how many tricks to work on each day?

New Topic

how many tricks to work on each day?

Posted : 8/22/2006 10:27:50 AM

We added a new member to our family, a german shepherd puppy. We have named her Mia.

My husband had our black lab before I met him and so he did all the training with her and I want to make sure I do it right no matter how he did it haha. I am wondering if I should concentrate on one thing at a time, such as 'sit' and once she gets that go to something else or should I be training her each day on a couple different things and when she masters those move on?We have only had her 4 days and already she is doing very well with 'let's go outside' and goes to the door and when it is time to come in 'time to come inside' she starts going to the door. I just worry I will overload her with too much information and if I should work on one thing at a time. I am enjoying learning so much in this forum already! thanks!

Julitza

Posted : 8/22/2006 10:58:10 AM

gsd's are WAY too smart to drill them with one thing over and over. I have a Collie (another brainy breed) and I learned the hard way that drilling her was not the way to go. I would keep on with the sit, and she got to a point where she'd back up and run away.

I started teaching her down, sit and give me a paw all in one session and she has mastered all 3 with no problems and is happy with the randomness (sp?) of the commands.

Xerxes

Posted : 8/22/2006 11:16:02 AM

I agree with Lizzie on this one. Keep that dog happy by keeping him exercised and keep his mind occupied by training, training, training. If he's a "velcro" dog, it's a good time to begin leash training too. Smart, trainable dogs can learn and master behaviors in very short amounts of time. Repetitive drilling is boring to them, so keep it fresh and don't have a set pattern. This is also a great time to learn what his motivator(s) are. If he's food motivated teach sit, down, spin, shake, finish, leave it, get it, off, come, heel and there's lots more commands to learn. Make him think and give him a job. Keep the training short and fun. You'll be surprised how much puppies can learn and retain.