Please help, my pup’s only limitation is me. After 14 years with my beloved Schultz I now have a 16 month old male GSD. I am a lifelong, strictly family/companion GSD owner but it’s been years since I’ve had one so young. We’ve got basic obedience well underway but I know I am lacking in both structure and direction in training. It’s discouraging to see that so many of the local trainers, despite the individualized philosophy of training they advertise, immediately put either a prong or an e-collar on for daily wear rather than strategic behavior modification. The dog’s focus and engagement does not seem to be a priority. Perhaps my take on all this is wrong but people have been sucessfully training dogs long before e-collars were even possible.
I believe the Michael Ellis DVD’s are what I need but I am not sure where to start: (do I want the basic; the puppy or the food focus?). My dog is far more focused and responsive to his ball than he is to treats. I think there is a way to build on this but I don’t exactly know how to go about it; and if you train with a toy how do you distinguish playtime? In the end I’d like a very well trained companion to take along wherever I go. He is ready and eager to learn but my own lack of knowledge is working against us.
Lastly, while webcasts and dvd’s are great for the visual sometimes it’s easier to grab a book for quick reference. Could someone please recommend one? I gather that Michael Ellis materials are not available in print.
I greatly value any information you all may be willing to share. Thank you!

Hi;

Welcome. When you get a chance, you can post an intro in the BIOs forum, and we love pictures.

IMO, from your post, you would be well-served to start with The Power of Training with Markers...
http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=522

then progress to Power of Training Your Dog with Food (new version) and Power of Playing Tug. Between these three, you will absolutely get the info you're asking about AND be able to decide when tug vs food is the right choice.


ETA... These three come in a dvd set that also includes "Your Puppy; 8 Weeks to 8 Months".

Edited by Duane Hull (03/22/2013 03:43 PM)
Edit reason: eta

If you don't know marker training at all, then I recommend starting with the pre-Ellis intro, at
http://leerburg.com/219.htm

Someone with some grasp of markers in general could start here:
http://leerburg.com/training-with-food.htm

(If you start with Power of Markers, Power of Food would still be your number two.)

For reading: http://leerburg.com/articles.htm#marker

There are a hundred reasons for starting with food, including precision of reward timing as well as luring (and much more). The order of the DVDs (Power of Food is the first of the Ellis series) is really purposeful and well thought out.

Michael talks a bit about it here:
http://leerburg.com/flix/player.php/226/

I strongly urge that you learn marker training with food first,


PS
WELCOME!

Those three DVD's are priceless. Seriously, the more you watch them the more you learn. After watching the Markers DVD I was addicted and hopefully you will be too

As for books, (I literally have a library), nothing compares to the M.E DVD's. The problem with the books is the fact that 1/3 to 1/2 of the books talk about what is wrong with other methods. You mentioned that the trainers in your area use e-collars and prong collars - most of the books out there (particularly on amazon) are purely positive which may be of benefit to you. That is if you can sift through the crap of justifying their methods.

There is one book that I'll recommend; When pigs fly: training success with impossible dogs by Jane Killion. But I'll admit, the book didn't make too much sense until I watched the Markers DVD. The author is also against making the reward an event (unlike Michael Ellis), but that's because she uses mostly shaping. If you're looking for pet dog training (as opposed to competition and working dog training) then you can't go past Ian Dunbar books either.

If you're wanting a trainer who uses a certain technique then I suggest you watch them working with other dogs and make a judgement from there. Recommendations from other dog owners is also always a good sign - but their definition of a well trained dog may differ from yours, so judge them on their dogs obedience.

Good luck

 Quote: Jackie Abikhair

Those three DVD's are priceless. Seriously, the more you watch them the more you learn. After watching the Markers DVD I was addicted and hopefully you will be too

As for books, (I literally have a library), nothing compares to the M.E DVD's. The problem with the books is the fact that 1/3 to 1/2 of the books talk about what is wrong with other methods. You mentioned that the trainers in your area use e-collars and prong collars - most of the books out there (particularly on amazon) are purely positive which may be of benefit to you. That is if you can sift through the crap of justifying their methods.

As much of a reader as I am, I sure do agree with you, Jackie.

Ditto to all the above comments, from one who has benefitted from all their great advice.

That said, don't discard the idea of using a prong or E-collar. Just be aware those are just more tools available to have in your toolbox, as appropriate. At this point with your dog, they aren't something I would use for all the initial engagement and obedience training on which you should be focusing. But, with a strong breed like you have, they may come into play when you start having to deal with correcting certain behaviors as your dog gets bigger and stronger.

Thank you all for providing the focused path I truly needed! I know I'll be back with plenty of questions. What a great resource this is: tips and suggestions from experienced dog folk. Yes, Greg, I agree and haven't ruled out E-collars as a tool for a specific purpose. Just not for the sole method of training the average young GSD.

 Quote: Kathie Mackinnon

Thank you all for providing the focused path I truly needed! I know I'll be back with plenty of questions. What a great resource this is: tips and suggestions from experienced dog folk.

Kathy, you will find loads of help here. Keep us posted!