hi all,

i posted several days ago to introduce myself. i am new here, but not new to dogs or training. however, I AM a little rusty as it has been over 10 yrs since my last "working dog".

ok--i have a 4 and 1/2 month male GSD, show lines but SchH titled/imported parents, medium drive, really good focus. (i am ordering Raising Working Puppy and Basic Obed this week!).

ok he has just figured out he can bark. how do i encourage appropriate barking without inadvertently encouraging IN-appropriate barking? should i just ignore the barking when it's not warranted? and of course praise the good barking?

when or do i switch from a martingale to a choke? my breeder says NO to a choke and only uses a martingale all the time. i dont see how i can give a correction with this, but having been out of it for 10+ yrs....thought i should ask. he has been only on a martingale or buckle so far. (i am not wanting to jerk and yank him.)

when can i start working seriously on Heel? he walks well on a leash but i havent formally taught actual HEEL yet. he knows Sit, Down, Come, Recall and we are just starting Stay. all this has been done at 5 mins roughly per day--NO corrections yet, just all +.

will the DVD's i am ordering really help with de-sensitizing to other dogs?
this is my first GSD. i am so happy with this guy, i have never had a puppy learn so fast and be so willing.
thnk you for the info and advice and all the informative posts. i will try to get a pic on my sig line this week. : )

jen

All rrrright, another Jennifer!
Welcome to the board.

This thread will get crowded fast, so I'll get my two cents in early. At 18 weeks old, I wouldn't be thinking about 'corrections' at all. I wouldn't be thinking about Martingales or chokers, or for that matter pinch collars, but the chokers are absolutely useless at any time, just forget those all together.
I'd be thinking about marker training/shaping behavior, bonding, focus work, and having fun. If I was heading into SchH. the rag and tugs are good tools to work on all those things.
Corrections though, would be something somewhat farther along in the future, most definitely.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

hi,
that's what i wanted to know! : )
so far---all of the above you are suggesting i am doing. tug on a string, the orbee thing, long hikes, lots of fun and upupup! all +.
but--i take him to wk with me every day (law ofc.) and at lunch we go to a fenced baseball diamond and i throw the Orbee (he is on a 15 ft drag) to burn off steam. but walking to and from the car, i thought it might be time to start some LIGHT heeling, so he can get the idea not to be forging....but if you all are recommending it is too soon for that--that's Aokay w/me. the last thing i want to do is squelch his drive or enthusiasm. i am not into domination or overbearing tactics. but i HAVE seen some wild-out-of-control youngsters, leaping wildly and yanking the owner's arm out of the socket...i am trying to find a happy medium.
any tips---i am all ears!! : ) i am frankly unwilling to use electricity. this pup is for Schutzhund as a fun hobby, personal protection, an ON and OFF switch--but not competition. i am hoping that i can accomplish all that w/o somebody suggesting "compulsion". i just woudl never do the ear pinching nad icky stuff. i LOVE this pup! i am working w/2 good trainers, one is in some of the DVD's with Ed.
thx!!!!!!!!!!


jen

I moved this to a training forum.

 Quote: jennifer kline

..i am trying to find a happy medium. .... i am hoping that i can accomplish all that w/o somebody suggesting "compulsion".

You sure can:

http://leerburg.com/markers.htm

http://leerburg.com/302.htm

I'm trying to find that rest of this?

This is my favourite video on leash training puppies. It is positive, motivational, and to-the-point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6bX1zq5HBg

That was a good vid, and very helpful to me. I'm looking for the rest of this post, It was moved and I want to read it but I can find it

That's a great video, Angela. I love how it demonstrates the calm patience so well.

leih

I ment I CAN NOT find it. Sorry about that.

 Quote: Christi Collett

That was a good vid, and very helpful to me. I'm looking for the rest of this post, It was moved and I want to read it but I can find it