When to start training your dog

When to start training your dog – the dilemmas of puppyhood

When to start training your dog | Every puppy owner eventually comes to the conclusion that it would be a good idea to train their dog. After comparing opinions gathered whilst out walking with other dog owners, the decision is often made at 12 months of age. Well, unfortunately, it’s often already too late. It’s not too late to start training, but it is too late to avoid making mistakes. They’ve simply already become a reality.

Many owners believe that the best time to train a dog is when they can no longer cope with bringing up their pet. This is a very mistaken way of thinking; the chances of success have already diminished, and only then do they start wondering how to raise the perfect pet.

How do you start training a dog?

You can start training on your own. Begin with small steps. Teach them to sit and teach them the ‘come’ command. In the early stages, it’s also important to get them used to wearing a collar (this is part of the learning process) and to make their first attempts at walking on a lead.

The next stage is deciding in which direction you want to train your dog. Training a dog to be a therapy dog and training a dog for protection are completely different forms of training, and at different ages, dogs learn different things, drawing on different instincts.

When should you start training your dog?

Regardless of the direction in which we plan to train the dog, I would still recommend starting as soon as possible. Professional dog training usually begins immediately after collecting the puppy from the breeder, which is around 8 weeks of age. Contrary to what you might think, this is a period when you can achieve a great deal. Depending on the breed and the dog’s natural aptitude, you can begin scent work training, obedience training or the basics of protection work in a playful manner.

Dog Training in Warsaw

If you have a young dog and would like to have some fun working with it, please do give me a call. I offer a fairly wide range of dog training services.