stomach, but I'll try those other treats :D

Thank so much for your response. You've been really helpful