Too young to train???

[BigBoy Rocky]

Hi everyone!

Im new to the forum and I am looking for some training advice. We just brought Rocky (hes 10 weeks old) home last week and Ive been trying to work with him on certain tricks. First, let me tell you that he learned sit on the first day, as you can see in the pic, he just make your heart melt. lovicon Ive got "come here" down but thats it! Ive trying teaching him "shake" and "lay down", but he hasnt caught on, all he wants is the yummy treats or to go play. Ill ask him to shake or lay down and he just sits (he knows for a fact he gets a treat if he sits) Oh also let me mention that he sits for everything, his food, water, before we go outside and before we come back in, he sits so I can put his collar on, practically for everything.

I know hes capable of catching on to other tricks because he's practically potty trained already, he even scratched the door to be let out the other day.

Can I get some advice? Is he too young to learn so much so fast? Im not sure what Im doing wrong. I use the clicker, but Im new to training a dog.

Thanks!

 

[gmacleod]

No, he's not too young And he's going to learn from you irrespective of whether you're "trying" to teach or not - so you might as well make it deliberate and choose what you want him to learn.

The only thing I'd stress is that training sessions should be very short, and they should *always* be fun (for the puppy especially, but actually for both of you). That applies to training at ALL ages, but perhaps most especially to young puppies. Enjoy!

 

[Dell]

I agree with gmacleod...10 weeks old is certainly old enough to train. I've seen documentaries on seeing eye dogs being trained at days old. The training just needs to be appropriate to the age of the pup.

I've heard to "train to commercials". When watching TV, when a commercial comes on, use that as a training time. When the commercials are over, stop training. And make it all a big fun game.

 

[BigBoy Rocky]

Thanks so much!! I had no idea training sessions would be successful in such short time. I will def try the commerical training, it sounds like a great idea!