When to start Training...

[WolfiesDad]

Wolfie has been with us a little over a week, I am trying to let him settle in before working too much on basic training.i am only working with him for a few minutes several times a day.

The first night, he would chase the ball, then leave it and come back to me.I started telling him to bring me the ball and i would give him a treat and praise when he did.It only took a day or two before he was bringing it to me and spitting the treat out and waiting for me to throw it again. After that i started making him sit before i would throw it again and after he figured out what i wanted him to do he picked that up quickly.

Now we are working on sitting before i attach or remove his leash or open a door and he is starting to figure out if he sits he gets to go outside alot faster than if he jumps around and gets excited.

My question is should i stick to working on only one command (SIT) at a time untill he understands or should i work on two or three to keep him from growing bored?

Also I have very little background on his first six months since i got him from a shelter and all they could tell me is he seems to have had very little human contact and may have domanance issues because he was left alone to run the house all day. The owner surrendered him because he didnt have a fenced yard or the time to spend with him. Should i begin socializing him right away or give it a little longer for him to become comfortable first?

Please forgive my ignorance. I have had dogs around my whole life,but this is only the second that was really "My" dog and I am really trying to do right by him. Thanks and I'm sure i'll have more questions later.

[WolfiesDad]

I also forgot to mention he is 6 months old.

[WiscTiger]

Hi Wolfies-Dad,

He seems to be picking up on the sit command very quickly. I would also use that at feed time, he has to sit before you put his food down. Also watch when you go out side, you go through the door first.

I would start looking for a place to train. Basic Obedience work at home is great for a start. You want to get the dog in training where there are other dogs, other people and distractions. Obedience training will strengthen the bond you are developing.

Have a Happy Holiday Season.

[freundhund]

WolfiesDad

Start socialising him immediately. If you start now in the first few days, whileast you have him he will look to you for guidance and you will find that it is easier to indicate good behaviour.

Take him out to meet as many people and dog friendly dogs as you can.

As for obedience just train him as if you had started the first week of obedience training, assuming not Schutzhund. From the sit also do the drop(down), stand. recall on lead even the stays. Just show him each time what you want. Due to his need to please you at this stage of the relationship you will find he picks things up quickly.

Regards

Freundhu nd