Focus Training GSD Puppy... - Page 1

I have a 13 week old GSD that has quickly learned basic commands.  I am currently looking for a trainer in my area, but in the meantime, I just have a questions on the best time for training.

My preference would be to work on the things we need to learn (heeling, come, stay) at meal times so he is interested in treats I am offering.  Should I give him a little less at feedings and offer a little more treats when we are training/learning?

Sorry if its a stupid question... I just dont want to lose his most impressionable training time while I am looking for a trainer.

Go to leerburg.com and get
The power of training with markers
The power of training with food
The power of training with toys............
  This will keep you busy preparing your puppy for a brilliant future....

to give you simple answer , throw away the feedingbowl and give your pup his meals out of your hands ,and make him  work for it,  this way you have every day few short training sessions .

I agree with duke. Take his morning portion of dog food and use it for morning obedience...same at night.. If he's not interested in doing anything for plain kibble, he will be the following day :) Save a ton of money on treats that way too :)

Focus training is more than obedience.  You can do this at home, relaxing.  Have treats, when the dog makes eye contact, say good look (or nothing) and give a treat.  You can eventually have treats in both hands..make sure the dog knows that both hands have food--both arms are extended parallel with the floor say look (even if the dog has no idea what you are saying) and when the dog happens to look in your eyes instead of the food in your hands, say good look and reward.  Before you throw a ball, wait for the dog to look into your eyes then throw.  I think there is a video of someone doing this on You Tube.  I'll try to find and post.

Thank you guys!  I am already doing many of the things mentioned... but as a growing pup, I was just concerned I guess at how much should be given in the food bowl and how much out of hand.  Since I have 3 other dogs who all eat at regular intervals every 12 hours, I guess I will do his training as much as possible and then feed him with the pack (just a little less).

Not being mean, I know we all at times have different methods, different ideas and different styles but when I read something like this I wonder. OP initially asked for best time for training. The title is "Focus training the GSD puppy" and then OP talks of "obedience tasks" at feeding.

What I don't understand is why mess with the puppies feeding time? 13 weeks and we all know the attention span of puppies but why mess with the feeding times. OP already stated the pup has already learned basic commands quickly so the pup was focused enough to learn those commands and do them correctly. My thoughts are if the pup/dog is hard headed, doesn't want to train or ignores training or commands or tasks then controlling food is one way to help adjust the demeanor. But for the 13 week old that is doing everything that is asked so far now you want to do what is the word or phrase?? Compulsory? Kind of forcing the pup to do something in order to get his food?

If you got the pup at 8 wks, he has only been with you five. Bonding, Imprinting and Socialization essential with bonding the most important in my eyes.

If time permits, any time of the day or night, (short periods) indoors/outdoors is good for training. And we're going to have different thoughts on this (praise or treats as the reward) but it looked like you were talking about treats at meal time? I just don't understand why some want to mess with their feeding times?  

@alboe2009...

I have had the pup 4 weeks as of today.  I got him at 10 1/2 weeks.  I think I have everything under control now (and thank you all for your guidance).

He had been getting 2 cups of food twice a day... now he is getting 1.5 cups twice daily.  The other cup he is missing went into the treat bag.  So he is still getting it, but over the course of the day.  Am working on him for 3-5 minutes at a time approx 4x per day.  And then play (either tug or ball) following the treat work.   This seems to be working wonderfully and keeping him interested.  But I just have to keep the sessions short.

I also noticed that his play drive (with me) has increased... but I have to play with him privately away from the other dogs.  Though he does get time to play with them as well. 

Thanks everyone for your help.

 Hi,I have just posted in the below mentioned thread,
it may be helpfull.

 

Training and Obedience > tried training class...now what