Does anyone know the correct age to start training a pup for obedience competition? We've gone thorugh the basics and we're working on distractions know. I don't want to expect too much out of a 6 mos or push too hard, if it's too soon.

For me it totally depends on the dog. I will try and do a little food based positions early on (sit, down, stand, heel position, focus) to "set" the behavior, then leave it for a while and pick it back up with drive a little later on.

BUT.. regardless of the dog I like to get the "stand" down as soon as possible because I SUCK at teaching it to older dogs <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I showed my last 2 GSDs AKC Obedience only. Got CDXs on both, 2 out of 3 UD legs on one. Once watched a Schutzhund competitor have the only happy dog in an AKC Open (CDX) class.... My current GSD is 10 months. I've been doing Schutzhund since I got him at 3 months, and he got the first 2 legs on his CD last weekend, on his first 2 tries. He wasn't the most precise dog, but loads of people told me there was a clear difference between his performance and the obedience-only dogs: He WANTED to work! His recall was spectacular - fast and furious -- yet he relaxed completely for the long sit and down. At this age, I only want him to qualify, not win. To win requires precision and attention I don't think a 10 month-old pup should be expected to have. I think if you insist on perfection at this age, you run the risk of reducing their joy in working. But my pup knows and understands the commands, so as he matures and his attention span gets longer, his performance should naturally get smoother. They can learn the foundations very early. Just don't insist on metronome precision. My first two dogs got bored stiff doing AKC obedience so never finished their UDs. Another trainer last weekend told me her older, UD-level GSDs dramatically improved their scores once she also started doing Rally Obedience with them. So, whatever age you start, keep it fun for the dog. Give him some variety. Keep it positive. Let your dog's demeanor tell you if you're pushing too fast.

Incidentally, time will tell if I've made a mistake, but so far doing obedience from day one hasn't affected his protection work at all. He has the most intense drives my trainer has ever seen.