[Mac'N'Roe]

It never ceases to amaze me the number of 8 week old puppies that are so well trained. I see all the time, owners that have an 8 week old puppies that is so well behaved and trained, they know sit, stay, down, come when called...housetrained within a day, go lay down, etc. etc.

Amazing.

At 8 weeks, I was just trying to survive. I didn't get into a training class until they were what, 16 weeks? I couldn't say they were 'housetrained' until they were about 9 months old..although, we only had 2 accidents (between the two of them...only 2 accidents by Roe since we passed the 8 week mark).

 

[TooneyDogs]

Those little sponges can absorb a lot! To them, it's all a game and they're so eager to learn. It's so much easier teaching the basics early in their lives.

 

[Love's_Sophie]

Those little sponges can absorb a lot! To them, it's all a game and they're so eager to learn. It's so much easier teaching the basics early in their lives.

I agree! My poodle pup learned things at the drop of a hat when he was really young (he still does), and retained it, too...I think it all depends, too, how much we as owners can invest into the pups at that young of an age; work schedules, children, and other 'time consumers' can hinder how much we can teach puppy at the really young stage...it's not a bad thing, just another fact of life! Things don't always happen when you want them too!

 

[MrsJohnnyG]

I was honestly astonished when we brought our 8-week puppies home... we knew our breeder was high quality and worked with the pups on housetraining as much as is feasible, but I couldn't believe when LITERALLY near the end of day 2 that we had them, I asked them if they had to go potty and they both barked and jumped a little to say yes. I haven't signed them up for obedience classes yet, but they picked up on the basic commands so quickly (all the ones you mentioned and a few more), and also their vocabulary has grown so quickly it amazes me (with many words/phrases that we never intentionally taught them).

I agree that a lot of it is how much time you're able to put into them and also how naturally bright they are. I work from home and we intentionally planned to adopt our pups during my business's slow season so that I could "homeschool" them. I know not everyone has that luxury, but let me tell you, it's mind-blowing how well they learn when you're able to spend that much time with them.

 

[rosemaryninja]

Give them five months or so... *evil laugh*

 

[blackrose]

Sadie was one of those bright eight week old puppies. Very smart girl, and so eager to work.

I remember in her puppy class there was a gorgeous blue Pittie pup named Dozer. That dog even had Sadie beat out in terms of good behavior. He heeled perfectly, kept his eye on his owners, would sit, down, stay, ignore distractions....absolutely amazing for that young of a pup.

With Chloe, I was just trying to survive. LOL Although she did pick up on commands rather quickly.

 

[JoeRosco]

I have a 8 week old now, I have had her since her mother stopped giving milk at 4 weeks. She has learned so many things like sit and stay, come, leave it, drop it and we are working on some more. O and half the time she dose her business out side. She still has has some trouble walking some days better than others, Her main problem whit it is if I don't let her pull she'll stop and won't walk at all. So we still working on it, don't want to take formal training because at 8 weeks she is doing real well.

 

[Mac'N'Roe]

Give them five months or so... *evil laugh*

EXACTLY....

I'm sure mac and roe would actually "sit" at 8 weeks, but the training was actually limited.

 

[rosborn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke5G_4MgJkM

here is a video of my precious pooch at 7 1/2 weeks old ... doing commands

 

[Mac'N'Roe]

Its not that I don't believe it....I know a puppy can do commands. But there is a whole spectrum of work that still has to be done. I see this a lot on craigslist too, I just find it amusing. that's all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke5G_4MgJkM

here is a video of my precious pooch at 7 1/2 weeks old ... doing commands

Awww, she's adorable! and soo smart! good job!

 

[rosborn]

awwwe, thanks macnroe: but having problems with impule control !!! she gets (leave it) only 1% of the time ... LOL

 

[Willowy]

Willow was AMAZING when she was 8 weeks old. She came when called, was potty-trained (to ring a bell when she had to go out), and was just very well trained. Yeah. It was downhill from there, LOL. Give them a while....their "perfect" puppies won't be perfect for long.

 

[Mudra]

My "own" training began with Cain & Abel... Had it not been for the experience, training Xena will not be easy.. I haven't experienced the "downhill" phase after the 5 month period, BUT I AM PREPARED.. LOL! Just in case that "evil" puppyhood decide to come out and play.. LOL!

 

[Jessieanne]

My pup by 9 weeks knew High Five, sit, stay, roll over, speak, and bang (which is jsut laying on back not a complete roll over) he also knew paw and other paw lol and he knew to come to his name and drop it. And now at almost 4 months is 99% house trained. Since he was a puppy I may have had less than 10 accidents in the house and this past month maybe 2.

 

[Westhighlander]

Willow was AMAZING when she was 8 weeks old. She came when called, was potty-trained (to ring a bell when she had to go out), and was just very well trained. Yeah. It was downhill from there, LOL. Give them a while....their "perfect" puppies won't be perfect for long.

Agreed, I think some trials and tribulations are better for puppy owners. Owners tend to slack off when their puppy is too easy. I think many times teenage years are a result more so of slacking owners.

 

[nikelodeon79]

Luna learns tricks unbelievably fast, but I'm really not all that interested in tricks. To me, tricks don't show obedience... they're just fun!

I'm more impressed with the pups that walk well on leashes, etc. Luna has a huge pulling issue, but she will sit (most of the time) and lay down (most of the time). LOL! There's a rottie puppy in our puppy class that's amazing! She's very calm and well behaved.. makes me a bit jealous..

Then I remember that I own a Northern breed!

I personally enjoy seeing Luna be a puppy.... tearing around the house.. looking oh so proud when she has something she isn't supposed to (socks, keys, mail, hats, etc.). She'll grow up too fast as it is... I'd rather not rush it!