6 month old puppy losing focus - Page 1

I have a 6 month old female GSD that has been exceptionally focused and learned obedience commands quite readily. In the last two weeks at training classes she has been out of control barking at other dogs, whining and generally not interested in her job.  We use a food based reward system which intially kept her interested but no longer  seems to work.  Any suggestions? It is very frustrating.

i wonder if she may be coming into heat.

welcome to your teenager dog!
Treats will often get too boring - do you always use the same?
If your pup has a bit of a drive, try toy rewards, like a tug!
You need to be very consistant with your rules, keep training units sweet and short and don't train too many exercises too fast!

You have a teenage dog :)  She is no longer dependant on you .  From 5-7 months many puppies go through a "flight stage"  (or as I call it the screw you phase)  A formerly obedient pup suddenly becomes deaf.  During this phase of development pups are worked on lead only.  The old saying if you can't correct it , don't say it rule applies. Play with her and make obedience fun.  I also agree with keep your sessions short.  I train and put the pup up, train and put the pup up. Freedom is earned at this stage.  You come out of your kennel you work.  No work back in you go.  They figure out REAL quick that if they want to be with me they better be interested in the lesson.

Thanks for the excellent advice. It all makes sense. I just have to learn patience

And I would like to add that if you find YOURSELF getting too frustrated; have a fun ball playing session and put the dog away.  They know when they get the best of you whether it be mentally or physically or both.  Enjoy and don't try to push too fast and hard, they DO learn eventually; she might be on overload or bored or ??  whatever??  Great days, Nan

Brynjulf That sounds very interesting do you use this method with only Young dogs or adults A's Well If they. Dont work for you ??? Dó they really get that it os because hé did not want to work with you that you put him In the kennel ?????

Myret,  yes I use this method with all dogs that are in for training.  ( now this does not mean that they are put in the kennel and left all day)  I take a dog out and if they act like nerds, refuse to work, straight back into the kennel.  I dont say a word.  Then I take out whatever dog is next to them in the kennel.  I work that dog.  Then I bring out the non working individual. Almost always there is a marked improvement with the lazy butt.  This also works with posts outside.  When I am working the dogs, they are tied out to posts with a veiw of the training area.  They are watching what is happening and they really do learn from each other.   The kennel is NOT a punishment.  The dogs are quietly returned to their run and they think out what just happened.  the dogs are also bypassed if they do not "sit" when I go to get them out of the run.  They see the dog next to them sit down and they learn very quickly this is expected. Jump on me , touch the door with your foot and the door shuts. I move on to the next dog.  Works like a charm.  Keep in mind I am totally silent during this process.  The dogs literally learn the kennel rules by watching the other dogs.  German Shepherds want to be with you, I use this trait to my full advantage. 

brynjulf



thanks I willl try this on my 7 month old male pup he is all over the place and sometimes he justs want to do his thing and not my thing very innoying


But I will try this method on the training field as I dont have kennels for my dogs they are in the house

At 7 months it is totally normal for him to want to do whatever he wants to do.  Training MUST be on leash at all times during this period or you will teach him to disobey you.  The adage "if you can't correct it , don't say it is very important during this age.  That is the single most important lesson I have learned in 27 years of dog training.