I posted a while back about my German Shepherd, Marko, and I've started training him on marijuana and a scratch box. He's about 14 months old now and I just have a few questions.

First, here's what I've been doing. I've tried several different toys and he seems to like a rope tug the best. I play fetch with the toy first to get his interest in it built up, then drop the tug in the scratch box, which has a plexi front. The marijuana is, of course, inside the box out of his reach. I'll usually grab the tug and slap the inside of the plexi with it while slapping the outside of the plexi with my hands, encouraging him to get his toy. He's giving some good one pawed scratches and has started throwing the other one up sometimes (I've only been working with the box for about 4 days now). After he scratches good, I raise the lid, praise him, let him have his toy, then repeat the process.

My questions are, how many times should I be repeating this? He's still very much a puppy and his attention span could be a little longer, and I'm trying to keep it fun for him. Should the tug be scented also, and will it help with scent association to just play fetch with the tug? Will his drive increase over time, meaning will he start using both paws eventually? Lastly, what more can I do to increase his drive?

Sorry for such a long post, I'm just very new to all this and need all the help I can get.

You keep doing it until you do not have to give any cues other than the command to search. Then you start using mulitiple boxes and make him find it with his nose. That's really basic, but it's the general principle.

DFrost

What I meant was how long should each training session be? Until he starts to lose interest in it, or is it best to get his interest peaked then "end on a good note" more or less?

 Quote: michael henderso

What I meant was how long should each training session be? Until he starts to lose interest in it, or is it best to get his interest peaked then "end on a good note" more or less?

Always stop with the dog wanting more. In the very beginning, with a new dog, I run sets of five, very quickly. Generally the dog is still wanting more when you stop.

DFrost

That sounds about right. Last night I worked with him and did about 10 or so, and I could tell he was losing interest and he started barking at the box and throwing half-hearted scratches. Thanks for the info.