Bringing an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy into your home is an exciting time! These intelligent and energetic dogs are a joy to have, but it’s important to start training them right away. The first two months are essential for laying the core foundations for your German Shepherd puppy. This guide will provide you with the essential tips and techniques you need to successfully train your new furry friend.
Why Start Training at 8 Weeks?
German Shepherds are one of the smartest breeds, possessing a natural intelligence that makes them highly trainable. Starting early allows you to harness this intelligence and instill good habits from the beginning. Training at this age isn’t about complex commands; it’s about socialization, basic obedience, and building a strong bond with your puppy.
Focus on the 5 Core Areas of Puppy Training
While there are many aspects to training an 8-week-old puppy, focusing on these five core areas will set you up for success:
- Potty Training: Potty and house training is crucial during the first few weeks.
- Crate Training: With the right training, your pup will see its crate as their private safe space and will even go there to relax.
- Basic Obedience: German Shepherds excel at obedience, so begin teaching your puppy basic commands like sit, down, and stay.
- Socialization: Enrolling in a puppy obedience class can be extremely helpful both for teaching these commands as well as socialization.
- Recall: Begin teaching your GSD to come when called as soon as possible.
10 Tips for Training Your 8-Week-Old German Shepherd
- Start Immediately: Don’t waste any time teaching your puppy the right way to behave.
- Be Consistent: Structure and consistency will help create a bond and help you both get along more peacefully and calmly.
- Keep it Positive: Focus on positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats, praise, and toys, to motivate your puppy.
- Use Short Sessions: Aim for 5-minute training sessions, 4 to 5 times daily. Your pup’s attention span is short and they won’t be able to handle that.
- Practice Daily: Practice your puppy’s training every day.
- Be Patient: Your puppy is still learning and will make mistakes.
- Socialize Early: Expose your puppy to different people, dogs, and environments to help them develop into a well-adjusted adult.
- Teach Bite Inhibition: German Shepherds have a natural tendency to nip, so it’s important to teach them bite inhibition early on.
- Handle Their Feet: At 8 weeks, reward for handling feet to prepare for nail trims.
- Reward Eye Contact: Reward for name recognition and eye contact.
Potty Training: A Top Priority
Potty training is one of the first and most important things you’ll need to teach your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy. Here’s how to approach it:
- Frequent Potty Breaks: 8-week-old German Shepherd puppies need to relieve themselves at least every 2 hours or less.
- Consistent Schedule: Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, and before bedtime.
- Designated Potty Spot: Choose a specific spot in your yard for your puppy to eliminate, and always take them to that spot.
- Reward Success: When your puppy eliminates outside, praise them enthusiastically and give them a treat.
- Clean Up Accidents Immediately: Clean any accidents inside thoroughly to eliminate odors that might attract your puppy back to the same spot.
- Supervise Closely: Don’t let your puppy run around the house unsupervised.
Crate Training: Creating a Safe Haven
Crate training can be a valuable tool for housebreaking and providing your puppy with a sense of security.
- Introduce the Crate Gradually: Make the crate a positive experience by placing treats and toys inside.
- Feed Meals in the Crate: Associate the crate with positive experiences by feeding your puppy their meals inside.
- Start with Short Periods: Gradually increase the amount of time your puppy spends in the crate.
- Never Use the Crate as Punishment: The crate should be a safe and comfortable space for your puppy, not a place of punishment.
Basic Obedience: Building a Foundation
Even at 8 weeks old, you can start teaching your German Shepherd puppy basic obedience commands like sit, stay, and down.
- Sit: Hold a treat in front of your puppy’s nose and move it up and back over their head. As their head goes up, their rear should go down into a sit. Say “Sit” as they perform the action and reward them with the treat.
- Stay: Have your puppy sit, then hold your hand up in a “stop” gesture and say “Stay.” Start with just a few seconds and gradually increase the duration as your puppy gets better at it. Reward them for staying in place.
- Down: Hold a treat in front of your puppy’s nose and move it down towards the floor. As they follow the treat, they should lie down. Say “Down” as they perform the action and reward them with the treat.
Socialization: Exposing Your Puppy to the World
Socialization is crucial for helping your German Shepherd puppy develop into a well-adjusted and confident adult.
- Introduce New People: Expose your puppy to a variety of people, including men, women, and children.
- Visit New Places: Take your puppy to different places, such as parks, stores, and friends’ houses.
- Expose to New Sounds: Help your puppy get used to different sounds, such as traffic, sirens, and fireworks.
- Supervise Interactions with Other Dogs: Allow your puppy to interact with other dogs in a safe and controlled environment.
Correcting Unacceptable Behavior
When your dog exhibits unacceptable behavior, determine if it’s a dog behavior or dog training issue. Is my dog being naughty or is he just being a dog … and more importantly … how do I handle it? Remember the timing of the correction must be immediate. Doling out consequences even 20 seconds later is a waste of time because the dog will not understand that this is what happens when he does that.
Key Things to Remember
- Be patient and understanding.
- Keep training sessions short and fun.
- Use positive reinforcement.
- Socialize your puppy early and often.
- Be consistent with your training.
Training your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy requires time, patience, and consistency. By following these tips and techniques, you can help your puppy develop into a well-behaved and loving companion. Enjoy the journey of training your new best friend!