training a 6 month old GSD - Page 1

Hi i recently got a 6 month old gsd. i have usually used treats and doggie snacks as bribes to make the dog pay attention and to reward good behavior. Slowly i wean them off these treats once they have learned. However with this new guy, he doesnt seem interested in dog treats and eats them slowly withought much interest. Any other way to keep his attention and to make him learn?

Try using a ball-on-a-rope.  He gets to play Tug with it, or go Fetch it (if you are somewhere he can run free) as his reward for doing a Sit or whatever.  Otherwise he does not get that ball.  Sometimes works
with the non-foodies.  PS I think the food thing could change; somewhere down the line they usually
realise its a good 'deal', provided that your timing is right.  Have a bit of patience and let him get used to you, too (I read you only had him about a week).
Linda.

If I'm training with food it has to be high value such as string cheese/roast beef etc. I rarely use dog treats.  I also don't like crunchy treats that take awhile for the dog to chew up.  I LOVE to use the ball/string works great especially for dogs with higher drive. Mix it up alot so the dog doesn't know what to expect. 
Amy

thanks guys...ill try all of that...

just one more question...when should i start properly training him? iv usually gotten dogs at 8 weeks and then started after a while...this is the first time iv got a 6 month old (hes been with me for only a week) and sometimes feel i should wait till a bond develops between us...before that i shud just spend time with him?

Well you can do little bits here and there as PART of the bonding;  lots of play & interaction - as much as he's clearly comfortable with - including some basic house rules about feeding time, access to the furniture
etc.   The old fashioned idea about not doing any formal training with dogs under 6 months has been blown out of the water.  So you are at a little disadvantage here with not having this one from a baby puppy.  Think back to what you did with previous dogs who were younger, go back to that with him, and
build on it from there.  You may find there are things he's already picked up that a little one would not have yet - good OR bad ! - but at least find out what he's capable of, and reinforce those things with
practice.  Good luck, by the way.

thanks alot you guys!! much help you have been!!! ill keep you all updated!