10 month old with minimal foundation training - Page 1

Is it realistic to expect to be able to work with a 10 month old that has had minimal foundation training (a few weeks with a professional at 6 months, but the  owner didn't follow through) and get her up to the same level as dog that has had a lot of good foundation training, or will she always lack something? The dog has been well socialized.

When you say foundation training, do you mean something like schutzhund?  If you have any doubts about this dog, unless there is something spectacular about her, maybe you should keep looking.

I know 2 owners in our club that don't do any more then "foundation" traiing until 1 year old. They're dogs seem to catch up and in a few cases pass up the dogs that have been being trained from the get to.............

They believe that puppies need to be puppies.......

Thank you for your responses. What I mean by foundation training is teaching the pup to focus and do basic obedience using only positive reinforcement/marker training - food & praise- no pressure whatsoever.

Did you go look at the dog yet?

Absolutely.  For some people it's better that they don't do too much wth a pup especialy if you want to do schH.  Many novice handlers screw puppies up by dong too much  If thedog has drive and a good temperament there should be no problem at all to start training,  

I like to start my dogs early at 8 weeks with imprinting for tracking, obedience and protection.  It's all fun and motivational for the dog.  But starting later is really not a problem.

What are you planning on doing with the dog? 

Jim

No big serious plans. Right now I plan on doing tracking and obedience on a recreational level.   Maybe if my life ever slows down I like to seriously get into SAR, but right now it's not possible.

Moons, no, I haven't seen the dog yet. The dog is in a different state, so I have to travel there. Right now I'm having the dog screened for health issues (just the standard x-rays, blood, fecal and urinalysis) because no matter what great qualities the dog has, if the health is not good, then I'm not going to pursue this. It's at my expense, but I figure it's money well spent- better now than later. THere are some other issues that have just come about in my life in the past few days (mom's cancer returned) so I really don't know what I'm going to do.

I don't remember from the other thread if you ever posted the dogs pedigree.

I do remember telling you it would take a little more effort and time.

And I know I would have to spend some time with the dog before making my choice.

Good luck with it and I hope things work out for you the way you want.    Sometimes life has other plans.

Sorry about your mom.

Moons.

As long as the dog has good drives for the reward you will be fine at 10 months. I just got a 3 yr old that was a kennel dog and I mean that is it. She did not even have a name . She is high drive and she is a amazing dog. she has great Ob now. It did hurt her bitework though but she had not been socialized either.

Thank you everyone for your help and advice. It has really helped.

B.Andersen- that is very encouraging!

Moons, thank you for your kind words. Yes, many times life has other plans and I have sure learned that through having a family member with cancer.  Yes, you told me that a pup raised it's mother would require more time and effort. I was just wondering if a pup with little or no foundation training could ultimately get to the same level as a pup that was started early, providing the genetics are the same/similar. Oh, the dog is German showlines.

Thanks again,
Char