So, you want to train your German Shepherd to have the skills of a talented and focused police dog? It is an admirable task to take on and one that will require hard work from both of you. German Shepherds are known for their work ethic and intelligence, making them excellent candidates for K9 training. This guide provides a comprehensive approach to help you fine-tune your German Shepherd’s obedience, tracking, and vocalization skills.
Is Your German Shepherd Ready for K9 Training?
Before you begin, it’s important to assess your dog’s temperament and health. A good candidate for K9 training should be:
- Confident and Secure: Your dog should be confident and secure.
- Focused: They need to be able to focus on the task at hand.
- Calm: Calmness and the ability to focus on a job while getting along with both people and other canines is key to success.
- Healthy: A health check will ensure that your dog is healthy enough to begin training and is free of any illness or injury.
If your dog is anxious, nervous, or scared, they may not be suited for the intense training required.
Laying the Foundation: Basic Obedience
All dogs need obedience training, and it’s the place to start is with the basics. Start training at home by getting your dog to focus on the task at hand. Whether it is learning to go potty or learning to wait politely when you put his meal in front of him. Doing so will give your pup confidence and security. Positively reinforce any training with a high-value treat to give your dog incentive.
- Start with the Basics: Enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy training class. Here, they will learn essential commands such as:
- Reward Good Behavior: Generously reward your German Shepherd as instructed in the obedience class. This can be through yummy treats or exuberant high fives. Your dog will focus and be eager to learn when there is a valued reward, whether food or affection.
- Socialization: A police dog or volunteer search and rescue hero needs to be well socialized. Calmness and the ability to focus on a job while getting along with both people and other canines is key to success. Not only that, but you will have a well-rounded German Shepherd that you can take anywhere.
- Advance Your Training: After you and your pup have graduated from obedience class, keep moving through all of the levels, from basic to advanced and beyond. Enrol your dog in tracking and agility so that he can further his skill-set.
- Consistency is Key: Require that your puppy sit before getting food, playing with an exciting toy, going outside to play, or any other favorite activity.
- Sit
- Stay
- Heel
- Recall
Developing Tracking Skills
- Hide and Seek: Begin teaching tracking by showing your German Shepherd an object and then hiding it nearby. Make it an object he wants to find like a toy or a treat.
- Find the Scent: Next, use two items that smell similar. Show your dog one of the items and have him smell it, then hide the other item and let him search for it. Keep it close to enable him to be successful early in the training.
- Use a Verbal Command: Use a command such as ‘find it’ or ‘search’ whenever you require your German Shepherd to look for something based on a scent.
- Start Simple: Start indoors or in a small yard to begin your training. Keep objects or people you are searching for close by and only somewhat out of sight. Reward generously early on to convince your dog that he is playing a game and when he finds what he is looking for, he wins a prize.
- Go Complex: Take the search out and into fields or out into the woods. Have more than one person hide. Increase the distance and length of searches over time. This should be a gradual increase over months. Reward, as always, for good progress and behavior.
Vocalization Training: Barking on Command
- Find a Trigger: The best way to start to teach your dog to bark when you want is to find a trigger that sets them off on their own. Holding a ball as if to play or having an assistant ring the doorbell are ways to give your dog the cue.
- Bark or No Bark: Starting with the ball is the first step. Hold your dog’s favorite ball and look as if ready to play. Say the command bark. If he barks in excitement over the ball (even without realizing the command’s meaning) reward him. Each time you bring out the ball, ask for command, and reward him when he barks. If he barks before you ask, do not reward.
- Play Ball: After your German Shepherd complies and barks, reward him and then have a well-deserved play session with the ball.
- Repeat the Lesson: Consistently go over the “bark and play ball” lesson. Once your dog has the bark command down pat, you can gradually reduce the times that you give the food reward.
- Teach Quiet: Using the same principals but a different training object other than the ball, teach your German Shepherd the Quiet command. That way, your dog will speak and stop as you require.
Impulse Control
Learning to control their impulses is important for all puppies, and for the GSD, it can be one of the most important ways to curb problem behaviors to which this breed is prone if allowed to become bored: behaviors such as excessive barking, digging, aggressive chewing, and inappropriate chasing (due to their prey drive, GSDs have been known to chase everything from cats to cars). The key to impulse control is getting your dog to focus on you. This will have beneficial effects for all the rest of your training efforts, especially in AKC dog sports like Obedience and Rally.
Continuing Education and Advanced Training
After mastering the basics, consider enrolling your German Shepherd in advanced training programs. These may include:
- Agility Training: Helps improve your dog’s physical fitness and coordination.
- Advanced Obedience: Refines your dog’s obedience skills and prepares them for more complex tasks.
- Protection Training: Only recommended for experienced trainers, this teaches your dog to protect you and your property.
The Importance of Positive Reinforcement
Throughout the training process, always use positive reinforcement techniques. Reward your dog with treats, praise, and toys when they perform the desired behavior. Avoid punishment, as it can create fear and anxiety, hindering your dog’s progress.
Patience and Consistency
Training a K9 German Shepherd takes time and dedication. Be patient and consistent with your training methods, and celebrate small victories along the way. Remember, the bond you build with your dog during training is just as important as the skills they acquire.
With the right approach, you can unlock your German Shepherd’s full potential and prepare them for a hero’s role.