What's
the best age for training my
dog?
Usually, the minimum appropriate
age is once the dog is 10-12
weeks old.
Is
a dog ever too old to train?
In our opinion, any dog that
is healthy can benefit from
training. However, just like
humans, the physical and mental
abilities of dogs can diminish
with age and that can impact
the effectiveness of the training.
Additionally, the older a dog
gets, the more established the
habits become. Consequently,
it takes longer to eliminate
an old habit and instill a new
one. The oldest dog that we
have ever heard of in obedience
training was an eleven year
old Dachshund.
Can
I use food for reinforcement?
Use whatever works for your
dog. That could be food, a ball
or toy, or just plain petting/praising.
How
long should my training sessions
be while I'm training at home?
Limit yourself to two (2) or
three (3) sessions per day with
each session being no longer
than five (5) to ten (10) minutes
in length. The younger the dog,
the shorter the training session
should be. For the best results,
train your dog in an area that
has few distractions.
What
equipment do I need to train
my dog?
We recommend a six (6) foot
leash, either nylon or leather.
We don't recommend flexi or
retractable leashes to be used
in training. You'll also need
a good collar that's fitted
properly (we don't want the
dog slipping the collar), treats
or a toy, and water. Make sure
you have an extra dose of patience
and a positive attitude.
What
if my dog is sick?
You probably don’t work
well when you’re ill and
neither does your dog. Let your
dog rest and get better. Then
you can pick up things just
where you left them.
Is
it better to train my dog when
he’s hungry?
In our opinion, yes. Especially
if you’re using food treats
as reinforcement. When you get
into tracking you want the dogs
to get their meals on the track
|