What is the right age to start obedience and leash training?

[SachiBear]

My boxer is 10 weeks old and I am not sure when to start leash training her and start basic obedience. I know that puppies have short attention spans, and I've been told not to take her to obedience class until her shots are complete which won't be for another month or so. What is recommended? Please help

 

[apollosdad]

i recommend picking up a good book such as, "Boxers for Dummies" or "Training Your Boxer", and start training him at home right away. i wouldn't worry too much about getting into the "stay", "down", or "heel" commands just yet, but i would definitely get him started on the "sit" command, because it is the basis of all obedience commands. i would also suggest getting him used to having a collar on and perhaps have him drag around the leash for a few minutes a day so that he gradually gets accustomed to it. if you get a good book, such as the two i listed above, you can get an early start on training him and when he does attend his first class, he'll be ready and it'll be a bit easier for him. it's never too early to start him on obedience training. remember to be consistent in his training and to keep it short so that he doesn't get burnt out. try him out at five minute training sessions a few times a day. i'd also recommedn that you place him in a puppy socialization class first, and then enroll him in a basic obedience class.

 

[Jan]

You can usually take your puppy to class when she has had her 3rd vaccination when she is around 12 to 16 weeks old. You can check with your local obedience school and see what their policy is. It would be a good idea to sign her up right away. You can start training her now and getting her used to her collar and leash.

Good luck!

 

[SachiBear]

Thank you for the recommendations on the books....I will give them a try. I really appreciate it!

 

[apollosdad]

no problem. hope it works out.

 

[BULLDOG8871]

BOXER's FOR DUMMIES

I am in the middle of reading Boxer's for Dummies. No only does it contain the history and breed standards, it is also full of useful tips on issues from training to health. I highly recommend this book. I have Dog Training for Dummies next on the block

 

[XenaWPG]

Puppy Headstart at 10-12 Weeks of Age

At our local Petsmart I met a trainer who has great looking and behaving boxers herself. She teaches puppy socialization (headstart classes) beginning at 10 weeks of age. Basic Obedience Classes don't start until puppies are 16-20 weeks of age. We are signed up and we start tomorrow. The first class is just for the puppy "parents" and we must leave the dog at home and bring her shot records to make sure that she is up-to-date before any puppies can come to the class. Also, our local Petsmart (not a commercial I assure you) is a great place to take our puppy to socialize each week and we do so. And yes, we use Banfield too. This particular trainer and Petsmart seem to be the best I've experienced so for us it was a good choice. We buy her food at another local premium pet supply retailer because we feed Innova and it is not available at Petsmart. We also take her to the other store where she socializes as well.

In terms of books. I've read several standard Boxer Handbooks (Barrons etc.)as well as some specialized books and magazines on puppy behaviors and training. The books had great photos and wonderful descriptions of everything from the estimated cost of buying a Boxer pup for the first year to training and caring for your boxer throughout its lifespan. I also read the "Dummies" book and found it to be no more helpful than the other books, it all depends on your preference for how your reading material is presented to you. I tend to prefer pictures and color with my texts but the "Dummies" books are more than adequate without the colorful photos.

However...for us anyway...the bottomline is that I've found the exact same information and more online and this way I don't have to pay for another book to lay around my house. So. If you have money to blow--buy a textbook and start training your puppy using the information in it. If not, read online forums on Boxerworld and on the ABC website and visit your local public library where you can borrow "Dummies" books for free and save your cash so you can pay the fees to get your puppy into socialization classes.

 

[apollosdad]

i've read a wide variety of books including books that focused especially on boxers and training. i've bought boxers for dummies, dog training for dummies, and dog tricks for dummies. when researching the boxer breed years ago i also read through training your boxer by joan hustace walker, boxer: a kennel club book by richard tomita and highly recommend that all boxer owners get a copy of the world of the boxer by richard tomita. i've also read through books such as the other end of the leash, culture clash, the dog whisperer. they are all really good books. i like to read a wide variety of books in order to get different opinions and variations on how people think and then apply what i think is best for my situation. hope you enjoy the book.