how much training did you do with your pup?

[hatwoman]

I ask the question because I want to know what's normal/the minimum and whether or not I was precious/paranoid. Up until Big Dog was about 18 months I did training with him all the time. I permanently carried dog treats in my pocket. I would practice his recall many times a day, in the house, in the garden, out and about. I would do several short sessions a day on other stuff - again, in the house, in the garden, at the school gate (maximum distraction)and out on walks. I saw it as a constant component of life with a pup. Every single day, many times a day. I watched him like a hawk - especially when out in public and when we had visitors and never really switched off. I have just spent some time with someone with a 4 month old and there was none of this. The wee thing sits well but recall certainly needs lots of work - and I didn't see it being practiced at all (only being used, with varying success, when needed, iyswim). However, maybe I was a bit ott and all that's really needed is a bit of gentle training which can be relaxed when normal routine is different (eg when visiting). Or am I being reasonable in feeling a bit about how well trained this pup will end up being as an adult?

[belindarose]

I'm doing what you did with my 14 week springer pup. Very hard work and hoping it pays off with a lovely family dog in the long run. He's doing very well, but it's constant! Got him late so only just had sexin jabs and not out for walks yet, so it's all been house and garden (and car) stuff.

[Lizcat]

I see training as a life long thing, so with mobile mop I have been to classes for 1 hour a week for the last year and am keeping going. I do around 15 minutes formal training a day, but see life as training you sit and wait for your food until I allow you to take twice daily. Monitoring with people and on walks and practice recall all the time.

[CalamityKate]

As much as I could/can possibly fit in.

I did, and still do, keep treats in every pocket. There are generally even treats in my bathrobe pocket. You can fit in five minutes training while you're waiting for the kettle to boil.

It's not even as if you always have to fit in a formal "session" - just asking for a sit before you open the door (nothing to do with Dominance/Pack theory, I hasten to add - just making the most of whatever the dog sees as rewarding at any given time) reinforces training.

Really, training never stops, throughout their lives - or it shouldn't, especially if you want a well trained, reliable dog.