Basic Obedience
We start our puppies with basic obedience commands as early as 4 weeks old. By the time they come to you they will be familiar with these commands/activities:
Sit
Down ("lay down")
Off ("off the couch")
Leave It
Come
Leash Walking
Potty Training
Down ("lay down")
Off ("off the couch")
Leave It
Come
Leash Walking
Potty Training
We also take each litter on two outings so that they are familiar with riding in vehicles before they leave for their new homes. Once to our veterinarian and the other trip is decided with each new litter. Below I have included a few articles that can explain more about early training in puppies.
The First Seven Weeks:
Raising Well-Adjusted Puppies
By Wendell J. Sammet, The American Kennel Club's
2002 Breeder of the Year
Wendell J. Sammet with the AKC 2002 Breeder of the Year Award.
As breeders, we have the opportunity to start work early in producing our next generation of well-adjusted breeding and show stock as well as family pets. We can start when puppies are about 10 to 14 days old. Making the time to handle and talk to your puppies on a daily basis, socialize them and being aware of their early developmental needs will result in a tenfold return for the life of the dogs on the investment of time and care you put in during puppyhood.
Handling and Talking
Gently pick up each puppy, and roll her in many positions. While speaking softly and holding the puppy in your hands, roll her over on her stomach, on her side, on her back, and so on. A puppy's hearing isn't fully developed until she is about 10 to 14 days old, the same approximate age that a pup's eyes open. While rolling your puppies into different positions on daily basis, notice the reactions you get from each pup. Some will be very relaxed no matter what positions they are in. These puppies will learn easily and adjust well to their environments. They will be your candidates for breeding and show stock.
It's important to do this exercise with pups at least once a day. Twice a day is even better. Take turns with other people to exercise the pups. Invite friends and relatives to take a turn so the puppies get used to different people handling them. Continue this until the pups are about 3 weeks old (not so much the changing of positions as the holding and talking).
Some puppies will become tense but, with continual attention, will improve and make good pets. Others that squirm and squeal at first may also improve over a period of time, again with continual attention. Take much care when selecting new homes for these puppies to ensure that the new owners will continue the nurturing care you have begun.
Socialize your puppies at an early age.
Socialization
When puppies are 3 to 6 weeks-old, proper socialization is critical. They need to be with their littermates to play, scrap, bark and chew on each other. At this stage the pups can hear and see well, and they have a sense of smell that is becoming more complex. To build the puppies' confidence and waylay fears and potential future problems, the dam should remain with the pups as long as she desires. Be careful to note the dam's disposition while she is with her pups; it can reflect onto them. The pups' nervous systems continue to develop rapidly at this time. Expose them to unfamiliar places and loud noises. Feed them in one area, and let them out in another to relieve themselves. This makes house training a bit simpler. Provide different areas for play, perhaps a room with lots of activity, as well as different outside areas with open space.
Pups' Developing Needs
The 5-to-7-week-old period is another extremely important time in a puppy's development. During this period a pup is totally dependent on the environment you provide to stimulate and foster its development. The pups also require attention from others for proper socialization.
Rapid growth occurs during this time. The puppy is more stable on his legs, he has full sight and hearing, and his brain is physically mature for the final stage of physical development. A pup is ready to perform his physical processes and has the ability to learn what you teach him.
Many animal behaviorists agree that socialization reaches its peak at the 49th day (7 weeks). At 8 to 9 weeks, the pup can go to his new owner and home. He has received human contact and love. He has been exposed to different environments and house breaking. Now you can choose with confidence your pup for future breeding and showing. And you can place the puppies you choose to sell according to their temperaments in homes with new owners. Different personalities will match different homes and families. The individual attention, interaction and love that puppies receive during their first seven weeks are invaluable and will reap lifetimes of rewards.
2002 Breeder of the Year
Wendell J. Sammet with the AKC 2002 Breeder of the Year Award.
As breeders, we have the opportunity to start work early in producing our next generation of well-adjusted breeding and show stock as well as family pets. We can start when puppies are about 10 to 14 days old. Making the time to handle and talk to your puppies on a daily basis, socialize them and being aware of their early developmental needs will result in a tenfold return for the life of the dogs on the investment of time and care you put in during puppyhood.
Handling and Talking
Gently pick up each puppy, and roll her in many positions. While speaking softly and holding the puppy in your hands, roll her over on her stomach, on her side, on her back, and so on. A puppy's hearing isn't fully developed until she is about 10 to 14 days old, the same approximate age that a pup's eyes open. While rolling your puppies into different positions on daily basis, notice the reactions you get from each pup. Some will be very relaxed no matter what positions they are in. These puppies will learn easily and adjust well to their environments. They will be your candidates for breeding and show stock.
