How young should I start training my dog

How young should I start training my dog? A question I get very regularly and my answer is always the same. Once you get your dog, its never too early. Whether they are 8 weeks old or 3 years old – its always a good time to train your dog.

Naturally younger dogs are more likely to pick things up quickly. Training them early using positive reinforcement methods ensures they mature to be happy well rounded dogs.

Training them early also ensure you develop a strong bond with your dog and are less frustrated by some puppy behaviours like chewing. The sooner you start to train them, the better you and your dog can communicate.

Another aspect of training that’s important from a young age is socialising. This means becoming comfortable with all sorts of different sounds and creatures. This includes other animals, including other dogs, children, elderly, loud sounds, thunder and so on.

Training your dog as soon as you get them can help tackling toilet training as well as general obedience.

We don’t always get our dogs at such a young age though. We support rehoming rescue dogs as well. Most of the time, these dogs are older.

Its never too late to start training even with more mature dogs. Even if some of the problematic behaviours are a little more engrained.

Repetition is the key. Training your dog as soon as you get them will help overcome any problems you may be having. Enlisting the help of a specialised trainer, particularly with problematic behaviour is encouraged.

So no matter what age your dog is or what behaviours they’re facing, its never too late to start training. The sooner the better.