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Obedience Trainging!

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:14 pm
by FullExposureOutdoors
I'm beginning to train my two puppies in basic obedience. Not to jump, sit, heel, not to chew on stuff, and more.
I have the option of sending the puppies to a guy named Melvin Crow who lives in Goodland, KS.
I haven't talked with him yet but I'm guessing he wont take in puppies til they are atleast 5 to 6 months.

I've been watching videos online and everything seems to be working the way the video says it will.
I only train them one at a time and for 15 minutes at a time.

My white GSP (Toby) will fetch and retrieve to hand. My liver GSP (Rusty) will not even go look at the ball.
How do I get him interested in going after the ball. All the videos show what to do if they are already picking it up and training them to come to you with it.

I thought about putting it in a sock and trying to wrestle him with it or play a little tug, whatever you want to call it but would like some opinion on how to get him more interested.
I've also started using a Pheasant wing on a fishing pole and they both love that. They get a little annoyed that I wont let them catch it. I stop before they get to that point now because I want them to think its fun.

Any other pointers on what I need to do with 3 month old pups is welcome. When I was 16 we owned and trained Brittnay's, we had about 26 of them and there was 4 of us that worked with them. I'm basically using the same techniques I did back then so if there is something I should do differently with a GSP that would help if you could point it out.

The picture below is from earlier today after they busted out of the back yard. I have another panel that I am going to separate them with but would like to hear opinions of when I should separate them. Right now I just want them to be happy puppies. The other pic is of the kids and the puppies from the night we got them.

Re: Obedience Trainging!

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:27 pm
by birddog1968
Personally I wouldn't worry a bit about sit stay heel......I'd be more interested in bonding, teaching basic manners, here, and building independence.

The control stuff can come later if thats what you want to do.....unless of course they are just house pets......

Really no reason to send pups off until they are 9-10 months....

Re: Obedience Trainging!

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:17 am
by RoostersMom
We just do the basics because they're house dogs until they're about a year old. Unsolicited advice on the pups though, I would separate them now and work them separately, train separately and house separately until they're about a year old. google littermate syndrome.

Re: Obedience Trainging!

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:43 am
by AzDoggin
RoostersMom wrote:I would separate them now and work them separately, train separately and house separately until they're about a year old. google littermate syndrome.
You are definitely making the battle more uphill at least initially if you train the pups together. Once they get to "chaingang" age, you should be good to go.

You want the pups to believe that the sun rises and sets with YOU, not with each other.

Re: Obedience Trainging!

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:26 am
by Munster
IMO this is the time or them to be a pup. Run , explore, bond etc. I would NOT do any heeling or serious Obedience. Teach them to be a citiizen and let them have un. there will be plenty o time or the other later.

Re: Obedience Trainging!

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:40 am
by JIM K
Munster wrote:IMO this is the time or them to be a pup. Run , explore, bond etc. I would NOT do any heeling or serious Obedience. Teach them to be a citiizen and let them have un. there will be plenty o time or the other later.

very good info from all of you.
like i said,MOST IMPORTANT THING IN HUNTING DOG FOR ME IS ONE THAT COMES WHEN CALLED.
do nothing but get puppy to come.
other stuff will come naturally if pup has genes ,if not,WHO CARES.

fun is having dog that COMES in woods and hunts .