May
14
At what age can I start serious training of my Rottweiler?
BySte is three months now, learning to be housebroken, and knows a few basic things like “sit”. But her attention is all over the place. What age will she settle enough to pay attention and start training seriously? WITHOUT putting an end to the wonderful face licking and lovable puppy
10 Comments
May 14th, 2011 at 7:15 am
as soon as you bring home.
May 14th, 2011 at 7:39 am
the longer you leave it the harder it will be…. wait until she gets used to the new surroundings though…
May 14th, 2011 at 7:51 am
teach it while its young because an old dog cant learn new tricks, seriously
May 14th, 2011 at 8:51 am
right now, just take it easy and go slow. Understand your dogs attention span, find what can get her attention correctly and for your sake, get someone to help you now. You need to know that Rottweilers are stubborn and very very loyal animals. Bad training, and no training makes for a very scary Rottie. So sign her up for some classes and get her in even if its just the local community one. It will give you ideas how to re-direct her energy for the better
May 14th, 2011 at 9:13 am
Now — absolutely now. The more you can get into a pup before they hit the adolescent stage the better.
Rotties are so intelligent and especially as young pups seem to just soak up the training. Most rotties will be top of the training class when young, and I have always had my youngsters through the bronze good citizen test by 5 months. (Before they hit the Kevins and I can’t do anything with them for a while ) lol.
She will learn quickly to “wee” on command if you tell her what she is doing. By 11 weeks or so, I usually can take them out and tell them “wee wee” and they go straight away. I have lots of pup fosters if you are wondering how I have so many.
Keep training short in no longer than 10 min bursts, and also keep it fun. You will strengthen that bond between you no end and the wonderful face licking and lovable puppy will be there for about another 10 years……
Always happy to take an email for rottie specific questions if you need them.
May 14th, 2011 at 9:40 am
You can start serious training at eight weeks. However you always have to match your training to the dog. If you have a young pup, the sessions need to be very short to match their attention span.
My advice is to always leave them wanting more. End your training sessions while your dog is still having fun and wants to work more. If you work until your dog is tired or bored, they will quickly lose their good attitude.
Corrections are not appropriate for a young puppy. Even when they are older corrections should be few and far between.
May 14th, 2011 at 10:17 am
i would go ahead and start. if you dont mind her licking your face with those loveable puppy kisses, dont train her not to do it! the training will help keep her attention in one place as well. there is a time and place for certain behavior, and thats what training is all about.
May 14th, 2011 at 11:03 am
From 8-12 weeks the puppy should be able to learn:
1. Creating drive to learn
2. Xtra learns her name
3. “No” means stop!
4. Sit and stay
5. Come sit in front position
6. Learning heel position
7. Teaching down
From about 5 months+:
1. building drive
2. proper heeling
3. ‘unconditional down’
4. ‘come when called’ commands.
May 14th, 2011 at 11:57 am
You want to keep your training age appropriate, otherwise you will just end up doing it twice anyway.
Until a pup reaches puberty (about 6 months) it’s only motivations will be food and affection, so take advantage of that and cookie train while it is most affective. Formal training with corrections should wait until after the pup reaches puberty. Easy way to tell is it will have it’s permanent teeth.
May 14th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
as soon as possible