When to start puppies? - Page 2

 This is something I have been wanting to ask, so I am gald it came up. I bought my first working line GSD www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/521990.html  .  I have never done any bitework before so I have started with a rag. I have just been playing with him and obviously letting him dominate the exercise. He seems to be doing really well, but how do I know right. So any advice how to tell when the dog is ready for more. By the way I have no club to go toat the moment, so I am alone on this one for now.

Marty

Don I never bat my dog around until he's at least 5 months old either.

Hi guys,

My little Dascha ....aka wild child (3 months old) has been watching the phase 3 bite work at our club the past few weeks from behind the fence........She has helped many young dogs fire up and start barking at the Helper.....lol!!! 

I have not done any grip work with her to speak of, other then a casual bite on a soft tug.  My calves and arm though have had first hand experience in her griping ability........all I can say is WOW!!!!!. We have done lots of  retrieves using a 2 ball method. 

I have also use food rewards to teach the sitz, platz.,here and focus. These sessions last no longer then a few minutes at a time.

For focus training I have been showing her food in each hand and then move my hands behind me and out of site. After studying to situation for a second or two, she looks up at me. I then mark that look with a food reward....She like this game ALOT!!!

To keep myself interesting, and to maintain focus on the working field, if  and when she looked the other way, I would run like Hell away from her....now I cant get rid of her.

We also track every week end.......she has tremendous food drives, if I say so myself

We also go for a daily car rides and neighbor hood walks........She also owns Petsmart!!!! 

I believe the best training occurs when they do not know it!!!

RPK

Marty, I know those lines pretty well. I'm sure he can take anything you throw at him. Get A Real Dog has an older pup out of the same combo. You might want to ask him more. Is you pup crazy? LOL

 My calves and arm though have had first hand experience in her griping ability........all I can say is WOW!!!!!.

You should take pictures of your wounds because one day they will just be distant fond memory.

Seriously, it sounds like she is coming along beautifully.  Randy I have seen how you work your dogs, I know this girl is going to be one hell of dog for you.  Next time we drive to Washington I hope to get to see her.  When we were just up there I pointed out to Peter that it would be just as easy to stay at the La Quinta as the La Quinta we stayed at.  He agreed and said he wants to see all y'all again anyway seeing as everyone was so nice to him and all.  It looks like we will be back up in February.

Thanks Sue,

You are always have an invitation here!!!.....We are still planning  having a open training day on Dec 8th....If you happened be in Oregon....stop on over for a Club house meal!!!!

I start taking my pups to the SchH club at 8 weeks.  They start playing with the rag at that time... and continue to progress as they grow.  However, I have an exceptional training director who can read dogs amazingly well and is excellent at bringing puppies along.  If I did not have that experienced person to direct what is done with the pup, I may hold off a bit later. 

I have seen some dogs who would probably bite just as well regardless if they start young or wait until a later age to start. Of course someone can also mess up a young dog by doing too much or the wrong things with the pup.  However, I have also seen dogs who probably would have benefited by starting at a younger age. 

I like starting my pups young... we do "age appropriate" stuff with them and continue as they grow.

My current 11 month old female is currently starting to go into the blind for a nice bark and hold, doing a nice escape bite (although not as controled as an adult - I do not leave her as her obedience isnt that strong yet), excellent back up bites, etc... while maintaining a nice calm full hard bite, nice strong barking, etc.  I am very pleased with her progress. 

4pack-  The guy I train with started my pup out the same as everyone else, on rags, tugs and we just kinda watched week to week how he was developing.  He'd introduce him to something new to see his reaction, if he felt he was ready for it we'd move on.  He feels as Don stated each dog is different and progresses with maturity at various levels.  Whatever we do, we always make it fun for the dog.  He tends to start pups very young too but each pup progresses to the next level differently than the other.  We always posted the pup outside so he could see and hear the other dogs being worked.  It got him comfortable with the surroundings, the environment and he'd bark and go crazy like he was thinking "can I try, when's it gonna be MY turn". lol