Personally i teach the out at this age but only with food, no corrections. All this at 8 weeks old, wow.

Understanding corrections?

 Quote:

I really want to start distraction training e.g. introducing correction to commands

Hey Edmond, are you sure or maybe just a little excited because you've got an exceptional puppy? Maybe getting a little ahead of yourself with her?

I would generally say that 2 months is WAY to young for corrections in obedience. I too just got my first malinois, and it is amazing how fast they learn, and their desire to work is phenominal. It is really easy for us to push them too far.

The key that I use is if the pup starts to get too distracted, the obedience session has lasted too long, and that is my fault. I always want to keep the puppy wanting more, so I end the session ( or try to) when I think that he is at his peak performance/drive. This way Obedience is fun for him.

The idea for sport/protection is that you want the pup to grow up thinking that it is the baddest thing on four legs. If one does too much correction that drive/spirit/confidence can be broken...

My Mal is 5 months old now, and I have only just now started to introduce manners to him, lots of people wait a lot longer. (they don't have to explain to an angry girlfriend why its ok to have a snotty puppy!) My pups ob so far is really nice, and we have a great bond. Sometimes I do feel like he is blowing me off - and I would love to ring his little neck =P but when that happens it is usually because I pushed the session too long, so I put him away.

In the end use what works for you, but I would strongly recommend against correcting an 8 week old pup for anything.

I don't do ANYTHING with a pup other than teach their name and "come," no corrections at all, no distraction training etc. Imposing this much control on a tiny pup will hurt you down the road.

Thanks so much for the replies.

It 'is' interesting raising a pup, and I have raised many pups (mutts) but only as domestic household pets.

In terms of corrections vs no corrections - has anyone tried training pups 'with corrections at an early age' and also tried 'training without corrections'?

With pups who are raised with no correction become 'more confident/stronger? What are the benefits?

Thanks again

IME pups raised with corrections, or even excessive control without corrections, get their drive, freedom and personality squashed, become very handler dependant seeking permission for everything, and aren't given the opportunity to grow up and mature the way they would if they were just left to be puppies. A dog that becomes too handler dependant will constantly be seeking permission from the handler, which isn't a good thing for a working dog. A dog should be capable of working independently and confidently. Pups are still pups, they are sensitive and impressionable no matter how hard or dominant they may grow up to be.

There are always exceptions, but there is no need for corrections even for a pet. Raising a puppy can be done entirely without, if you have the patience and follow the correct methods. Most pet owners are constantly instructing their dogs, don't do this, don't do that, don't jump on that, don't jump up on people, don't nip at the kids, don't chew on power cords, don't chew the furniture, don't chew the baseboards, don't scratch at the door, don't bark, don't counter surf, don't get on the bed, bla bla bla. It's enough to drive anyone crazy, especially a young pup that is constantly getting told "no" for following his instincts. So what happens later when you want the dog to learn to bite? Or want the dog to be able to do a building search? Suddenly the dog keeps looking to his handler asking "wait... are you sure i'm allowed to bite this? because you know, i'm not allowed to do anything else and i've always been told not to put my teeth on people....."

There are always exceptions, but why reinvent the wheel? Enough people have screwed up enough pups to figure this stuff out so others don't have to.

Great reply.

Show us your LYKA scars Mike.....
(I totally agree with you BTW)

Can't show you the scars, Yasko removed my right arm last night, the ones on the left healed for the most part. Lil snot. I think he's trying to kill me, but doing so with a goofy grin on his face so I don't catch on. Yeah.. ok, so maybe I let em get away with more than most people :p But hes so darn cute.