Dog Health Questions: Need some dog training advice from people with experience regarding distractions?

As I mentioned, I adopted an Akita/GSD mix last month. He's five and a half months old. He's a large dog already, standing about two-three inches above my Lab and growing. Hence why I'm trying to nip this behavior in the butt as fast as possible.

We've been working with him since day one with him. We're over his submissive urination (thank God and no bladder infection!) and he's mastered sit which has taken a bit because of the attention issue. The problem we're having is that he is VERY distraction prone and it's nearly impossible to get his attention. I've never had a dog that won't look at you even when you whistle/make odd noise/etc. Both my fiance and I work with him and encounter the same issues so I know it's not just me.

Training sessions range from 5-15 minutes, two to three times a day. If relevant.
We do his training in the kitchen with nothing on the floor or in eye sight that could be distracting as well as the other dogs removed. We've also tried the same thing in the yard but he finds even the sky fascinating so that's not helpful.

Any tips on how to overcome this? I would appreciate the help!

Dog Training is a Priority

Recommended Answer:
Have you had him tested for deafness?

What are you doing to make it worth his while to give you attention? How are you reinforcing when he does give you attention?

Attention is Everything
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/attenti…

Attention
http://www.clickerlessons.com/attention.…

Keeping your dog's attention
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles…

Attention training and name recognition
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles…

Eye contact
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content…

The eyes have it
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/clk9904.ht…

Eye contact game
http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/arch…

FWIW, I find that attention/eye contact training works best when you DON'T use a command or attention getter.

Bird Dog Training - How Hunting Dogs Are Treated

• Have you considered "clicker" training? It sounds like if could be a very good solution for you. Clicker training is based on operant conditioning and uses a signal (the clicker) to cue the dog that something good is about to happen. Clicker training is a refinement on rewards based training that allow you to shape a desired behavior using an audible cue followed by a treat. Once the dog is accustomed to the clicker, which takes about five minutes, it's easy to hold their attention.
  Take a look at their web site. They do a good job of explaining the science behind the process and they have materials for people with experience. It sounds like you've trained dogs before so you might be able to simply buy the book. if you'd like help you can find a trained "clicker" training expert in your area using the web site.
  I took my Lab through a clicker training class and I'm sold on the process.