Jorge, I'm not so sure he "knows" the commands. It sounds a little like he's confused. How about not training them both in the same session and going back to the beginning. Also it may be helpful to try a distinct tone of voice with each command to help him tell the difference.

 Quote: steve strom

Jorge, I'm not so sure he "knows" the commands. It sounds a little like he's confused.

I am in agreement with this. With less than a month in your home, I would be very surprised if he is clear on the commands. Steve's advice to go back to the beginning is a great idea. Keep in mind that the behavior will be slower when you remove the lure, he has to think about it more.

Also, dogs do not generalize a command to all situations unless they are trained and practised in many situations, so even though 200 feels like a lot of repetitions; in the grand scheme of things it really isn't.

As far as corrections go; I personally hold off if I am not 99.9% sure that I am reading my dog correctly. Because if I'm not sure, how can the correction be fair? Even if a dog is a few years old; in the beginning of the relationship, I tend to give them a "puppy license" manage into good behavior and prevent mistakes as much as possible.

You're doing great. Continue building the bond with your dog.
As this grows, your ability to read him, and him you, will increase rapidly which will do wonders for your training.

thanks so much I really appreciate your responses, I'll hold off on the corrections and continue establishing myself a his pack leader.

Question: What should be my wife's role during this time ? Should she act aloof as well and just tend to him in a basic way, take him to go potty and back and let me handle the regular walks, feeding him, etc. thanks

ie. I opened his crate and he takes a few minutes to come out, its kinda off funny, when I had other dogs they jet out off the crate, as in saying "yes" I'm out, not Sparky he'll be in there chilling and then sometimes I have to tell him the command to outside which I use "lets go" and he'll snap out of whatever lazy feeling or whatever is going on with him. Besides establishing myself as his center of attention and leader, what are other ways to bond with your pet ? thanks

Jorge,

I take it Sparky is your dog so you do want to be the main focus of his world. The role you suggest for your wife in my mind is appropriate.

Where did you get Sparky from? At 3 years old he is not as unihibited as a pup so his hesitation in exiting the crate doesn't surprise me. For him too, it is an adjustment period. You probably won't see him in all his glory for another couple of months, when he has adjusted to his new life with you and is comfortable and trusting.

I am a big advocate of tethering as far as the bonding goes. I also like to take my dog on as many errands as possible. I have 3 kids who went to 3 different schools and I would take my dog on all my daily drop offs and pick ups. He and I to this day spend an awful lot of time in the car together. I tend to run things by him and he listens without judgement. It isn't much of an activity but the time spent builds the bond.

Jorge asked "Besides establishing myself as his center of attention and leader, what are other ways to bond with your pet?"

The bond is helped by:
Walking and/or running together.
Playing together.
Training.
Running errands together, as Sheila said.
Meeting their needs.

In addition, some of the things I do, breaking it down a bit more than I did above:
1. Grooming.
2. Petting and touching.
3. Focusing on him, having him focus on me.
4. Talking to him (they love that).
5. Laughing with him (they love that too and will "laugh" back).
6. Being happy with your dog and his personality (not disappointed or upset) - they know when you're happy with them and they know when you're not. BIG DEAL to a dog. In other words, acceptance.
7. Lots of eye contact.
8. Letting him "help" me with my chores, even if he only wants to watch or stick his head and nose in whatever it is I'm doing. They're very interested in what we do and like to be right there, underfoot . He is part of the "pack" after all and needs to be involved in daily goings on. Teamwork. No constant "shooing away".
9. Let him sleep near you.
10. Positive reinforcement at every possible opportunity.
11. Love him - most important and is the basis and reason for the above.

Thanks for all your responses Sandy and Sheila.

"Where did you get Sparky from? "

I got him on March 15, 2008 from a shelter down here in South Florida.

You're responses were so awesome, thank you so much !!!!