By Dennis Fisher
This article is one of a great many articles written by Dennis Fisher about a very wide variety of subjects concerning different dogs, such as obedience training, breeding, showing, health matters, training problems and other subjects. All these articles appear on Dennis Fisher's websites. Visit http://www.allaboutgermanshepherddogs.com the site that has been set up specifically for German Shepherd Dog enthusiasts, or http://www.freedogadvice.com if you interested in a breed other than German Shepherd Dogs.
The
general rule with regard to the age to start training is six months.
However, depending on the particular breed and temperament, this rule
should not be inflexible.
Some large
breeds that are fairly often of
very dominant nature – for example the Rottweiler and the Pyrenees – are
going to grow into very strong powerful animals -
and training should begin
quite a bit earlier, usually four months.
General
socializing with other animals can start as early as three months, after the pup
has had it’s shots.
Obviously
it does depend on your previous experience with dogs. If you have had previous
experience with dogs and happen to be
a dominant sort of person there is no need to start very early.
You will have established a sense of control and obedience with your dog
quite early and the dog will know by the firmness of your handling that you are
the “leader of the pack”.
If
however, you have not had a great deal of experience in training dogs, it is
certainly advisable to start early, certainly with socializing the pup.
Remember
though, that it is very young pup that you are training.
Do not be too harsh in your training methods.
Allow the pup to enjoy the process.
Don’t forget to indulge in a great deal of play when you are not involved
in the formal training sessions.
Most pups
have a certain amount of prey drive – some more than others – but this should be
encouraged from a very early age.
Start with
a soft slipper in your passage, so that the pup hs to return to you, and not run
away.
Get very
excited in the process of throwing the slipper and praise very enthusiastically
when the pup returns holding the
slipper.
Dog’s vary
a great deal in temperament even within a certain breed.
With German Shepherds for example, this is particularly noticeable.
I’ve had German Shepherd pups that are so anxious to please they are an
absolute joy and delight to train.
Others have been so obstinate and self-willed it has been a battle not to be too
dominant and spoil their spirit.
You have
to make an intelligent assessment of the temperament of your own particular dog
– regardless of the breed – and adjust your training to suit the dog.
Border
collies, for example are remarkably intelligent and generally speaking very easy
to train. However, they often need
firm, but gentle, handling to establish your authority.
Note:
This information is relevant for those who want a well-behaved dog, and
for those who intend the usual obedience tests.
If however, you are interested in the sport of Schutzhund, there are many
expert trainers who suggest that it is not advisable to start any training at
all until the dog is far more
mature at approximately 14 months, and even later.
There is
some merit in this point of view, because in Schutzhund training
the accent is often of “drive”.
Early training can sometimes make a dog obedient but not quite as
enthusiastic as is required to win at the highest level.
Obviously a great deal
depends on the breed of dog you are training; the dog’s temperament and
of course your own temperament.