Question: I have a thirteen-week-old Brittany pup and I'd like to start training her. I've talked to one trainer who says I should enroll her in one of his seminars.It's a four-class seminar, with each class lasting four hours. It'll have ten other pups in the class. Do you think this is much too soon for this young of a pup?

Dave R., Brighton.

Answer: The short answer is yes. This is like enrolling a four-year-old child in junior high instead of preschool. Your ‘trainer,' and I use this term loosely, is more concerned with getting your money than training your pup. A four-hour class for a young pup is about three and a half hours too long, and eleven pups in one setting is ridiculous. This is just one of the problems with the current crop of seminar-givers. Most of them will not take on a dog to board and train because then they'll have to prove that they can actually train a dog, rather than just lecture you on their opinions. You'll find that most of the current seminar-givers aren't recognized by any organization as bonafide professional trainers, nor do they have any titled dogs in any venue.

Leave your money in your pocket and take your pup on a nice walk for some playtime until she grows up a little more. The ‘introduction and encouragement' stage starts at about six months of age. Actual training starts at about eight to ten months of age.

Charlie Linblade

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