[Emily94]

What's a good age to start training a puppy basic commands? I've read a few sites but they contridict (sp?) each other, some say 8 weeks, some say 12, others say 6 months. I didn't get duke or Tosha till they were three months and that's when they started to get taught. Is 8 weeks to early?

Also, does anyone have any good training websites? Im wanting to teach him tricks, like opening the fridge (moms not to fond of that one, but would it not be cool if your dog brought you pop/ water, whatever else?) or to open doors, and a few things like that... But I don't know how...

[tickle]

At eight weeks, your pup is still a baby, so you are not going to get much done at that age. At six months, or even three, you are going to get something into puppy's head.

Tick

[Emily94]

He has learnt a lite bit (a lot for only a few days!) he knows to "drop it" when he plays with something he isn't allowed, he comes when he's called, and he definantly knows the word food, but I figured it would be to early for structured training.

[Wondergirl]

The moment you get your puppy, you begin to teach him. He learns what it means to be part of your family and finds out what he can and cannot get away with. If you are too easy in the early weeks and wait until he is 4, 5, or even 6 months old to teach him anything, you are undoubtedly going to have a large problem on your hands. (It's like having a new baby. Mom doesn't wait until he's 4 years old to teach him anything. She begins the day she brings him home from the hospital.)

Puppies as young as 8 weeks old can learn to sit on command and follow other basic commands. Read books by the Monks of New Skete.

[Cat1864]

Right now think about basic behavior commands. Things like not jumping on people, biting, being calm when getting fed, not running out an open door, etc. Things that you are teaching just through interacting with the pup. Puppies learn through consistency and at this age play. Put words to behaviors that you want.

Teaching him where to potty and how to let you know he needs to is a major lesson right now. Worry about opening doors later, work on not bolting out them first.

[Emily94]

Well I guess I'll start a little (I'm thinking sit for food, and walk time) but with the other dogs I had a strict training time they had to work for 5-10 minutes then played with toys for a bit and then 5-10 minutes again, and it seemed to work really well and they learnt fast, they knew if they
Listened well play time was longer.

[Cat1864]

That's a little much for an eight week old. Like babies, they don't have much of an attention span and get bored easily. They also get tired easily. Young pups tend to sleep as much as they play and eat. So be patient and it will pay off in the long run.

Here's a tip: Hunter will also learn by watching Duke and you working with Duke. If you tell Duke to sit and Hunter follows suit, praise him.

[Emily94]

Duke will love all the attention!

[Lucky098]

At 8 weeks you won't be able to do anything hard core. But you can start to train sit and down and stay. He may not get it right now, but later he'll be right on.

The sooner the better. Right now you can prevent bad habits from forming and teach your pup the house rules. Puppy classes are very important right now. I would recommend to start once your pup has at the very least 2 shots. The puppy classes do obedience, but focus mostly on socialization and go over house manners.

I taught all my puppies sit down and to walk on a leash before I even stepped foot into the obedience classes.

15 minutes a day is all he'll need and can probably handle for a couple of months.

[Emily94]

Thank you, I don't know if he'll be able to go to obedience classes, they only have a few a year, I'll call around and hope he can get into a puppy class soonish.