Too young to crack the whip?

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Abby is 16 weeks old. When I take her for a walk she has no walking etiquette. She pulls like a sled dog. She zig zags back and forth infront of me constantly. I correct her half-arsed at best because I think "she is still a puppy - too young to crack the whip, etc..." But a friend I ran into who is an excellent dog mommy/trainer to her 2 yr old lab (who is amazingly well trained) told me it is definitely time to be more forceful, consistent and tenacious about training. She said now is the age to start "heel" and other walking manners.

Thoughts?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Not too young to train! There are lots of programs from pet stores, to personal trainers, to clicker training (find the group on here right now), to the video one I am doing right now with my dood. It is not treat based which suits me better.

[Bev and WILLY]

Hi Nancy. What is the video training you are doing with Ned?

[Adina P]

Bev, I do a review of it in the Reviews section. It's called "David Dikeman's Command Performance" but it's for dogs who are AT LEAST 6 months of age.

[Adina P]

The method you are using has traditionally NOT been recommended for pups under 6 months. They aren't ready for it at 16 weeks...it takes a LOT of focus and demands far too much.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

That's why I didn't say the program. I just wanted her to know that there is a lot out there to choose from. I used to think that there were only two choices - a pet store or city run class - or a private expensive trainer, and that either choice was only treat based. Even the way we were shown clicker training (at the pet store class) was treat based. Maybe its the educator in me - the use of rewards other than praise is specific to a need.

[Kathy (Max's Mom)]

I tried the "pet store" training from a pretty well known chain (not sure if we're allowed to mention the store or not)... anyway, they start puppy classes at 10 weeks (pending shots of course)....and it was a complete waste of time and money!!

For one, Max was still quite young and couldn't/wouldn't really pay attention as he more interested in sniffing and eating everything on their disgusting dirty floors, and two, they taught you basic stuff that your dog is going to learn anyway (ie: his name, come, sit, etc)...you don't need to pay over $100 or more for your dog to learn its own name - you can train all of these basic things yourself at home.

I think once your puppy is old enough, and knows the basics (name, comes when called (for the most part), sits, etc), it would be worthwhile to invest in some good "proper training"....but for all the new puppy owners, I just want to tell them to save their money! - for now. ;-)

[nonnie browne]

You are in the magical formative zone and it is absolutely time to teach this behavior - and many other basic obedience/house manners. Finding a good trainer ( I recommend clicker training) would be very helpful. They are sponges at this age and will be very responsive with a few simple techniques. Good Luck

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

Start now or buy a sled!

[Adina P]

It's NOT too early to start training...but just remember that training means you don't walk the same distance. Cracking the whip isn't necessarily what she needs...because my guess is she doesn't yet know what is expected of her and she hasn't had a lot of practice at it. Small steps, don't expect to go far and teach her exactly what you want. Pick a method or technique and STICK with it for a couple months consistently. Remember NO dog has walking etiquette...it's a human thing not a doggy thing so we have to teach and train it and it takes time. But starting now is a great idea!

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Oh I wasnt clear in my question. I know its not too early to start 'training'. Abby is very smart and she knows "sit", "lay", "stay" (sort of), "rollover", "powpow", "touch" (trick n treat commands). And when I walk with her I praise her when she is in a good position ( I use the word "good!" in lieu of clicker). but then she gets all pully and ziggy zaggy on the leash and I reign her in and say "ACK No Pull!" And I keep dragging her back into position beside me using what the Dog Whisperer does "CHHH! and a sharp touch. Is that enough? Not enough? She is 16 weeks and the choke chain my friend reccommended screamed a resounding "NO WAY!!" in my brain.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

We just switched Whopper to a harness and it has definitely made a huge difference and caused a lot less strain on her neck/throat as well. Also, before the harness, rather than constantly pulling back when she tugged or yelling at her, we would initially freeze in our place which would frustrate her and she'd come closer to keep moving. We then learned to turn in the opposite direction so that she learned that if she pulls towards something, she's not going to get there. It made walks a little frustrating but I'd turn around and make her walk in the opposite direction until she was behaving and then turn back in the direction she wanted to go. If she acted up we turned back again. I tended to work on a 3 strikes and you're back inside mode but that rarely happened and now with the harness we don't have the same issues.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I already use a harness not a collar. (And it is supposed to be an anti-pull harness - lol) But your methods sound like what Tamar Gellar in "The Loved Dog" does. I guess I will have to spend more time doing what you did and actually go on training only walk as opposed to destination walks. The author does the stop altogether so the dog comes back, and turning in opposite directions etc.... I guess it is time for me to put more effort into actual walking training.