Posted: 12/28/2007 3:07:49 PM EDT
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I'm trying to teach my GSD to lay down on command by using a treat and moving the treat in an "L" shape from his nose down to his feet and back towards his belly as I say "lay down." I got him to lay down alright but he only does it in response to the movement of the treat, and not the vocal command. Any suggestions? Here's a 30 second video of what I'm doing (not me, though) Here |
I don't use a treat. Tell him down and then follow up with the leash pulling him down. Once he starts getting it right then reward him with a treat and verbal praise. I was trained that you should only give the command once and then follow through on making them do it. They don't need to think about it, they just need to do it.
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2 things. i use. 1) open held hand- commanding HOLD if the dog breaks or sneaks. stop it and take it back EXACTLY from where it was in the beginning of the down. repeated hold with an open hand as you step away ..make progressive steps back lengthening your distance over time. DO NOT take you distance lightly. too many people skip out on the distances and pay the price later. i take everything around the following. 1- 2 steps 2- 4 steps 3-6 steps 4 10 steps let the dog come with enthusiasm after those. DO NOT USE TREATS. they are the work of the devil. after 10 steps increase 5 yards at a time. make sure the dog is consistant before increasing any yardage. also 2) i elevated boards to create a limiting factor, these boards are made from plywood and have 2x4 on the sides to elevate them just enough to create a psych barrier. dog training is baby steps..consistantly. then progress to the next step after only being 100% on the current. |
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I'm curious what books you've read on GSD training. I'm planning on getting a GSD within the next year and just ordered several books that were recommended on this website. I'm curious if any of those have worked well for you. |
| 1st question to OP, how old is the dog? I am a K9 handler who works with a GSD. Treats are great for starting training. Keep treat concealed in hand. Imagine a string from the treat/hand to dog's nose. from sit, direct dog into down by moving treat. much as is done in vid you posted. KEEP COMMANDS ONE WORD. Dog will eventually react to sound, not the word itself. As others have posted, must be consistent. this method also teaches dog to respond to the hand signal as well. |
He's 3. Thanks. |
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Your baseline should be the Koehler Method of Dog Training (google it, but basically it is the "sit means sit" tell 'em once and make 'em do it no treats school). However it should not be followed didactically but modified and tailored as required for your dog. Some of the posts here already alluded to this method, if not by name. |
I didn't read much about it, I learned first hand from an experienced and well known trainer. I will always remember him telling me at our first interview "I will agree to work with your dog but you have to understand this will be as much about training you as the dog." |
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A treat is a treat, not a reward. The dog (GSD in your case) should receive reward in the manner of praise (act excited with a high pitched voice, AKA look like an idiot). Treats are nice at the end of a training session or to put a twist on things. The only time I have used food for a reward was during training for drug searches (due to the type of training and response needed). Otherwise my praise worked much better than a toy (this can vary depending on play drives). You have to train the dog to respond after one command, not two or more because then the dog will learn it can response when it is ready. The dog knows the proper response, it chooses when to respond and this can be based on your voice or body language (you getting angry for lack of response). This will lead to many other problems. Keep the training short and positive. Don't get angry and end on a positive note with the dog wanting more. Mike |