Tip #: Stop Your German Shepherd Puppy From Pulling On The Leash Now
Pulling on the leash is another of those dog behaviors that people think come out of the blue, but actually they happen because there was never formal training done. To prevent pulling on the leash all you have to do is make sure your puppy understands that he gets rewarded when the leash is loose. Pay close attention to what he does during those first few walks together and make sure you reward him for staying close to you!
Got any German Shepherd puppy training tips to share with us?
Exercise Your German Shepherd Before The Walk
Exercising your GSD before a walk may sound like double exercise, but tiring out your German Shepherd with engaging activity before taking a walk will make your dog use up the energy he would otherwise spend in pulling on the leash.
A simple walk or two every day may not be enough for your high-energy German Shepherd. So you can schedule a game of fetch or tug of war just before the walk, so your dog does not look for an additional way to be engaged.
When Should You Begin Leash Training
It is important to start leash training a GSD when its young. While it is still possible to leash train a GSD when its a full-grown adult, there will be more challenges in part because of how much heavier and stronger it is.
Challenges may also arise because older dogs tend to be set in their ways. Old habits can be broken, but often take a considerable amount of effort.
So it is ideal to begin leash training your GSD when it is a puppy, because when you train it at a young age it will take what it learns and apply it as it grows up.
You should already have a plan to introduce leash training before you take your GSD puppy home.
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German Shepherd Puppy Training Guide For Beginners Part : Leash Training
Once youve introduced crate training and potty training to your new puppy, leash training will be the next on your list.
Heres an easy-to-follow video that put everything into action:
At this stage, you can use a 6-feet leash and a soft and lightweight collar.
Remember, your puppy is still a child and will be easily distracted by sound, smell, people or other moving objects when she is outside. And they are not mature enough to make the best decision. You should always use a leash until they are well-trained and reach adulthood at age of 2-3.
Training Goal #: Crate Training
This is also a good time for crate training, which Adams recommends as well. GSD trainer and dog sports enthusiast Alexa Hagood, LVMT, agrees: Crate breaks, even when brief, can help the puppy become acclimated to going in the crate and having some alone time. She notes that this can help reduce the risk of a puppy developing separation anxiety, and recommends beginning with using the crate for feeding times , and at times when the owner needs to do daily chores.
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From 9 Months To 24 Months
Dogs of different breeds and sizes mature at different ages, and while one year of age is commonly considered the end of puppyhood in general, a German Shepherd Dog may not reach an adult level of maturity before the age of two or three . So continuing to work on impulse control, improve obedience skills, and advance to training in more focused activities like tracking, scent work, protection work, agility, and herdingall of which are capabilities of this breedmust continue throughout this period and then be reinforced as your GSD reaches adulthood. This is also a good time to transition from puppy food to a large breed dog food.
Keep in mind that this is a breed that thrives on constant and consistent work and training, and loves to have a jobor many jobs!to do. If you can provide your GSD with outlets for their intelligence and versatility, both you and your dog will reap the rewards.
Yasmine S. Ali, MD, is a cardiologist and writer based in Tennessee, where she lives with three Canine Good Citizens, including an AKC-registered German Shepherd Dog.
Introducing A New Dog To Your Household
Whether you choose to get a puppy from a responsible breeder or adopt a German Shepherd dog from a rescue group, the first two weeks for you and your new dog are a critical period of adjustment.
If your dog had a previous owner, this time could be particularly stressful for him or her. Here are some tips for a smoother transition for new dog owners.
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There Are Distractions In The Surroundings
German Shepherds are originally herding dogs with a strong prey drive. If you are taking your daily walk and your German Shepherd notices a squirrel or other small animals crossing your path, his natural instinct to pursue the prey can be ignited, causing your dog to start pulling on the leash.
Distractions that could cause your German Shepherd to pull on the lead could also come from the presence of people, other dogs, or an enticing sound or smell.
Go Outside And Take A Walk With Your German Shepherd Puppy
The real challenge starts when you go out into the real world. The handler can try to control everything, but things like birds, blowing leaves, and cars backfiring will always catch the attention of a learning dog.
Use words like sit and watch me and treats to keep the dogs attention.
When new things are added to the dogs world for the first few or even first few dozen times, the dog may go backwards a little.
This is also a good time to get your dog used to meeting new people and other dogs, so make sure they have good leash manners when they do. Slowly add new things to distract you.
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Training Goal #: 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 .
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.
Require that your puppy sit before getting food, playing with an exciting toy, going outside to play, or any other favorite activity. As your GSD puppy advances in obedience training and knows more commands, you can require more advanced commands or tricks in order to receive treats or play.
Get A Perfect Sized Leash
The size of the leash or harness you put on your dog directly impacts the way it walks with it. Do not buy a long and flexible leash for your GSD as it will create a communication gap between you and the dog. A leash that is flexible will allow your dog to walk ahead of you and roam around freely.
It is better to buy a short leash but not a tight one. A tight leash can be harmful to your dog as it can suffocate it. A short leash will allow you to control your dogs movement and prevent it from going in different directions. If your GSD tries to pull on the leash, pull it back with little force.
