I got a great question from a client yesterday: "When can I start teaching my puppy?" Puppies have permanent learning starting at about six weeks, so you can start working with your puppy as soon as you bring him home! In fact, even veterinarians recommend an early start for your puppy.
The earlier you start teaching your puppy, the better off you’ll be (and the better off your pup will be). Pups can easily learn to sit before you put their food down, put their leash on, open the door, pet them, etc.
A well-informed and smart breeder will start this training for you, since you can’t have the pup until he’s eight weeks old. Some breeders start very young – they click the clicker at feeding time every time the mom comes into the whelping box. Those pups learn very early that click = really good things, which of course, only makes teaching your dog with the clicker that much easier.
So if you have a pup, don’t wait – start teaching him now! Clicker training is fun and easy for both you and your pup. Get a head-start on having the smartest pup on the block!
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