German Shepherd Dogs, also known as Alsatian Dogs, are among the most sought-after breeds of dogs. Known for their loyalty and intelligence, they are ideal for companion pets, though they also function as police or farm dogs.
They are very loyal to their masters; thus, a lot of people want to train their German Shepherd dogs. There are different things to consider on how to train a German shepherd.
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Use One-word Commands
The first consideration is the use of monosyllables or one worded commands. Dogs, like kids, have a short attention span, and monosyllables such as “sit,” “down,” “yes,” “no” are much easier to recognize and remember, unlike multiple word commands.
When your dog was able to pull off a command accurately, see to it that you “praise” him by petting him or rewarding him with a delicious treat. This will make your dog associate the command with the treat, and will propel him to follow your instructions consistently.
The second consideration is leash training the German shepherd. It will be easier for you to control your dog when he is comfortable on a leash. When you walk your dog, keep him on the side where you are holding the leash.
For instance, when you have the deterrent on your right hand, make sure that you keep your dog on the right side. If you have visitors at home and you do not want your dog to roam around inside the house, tethering him will prevent your canine companion from becoming a nuisance.
Another concern is training your dog to “take the offensive.” Though this is not advisable, some people deem it necessary for protection purposes.
If your dog is leash-trained, teaching him to attack would be more manageable. Make sure that you hold your dog’s leash tightly and when you issue the attack command, go easy on it. When you want him to stop, pull the leash back.
Again, the use of a single-word command is necessary Think of a word that would make your dog begin or stop the attack at once. Direct him to attack the unknown person on the legs to limit his mobility.
Another consideration is training the German shepherd on how to be a guard dog. Teach your dog not to accept treats from random people. Make sure that he is always well-fed to prevent this from happening.
Encourage him to bark a little longer if the person knocking at your door is an unfamiliar person, and make him do otherwise if the person is known to you.
Training the German shepherd not to nip is another critical factor to look upon. Nipping is a common behavioral problem in dogs. Though it is more common in puppies, it is also manifested by older dogs; particularly those who are not trained to control their biting tendencies.
When your dog nipped at you, ignore him for a few minutes to make him know that what he did is not right. German Shepherds stop at nothing to get their human companions’ attention, and by disregarding your dog on purpose, he will refrain from catching at you.
Training a German shepherd should commence when he is still a puppy. As early as seven to eight weeks old, a German shepherd puppy can take in easy commands; making him ready for basic training. However, it will take time before your dog gets the hang of everything.
Patience, together with commitment, will make training your German shepherd more effective and sustainable. Having your German Shepherd’s complete focus and attention is essential.
You can stop this by keeping them on the leash and making sure that you have their undivided attention whenever you are about to start teaching them a new command.
It’s alright to put tension on the leash a little whenever your dog is paying more attention to passing birds or strangers on the street than it is to you and your commands. Go ahead and tug on the leash a little bit if your puppy is showing signs of boredom-paying more attention to the other neighborhood dogs or the smells from a nearby barbecue than you.
Hen, your puppy, is listening to you, give the leash a little slack. This will establish you as the dominant figure, as well as encouraging him to obey you.
Training a German shepherd is lots of fun. This dog can be your perfect pet provided that he has proper training. He can be a great protector and the best friend of the entire family. German Shepherds are so obedient and intelligent, and this explains why they are easy to train.
For as young as seven weeks, German Shepherds can already undergo training, and it is unbelievable that they can already follow directions, but it is nice, to begin with, simple commands. Teach them how to play games first for these can help them enhance their skills.
It is also good that you teach German Shepherds exercises, whether it concerns their physical or the mental aspect. This type of dogs loves to perform tricks because they enjoy doing it and it is so much fun. As you teach your different dog tricks, give him rewards for a job well done. By doing this, he will become more motivated to do further tricks.
The kind of training that German Shepherds enjoy the most is positive training. This is the kind of training that does not hurt the dog in any way. This training has the purpose of molding the behavior of a dog into something pleasant. This is teaching the dog how to obey and, usually, the reward system is practiced.
Check out two of the most popular methods for training a German shepherd:
Sit and Down
When you’re teaching a German shepherd to sit, you again have to do it with food. Get a piece of food and place it a few inches away from his nose then raise it up and then back. This shall make the dog fold down his back legs and push down his butt. Every time you raise the food, say “sit” and when you can make him sit, let him have the food.
For the “down” position, just after the dog sits, get another piece of food and place it in front of him at a lower level where he has to fold down his front legs.
The Leash
Let the German shepherd hold a leash through his mouth and make sure that he doesn’t chew it. While the dog is holding one end of the leash, position him to your left while you’re holding the other end of the leash with your left hand. Avoid teaching long dog lessons.
Take it slowly and do not expect him to perfect the things that you’re teaching him in an instant
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