Is tracking a priority? How young can they be started in tracks? Or is it bitework then obedience or is it obedience first then bitework? Playing important? And at what age are they learning the most? Wanting to learn more about other aspects of dog training. Thank you. Juan
As, I suppose with the other sports, there are many different ways to Rome.?
But, basically, every aspect of an IPO dog's training can begin at the earliest stages. We call this foundation work. Teaching the dog to use its nose, teaching the dog to look into the handler's eyes, teaching the dog to strike and grip correctly, and more and more.
This, of course, should be done informally and playfully. Most of this early work is classcial conditioning - pairing certain activities and locations with strong reinforcers - to the point that the dog begins to react favorably to the site of a park or the site of a tracking field, etc.
When the dog shows that it can concentrate and focus for 5 or 10 minutes, then you can begin to really move forward. The work can become a little more formal and the behaviors required more exact.
No doubt, this foundation work will leave its mark on the dog for the rest of its life.
foundation work will leave its mark on the dog for the rest of its life.
Yeah, it's foundational work that counts. I start with a 7 weeks old pup with everything. But same system as our little baby will learn at kindergarten and finally make it to university. The good things with dogs: they will adapt with the goal we set for them -as long as the potential quality does match with the goal !-.
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