I have a GSD female that I am Going to Train for family protection. I have started the come command and is working pretty good, also make her wait before she can DART out of her cage. She does very good with that, I can now open the crate door and she wont come out till i say so. Sometime I have her on a short leash when we go for walks, and sometime i use the long leash that she drags behind her durring our walks and Training her to come. (with food or without she will come) Sometime I have to repeat it more than once. to get to my question. DOes anyone think I should start to train on her sits and lays at this age. I live in new jersey so if anyone knows of a great trainer for protection please share.

I would've taught her how to sit before the come, but that's just me. If she's doing as well as you say she's doing with the come, I don't see a reason not to teach her to sit.

Everything I've read about training very young pups is to make it fun, make it very short, and NO formal/serious corrections. I worked on sit, down, come, and watch me, when my pup was very small using markers, and then food. As long as it's a fun game and not work then it should be OK. Training games, in my limited experience, help form a really strong bond with your puppy.

I don't see any problems. Just keep things very positive and fun at this age. Remember that she's still a baby and will be going through several life stages including ones where she seems to froget everything she's learned at times. Some good games are find me, find it, and follow the leader.

You can also use those times you see her doing a behavior you want to teach commands. For example, when she sits on her own, give the sit command just as her butt hits the ground and then praise.

I agree with Elaine, To be very clear on my part. I would wait until the dog does the action and then put a word to it with the praise and reward. No corrections at this point. There are alot of trainers who like to wait until the dog is about a year old before any formal training. I train the dog while young to carry, to take full grips , to be calm in the grip, build confidence, and drive. Then at about a year I get more seriouse about the commands. That is not to say I dont work on the sit, come here etc. I just make that the fun interaction for now, lots of rewards. The whole Idea of the training at this young of an age is to make it fun, build the bond of a team, and build drive and confidence. Don't be in a hurry. The dog is the important one right now, dont force the dog to run before he walks well. I see peopls come and go because they want their dog to be better or ahead of the next dog. Do not let your pride ruin a great experience. Any and all bite work sould be taught by a qualified trainer, You dont want the dog to be mean, but couragous(sp) I'm sure there is more to say on the subject, I'll let some one else share. Good Luck....... Lance