I adopted a German Shepherd 2 years ago, and now he is almost 4 years old. I had him trained by a trainer who used compulsion methods, and now my dog has no drive left. He likes to play ball, but is about 70% motivated about it and sometimes he doesn't show much interest. When I do obedience with him, he seems to have a negative outlook, and shuts down. He will do all commands because he was taught with force, but he has no drive to work. I have been trying to retrain him using purely positive methods. I have been trying to build drive by playing with him, and he'll maybe show interest 50% of the time, and only put maybe 50% effort into it. I have been told not to play fetch with him anymore, to help build his drive for playing with me, but he seems very resentful that I have stopped, and just doesn't try now. He seems rather depressed, and I just don't know what to do if he doesn't show any interest. I am enthusiastic, I use toys, treats, praise, and he just would rather not try. I feel so bad that he is like this, because when I first got him he had a lot of drive, but the trainer corrected him for it, and now he has none left. Is there a way to get his drive back? I feel like he has been ruined, and it is very disappointing. I am new to the dog training world, and didn't know that the compulsion used was going to affect him the way it has. Anyone have any suggestions?

Marker training.

How much do you know about it, before I give you some info?

Not much

 Quote: Kellie Boelter

I am new to the dog training world, and didn't know that the compulsion used was going to affect him the way it has.

You have some work to do, but guess what? It's all fun work, and it's fun for you and for the dog. And it's great for your bond, as well as for his confidence and enthusiasm.

I have been currently using a similar version of the marker training. When is doing what I want I tell him good, and then "ok" and I give him a treat or toy

when he doesn't do what I want, I restart the exercise, but I never correct him...he just doesn't get a reward

 Quote: kellie boelter

I have been currently using a similar version of the marker training. When is doing what I want I tell him good, and then "ok" and I give him a treat or toy

What you want is a perfectly-timed marker -- that is, the marker is given the instant his butt hits the ground. And the reward is a very high-value treat (food is a great reward to start marker training, IMO, because it's easy and quick).

Might as well start right.

Do you have any very good treats? Any tiny bits of cooked meat? (Cooked smells stronger than raw and is easier to handle and carry.)

Start with a hungry dog. Have a supply of excellent treats. Load your marker (maybe "yes" or a clicker) by giving the marker and then rewarding.

For now, I'd say just associate the marker with the great reward.

Then
http://leerburg.com/markers.htm

and
http://leerburg.com/302.htm

Ok, I will try that. For treats I have been using soft liver treats, and I cut them up into little bits. I will try cooked meat, as that may be more motivating for him. The thing is, he knows all obedience commands, so do I just reward him with treats when he does the exercise to help build his motivation? When do I incorporate the toy?

Check out the article, even though it's still being re-done, and then post back with questions.

This kind of training WILL restore the dog's confidence and enthusiasm.

In this case, I would start from Square 1. I don't mean that you have done nothing; I mean that you want to re-teach even the simplest commands (starting with sit, even, and eye contact - look) with this method. One of the big benefits is going to be the dog's perception of his actions leading to immediate (and desirable) effects.

And if he already knows the commands, fine! Then he will have even more positive and rapid feedback.

You will see him get excited about every training session.

In fact, you'll have to remember to keep them short.

 Quote: Kellie Boelter

When do I incorporate the toy?

I'd stick with high-value food bits for now while you are learning precision and smoothness in getting your rewards out. You'll see what I mean as you read.