Dog Advice Topic: When To Start Training Your Dog

September 28th, 2005

I just adopted a new puppy who is only 10 weeks old. I'm hearing all these different opinions about when I can start training him - after a certain age, once he's had all his vaccinations... What's the scoop?
-New Pup in Naperville

NPiN,
In a word - Immediately!
Back when only punishment based training was used it was thought that the dog had to "mature" to a certain age (usually six months) before they could handle training. Now we know that most dogs can't handle those harsh methods at any age.

Since Collins Canine uses reward-based positive training, there are no harmful side effects, so training can start even when the pup is still with the breeder.

A second reason you may hear regarding waiting to train a dog is that they should be fully immunized. This is not necessary either. Far more dogs are put down due to behavioral problems stemming from lack of early socialization than die from an immunizable disease caught during puppy class. So start training now!

And that's the bark on the street!
Bark up!
Bella

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