I have just purchased a 10 mo old Black Female GSD. She has had a little obedience training and I am continuing with this a little each day. I just received the "Basic Obedience Training Video from Leerburg Kennels. How much time should I allow for her to get settled into her new environment before I really start pushing her on her training? I know there are a lot of factors to consider such as temperment, etc. She seems to be a very intelligent dog and she has already within the last four days went from being outside constantly to coming inside with no problems other that being curious. She sleeps in her crate at night with no objections. I am new at trying to train a dog so any help or suggestions I might get would be greatly appreciated. I want her to be the most she can be and anything I can do to help her along will be a pleasure for me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

She seems to be settling in nicely, and because you said she already has Ob training. I'd start bonding immediately, most trainers don't look at Ob as work in puppy stage (8-1.5yr), its bonding and fun. All the practice should be upbeat and fun. You can use praise, treats or a toy to enhance this fun aspect.

What language was she trained in? You need to find that out to test her responce to each command. So it should be work for you and fun for her. You need to take note of the commands that she can perform. After that test to see how long she can hold each command or how quickly she responds to each command. From there decide how to slowly enhance and improve each command, pending the type training you would like her to do.

Are you interested in any type specfic training like Personal Protection, Dog Sports; Ob trials, Agility trails, SchH trails, FRing or is she just going be a pet that can do all these things or just an Obedient pet??

Bond with her now, Ob and praising makes a good bond. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If you can spend a decent about of time with her, I'd expect things to start falling in place within two weeks. 30 days seems to me to be the point where things are comfortable and a dog has settled in well.

I like to set boundries immediately, for certain house manners and the like I'll make it clear from the get go what is acceptable and what isn't. For obedience I wouldn't push till I felt the dog is comfortable, but you can do all kinds of great obedience work with positive reinforcement. . .and there is little chance of hindering your dog's transition into your life.