German Shepherds are active dogs, and they need to be challenged mentally and physically to be happy. Training a German Shepherd is a commitment you make when you get your dog, and they learn so quickly that training a German Shepherd is fun. If you understand the German Shepherd personality, you will get better results, and you and your dog will enjoy training.

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What Makes German Shepherds Different

German Shepherd Dominance

German Shepherds tend to be dominant. They consider you part of their pack, and will have you serving them breakfast in bed if you don’t teach them that you are the Alpha leader. Even then, much like kids, German Shepherds will test you again and again to make sure you are still the Alpha leader. This is a lifetime requirement of ownership. Don’t let down your guard or you’ll be sleeping on the floor while your dog snores in bed.

German Shepherd Intelligence

German Shepherds learn very quickly. Their intense stare gives the impression that they can read your mind. When you leave the kitchen and return to find a box of doughnuts with only one left and a German Shepherd with powdered sugar on it’s nose, you can be confident that it plotted the robbery all morning. What happened to the skills they learned in training?

Understand that training a German Shepherd is only a first step. German Shepherds will master new commands very quickly. They will also seem to forget those commands for no apparent reason. But they haven’t forgotten. They are testing you. Remember: you are Alpha leader. Instead you should be testing them by having training refresher sessions from time to time, even when there isn’t a problem.

“Once you own a German Shepherd, you’ll never want any other kind of dog. My Shepherds make me proud to own them. — Henry P.

German Shepherd Physical Needs

German Shepherds need exercise. They don’t do well in confined spaces for long. To a German Shepherd, training or any other moving activity is a delight. They love to chase a ball, do agility or run beside you. If you’re training a German Shepherd who has been confined all day, your dog won’t do well with “down-stay” if it hasn’t had a chance to exercise first.

Training a German Shepherd – The Basics

Conduct training in short sessions for the first few days. Aim for 10 minutes with a puppy and twice that for an adult dog. While training a German Shepherd, you must get and keep your dog’s full attention. Halt the session if the dog’s attention starts to stray. You will build up to 30-45 minute training sessions and, if your dog is going to participate in Schutzhund (a challenging sport for German Shepherds) or dog agility, you will train for even longer. Plan for multiple short sessions each day rather than a single long one.

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Commands to use when training a German Shepherd

Training a German Shepherd starts with the basic commands: “sit”, “stay”, “stand” and “down”, the major motion control commands. An excited German Shepherd is too big and strong to handle with simple physical restraint. Obedience training a German Shepherd introduces important commands like “heel,” “fetch,” “bark,” “jump,” “run,” and “let go.” If your dog is suited for Schutzhund, you’ll give these commands in German. Here’s a German Shepherd puppy demonstrating the basic obedience commands.

Clicker Training

Training a German Shepherd with a clicker helps your dog learn much faster. When your dog hears the clicker, it knows that it did the command correctly. This method of positive reinforcement training is ideal for German Shepherds, who “get it” right away. German Shepherds, like most dogs, don’t do well in punishment-based training. Dogs often develop aggressive, nervous or destructive traits after excessive punishment.

“The secret to obedience training is good treats.” – Wilma D.

Training a German Shepherd can be fun and revealing. Expect your fast learner to turn around after a week and test you. Practice your Alpha leader stare-down. But remember that your German Shepherd wants to be loved. A good hug and scratch behind the ears will put a twinkle in his eye – and yours too – while you’re training a German Shepherd.

Tags: clicker training, Obedience training, Schutzhund training