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You have to train based on the stage and the age of the dog. Let's talk about the stage and the age and what that requires.
So I've broken down a dog's life stages to six categories.
You could maybe squish them into five, but let's say six. And let's assume you're getting a puppy, but if you get a rescue dog, it's very similar. The first little while in your home, that puppy or rescue dog is going to have somewhat of a honeymoon period.
It appears that they're doting on you, that they love you, that they're really attracted to you. But really they're seeking the safety level of this new environment, especially if they're a rescue dog. But for a puppy that's been taken from the litter, they're unsure of what's safe to do.
So what appears like the honeymoon period, which can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to maybe even a full month. So, if you get a puppy at eight weeks, it might go up to 11 or 12 weeks of age, where that puppy seems to do everything you want and they seem to follow you everywhere.
Because you're giving them attention, you're giving them reinforcement, and they still are seeking that psychological safety to know what they can do and what they can't do.
That's the honeymoon period. And when you get a rescue dog, it will be the same. But the honeymoon ends very quickly.
Let's call the next stage, the honeymoon is over, or the world is very interesting. And here's where that dog or puppy, if they haven't got a schedule of strategic reinforcement from you, where they understand and they have expectation of how their life is going to roll out. If you've done that, then things will just keep progressing.
That lifelong learner, that data processing little four-legged fluffball, they're just going to keep sopping up all that good information from you. But if you were fooled by the honeymoon and you go, wow, I got this great little dog, and I don't know what people were talking about, that dog loves me. Well, when you get to the honeymoon is over, and you don't have strategic learning happening on a regular basis, that's where the environment steps in.
Ooh, this shoe, it tastes so yummy. The couch, oh my gosh, feathers come out of the couch. I could dig holes in the backyard.
And there's so many other exciting reinforcers out there because we haven't given that puppy enough intentional learning processes. We haven't set up enrichment, engagement, relationship building, and learning. And so, the environment is happy to do that for you.
And that stage of the world is full of amazing things will go from when the honeymoon is over from 12 weeks all the way up to like 8, 9, 10 months. At some point, all of the misbehavior might drive you cray cray. Somewhere between 8 to 10 months and a year and a half is when most puppies end up getting turfed out or most owners go, I can't deal with this.
I need help. And that's when they look to train the dog. But the truth is puppies are amazing learners the moment you get them home.
Don't wait until they become such a frustration to you that you either have to get rid of them or do something with them. Training for puppies and dogs just like people happens throughout their lifetime