German Shepherd Training & Tricks

Training a German shepherd dog can be an exciting experience or a frustrating one depending on the training approach. A poor training method not only frustrates the trainer and the dog but also leads to behavioral problems such as excessive aggression. German shepherd dogs are highly perceptive creatures and are always learning even when not under training. They learn a lot from your behavior around them as well as how you treat them. However, an effective training methodology makes the dog obedient, respectful and allows correction of errant behavior.

  1. Early Training

    • Start training the German shepherd as early as possible. Training a puppy is much easier and yields faster and longer lasting results. This however does not mean that an older dog is not trainable. It may only take longer and require more patience as the dog has already established a pattern of behavior.

    Basic Tricks

    • Always start with the simple tricks before proceeding to more complicated commands. Start with basic instructions such as "sit," "fetch," "down," "up," etc. After mastering the simple commands, the trainer may move to tricks that are more complicated. Basic tricks are the stepping-stone to more advanced tricks.

      The commands should also be monosyllables. Avoid using multiple word commands because the German shepherd dog may not understand the order.

    Quiet Location

    • Dogs have a short attention span, no more than 10 minutes. Choose a quiet place where the trainer can deliver the lesson with minimal disruptions. It would be unwise to take the dog to a public park over the weekend when young kids are running around all over the place. The dog would never concentrate in the midst of all the noise and activity in such a place.

    Consistency

    • Consistency in the way commands are given is vital for German shepherd training. Avoid giving different commands for the same trick. For instance, if your initial command for the dog to come to you was "come," do not say "come to me" for the same trick because this will only confuse the dog.

    Positive Reinforcement and Rewards

    • Positive reinforcement is a great way to make your dog know that it is on the right track. When your dog successfully learns a trick, praise it with words such as "good." You may also pat it on the back and give it a treat. The dog will soon associate the pat and the treat with a job well done and this will make the training easier.

    Socialization

    • Introduce your German shepherd dog to other dogs and people from an early age.

      Avoid isolating German shepherds from interacting with other dogs and human beings. Isolation makes them aggressive, especially when they suddenly encounter other dogs or people. Some are aggressive out of fear while others are over protective of their owners. To avoid this behavioral problem, ensure your dog interacts with other dogs and people as much as possible.