It's important to do this exercise with pups at least once a day. Twice a day is even better. Take turns with other people to exercise the pups. Invite friends and relatives to take a turn so the puppies get used to different people handling them. Continue this until the pups are about 3 weeks old (not so much the changing of positions as the holding and talking).
Some puppies will become tense but, with continual attention, will improve and make good pets. Others that squirm and squeal at first may also improve over a period of time, again with continual attention. Take much care when selecting new homes for these puppies to ensure that the new owners will continue the nurturing care you have begun.
Socialize your puppies at an early age.
Socialization
When puppies are 3 to 6 weeks-old, proper socialization is critical. They need to be with their littermates to play, scrap, bark and chew on each other. At this stage the pups can hear and see well, and they have a sense of smell that is becoming more complex. To build the puppies' confidence and waylay fears and potential future problems, the dam should remain with the pups as long as she desires. Be careful to note the dam's disposition while she is with her pups; it can reflect onto them. The pups' nervous systems continue to develop rapidly at this time. Expose them to unfamiliar places and loud noises. Feed them in one area, and let them out in another to relieve themselves. This makes house training a bit simpler. Provide different areas for play, perhaps a room with lots of activity, as well as different outside areas with open space.
Pups' Developing Needs
The 5-to-7-week-old period is another extremely important time in a puppy's development. During this period a pup is totally dependent on the environment you provide to stimulate and foster its development. The pups also require attention from others for proper socialization.
Rapid growth occurs during this time. The puppy is more stable on his legs, he has full sight and hearing, and his brain is physically mature for the final stage of physical development. A pup is ready to perform his physical processes and has the ability to learn what you teach him.
Many animal behaviorists agree that socialization reaches its peak at the 49th day (7 weeks). At 8 to 9 weeks, the pup can go to his new owner and home. He has received human contact and love. He has been exposed to different environments and house breaking. Now you can choose with confidence your pup for future breeding and showing. And you can place the puppies you choose to sell according to their temperaments in homes with new owners. Different personalities will match different homes and families. The individual attention, interaction and love that puppies receive during their first seven weeks are invaluable and will reap lifetimes of rewards.
Puppy Development
by Cesar Millan (Cesar's Way)
4 - 12 Weeks
Week 4 to week 12 typically comprise the third stage of puppy development. During this stage, the senses begin to mature and socialization becomes an important part of the puppy's life. It is critical during this key phase that the puppy be able to interact with other dogs and with people.
For the first few weeks of this phase, it's likely that the only other dogs the puppy will have access to are his mother and litter mates. His normal body temperature should be approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and his system will begin regulating that temperature naturally. Additionally, the instinct to squat will take over and external stimulation will no longer be required for the puppy to move his bowels.
Early socialization will manifest as a basic kind of play with the puppy's litter mates - wrestling and a reserved play-biting known as "inhibited bite." This is the way in which the puppy will begin to learn about social structure and pack ranking. Rules, boundaries, and limitations set by his mother begin to take shape. Physical co-ordination and eyesight are still not fully developed, but the puppy's mobility will have progressed beyond wiggling, rolling, and flopping around.
Weeks 5 through 7 are a good time for the puppy to begin his early socialization with people. His sense of hearing should be well-developed enough to allow the possibility of command conditioning using positive reinforcement
The puppy's fear response to sudden startling sights and sounds will begin to emerge at or around this point in his development, so exposure to any normal household objects and noises and association with positive experiences is very important. Also, the kind of play that puppy is used to with his litter mates, including the "inhibited bite," or "mouthing," may begin to appear in his interaction with his human handlers. It is crucial to remember that this kind of behavior can often escalate and lead to dominance or aggression and should be discouraged.
Even during this late phase, make sure to stay alert about the possibility of infection. The health of the puppy should be carefully monitored, as should any and all interaction with human handlers who may pose a risk of communicable disease. The puppy should receive another de-worming at this stage, and then regular monthly de-worming from this point on. And you should discuss with your vet inoculations that could help to boost the puppy's immunities. Sometime around week 6 or 7, the puppy should begin the weaning process, moving from mothers milk onto formulas and then ultimately solid foods that his human handlers will provide.
Week 8 is where you can expect to come into your new puppy's life if you have chosen to adopt through a reputable breeder. Make sure that you coordinate with the breeder and your veterinarian to determine that the puppy has been de-wormed prior to the adoption and to find out what shots, if any, the puppy may still need.
