• Next, put that particular object that you've chosen in an obvious area right next to one or two other unfamiliar, boring objects, such as a book or a block of wood.

• Now, point to all the items on the floor or the table and ask your dog to "find the toy". As soon as your German Shepherd picks up the right object that you asked for, praise him immediately and immensely. If your GSD knows how to fetch, have him bring the "item" right to you.

• Next, add another familiar item to the line (such as a ball). Now command him to find the new item. Once he has done this successfully switch back and forth between the second object and the first one a few times.

• Don't overdo it! After you've tried this game of find the object for 5 - 10 minutes stop with your dog completing the trick correctly! Give your dog a break and do something different - practice an old trick you already know well, play a game of fetch or keep away, but just do something different.

• Practice this again later on in the day or the next day. Add one new item every time your dog gets really good correctly picking the items you've asked for several times in a row.

Very important: Don't scold your dog if he happens to pick the wrong thing. It's a good idea to ignore the wrong ones and not to reward the dog for that choice.

Once your German Shepherd has mastered this trick, you can try a more advanced variation by placing objects in a different location or another room and then telling your dog to find the object.