How Soon or Later your training with dog? - Page 1

May I ask at what age you personally prefer to start more Formal training with your GSD?

Have you ever varied this?

Rodeo

The answer is difficult to say...Because it depends on what you're talking about when you say "Formal Training"..."Formal Training" for what...Of what kind...Obedience...Beginning Obedience...Tracking...Search & Rescue...Protection (Bite Work)...Then you have different stages of training...You have the Drive Promotion...and so on...

"Have you ever varied this": Yes...With every dog...You see every dog is different and needs and requires different things at different times...Some mature faster...While others require more time to mature to get deeper into training...

Also you can talk about Conformation Training...The same thing is true...You can start early but you don't get serious until later on...You don't want to put too much pressure on a young dog who can't handle it...You may destroy all the potential before you barely get started...

What you've asked is a very good question...the only problem is it's a complicated answer...It all comes down to "What kind of training are you talking about and What is Formal Training..."?

~Bob~

Fun, behaviour-shaping training starts from day1. For more serious training, it all depends on the dog - as Q-man says, each dog will mature at different stages. Also, each dog must be approached as an individual and the training tailored to that dog's temperament, needs, drives and motivations. Bottom line - get to know your dog and what will work best for him/her.

There is never a single moment when you are not training your dog.

In fact there is  not one single Plank time of time you are not training your dog.

To call it formal or informal training is arbitrary and has no meaning to a dog.

 

Dogs are simple input/output data processors, they have no ability to switch it on or off. It only stops when they die.

What splendid responses. Makes good sense.

Much Thanks,
Rodeo

I believe in starting training as soon as possible. I like to teach the pup how to learn early on using marker/clicker training. I like to teach the pup what my markers mean so that when we start luring and shaping they already are experienced with my verbiage/clicker.