Because the puppy has spent his early weeks developing in the company of his mother and his brothers and sisters, his mental processes should be mature enough to handle the move from the breeder to your home, and he should be receptive to training. Still, just because your puppy has been socialized doesn't mean he doesn't still need your guidance from day one! Don't forget to get right to work setting your new pack's rules, boundaries, and limitations and consistently enforcing them. Your new puppy is easily influenced by your pack leadership, so keep it balanced and consistent! House training and introduction to the sights and sounds of your puppy's new home should begin right away. Positive experiences associated with the various new elements of your puppy's life will help ensure a smooth transition. And don't forget that your puppy is still a social animal! If you have no other dogs or pets, try to find calm, vaccinated dog pals for him to interact with. This could prevent issues that may arise later on from lack of socialization.
Week 4 to week 12 typically comprise the third stage of puppy development. During this stage, the senses begin to mature and socialization becomes an important part of the puppy's life. It is critical during this key phase that the puppy be able to interact with other dogs and with people.
For the first few weeks of this phase, it's likely that the only other dogs the puppy will have access to are his mother and litter mates. His normal body temperature should be approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and his system will begin regulating that temperature naturally. Additionally, the instinct to squat will take over and external stimulation will no longer be required for the puppy to move his bowels.
Early socialization will manifest as a basic kind of play with the puppy's litter mates - wrestling and a reserved play-biting known as "inhibited bite." This is the way in which the puppy will begin to learn about social structure and pack ranking. Rules, boundaries, and limitations set by his mother begin to take shape. Physical co-ordination and eyesight are still not fully developed, but the puppy's mobility will have progressed beyond wiggling, rolling, and flopping around.
Weeks 5 through 7 are a good time for the puppy to begin his early socialization with people. His sense of hearing should be well-developed enough to allow the possibility of command conditioning using positive reinforcement
The puppy's fear response to sudden startling sights and sounds will begin to emerge at or around this point in his development, so exposure to any normal household objects and noises and association with positive experiences is very important. Also, the kind of play that puppy is used to with his litter mates, including the "inhibited bite," or "mouthing," may begin to appear in his interaction with his human handlers. It is crucial to remember that this kind of behavior can often escalate and lead to dominance or aggression and should be discouraged.
Even during this late phase, make sure to stay alert about the possibility of infection. The health of the puppy should be carefully monitored, as should any and all interaction with human handlers who may pose a risk of communicable disease. The puppy should receive another de-worming at this stage, and then regular monthly de-worming from this point on. And you should discuss with your vet inoculations that could help to boost the puppy's immunities. Sometime around week 6 or 7, the puppy should begin the weaning process, moving from mothers milk onto formulas and then ultimately solid foods that his human handlers will provide.
Week 8 is where you can expect to come into your new puppy's life if you have chosen to adopt through a reputable breeder. Make sure that you coordinate with the breeder and your veterinarian to determine that the puppy has been de-wormed prior to the adoption and to find out what shots, if any, the puppy may still need.
Because the puppy has spent his early weeks developing in the company of his mother and his brothers and sisters, his mental processes should be mature enough to handle the move from the breeder to your home, and he should be receptive to training. Still, just because your puppy has been socialized doesn't mean he doesn't still need your guidance from day one! Don't forget to get right to work setting your new pack's rules, boundaries, and limitations and consistently enforcing them. Your new puppy is easily influenced by your pack leadership, so keep it balanced and consistent! House training and introduction to the sights and sounds of your puppy's new home should begin right away. Positive experiences associated with the various new elements of your puppy's life will help ensure a smooth transition. And don't forget that your puppy is still a social animal! If you have no other dogs or pets, try to find calm, vaccinated dog pals for him to interact with. This could prevent issues that may arise later on from lack of socialization.
A Quote by Gail Fisher
How Soon Can You Start Training Your Dog? "One thing a lot of people don't realize," says Gail Fisher, author of The Thinking Dog, "is that if a dog is awake, the dog is learning."
Recognized as one of the world's top lecturers on dog behavior and training, Fisher says there is no reason not to start training your puppy the day you take it home. "As a breeder, I was able to start training puppies as young as 4 and a half to 5 weeks old. So, if they can learn that early, you can certainly start training when the puppy is 8, 9, or 11 weeks."
Recognized as one of the world's top lecturers on dog behavior and training, Fisher says there is no reason not to start training your puppy the day you take it home. "As a breeder, I was able to start training puppies as young as 4 and a half to 5 weeks old. So, if they can learn that early, you can certainly start training when the puppy is 8, 9, or 11 weeks."