I have two objects or figures. The first has many movements but the other is only supposed to move for the last few frames. Poser starts the movement of the second figure or object from the very first frame. How can I overcome this?

The quick-and-dirty way: Set a keyframe for the second object, in its starting position, at the very first frame. Set a second keyframe for this object further down the timeline (still in its original starting position). Poser interpolates motion between keyframes; if the object hasn't changed positions from one keyframe to the next, it shouldn't move in the interim.

If you use the default interpolation the figure will gradually start its move in the first frame. When in doubt keyframe.

No not a newbie or an interpolation problem just a confused oldbie ! However, with your help I think I have sussed it out. The manual is to blame because it misses out one important step SELECT THE ELEMENT YOU WANT TO RECORD THE KEYFRAME FOR. All seems to work now. I think the process of adding keyframes was important enough for the manual writers to have dealt with the matter a little more carefully.