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I've been reading this forum for a long time but finally decided to join and post because I'm having trouble on one aspect of training with my gsd--and that is listening through distraction.
First of all he's almost 5 months old, and I've had him since he was 5 weeks. I feel like he's a great animal, learns fast, listens to commands quickly and accurately--when at home, or when calmed down. To give you an idea of where we're at: he can sit, down, speak, stay, stay and sit at a distance, sit and down at a distance, stay for up to 50 yds (as far as I've tried yet) and come when called. He can do all of these in english, german, and hand signals. From what I've read I think he's at a very good pace for his age.
My biggest problem with him is meeting and greeting new people. I go to school and live in downtown Lexington so he has been socialized since day one, sees people walking everyday, goes to all my buddies houses, etc. The issue is his OVER excitement. As soon as a new person walks in the door he goes crazy--not jumping on them but just running around wanting attention, jumping up and down--after about 5 mins this subsides and he's fine until someone else walks in! Also, when on walks, if someone walks by with another dog or something its the same thing and no matter what I say its as if I'm not even there.
He also has an extremely strong prey drive, so being in a campus town theres a lot of "friendly squirrels" and when walking he will spot one and pull and pull at it regardless of his choke collar...this does not impede him what-so-ever. He walks well on a leash, right beside me as long as nothing is really going on.
What can I do encourage him to listen to just me when there's so much going on? If possible I would like to avoid using treats--I'm all for positive reinforcement but I prefer the attention and approval he gets from me to be the reinforcement. I trained all of the above without treats so, if there's a way to do this without a pocket full of treats I'm all ears.
*as a side note, he is not dog aggressive BUT when another dog walks by or is around his "territory" it's the same reaction in that he will not listen to me.
I HATE that all of his training has to be done inside or at night in the empty lot beside my house because I know he won't listen when there's so much going on during the day. Please help!!
First of all he's almost 5 months old, and I've had him since he was 5 weeks. I feel like he's a great animal, learns fast, listens to commands quickly and accurately--when at home, or when calmed down. To give you an idea of where we're at: he can sit, down, speak, stay, stay and sit at a distance, sit and down at a distance, stay for up to 50 yds (as far as I've tried yet) and come when called. He can do all of these in english, german, and hand signals. From what I've read I think he's at a very good pace for his age.
My biggest problem with him is meeting and greeting new people. I go to school and live in downtown Lexington so he has been socialized since day one, sees people walking everyday, goes to all my buddies houses, etc. The issue is his OVER excitement. As soon as a new person walks in the door he goes crazy--not jumping on them but just running around wanting attention, jumping up and down--after about 5 mins this subsides and he's fine until someone else walks in! Also, when on walks, if someone walks by with another dog or something its the same thing and no matter what I say its as if I'm not even there.
He also has an extremely strong prey drive, so being in a campus town theres a lot of "friendly squirrels" and when walking he will spot one and pull and pull at it regardless of his choke collar...this does not impede him what-so-ever. He walks well on a leash, right beside me as long as nothing is really going on.
What can I do encourage him to listen to just me when there's so much going on? If possible I would like to avoid using treats--I'm all for positive reinforcement but I prefer the attention and approval he gets from me to be the reinforcement. I trained all of the above without treats so, if there's a way to do this without a pocket full of treats I'm all ears.
*as a side note, he is not dog aggressive BUT when another dog walks by or is around his "territory" it's the same reaction in that he will not listen to me.
I HATE that all of his training has to be done inside or at night in the empty lot beside my house because I know he won't listen when there's so much going on during the day. Please help!!