Training advice to get your dog to obey commands quickly

[sprklnh2o]

I i have a 1.5 year old shepherd and he knows A LOT of different commands (25+). He usually obeys the commands but my problem is how slow he is to obey the commands. It's almost like he's "reluctant" to do it. How do you get your dog to be more "snappy" at commands. I understand practice makes perfect, but he just doesn't seem to get that when I say sit, I mean butt down right away, not like, find a comfortable spot and then sit. lol. Any advice is appreciated.

[Wild Wolf]

I'll give you an example.

I use my reward ball (rubber ball on a rope) and tease him with it, get him to chase it and try to bite it, not let him have it - THEN when he is high in drive and a little frustrated, I give a command and he does it immediately - as soon as he does it I reward with the ball.

That's how I built speed when Hunter was younger.

[lennoxbradley88]

I think what is missing here is engagement. Engage more with you dog. Get what ever motivates him and work on the command. Schatzi loves tugs so I use that with her. Just be fun fun fun So use food, toys, tugs, even a plastic water bottle and work with him until you feel he is performing to the standard you'd like.

[martemchik]

At this point he's learned that it doesn't matter how fast he does what you tell him. So you have to fix that. Either corrections or like the others have stated, get him engaged and then reward as soon as he does something. A clicker is also good for this because click means good and you can really mark the behavior when he does it.

[onyx'girl]

Originally Posted by sprklnh2o

I i have a 1.5 year old shepherd and he knows A LOT of different commands (25+). He usually obeys the commands but my problem is how slow he is to obey the commands. It's almost like he's "reluctant" to do it. How do you get your dog to be more "snappy" at commands. I understand practice makes perfect, but he just doesn't seem to get that when I say sit, I mean butt down right away, not like, find a comfortable spot and then sit. lol. Any advice is appreciated.

Is this when you are doing heeling and obedience you are talking about? I would pop the collar as you do the command to get the position snappier. Up for sit, and pop it down on the down.
I agree with engagement and drive building of course....but getting that snappy positioning may need some guidance with the leash.

[sprklnh2o]

Originally Posted by Wild Wolf

I'll give you an example.

I use my reward ball (rubber ball on a rope) and tease him with it, get him to chase it and try to bite it, not let him have it - THEN when he is high in drive and a little frustrated, I give a command and he does it immediately - as soon as he does it I reward with the ball.

That's how I built speed when Hunter was younger.

Do you reward him if he does it slower? Also, do you repeat the command if he doesn't do it right away? thanks for your advice!

[sprklnh2o]

Originally Posted by lennoxbradley88

I think what is missing here is engagement. Engage more with you dog. Get what ever motivates him and work on the command. Schatzi loves tugs so I use that with her. Just be fun fun fun So use food, toys, tugs, even a plastic water bottle and work with him until you feel he is performing to the standard you'd like.

When I get him worked up like that with a frisbee, he is snappier. He will do it quicker because he wants the frisbee really bad. I guess my problem is when, for example, when we're out on a walk, and i want him to sit to let someone pass by, he would walk over to the grassy area and then sit. I guess he doesn't like to sit on concrete :P. I suppose I should just not let him choose where and force him to sit?

[lennoxbradley88]

Originally Posted by sprklnh2o

When I get him worked up like that with a frisbee, he is snappier. He will do it quicker because he wants the frisbee really bad. I guess my problem is when, for example, when we're out on a walk, and i want him to sit to let someone pass by, he would walk over to the grassy area and then sit. I guess he doesn't like to sit on concrete :P. I suppose I should just not let him choose where and force him to sit?

Well use that to your advantage. Play with your dog and his frisbee and also use a clicker. Practice it over and over again he will get the hang of it. If he doesn't do it as fast as you want don't reward him. Just walk and try it again until he gets it. Once he does throw a "mini event" for him lol. Verbally and Physically praise him. Don't try to make him do all 25+ commands quick all at once. Just stay with a couple and slowly move from there. You probably moved to quick with commands that you forgot the little details and now you are seeing it by him not sitting on command lol.

[blackshep]

Definitely use food or a toy, whatever motivates your dog!

My pup LOVES her Kong, last night we were working on "get in" (sit in heel position) then I'd throw her Kong, she was whipping herself into position faster than a blink of an eye! She works reasonably well for treats, but the Kong is king!

I really think to get those quick, enthusiastic responses, the dog must be having fun!