more interested in hotdogs...

[tjzick]

so ive been working on training my 5 month old black GSD, Tony. i prolly dont work with him as much as i should i play ball with him and walk him everyday and work on training about 2-3 times a week. hes not doing bad. i say "to bed" and he goes and lays in his crate. if i open a door he will sit and stay until i walk through the door and tell him he can follow. my problem is just with the important commands. his recall is terrible, unless i have food ready in hand. i always give him a goodboy pet him and let him get a little excited. i give him a little sliver of hotdog every 2-3 times it used to be everytime. im gradually trying to work down the food rewards so if i recall him when i happen not to have a treat **** listen. oh and im having the same problem with him giving tennis balls and frisbees back. i know hes not a retriever but he loves chasing them. ive never had problems with GSDs or labs placing them in my hands to throw again almost naturally. this is my third GSD. first as an adult though. any help/suggestions. call ceaser millan?

[Chicagocanine]

He's a baby, I wouldn't fret about it too much. If you're worried you could try going to a training class?

[tjzick]

i dk how i feel about training classes. i am no pro but my dogs have always been trained pretty well without them. i am worried about the recall though. i dk, any tips on training recall without a class? ill write the tennis ball off as he loves it too much. **** eventually put it my hand.