At What Age? - Page 1

I  do the simple basics at 10-12 weeks, with lots of praise and treats. I don't work on heeling at this time, but I do encourage focus at this point. I see it more as imprinting rather then training at this age.

 I like to condition them to the beatings first. I figure about 5 months, the beatings should begin, but you never want to actually beat the dog in this stage so that he stops the behavior you are trying to train.

When they are 8 weeks old, they learn rather quickly, but the beatings at that age are relatively ineffectual. They are small enough that the slightest kick sends them flying. Not good. That is why my beatings always start at 5 months, as it is an annoying age, and this tests wether or not you actually want to keep the little rascal. If a slight beating makes them cringe, off to the show ring. If a medium beating makes them cringe, off to Sch. If no amount of beating makes them cringe, then they are ready to start REAL bitework. 

Bum selection starts at around 15 months. You have to get the correct "type" of bum for the beginning dog in REAL bitework. I prefer the bums to be way past stage three alchoholism, and are basically lying about in their own excrement. They do not struggle much, and their weak flailing will allow you to work the pup in lower drive so that when you apply the correct beating technique, he will out, and then you can reward with a bite to the bums shoe, and allow him to carry off his "prize".

 Proper bum selection is really important, and you can stack the deck in your favor with a cheap bottle of popov. That way if the bum has "fight drive" you can administer the bottle of popov early, while you are doing your ob beating portion, which consists of yelling and slapping the dog to get off your leg. Leg humping is marginally appropriate, and can lead to laundry, which we try and avoid. 

Now that you have beaten the dog properly, and managed to get him off your leg, it is time to check and see how your bum is getting along.

I could do this for days.

There are 3 things i teach a puppy in the first couple of weeks of being home.

Sit
Stay

And finally, not to accept any treats or food from anyone other than myself.