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What's the best age for training my dog?
I've trained as young as eight (8) weeks in a private setting. My
personal preference is not to start the dog in group obedience until
the dog reaches ten (10) weeks of age.
Is a dog
ever too old to train?
In our opinion, any dog that is healthy can benefit from training.
However, just like humans, the physical and mental abilities of dogs
can diminish with age, and that can impact on the effectiveness of the
training. Additionally, the older a dog gets, the more established the
habits become. Consequently, it takes longer to eliminate an old habit
and instill a new one. The oldest dog that we have ever heard of in
obedience training was an eleven year old Dachshund
Can I use
food for reinforcement?
Use whatever works for your dog. That could be food, a rolled up
towel, a ball or toy, or just plain petting/praise. Whatever makes your dog's tail wag with happiness is the the best reinforcement and will keep your dog wanting to learn more.
How long
should my training sessions be while I'm training at home?
Limit yourself to two (2) or three (3) sessions in per day with each
session being no longer than five (5) to ten (10) minutes in
length. The younger the dog, the shorter the training session should
be. For the best results, train your dog in an area that has few
distractions. The more your dog is focused on the task at hand, the better the training session.
What
equipment do I need to train my dog?
We recommend a six (6) foot leash, either nylon or leather. We don't
recommend flexi or retractable leashes to be used in training. You'll
also need a good collar that's fitted properly; we don't want the dog
slipping the collar, treats or a toy, and water. Make sure you have an
extra dose of patience and a positive attitude. Your dog can sense how tense or relaxed you are and will respond accordingly.
What if my
dog is sick?
You probably don’t work well when you’re ill and neither does your
dog. Let your dog rest, heal and get better. Then you can pick up things
just where you left them. Your dog will appreciate the rest and you'll both have a better training session the next time around.
Is it
better to train my dog when he’s hungry?
In our opinion, yes. Especially if you’re using food treats as
reinforcement. When you get into tracking you want the dogs to get
their meals on the track. You will also find your dog to be more agile and willing to please in this state.
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