Also what age can I introduce him to a pinch collar? He is almost 6 months old. Is he still too young for a choke collar?

When should I start OB classes with him? Ive been told many ages. 3,6,8,9 months old. He is a shy nervous dog, so he needs the confidence building aspect of it.

So confusing lol

thanks,
Maizie

My Max was simular, I went with the clicker training and rarely used a choker. I also did some agility training with him and taught him a few cute tricks. I'd start the training asap. I'm just guessing that your puppy is going to be a pet. so good luck

find some books or videos that use inducive methods, ( food ) I am sure Ed has some. With a dog who lacks confidence a pinch is NOT the way to go. Even when you get to the correction phase a loud no will probably suffice, but you'll have to wait and see.

I guess I made it sound like he was worse then he is. But compaired to my lab and my dog who just passed, he is a big ol' chicken lol. Thunder & Taylor could sleep thru a train wreck lol. He is pretty hard headed, challenges me quite often while staring me in the eyes.. He just is afraid of strangers.

And after a few mins of being around someone new he is fine. (example: my friend just met apollo on our walk the other day, he barked and stayed away from him. but a few mins later, he was jumping all over him- couldn't keep Apollo off him)

But I think until a professional actually sees him and gets a grasp for his personality and temperment. I will deffinately wait on the choker and pinch collar. And I will consider clicker training.

And Dennis. I bought Apollo with the thought of Sch. in mind. But that was before I learned about american -vs- german working lines. So Im guessing that rules it out. He has american bloodlines. I thought I was doing good when the breeder told me they are AKC. Now i know akc papers are nothing but fancy toilet paper. lol

I know he wont be as good as a shepherd with german working lines, but that doesn't mean he cant try it.. Does it? Granted.. I wouldn't even know where to begin. I'm fairly new to all this. My first dog Thunder was trained by me when I was a kid. In my young proud mind, he knew it all- except he never walked on a leash right lol. Taylor I got when I was a little older. I took her to OB school because I didnt want her pulling on the leash like Thunder did and again, I thought the training stopped there. Now that I have the net, Ive learned theres so much more you can do with your dogs!

Maizie

I selected my Max because he was the first pup I could reach when I crawled under that trailer home with a flashlight. He's also AKC, damn near feral. Its been challenging. keep at it, its worth it.

If you got the dog to do schutzhund, then give it a try. I have an American bred shepherd that is doing ringsport and should have his brevet and one here soon as long as I don't mess it up. Train with what you have I always say. If he doesn't like to bite then do ob and tracking. I have had people say get another dog, but the best trainers I know started the same way you are. Think how much you'll learn. The really good dogs...Well how hard is that? Just get out of the way LOL