Vizsla is a medium-sized hunting and sporting dog with an excellent disposition bred for centuries to hunt waterfowl. Besides their hunting ability and impeccable smelling sense, their intelligence can not go unnoticed. Since this easy-going dog is convenient to train, it will learn commands in two to three weeks. But the question is that what is the best age to train a Vizsla?
Vizslas are born with intelligence, so you can start training them as early as possible. However, when they are still puppies, their bones and joints might be weak to bear the intense physical activities. So, the best age to train Vizsla might be after they are 12 weeks old. But you can give command training to your puppy much early before this age.
However, parenting a Vizsla isn’t so easy as it seems. And owners will start asking different questions about the training methods of Vizsla. Some of which are: At what age can your train your Vizsla? What age is best for teaching obedience commands? What are some of the most common misconceptions about how old you have to be to properly teach your dog basic skills like Sit, Stay, Heel, and Come?
And to make everyone clear, I will try to answer all those questions in this article, so read further.
What Is The Best Age To Train A Vizsla?
Being an intelligent dog breed, Vizslas are trainable from a young age. Therefore, one of the appropriate ages to start training is when they attain 12 weeks or six months old.
However, Vizsla puppies below 12 weeks old might not have the physical strength to learn and do dog training. What is more, puppies below 12 weeks are also vulnerable to illness which can jeopardize their health and ability for learning.
Vizslas who reach 18 months will start feeling uncomfortable with any new exercises or commands introduced in training class because they were comfortable with their old ways.
An adult Vizsla is much better for home training because they will be more motivated by treats and rewards than the puppy. But, an older Vizsla might have a hard time with any new workouts because they are more comfortable doing what they want when it comes down to it.
How Does Age Affect The Training Of Vizsla?
Training a vizsla is all about understanding the nature of this dog and how it will relate to your own. What you’re after are behaviors that indicate your puppy understands what behavior you want from her at any given time. To do so most effectively, you should establish an appropriate level of control over both you and your pup as early as possible.
Therefore, the sooner you start training your Vizsla pup, the better it will be for both of you. In addition, the younger during training, the more malleable and responsive they’ll be to new behaviors. This means that starting early on with this process can establish a solid foundation from which future obedience training may grow.
How To Train Your Vizsla At Home?
House training your Vizsla is a little different than housetraining any other breed of dog. You want to teach them the appropriate place to go and prohibit them from going in places they should not be, like your furniture, carpeting, or kitchen floor while cooking.
Some home training methods that you can adopt to discipline your Vizsla are:
Command Training
Teaching your Vizsla different commands is one of the most important things to do when you own a Vizsla. Training your dog commands is always good for them and us too. It saves time by repeating simple tasks that we want our dogs to perform, like walking nicely on a leash, waiting patiently before entering, or sitting before eating.
One important thing to remember is that Vizsla’s training should start with a puppy because it will be easier for them to learn and understand commands than an adult dog would. Start with basic commands like looking at you, coming back if called, sit down or stay, and then move on to more complicated ones like “sit and stay” or “come here.”
Crate Training
Crate training is a good way to keep your Vizsla calm and happy. It can also be an aid when traveling or just for general management in the home. Crate training should start at about four weeks old, with small puppies generally able to go through it quicker than larger puppies.
Crates are a great option for those who live in smaller spaces or lack outdoor space to give their Vizslas the chance to run around and stretch their legs during off-hours. What’s more, it can be an excellent tool when teaching your dog manners, such as not chewing on furniture, since the crate will make them less likely to have unsupervised access to these things.
Potty Training
The most important thing to remember when you have a puppy and the time comes for potty training is patience. Your pup will start showing signs of understanding what they should do where they should go, but you need to be patient with them and give them the time they need.
Please keep in mind that babies learn from their surroundings, and so do puppies. So be sure to keep track of where your pup has been, and ensure they don’t spend too much time inside if you want them to go potty outside. One way that usually works well in small spaces like an apartment or studio apartment is to set up potty pads around the apartment.
Are Vizsla Puppies Easier To Train Compared To Adult Ones?
The answer is yes. The earlier you train your Vizsla, the better they will be at it as adults. However, there are times when training an adult would benefit you more than a puppy. For instance, if you neglected your dog early or had improper socialization with other animals and people.
The earliest time you can start training your Vizsla is when they are eight weeks old, but it would be better if you started earlier than this – and preferably before six weeks. This will ensure that your dog has all the basic skills and will be easier to train for the future.
If you cannot begin training your Vizsla from a young age because of their health or other factors outside of your control, then it is still possible – they may take longer to learn what you want them to.
Will Adult Vizsla Give You a Hard Time While Training Them?
If you are an experienced dog trainer, then this will not be a problem for you. However, what might happen is that the Vizsla will need more time than other dogs because of the exposure to different elements and environments before.
It’s best if you only start training your adult Vizsla once they are familiar with your home. First, you can provide them with mental stimulation by teaching them different tricks or commands. And then start working on getting the physical training involved.
If you are still a beginner in this field of work, you better start early before they grow older.
Things You Will Need To Train Your Vizsla
Training you Vizsla is not always easy as it sounds. It would be best if you were patient, have the time to dedicate yourself, and find out what works best for your pet.
It doesn’t matter if your Vizsla is still a puppy or an adult dog. There are lots of ways that can help you train them. Moreover, there are some things you will need to train your dog with ease. Such as:
- Basket, bed, and blanket for your Vizsla to lay on. They will need these items when they get old or sick. What you can do is use a laundry basket and put blankets inside of it. They’re small enough to fit in comfortably but large enough for them not to feel cramped. You may also want to place a dog bed in it.
- Treats for rewarding your Vizsla’s behavior. You can buy some treats from the store specifically to train dogs and use them when they behave well or follow instructions, like walks on a leash without pulling, loose stool (no accidents), etc.
- The right size of a leash. What you can do is buy some leashes that are the right size for your Vizsla and make sure they don’t have any knots in them or anything like that.
- Toy to play with your dog so that they don’t feel bored while you’re training them. What you can do is buy a toy that your Vizsla likes and put it in the basket or bed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best age to train a Vizsla is any time! It doesn’t matter your pup’s age. They will need training. If you’re wondering how to start with the process of training your furry friend, then don’t worry. It is because we have all the tools and tips for you in this blog post. First, we’ll cover what supplies are necessary—some general guidelines on working through each step of the process from beginning to end.
You can train puppies at home, but there may come the point where they become too strong-willed. And it becomes more appropriate for them to attend formal classes instead. So, please consult your veterinarian before starting anything new with your pet.
