1st time GSD owner - Page 1

HI

This is my first (pure)GSD and my first real attempt at training a dog. He is now 6 motnhs old and we have did a puppy class from 10-18 weeks of age, then obeidence level 2 (skipped level 1 on the trainers advice) for 6 weeks after that.  He knows sit, stay, down, wait, front, side, finish, heel,  and I am teaching him to 'find it' on my own now. 

My question is, for his age am I at a good place with him with what he knows?  I am trying to find a guidline for what they should know about what age.  I know every dog is different, just something to go by.  He is a companion dog, so I am not looking  to heavily train.  I am thinking about herding classes this fall as something new for him and I to do together.

Thanks
Candice

"He knows sit, stay, down, wait, front, side, finish, heel,  and I am teaching him to 'find it' on my own now.
My question is, for his age am I at a good place with him with what he knows?"

Hi BeausMom, quite a list of OB for 6 months companion dog.  Is he doing all this with enthusiasm?  If he is, then who is to say its too much as long as he is a balanced and happy.  Do share a video of you training with your puppy.  Often visual clues is better.

He does most with enthusiasm. I wouldn't have done so much, but it is what we did in the classes. The only one he seems to do reluctantly is down, but he does it. I didn't do much training with my last dog, a mix breed, and he ended up not being able to be around when we had people over, food out and the only commands he would do is sit or paw for a treat. I just don't want to be in that position with a dog again so I am trying to train him well. The commands he does well I have trying to phase out food rewards and it is going well so far.

I would not phase out any reward at this stage.  All the exercises you have mentioned can be prolonged for afew seconds/ minutes longer and rewarded for attention and endurance.  Why phased it out.  You can "mix and match" the commands to see if the puppy understands those commands and still continue the reward.  What's the hurry to get a 6 months puppy do things just on command, hmm?

As regards to the training of your previous dog, you seem to be going from extreme to another with this puppy.  Slow down, he is your companion dog so make it fun, fun, fun.  Even a therapy dog gets frequent rewards.