when can you teach dog tricks?
By javmagik029
@javmagik029 (187)
United States
January 27, 2008 10:11pm CST
i have a beagle puppy and she is 8 weeks old. now i know that is entirely too young to start teaching them tricks but i was just curious to see when a good time to start teaching them to roll over or how to play fetch with them and such. what would be a good age for that and how would i go about teaching them? thanks for the advice mylotters
1 response
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
28 Jan 08
It's never too early to start on the basics like sit and stay. As for playing fetch, start slow, get them interested in a ball and roll it to them, then they will get to where they will chase it and bring it back. I usually start as soon as the get home with the basics of sit. I also work on speak too. My Heeler, Skeeter, well he does sit, shake, High 5, and he knows inside voice and outside voice, he says please, I love you and momma. And if I ask him if he's a bad dog, he will growl and "argue".. he had most of that mastered by 14 weeks. But, I was spending 14-16 hours a day with him (every waking moment). I will say though that he has been an exceptional dog. I've never had one learn as fast as he has. You can start any time, but positive reinforcement is the key!!
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
28 Jan 08
The dog I speak about in my post is an Australian Cattle Dog, or Blue Heeler (there is also the Red Heeler, which I have one of too, it's merely a color designation). The breed is known for being highly intelligent, very tough and very protective. The were bred for working cattle, and it is a natural instinct with them. My Red Heeler is just as smart, and he does most of the same tricks too. He however is not as protective of me as this younger Blue I have, but I suspect it is the difference in the amount of time I was able to spend with him 16 years ago when my kids were little and now, when my kids are nearly grown.
