My 9 Week Old Puppy Performing Basic Commands - Page 2

looks like your having a blast with her! she's a doll.

She's great and you have talent, but I do have a few concerns.

One, too much repetition at this age can wear a pup out.  A smart pup like yours CAN grow bored.

Two, the paw-up routine is not actually going to serve you well later.  The pup is going to be lifting the paw on OB exercises and even when doing static control work, and it will resemble a minor level of submission (which it will not be because you trained it).  The dog may even paw your leg when close to hurry-you-up in competition -- not good.

Three, at this age do more gentle but feisty tug of war (not the lunatic and dangerous stuff some nutcases do with puppies, suspending them high in the air from the rag -- they fall and fracture legs and backs OFF camera).  Build up the pup's confidence, zest and assertiveness.  Focus on that, not on obedience per se at this age.

I have reached high levels in obedience -- I am not a protection guru -- and even I say too much obedience training at this age can backfire.

Again, the two of you have a lot of potential together!

MVF,

Thanks for the constructive comments. I'm not really sure what I'm doing, or where to go from there, but I agree with everything you mentioned. I will stop the PAW thing because she now gives me her paw immediately after the SIT command. I will also heed your advice regarding the repetions; I don't want to burn her out. Good stuff. Thanks.

I agree with ShellyK. I wish more dogs were started out like this. Your 9-week-old is already better trained than many 9-year-old dogs in my neighbourhood Oh, and I love seeing the updates!