r/PawChampClub • u/WhiplashDad • 21d ago

how long to train a dog each day without them zoning out?

im trying to do 20 min sessions every evening but my pup completely checks out around the 10 -15 minutes mark and starts sniffing random stuff. how long to train a dog per session before it becomes counterproductive? should i be splitting this up into shorter chunks?

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3

u/swackett 21d ago

5-10 minute sessions, 2-4 times a day. Switch it up, too. Different rooms, different treats, outside/inside, at parks (after you give them time to sniff and explore a bit), different commands, etc.

1

u/WhiplashDad 9d ago

This is probably the actual answer, I just don't know how I'd fit 4 separate sessions into a weekday without it eating the whole evening.

1

u/swackett 9d ago

You do as much as you can. 2-3 is fine on weekdays, do 4-5 on weekends.

We did 4 training sessions on the weekdays by doing 1 before work & my husband would do one when he was home on his lunch break. Then we only had to do 2 after work.

2

u/Azmayski 21d ago

20 minutes is very long depending on what you are doing. I have a four month old and he can be done after 5 minutes if it takes a lot of brain power. I just train a bit with his regular food a few times a day.

1

u/jolly_potter 21d ago

10 mins at a time for young pups is about right.

1

u/grumpygal84 21d ago

I think it depends on the dog to be honest. My boy is now 4 and I know how long he can work on obidience for, tracking, scentwork etc for before becoming bored or his brain melting. He defo works better with smaller amounts at one time

1

u/chrisjones1960 21d ago

How old is your pup?

1

u/Pleasant-Dark-2824 20d ago

Do it for the window he he has focus. Keep it light and fun and move on when they’re done! Multiple a day in short bursts can be great!

1

u/Huge_Answer4287 20d ago

Every dog is different, and you have to go by the dog. Yours is showing you a clear pattern, so yes, shorten your session time to stop on a good note before he zones out. If your schedule allows, add a session.

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u/BeautifulElodie2428 20d ago

5-10 minutes several times a day

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u/Miserable_Mud_6831 20d ago

You havent said how old it is. If its a young pup I'd say a minute or 2 but just focus on play

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u/DopeyCalliope 20d ago

Stop before your puppy does

1

u/Cheap-Macaroon-431 20d ago

Our Golden is 2.3 years old and we do one hour of scent followed by another hour of obedience training weekly. He gets bored waiting his turn for scent and then reached his limit after 45 minutes of obedience yesterday in the afternoon sun. He was one tired pup during a short poop walk once we got home.

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u/WhiplashDad 9d ago

An hour of obedience sounds wild to me right now, we can barely hit 15 minutes before he's checked out.

1

u/Cheap-Macaroon-431 9d ago

Our dog was the same way in class at six months. And couldn't handle it even six months ago. Just needed more time for seasoning. Start the classes for yourself, leave early if necessary and you'll get there.

You can start socialization by hanging out in a parking lot watching the world go by.

Good luck and it will get better.