Training brag video - 4 months old

[MaggieRoseLee]

Oh my gosh, what a great job you are doing! Look how happy and excited he is!

There's another guy with a 4 month old GSD on this site that is having a bit of a challenge, so if you have any words of wisdom for him... (click here)

I'm with those saying do NOT give up the treats too soon! You go to random reinforcement but that's NOT the same as eliminating them entirely! Puppies NEED tons of treats and tons of praise and YOU are doing a great job with both. Look at the fantastic results.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted By: DebbiegI sat down with him today and he responded to my down command really well without the lure.

Excellent! I think people often underestimate how fast a puppy can learn, and end up using a lure long past when it's really necessary. I always try not using it very early on just to see what happens. If they don't need it anymore, yay!, and if they do, I'll use it a few more times as a reminder and then try it without food in the hand again.

And definitely don't be too predictable. You don't want him to simply anticipate what you're going to ask him to do next, you want him to be paying attention to what you're actually asking him to do. But there's also nothing wrong with expecting certain things automatically, such as a sit or down until released at mealtimes, or a sit at doors before being released to go through. That stuff is just simple manners in my house, like expecting your kids to do their homework without having to ask them to do it every single night. It's really up to you how you want to do things in your household.

For a 4 month old puppy to be distracted at PetSmart is VERY normal, and at class too, especially the first couple of nights.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Luring is different then rewarding for a behavior. LURING should be used only at the very start to teach (if at all) and quickly be turned into the 'reward' after a marker like the 'yes' or a click. Luring specifically is with a treat in your hand near the dogs nose/face so they follow it into the position you want. Just having treats in your hand is NOT specifically a lure because a PROPERLY trained dog know they have to do 'something' THEN get the reward. So some thinking on the dogs part is taking place. When you are luring they aren't thinking so much initially, more just following the food.

The next part of the training is when most of us mess up. Cause we either start removing all the treats for a behavior they know immediately, or we continue to treat 100% of the time for a behavior they know. BOTH aren't the best 'training' methods.

Random reinforcement is what we next need to add to the mix.

You do NOT have to use a clicker (just quicker and easier for the dog but WHATEVER, I know it's too hard for many of us to learn to use a clicker ) but the ideas of these articles will work with a marker word like 'yes' :

http://www.clickandtreat.com/Clicker_Training/GG/gg.htm

http://www.clickertraining.com/whatis

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted By: MaggieRoseLeeThe next part of the training is when most of us mess up. Cause we either start removing all the treats for a behavior they know immediately, or we continue to treat 100% of the time for a behavior they know. BOTH aren't the best 'training' methods.

Random reinforcement is what we next need to add to the mix.

Exactly!

[APBTLove]

Lovely... I need to work on the whole stay thing with J. Watching your training reminded me of J, exact same training routine and 'tricks'. Also same size.. How cute!

[Effie325]

Great job!!! Your pup is a beautiful one, too.