German Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. These qualities make them exceptional companions and highly trainable dogs. However, successfully teaching a German Shepherd requires understanding their unique traits and employing effective training techniques. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to teach a German Shepherd, covering essential commands, training approaches, and tips for setting your dog up for success.
Understanding Your German Shepherd
Before diving into training, it’s crucial to understand the German Shepherd’s perspective. While every dog has a unique personality, German Shepherds are often described as smart, loyal, confident, versatile, and capable. However, these blanket terms don’t account for individual preferences, behaviors, and perspectives.
> “When I get a new dog, the most important thing is to find out as much about him as possible; what is the best reward for him, what does he like and dislikes, and so forth,” explains Attila Varga, OneMind Dogs Assistant Coach.
Understanding your dog’s perspective helps you approach training in the best way. Even if two German Shepherds learn quickly, they might have different learning styles. One might prefer thinking through a task, while the other jumps in headfirst. If you teach, challenge, and reward them the same way, they won’t progress at the same rate because the session isn’t set up to help them succeed.
Key Training Principles
Effective German Shepherd training relies on a few key principles:
- Positive Reinforcement: The best and most effective training approach is positive reinforcement, or reward-based training. This involves encouraging your dog to repeat desired behaviors by rewarding them with something they highly value, like treats or toys.
- Consistency: Consistency is key.
- Short, Frequent Sessions: Short, frequent sessions are effective.
- High-Value Rewards: Use high-value rewards.
- Timing: Good timing is important for training.
- Routine: Establishing a routine is important for training.
Basic Obedience Training
Teaching your German Shepherd basic commands is essential for managing their behavior and ensuring their safety. Here are some fundamental commands to teach:
Sit
“Sit” is the first command you should begin with. It’s easy to teach, convenient, and paves the way for learning other commands.
- Hold a treat in front of your German Shepherd’s nose when they are standing.
- Slowly move the treat over their head, so they move their head to keep their eyes on it.
- As they do this, their body will naturally end up in a sitting position.
- Once your shepherd is in the sitting position, reward them with the treat.
- Repeat this process until they catch on and begin to sit for longer durations.
- Incorporate the cue word “sit” and your desired hand gesture.
Lie Down
“Lie down” is another classic command.
- Ask your shepherd to sit while holding a treat.
- Hold the treat in front of their nose.
- Using the treat, gradually lure their nose down to their front paws. This motion should encourage your shepherd to lie down.
- As soon as they lie down, give them the treat and praise them. Initially, you can also give them the treat if they exhibit behavior close to lying down.
- If your pup stands up during this process, start from the beginning.
- Repeat the steps above until your German Shepherd is lying down consistently.
- Incorporate the verbal cue “down” and your gesture of choice. The down command is also great for getting control over an overly stimulated dog.
Stay
Teaching “stay” can be a little more time-consuming, but it’s a must for your shepherd’s safety.
Recall
Recall involves teaching your German Shepherd to consistently come when called. It can be difficult to teach a puppy due to their curious nature, but starting early builds the foundations for a reliable recall.
Other Essential Commands
Beyond the basics, numerous other commands can enhance your German Shepherd’s training and behavior:
- Break/Release: Use this command to release your dog from their sit, stay, down, or other commands.
- Stand: Use this command when you want your dog to stand up on all four paws from a down or a sit. This command is helpful when you want your dog to hold still to be handled, groomed, or for an exam at the vet.
- Off:
- Drop It: By teaching your dog to drop something, you will help protect their health and your valuables.
- Heel: Teaching your dog to heel, or properly walk on a leash, is a vital command for all German shepherds to learn.
- Leash: It’s helpful to teach your dog the word leash which means, let’s pause and calmly untangle you from your leash.
- Quiet: Teaching the quiet command teaches your dog that they need to be quiet and stop barking.
- Speak: Teaching your dog to speak actually reinforces the quiet command because the dog learns both.
Leash Training
Good leash manners are essential for enjoyable walks. Getting your German Shepherd accustomed to the leash is fairly simple; introduce it to them gradually while rewarding them with treats. Train them to become a well-mannered leash walker. This process involves teaching them loose leash walking and heel training.
Setting the Dog Up for Success
To set your German Shepherd up for success in training, consider these three things:
- Timing:
- Rewards: Rewards encourage dogs to focus and listen. Food is a strong motivator, but toys work just as well.
- Routine:
Additional Tips
- Start Early: Begin obedience training early.
- Be Patient: Keep in mind that most puppies won’t pick up commands straight away.
- Socialization: Enrolling in a puppy obedience class can be extremely helpful for socialization.
- Avoid Punishment: Always avoid using punishment-based measures.
Conclusion
Teaching a German Shepherd requires patience, consistency, and a positive approach. By understanding their unique traits and employing effective training techniques, you can unleash your German Shepherd’s potential and build a strong, rewarding relationship. Remember to focus on positive reinforcement, establish clear routines, and tailor your training to your dog’s individual needs and preferences. With dedication and the right approach, you can successfully teach your German Shepherd and enjoy a well-behaved and happy companion for years to come.