Training started the moment you gathered that little ball of fur up in your arms for the first time, and it never ends. It is a continuum of more and bigger distractions your dog must learn to ignore while executing a command, and “finished dog” is always a relative term.
You can’t go wrong with a few basics: Rick Smith, son of legendary trainer Delmar Smith, says your dog should stop, go away from you, and come back to you when you want.
The devil, of course, is in the details. Every dog progresses at his own pace, but here are some rough guidelines to follow on your first year (or so) together.
AGE 2 to 4 MONTHS
Acquaint your apprentice with people, places, grooming, doctoring, and—once vaccinations are complete—other friendly dogs. This is the time for housebreaking, crate training, teaching pup to respond to his name, and the meaning of “no.” Mild exercise only—his joints’ growth plates aren’t ready for sustained running or jumping. Acquaint him with a collar and leash, but no yanking; you get more cooperation with praise than with punishment.
AGE 5 to 7 MONTHS
Obedience is the primary goal—getting the dog to come when called and yield to a leash are the first orders of business. Bold pups can explore the field on a check-cord, learning the…
