Greetings all! This would be my first post with you. I am a homeschooling mom of 5 boys. We have incorporated our love of the German Shepherd as one of the areas which we study and work with. Recently we had puppies. We decided to learn how to properly obedience train our dog. In the past our dogs were trained in basic obedience according to my likings. We are not going to do it this way with this new pup. I am going to learn and teach my children to prepare the dog for CD Title. Recently I read that in order to get the dog to continously look at you as you walk with her, you must put her treats into your mouth.

G U L P !

really???

Hi - What's the problem? The idea of raw liver in your mouth doesn't appeal?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Have no fear - treats absolutely don't need to come from your mouth. The fastest answer to your questions is go pick up the little paperback book by Karen Pryor called "Don't Shoot the Dog". Easy reading, simple but very correct training procedures that will give you a very solid foundation to proceed to the CD.

Ahhh! This is goooood news! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I will search out this book you recommend. Tell me. Me being the humble novice, may I ask what you would look for in a pup for this kind of training?

Ask 10 people that question and you'll get 10 different answers. You're the one who has to live with it, so YOU decide what's important to YOU. Confident and outgoing in new situations/places and with new people/crowds/noises is pretty standard. To compete in a crowded noisy hall, elbow to elbow with people and dogs, the pup needs to be comfortable in distracting, new situations. Confident on a slick floor. High interest in food is hugely helpful but difficult to evaluate in a pup, since they nearly all are food crazy due to the competitive environment of the litter. A very strong interest in toys is also hugely helpful, becuz it gives you alternative rewards for the pup besides food. Play with each pup by itself, away from the litter. Try many different toys - a towel or tube sock to drag around, play tug with; a ball; a rubber squeeky toy; an empty plastic coke bottle, etc. Who shows the most intense and longest-lasting interest in playing with you? Who wants to interact with you vs going off by itself and amusing itself? One that is interested and confident around strange dogs is also going to make your life much easier if you're going to do AKC obedience.

What to look for? Depends on the age of the pup. But its always best to start with the parents.

Ron