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What’s been your biggest training breakthrough with your GSD?

Kaia Murphy said:
Treats and patience... I can do that
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Now granted, she learned several tricks early at like 3 months old. But teaching her to stay took around a year. Now I have up after 5 months of trying but swung at the trick off and on till one day, voula, she got it. Once they learn it, keep it up at least weekly if possible.
Also physically going thru the motion while hiding the treat is how I train. It can be tasking. If it doesn't work in a 5 to 10 minute period I move on. Don't forget to praise them when they do good. Big key.
 
This is a good question.

I wouldn't classify it as a breakthrough, but creating a dog that's not reactive is something I'm pretty proud of.

My dog is a high drive naturally reactive dog. He does become aroused at times but he's never reactive. I can take him anywhere without much issue. The fact that he's not reactive to environmental stimuli is something I'm very proud of.
 
20thcentboy said:
Now granted, she learned several tricks early at like 3 months old. But teaching her to stay took around a year. Now I have up after 5 months of trying but swung at the trick off and on till one day, voula, she got it. Once they learn it, keep it up at least weekly if possible.
Also physically going thru the motion while hiding the treat is how I train. It can be tasking. If it doesn't work in a 5 to 10 minute period I move on. Don't forget to praise them when they do good. Big key.
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That’s super helpful, thank you! I like the idea of keeping sessions short and ending on a win instead of pushing it. I’ll definitely try the “go through the motion” trick too, that sounds like a great way to help them connect the dots. Crazy how much patience this breed teaches us, right?

MyDogBitz said:
This is a good question.

I wouldn't classify it as a breakthrough, but creating a dog that's not reactive is something I'm pretty proud of.

My dog is a high drive naturally reactive dog. He does become aroused at times but he's never reactive. I can take him anywhere without much issue. The fact that he's not reactive to environmental stimuli is something I'm very proud of.
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That’s really impressive, especially with a high drive dog! I’ve read that managing reactivity takes a lot of consistency and awareness, so it’s awesome that you’ve reached that level with him.

Do you think exposure early on made the biggest difference, or was it more about training through specific triggers as they came up?
 
Kaia Murphy said:
That’s super helpful, thank you! I like the idea of keeping sessions short and ending on a win instead of pushing it. I’ll definitely try the “go through the motion” trick too, that sounds like a great way to help them connect the dots. Crazy how much patience this breed teaches us, right?


That’s really impressive, especially with a high drive dog! I’ve read that managing reactivity takes a lot of consistency and awareness, so it’s awesome that you’ve reached that level with him.

Do you think exposure early on made the biggest difference, or was it more about training through specific triggers as they came up?
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50% the environmental exposure I provided to him when he was very little and how I guided him through that exposure. 50% Genetics.
 
My proudest breakthrough? Teaching my shepherd that the vacuum isn’t an enemy combatant. Took weeks of negotiations and about a pound of treats. Runner-up would be finally convincing him that ‘stay’ doesn’t mean "follow me but slower." Progress is progress.
 
MyDogBitz said:
50% the environmental exposure I provided to him when he was very little and how I guided him through that exposure. 50% Genetics.
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That’s a great way to look at it. Did you start environmental exposure right away as a pup, or ease into it once he was a bit older?
 
20thcentboy said:
Now granted, she learned several tricks early at like 3 months old. But teaching her to stay took around a year. Now I have up after 5 months of trying but swung at the trick off and on till one day, voula, she got it. Once they learn it, keep it up at least weekly if possible.
Also physically going thru the motion while hiding the treat is how I train. It can be tasking. If it doesn't work in a 5 to 10 minute period I move on. Don't forget to praise them when they do good. Big key.
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That’s such a good tip! I tend to overdo it sometimes, so that reminder helps a lot!
 
Mr. Schmucks said:
My proudest breakthrough? Teaching my shepherd that the vacuum isn’t an enemy combatant. Took weeks of negotiations and about a pound of treats. Runner-up would be finally convincing him that ‘stay’ doesn’t mean "follow me but slower." Progress is progress.
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Haha “enemy combatant” had me laughing. Sounds like a hard-won truce! I swear vacuums bring out the inner warrior in every shepherd.
 
Kaia Murphy said:
That’s a great way to look at it. Did you start environmental exposure right away as a pup, or ease into it once he was a bit older?
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Immediately. As soon as the pup comes home. It's imperative to start as young as possible.
 
Chase reached neutrality around other dogs! It seemed like an absolute impossibility because my little senior dog is HIGHLY reactive. Chase sees a dog freak out on him and just sits and looks at them like, "what's your problem?"
 
EnraaGygas said:
Chase reached neutrality around other dogs! It seemed like an absolute impossibility because my little senior dog is HIGHLY reactive. Chase sees a dog freak out on him and just sits and looks at them like, "what's your problem?"
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LOL. AWESOME.
 
EnraaGygas said:
Chase reached neutrality around other dogs! It seemed like an absolute impossibility because my little senior dog is HIGHLY reactive. Chase sees a dog freak out on him and just sits and looks at them like, "what's your problem?"
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That’s awesome! Sounds like Chase is the chill little brother who keeps his cool when everyone else is losing it.
 
Kaia Murphy said:
What’s been your proudest training win so far? And what made the difference for you?
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My dog alerted to a panic attack for the first time a few days ago. I've been training her for psychiatric service work for the last few months and this is a new skill. I am so excited with how well she is taking to the work. Definitely raised my spirits.
 
murph said:
My dog alerted to a panic attack for the first time a few days ago. I've been training her for psychiatric service work for the last few months and this is a new skill. I am so excited with how well she is taking to the work. Definitely raised my spirits.
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That’s incredible, Murph, what an amazing milestone. You both should be so proud of this win!
 
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