Hello,

I'm new to your forum. I've been devouring much of the information on this bulletin board for the past couple of weeks. Having just recently discovered Leerburg. It's like a German Shepherd gold mine.

Anyway, I'm somewhat of a novice and have been watching many of the Frawley videos, reading books and just interacting with my puppy. He's 3 1/2 months old and is doing great. I've been working with him on obedience for short periods twice daily. NO CORRECTIONS, just positive reinforcement with tiny pieces of hot dog... and he gets it. He knows how to sit, stand, stay, down, come and heel. Now I make no assumptions that he's trained. I know he's not. He's far from being proofed but while in the learning phase, should I continue to use food? I know that I should wait until he's at least 6 months before I administer any corrections. But is it healthy during this in-between time to continue to use food rewards or should I begin to wean him now? I also focus a lot on his prey drive with a "ball on a string" He loves that. Should I reward him for these times or strictly treat them as playtime? I haven't thus far.

Thank you for your time I hope my questions aren't stupid. I'm learning and just want what's best for my puppy.

Sincerely,

Chad

Chad,

No I dont see your question as stupid. You are doing great. Keep it up. There a material here about intermittent rewards. Go search for it and take a look in the training articles. Be creative in your approach and does some simple distractions with food rewards. The prey work is definately a good thing. Continue that.

BTW you never mentioned what is your target for the puppy. If it is SchH then this way is good for now.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Chad Kinsey:
I also focus a lot on his prey drive with a "ball on a string" He loves that. Should I reward him for these times or strictly treat them as playtime? I haven't thus far.

Chad,
First of all I would also like to know what are your plans for your puppy. Second, could you clarify your question above? What do you mean by "reward him"? Reward him with food for playing ball?

My goals are evolving. This is my first experience with a shepherd. Let me clarify. I grew up with GSD's but I never had one of my own that I was solely responsible for training and caring for. I've loved the breed my entire life. I'd love to be able to attempt a schutzhund title. I'm thirty years old and have found this experience of raising this little guy to be one of the most rewarding endeavors I've ever pursued. I'm hooked. However, based on what I've read here in the forum I probably should not attempt this. My puppy is from American Bloodlines. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I did not fully understand the difference until I found this site... which was after I purchased my pup. Now I'm devouring every piece of information I can get my hands on. I'm currently reading Schutzhund by Susan Barwig. My pup is beautiful, intelligent, a eager learner, he has plenty of spunk and seems receptive to most anything I expose him to. But I'm not sure now that he could really compete against a working line dog. I don't have enough experience to make that type of evaluation. So for now I just want to bring him to his full genetic potential for what he is. I've completely fallen for this sport and the people involved in it and have looked at purchasing another puppy later on from WUSV SchH3 Vice-World Champion, Troll vom Haus Milinda. I would most likely attempt to title him.

I'm open to any suggestions. He's become a part of my wife and I, so at the very least he will be a very obedient companion who will be loved. I'm just uncertain of what type of expectations I should set, if any.

BTW: I re-read my post that did sound dumb "reward him for playing" That came out wrong. Please disregard.

c