Training a German Shepherd
German Shepherds are very hard working, intelligent dogs and can make a great family pet. However, training German Shepherd methods are going to be somewhat different because German Shepherds do require some special handling. They can be prone to developing dominant behavior and are big dogs that need lots of exercise and stimulation.
The good news is that German Shepherds are intelligent and respond well to training if you set the tone and stay consistent with your training. In fact they thrive on serving their master and enjoy challenges.
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It is very important to socialize a German Shepherd puppy right away. These dogs need plenty of exposure and interaction with other dogs and people. Otherwise they may start to develop dominant or aggressive tendencies. German Shepherds tend to be quite protective towards their territory and family.
They can be rough and destructive if left alone for long periods of time. Keep in mind when training German Shepherd that they don’t fully mature until they are about three years old. Training a German Shepherd does take commitment and a long term approach.
German Shepherds are very active, athletic dogs, so you will need to be prepared to be active with him and make sure he gets plenty of exercise, stimulation and attention. You need to establish that you are the Alpha so that his natural dominant tendencies do not develop. If you are consistent in your training and establish the hierarchy early on your German Shepherd will be happy to have you lead and do what he can to please you.
When training German Shepherd puppies it is important to leash train them early as they will grow up to be big, strong dogs. If they are not properly trained on a leash they will end up walking you instead of the other way around.
Training a German Shepherd gives him something to do. They were bred to be working dogs so they want to have something to do. Keep their minds and bodies active. A untrained or poorly trained German Shepherd will be hard to handle, unhappy and may even get out of control. German Shepherds can make excellent pets, you just have to have the dedication to spend the time and be consistent in your training efforts.
Training a German Shepherd Starts Early
You should start training German Shepherd puppies early. They can start to learn to be house broken and other basic obedience training as early as 8 weeks old. Make sure they are exposed to plenty of other dogs and people and establish yourself as the leader from the very start. A couple of ways you can establish your dominance is to eat before feeding your dog and walking through doorways ahead of your dog with him following behind you.
You can start leash training your puppy at around 10 weeks old and start attending a dog obedience class when he is 4 months old. In the dog obedience class you can teach your German Shepherd commands like sit, down, stay and come. In addition to house training, leash training and obedience training make sure you dedicate time to exercising your dog and keeping his brain stimulated. Your German Shepherd loves to stay active and will be a much healthier and happier dog if you provide this for him.
Training German Shepherd puppies and dogs does take more time and dedication than training some other breeds of dogs. They are big, strong dogs who need a lot of physical exercise and mental exercise. A German Shepherd can make an excellent family pet, but make sure you have the time and the willingness to follow through with his training before making a final decision on whether or not to bring a German Shepherd into your home.