Age to start training puppies

[Indi]

Is it true that you shouldn't start training a puppy until it's 5 months old?

[kalina82]

no this is not true. training should begin the moment you have your new pup home. they need to learn the rules of the house, rules of socialization, and they need to be housebroken.

[keri1973]

Good gracious no! Start at 8 weeks or as soon as you get them home... by 5 months they should be pretty much trained.

[Gracie2006]

If you don't get your puppy until they are 12 weeks, it might be too much to expect them to be trained by 5 months. I got Gracie at 8 weeks. She was much easier to potty train than Holly whom I got at 12 weeks. I'm still trying to figure out the reason why, if age has anything to do with it or if it is just personality. Both have been fairly easy to train as far as sit, down, etc. Holly has "come" down pat. Gracie never got "come" until she was over a year old, and even now to her "come" means "stay still". That is an improvement over "catch me if you can".

[hha]

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

If you don't get your puppy until they are 12 weeks, it might be too much to expect them to be trained by 5 months. I got Gracie at 8 weeks. She was much easier to potty train than Holly whom I got at 12 weeks. I'm still trying to figure out the reason why, if age has anything to do with it or if it is just personality. Both have been fairly easy to train as far as sit, down, etc. Holly has "come" down pat. Gracie never got "come" until she was over a year old, and even now to her "come" means "stay still". That is an improvement over "catch me if you can".

I think this is very true..the one I got at not quite 7 weeks housebroke so much faster than the one I got at 11 weeks..the one I got at 11 weeks is now almost 7 mos. and I'm having a heck of a time getting her to know where to poop...

[keri1973]

Originally Posted by hha

I think this is very true..the one I got at not quite 7 weeks housebroke so much faster than the one I got at 11 weeks..the one I got at 11 weeks is now almost 7 mos. and I'm having a heck of a time getting her to know where to poop...

Yea me too. I got both of mine at 8 weeks and they were both super easy to train. As long as there are no health issues involved.

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

If you don't get your puppy until they are 12 weeks, it might be too much to expect them to be trained by 5 months. I got Gracie at 8 weeks. She was much easier to potty train than Holly whom I got at 12 weeks. I'm still trying to figure out the reason why, if age has anything to do with it or if it is just personality. Both have been fairly easy to train as far as sit, down, etc. Holly has "come" down pat. Gracie never got "come" until she was over a year old, and even now to her "come" means "stay still". That is an improvement over "catch me if you can".

This is off topic, but I see that you got one of your girls at 8 weeks. The breeder I'm getting Abby from said I could bring her home at 8 weeks and I've read here that you should wait until at least 12 weeks. After reading that you've had an easier time with Gracie than Holly, I have to wonder what the best choice will be for me and my new baby. I want the happiest, healthiest puppy possible.

[patty58]

I got Murfee at 6 weeks...I know not that was too young, but we never had a days trouble with him and he is 4 now. I started training him from the moment we got him. He was very easy to housebreak. Good luck and welcome to yt.

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

Originally Posted by patty58

I got Murfee at 6 weeks...I know not that was too young, but we never had a days trouble with him and he is 4 now. I started training him from the moment we got him. He was very easy to housebreak. Good luck and welcome to yt.

Thank You

[Gracie2006]

Originally Posted by MyPeanutAbbyGra

This is off topic, but I see that you got one of your girls at 8 weeks. The breeder I'm getting Abby from said I could bring her home at 8 weeks and I've read here that you should wait until at least 12 weeks. After reading that you've had an easier time with Gracie than Holly, I have to wonder what the best choice will be for me and my new baby. I want the happiest, healthiest puppy possible.

I can also add that I had a harder time breaking Gracie of biting. In fact, Holly never bites. I'm sure Holly's dog mom taught her not to bite. I think there is something to be said for leaving them with their littermates and dog mom until they are 12 weeks, for social reasons, but I do think potty training is easier if you take them home earlier.