Junior handling/training start age and guidelines - Page 1

My son loves to work and train our dogs and is very interested in doing agility, tracking and even some SchH work with the next puppy. At what age would you allow a child to start seriously training and then what guidelines would you follow? What is the youngest someone knows of a child training and trialing their dog?

I started training my GSD puppy for AKC Obedience when I was 9 years old. Then about 3 years later I got roped into SchH work and have been at it ever since. I think I was 14 when I got my BH on her. We have a really patient training director, who takes alot of time with everyone in the group though.

My son got his puppy right after he turned 5. Nero, his puppy is 7 months old now and was 12wks when we got him. The puppy outweighs my boy byabout 10-15lbs, but doesn't in any way try to take advantage of my son. He trains in mostly obedience and tracking. I don't know if oficially he is allowed to handle a dog until he's older. It very very very much depends on the child and the dog. We were lucky. Nero is a perfect fit, perfectly matches both my sons. I think the age for AKC obedience is 9? Not sure, but my son and his dog are both ready for the CD and BH.

My other son is 7 and I don't feel as of yet that he shows the maturity or responsibility that it takes to have a dog.

Hope this helped.

Melissa