[jagsir]

i have a 5 and a half month old german shepherd. ive trained him to do the basics like;sit,stay(only for a little bit),lie down,shake,hi five, and up. now im not sure, should i still get him professionally trained or is that good enough? and if yes then what kind of training?
:help:

 

[Montana Scout]

if you have a purebred why wouldn't you use your dog to his full potential? plus giving them "tasks" will keep there noses and paws from getting into things they shouldn't be...

 

[jagsir]

well he is purebred but another thing is that im a lil short on money. how much is the average cost?

 

[Emoore]

You certainly don't need to send him away to some professional trainer, but taking training classes together is an excellent way to improve your bond with your dog and allow him to use his intelligence and drive in a productive way not to mention proofing him with distractions. You can usually find group classes in obedience, agility, fun tricks, etc.

 

[Lucy Dog]

What does being purebred have anything to do with?

Training classes are pretty cheap. You can probably get in a 8 week program for like $100-$150. I forget the going rate, but i'm sure it's not too much for your basic class.

It's not just about training, but about socialization. Your puppy gets to meet all different types of people and dogs. It's just all around good for them. It helps your puppy bond with you and listen to you under certain distraction he may not face if you were training just you and him.

Plus training is a never ending process. Lucy's almost 3 and we still practice her sit, stay, heel and so on. It's a never ending process and can always improve.

 

[jagsir]

You certainly don't need to send him away to some professional trainer, but taking training classes together is an excellent way to improve your bond with your dog and allow him to use his intelligence and drive in a productive way not to mention proofing him with distractions. You can usually find group classes in obedience, agility, fun tricks, etc.[/

by some classes you mean like the ones at petsmart and stuff?

 

[jagsir]

What does being purebred have anything to do with?

Training classes are pretty cheap. You can probably get in a 8 week program for like $100-$150. I forget the going rate, but i'm sure it's not too much for your basic class.

It's not just about training, but about socialization. Your puppy gets to meet all different types of people and dogs. It's just all around good for them. It helps your puppy bond with you and listen to you under certain distraction he may not face if you were training just you and him.

Plus training is a never ending process. Lucy's almost 3 and we still practice her sit, stay, heel and so on. It's a never ending process and can always improve.

trainig classes like at petsmart and stuff?

 

[Emoore]

Petsmart classes are the Wal-Mart of training classes. If you've got a training club or training school nearby you're better off with one of those.

Looks like you have a place in Stockton called Guaranteed Dog Training that offers obedience, rally, and agility classes. That looks like the kind of place I would check out.

 

[Lucy Dog]

trainig classes like at petsmart and stuff?

Just doing a quick google search:

Guaranteed Dog Training - Training Dogs Since 1975 - A Trained Dog is a Happy Dog!

Stockton Dog Trainer-Stockton, California obedience and behavioral expert STOCKTON.

I'd give each a call. I've never done petsmart classes, but haven't heard the best things about them. Petsmart is still probably better than nothing though.

 

[jagsir]

Just doing a quick google search:

Guaranteed Dog Training - Training Dogs Since 1975 - A Trained Dog is a Happy Dog!

Stockton Dog Trainer-Stockton, California obedience and behavioral expert STOCKTON.

I'd give each a call. I've never done petsmart classes, but haven't heard the best things about them. Petsmart is still probably better than nothing though.

thank you very very much for the links theyve helped me alot

 

[Cassidy's Mom]

Stockton Dog Trainer-Stockton, California obedience and behavioral expert STOCKTON.

I would personally skip this one. Whole lotta words that say practically nothing. There's an entire page devoted to his training methods and after reading it I still have no idea what his training methods are.

Oh, but he's the best trainer in the world. I know this 'cause he said so.

 

[Lucy Dog]

I would personally skip this one. Whole lotta words that say practically nothing. There's an entire page devoted to his training methods and after reading it I still have no idea what his training methods are.

Oh, but he's the best trainer in the world. I know this 'cause he said so.

Yeah - let me just say that I know absolutely nothing about either of these training facilities. I live on the other side of the country. I just did a quick google search and both of these places came up.

Looking back now, the first link I posted looks much better than the second one.

