Training Information for a German Shepherd

Consistency

• Consistency is the key to training a German Shepherd successfully. German Shepherds are very smart and learn things quickly. However, they can be stubborn at times and want to do things their way. A German Shepherd should be rewarded every time he does something good and corrected every time he does something bad or disobeys. This should be done regularly so the German Shepherd understands what is expected of him. A positive change in the dog's behavior will be noticed over time.

Establish Authority

• German Shepherds have a natural instinct to be in control. They want to be the Alpha dog or the dominant leader. It is the owner's job to teach the dog otherwise. It is important to establish authority over a German Shepherd while he is still a puppy, as puppies are easier to handle and control. German Shepherds grow to be large strong dogs and this can make training more difficult. Establishing authority is accomplished by being firm and consistent with commands and discipline. The dog may occasionally ignore an already learned command. This is normal, as the dog is just showing his natural instinct of wanting to be in control.

Reward vs. Discipline

• When training a German Shepherd, the dog should be praised each and every time he does what is asked. Rewarding is accomplished by showing excitement in the voice, petting him and giving him dog treats. This is known as positive reinforcement and will encourage the dog to continue to follow given commands. He will learn that doing what is asked of him earns him something pleasant in return.

  A German Shepherd should be disciplined each and every time he misbehaves. Saying the word "No!" in a firm tone is a proper way to discipline a dog. Hitting, kicking or using any kind of physical discipline on a German Shepherd or any dog is not recommended. This does not help the dog learn any quicker and will only make him afraid of people.

Aggression

• German Shepherds were originally bred for protecting sheep and as guard dogs. This history has caused the breed to become very protective of its family and its territory. An unsocialized German Shepherd is very distrustful of strange people and unknown dogs. Distrust and fear of unknown people can cause aggressive behavior. It is essential that a German Shepherd be socialized with as many people and dogs as possible. It is important to start socialization when the dog is very young to instill a sense of trust of other people and dogs.

Obedience School

• German Shepherds can be enrolled in dog obedience school. Obedience courses are typically divided into classes over a span of several weeks. These classes are designed to help owners train their dogs properly. Basic commands such as "sit," "stay," "come" and "heel" are taught. Behavioral problems such as aggression, jumping, barking and digging are also typically addressed in dog obedience school.