Training your puppy at an early age?

Question

I have a 6 week old St. Bernard/German Shepherd mix and I was wondering if I should start training it soon. We're working on Potty training it but I was wondering if it was too soon to start with other things. (Like sitting, walking on a leash, shaking hands, ect.) Does any body know if it's too soon to start with anything else or not?

Answer 1

I begin training at about 6 weeks, but for very short periods. I like to train puppies during TV commercial breaks, as that is all the attention span they have..

Answer 2

Training at an early stage is a great thing. Your puppy will have a very short attention span, so make each training quick and interesting for your puppy. Reward him and praise him if he listens to your command. It helps you and your puppy to bond. Potty training - the earlier the better. Your puppy can definitely learn sit, shake, down....and putting a leash on so that he'll get used to the feeling of having a leash (and even a soft collar) will be very helpful.

Good luck, and enjoy your puppy! :) My puppy is finally a year old. I've been there and done that and have had similar concerns too.

Enjoy your time with the puppy, make learning fun but also teach him that you're the boss and not his best buddy. Be firm and tell him no if he misbehaves. It will help you greatly as he gets bigger/older. :)

Answer 3

It is old enough to start with the very basics, but remember that they have an extremely short attention and memory span. They may not remember in two minutes what you just tried to teach them. Be very patient and consistent.

I would recommend starting with sit and working on the potty training. The leash is a great idea, but they need to get use to the feel of it without pressure or they will fight it. Let them drag it around attached to their collar for a little bit under supervision for a few minutes everyday. Once they seem to have a feel for it try holding onto it while they walk. By ten weeks you should be able to walk them outside on it to go potty. Each dog is different and they learn with different methods and at different speeds just like children.

Everything else can wait.

If they mess up, don't punish them unless you catch it immediately. Otherwise, you will set them up to fail, because they won't know what they are in trouble for and they may learn not to trust you.

Answer 4

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aL3NV

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 5

NO... ITS never to early... I have a new 10 week old boxer puppy , that I got 5 weeks ago.. Already wearing a collar full time, walking on a leash with my other dog, almost house broken, working on commands.... You have to realize that at this age the attention span is really really short , just keep working at everything.. repetition is the biggest thing and lots of hugs and kisses, and lots of toys

Answer 6

It is never too early. The earlier you begin obedience the better remember your tiny ball of fur will soon be well over 100lbs and harder to control. Trust me I have a St. Bernard and mastiff/german shepard mix they are both huge, but extremely well mannered and trained. Another thing people forget about, but is an important thing to teach your soon to be huge puppy is getting in the bath tub and staying. I trained my puppies from very young to get in the tub on command because I don't want to give myself a hernia everytime they need a bath. One of the best things I ever taught my boys.

Answer 7

As long as your puppy has a bit of an attention span it is never to early to start training...start simple with name, come, and sit it may take awhile but with practice every day it will pay off in the long run.

Answer 8

It's never too soon. Remember,a young pups attention span is very short though. Make the training sessions short but frequent. Google "Nothing In Life Free Training".It's a wonderful positive training method-great for the young and old dog alike

Answer 9

I got my German Shepard pup at 7 wks. and started the day he got home..He is now 9 wks. He still doesn't have everything mastered but get's better everyday..Sometimes he listens and get's the command correct, sometimes he doesn't..It takes a lot of time, patience and energy but is well worth it. Here's a few tips though:
Make it fun! Give him a treat when he acomplishes something, whether it's perfect or not! You will move along faster if you use small treats or break them in half. Do not punish him for doing it incorrectly! It will take baby steps to get him where you want him to be!
When you are practicing with him keep it short! I would say a max of 10 min. at a time when beginning..They are just like kids..a very short attention span! If you start to get frustrated take a break!
Be consistant...Work with him several times daily if possible to keep it fresh in his memory. As a pup his memory is very very poor. Figure out what word you are going to use for what! Such as "leave it" when he is putting something in his mouth you don't want him to.
As for "leave it" a good way to teach him to not give into temptation is this: Put a piece of kibble in one hand and a treat in the other...Close your hand around the treat and leave the hand with kibble open. When he heads toward the kibble say "leave it" quickly closing your hand around the kibble. Try this untill he looks away from the kibble or up at you..Now give him the treat...As he get's better work toward being able to lay the kibble on the ground..
Also, for starting to teach him things do it where there is no distractions and gradually add them....
It will take many many weeks for your pup to master everything. This will not happen in one sitting! I've been working daily with my pup for 2 wks. and we are still not there!!
Hope this helps and good luck with your puppy!!!

Answer 10

Potty training at 6 weeks is not bad to start but it's definitely too young to train for anything else right now. I would suggest getting the potty training done first before anything else, and then start the shaking hands, sitting, etc. at about 6 months old.