 

[Liesje]

To me the level of training depends more on the temperament of the dog. I have a mixed breed dog that has very little training. He passed the CGC twice but I doubt he could do it today. He knows sit, down, shake, and bang! (play dead) and that's it. He's super LOW energy, LOW drive dog. A "couch warmer" dog. He does not need a lot of mental stimulation and prefers to lie around all day. Purebred or not should not matter for training, but the fact that most German shepherds are not this low drive and low energy generally means they need more mental stimulation and thus more training otherwise they become bored and destructive.

 

[bocron]

You might look into a Schutzhund club. Great value for your money. There are clubs (like ours) that offer a membership rate that is lower than a full membership if you only want to participate in the obedience or tracking portions of training. For example the yearly dues might be $200, but if you don't participate in protection then it would be around $100 for the year. $100 for a whole year of training is a deal! If your dog enjoys tracking, then that is a great, inexpensive way to train and bond with your dog. The camaraderie of the club is a bonus as well.

 

[bocron]

I would personally skip this one. Whole lotta words that say practically nothing. There's an entire page devoted to his training methods and after reading it I still have no idea what his training methods are.

Oh, but he's the best trainer in the world. I know this 'cause he said so.

I went back to look at his site and have to agree. Huh? The site kind of rambles on about stuff but never gets to a point. He has a whole list of things that are horrible to use in training (food, clickers, gentle leaders, among other things), but never states his training philosophy or accreditations. Just a bunch of pics of the same group of dogs sitting on beds in odd places.
But he will teach you to be a better person!

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

i have a 5 and a half month old german shepherd. ive trained him to do the basics like;sit,stay(only for a little bit),lie down,shake,hi five, and up. now im not sure, should i still get him professionally trained or is that good enough? and if yes then what kind of training?
:help:

To me, taking my dogs to training isn't just about the end behaviors my dog will learn (sit? down? whatever?) It's a combination of 'you don't know what you don't know' for both dog/handler PLUS the experience of socialization and learning for BOTH of you.

The fact is, classes allow me to KNOW my dogs get along with big dogs and small dogs. KNOW my dogs get along with puppies. Know I can take them anywhere and they will be calm and happy. Know that they will listen and stay with me no matter the situation.

If my dog's leash suddenly gets loose, my dog isn't disappearing over the horizon with me in pursuit. She'll just be right there for me to pick the leash up.

I don't have to worry if I am having relatives visit with their dogs, I know my dog will be ok.

I don't worry about getting a new puppy, I know my current dogs will be ok.

I can take my dogs to hotels, motels, my family reunions and not worry about my dogs having anything but a good time.

And DOG CLASSES are all the start on the path to getting a dog that can be truly a part of my life. Oh, and they can 'sit' 'down' 'whatever' too! :wild:

 

[Hunther's Dad]

I would personally skip this one. Whole lotta words that say practically nothing. There's an entire page devoted to his training methods and after reading it I still have no idea what his training methods are.

Oh, but he's the best trainer in the world. I know this 'cause he said so.

From the website:

I am not a "Dog Whisperer." That implies one has some innate and extraordinary ability with dogs. What I teach is a method with a curriculum that works without David Baron or the trainer present, off leash, without food-bribery, and definitely without using anything ridiculous like clickers, shock collars or Gentle Leaders.

Please, stay away.

 

[Pattycakes]

I belong to a local dog club ($20 a year for membership fee) and they charge the members $25 for an 8 week class. They have their classes 4 times a year. Very reasonably priced. You could look into local dog clubs that you may have around your area.

 

[Cassidy's Mom]

Please, stay away.

But he's a SuperDog trainer! He uses his trademarked Dog Psychology Method™! Whatever the **** THAT is. :rofl:

 

[Jax08]

i have a 5 and a half month old german shepherd. ive trained him to do the basics like;sit,stay(only for a little bit),lie down,shake,hi five, and up. now im not sure, should i still get him professionally trained or is that good enough? and if yes then what kind of training?
:help:

What do you want to do with your dog? Sports? Obedience? Confirmation? Tracking? Herding? Just be a companion? I think the answer to these questions will really determine how you continue.

I think training, regardless of your plans, builds a bond with your puppy. I would, at the very least, continue with obedience training. I had the best luck finding a trainer I was happy with by contacting a local SchH club.

You can look on youtube for other training ideas while you decide what you want to do.