Hello, I am taking care of an 11 week old german shepherd puppy that I got 7 days ago. So far, he has gotten use to his crate as his home and listens to me when I don't want him doing things, which has been great! As for walking him, he has improved and no longer weaves in and out of my legs; however, he still tugs at the leash. When it gets too much, I say stop, he stops, and then I say sit, he sits. But as for walking, I don't know how to make him heel and walk at my pace. I say heel and then pop the leash or tug it..but it doesn't do anything. He either doesn't listen or he goes haywire for 2 seconds or so. Any suggestions as to how I can teach him to heel?? It would be greatly appreciated.

Ana

In my limited experience (my GSD puppy is 6 mos)you just need to let him be a puppy. I think most if not all GSD puppies are pulling on the leash etc., they want to explore, let him. Many here will tell you he's too young for corrections. Corrections at this age may set you up for greater problems later.

This is from my basic obedience class.

They wouldn't allow a puppy younger than 4 months to attend classes. I believe it has something to do with their ability to attend at such a young age. Once age appropriate lead him with a treat just above his nose as you walk. Hold the treat at a location where he can smell it and that places the dog in the proper heel location. After he heels properly for a few feet, reward him with the treat. As he begins to heel regularly, extend the distance traveled before giving him another treat. As this improves give a treat one time and heaps of praise another. This should wean him from being a treat hound and accepting praise for obedience as well as treats. This also takes time. If you're just dog sitting and the owners won't follow up, you're wasting your time.

Ana, he's only 11 weeks old, be patient. You are expecting too much at his age.The most I would do is try using some treats in your left hand to lure him into position for a few steps and then reward him, no more pops on the leash. Right now I think the leash is more just to keep him from getting away or into something, he's not ready for heeling yet.

My pups are 5 months old and they learnt Sit 2 weeks ago. Be patient, I'm not saying wait till 5 months old to do anything with them, but don't correct the dog, don't worry about the dog heeling on walks, don't worry about him biting the leash or acting like a nut. He is essentially comparable to less than a toddler, you can teach him to sit with food, and lie down with food, and when his focus is OK you can start luring him into heel position with food at his nose (like a hotdog he can nibble while he walks), but thats about all I would do with him.

Everything positive, everything with food. Personally I start around 5 months old with that stuff when I can get a little better attention span out of the dog and then take my time over the following 8 months to build on the basics all with food or a ball or a tug toy. That may not be the ideal solution for you as a pet owner (assumably?) but the important part is patience and do not expect too much. He has an entire lifetime ahead of him to learn new things and he has another 3 years to go before he stops acting like a brat and settles down

I think your pup is too young for corrections. IMO, the best way (right now) is to get your pup to follow you just like it would do with it's momma dog. Always use a happy voice when calling him and praise him lavishly for coming to you. Most pups follow a leader with the exception of when they find something interesting in the grass.
I totally agree with Mike. There is plenty of time to train and correct.

Mike,

I'm on your time line. So far all I have taught is the sit, down, come and focus game. Everything else is fun and drive building. I use a flat collar as well, no correction collars.

Howard

Thank you everyone for your advice. Today was a success! I took him for a long walk by a trail near my place and, to my surprise, when ever I said heel, he slowed down to my pace. Another concern that I need advice on is his sleeping location. During the day, when I am at work, he remains in a little spot outside that I created for him. He has become comfortable with it and voluntarily goes there when he wants to rest. At night, however, I move his crate by my bed because I was advised that he should get use to being near me when I sleep. I don't particulary agree with this because I don't think constantly moving "his home" from one place to another makes him feel secure. In my opinion, I think he is ready to be left there at night (its about 15 feet from my bedroom). Do you think I should?

 Quote:

because I was advised that he should get use to being near me when I sleep

Whered you hear that? Never heard of it before.

I don't think it matters where your dog sleeps, its where YOU want him to sleep that counts, your dog will get used to wherever you want him to be. Changing locations doesn't matter, they will get used to what you want them to do, if they have 3 places that are "theirs" then they will learn to like all 3 places. If you want your pup in the bedroom then go for it, 2 of mine are. If its easier for your pup to be outside then great, my other 2 are in the kennel in the garage at night and outside during the day, they really couldn't care less, they sleep wherever I put them.

 Quote:

Quote:
because I was advised that he should get use to being near me when I sleep


Whered you hear that? Never heard of it before.

I think the Monks say that. Mike is %100 right of course, your dog can sleep where every you want the dog to sleep. No big deal.