Make sure you dont pull it for too long as it will harm your dog. Pull a little and once your dog stops, go back to the relaxed state.
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Why Won’t My Dog Come When I Call Him
Have you ever trained your dog to come when called, and then when you call him, he completely ignores you? You are not alone! There are many reasons why your pup is not responding to your command.
- More training is needed. Your dog might not be ready to be off the leash in wide, open spaces and needs more systematic training. Go back to the basics and try again.
- Competing reinforcers. Your dog might be perfectly well-trained to come to you when you call him, but other creatures & people can win in the competition for your dogs attention. It is important for you to know your dog, and that includes knowing when you need to leave the leash on.
- No reinforcement. When you call your dog and he comes to you, it is important to reward him. No reinforcement leads your dog to not wanting to come to you. You can use a food treat or plenty of praise.
- Not understanding the dogs needs. Sometimes your dog will not come when called because you are rushing him. He may need to run, sniff around a bit, or search longer for a good bathroom break spot.
Puppies expect to be “paid” for good behavior. Praise in a happy voice and small treats are the best form of reward for good behavior.
Start by teaching your puppy his/her name. By 4 months, they should know sit, down, come, go out, and wait/stay. Be consistent & patient and reward good behavior. Training for a few minutes several times a day is better than a longer training session.
Method No1 Lure And Reward
Lure and reward are my favorite method. Before you train your dog, you need to prepare a lot of treats.
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Your German Shepherd Is Excited About A Destination
If your German Shepherd knows where you are going and is excited about getting there, he may pull on the lead to make you hurry up. It could be a visit to his preferred dog park where he meets and interacts with other dogs or a dog amusement park.
Even though it is still under study, there is reliable evidence that dogs have an episodic-like memory, meaning they can remember the what, where, and when aspects of events and retrieve info from the event accordingly. This is why your German Shepherd might anticipate your destination by referring to past times and actions before a walk and get excited about heading to the place.
Tip #: Dont Be Afraid To Use Food Treats For Training
I am sure you have heard all sorts of things against the use of food for training. Let me say it loud and clearTHEY ARE ALL WRONG! :)One of the key features of a good trainer is that he is able to motivate the dog. To do this, you need to find the things that your dog likes most and use them as rewards. Food will be one of them, so use it. But also use anything else, like walks, petting, play time, toys, etc. So, of all the German shepherd puppy training tips here, I don’t want to hear any excuses for this one!Using food for training doesnt mean that your pup will only obey when you have treats in your hand. Done the right way, your pooch will respond to your command even when empty handed. Here is the link that tells you the secret to train your dog with treat so that he responds even when you dont have them.
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The Treat Luring Method
Get set up
To begin, either attach a six-foot leash to your puppy’s collar or go to a safe enclosed space with enough room to walk around. If you are in a safe place then you may practice this method off leash.
Show the treat
Have your puppy stand on your left side. Hold a treat in your left hand and place your hand against your left hip, where your dog can see the treat.
Walk forward
With the treat at your hip, walk forward while telling your dog “Heel”, and if your puppy follows with his head by your leg, then praise him and offer him the treat.
Turn right
Practice walking forward and rewarding your puppy several times. When he is doing well, then turn to your right, so that he has to hurry up to stay beside your leg. When he catches up and his head is by your leg again, praise him and offer him another treat.
Turn left
When your dog is doing well turning right and walking straight, then add in left turns. While you are walking straight, speed up a little bit to get in front of your dog, and then turn left in front of him, being careful not to step on him when you do this. When he slows down to stay by your side, praise him and offer him a treat.
Put it together
When your dog is doing well with walking straight, turning right, and turning left, then practice walking around obstacles that require you to turn both directions. Continue to reward him for staying right beside you when you turn and for staying right beside you when you walk straight.
Phase out the lure
Tip #: Teach Your German Shepherd Puppy To Use His Mouth Properly
You may have noticed that your German Shepherd puppy likes to chew on your shoes, toys, boxes, carpets, pillows, your handswell, pretty much everything! Before you loose your mind let me tell you that this is normal puppy behavior. At this age dogs explore everything with their mouths and even though annoying, it is a great time to teach your pet what is appropriate for his mouth as well as how to soften the bite. The reason German Shepherd dog puppies have sharp teeth is because they are capable of learning how much pressure to apply when biting different things. This is good news! It means you can actually teach your pooch that when biting human skin they need to be absolutely soft and tender. To train a German Shepherd puppy to do this follow this link!
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Find The Right Collar And Leash First
Before we start the training, you need to find the appropriate collar and leash first. Sounds obvious right? However, this step is so important, if not done right, you will have a hard time to train your dog.
So what kind of collar you should get? Today, there are literally hundreds of different types of collars being sold. Some collars come with a hefty price tag that gives nothing other than just for their stunning appearance.
When you are shopping for your dogs collar, you should avoid the following:
- pinch or prong collar.
- plastic collar.
Common Problems You Might Face When Leash Training Your Gsd
Some dogs adapt quickly and easily to the leash. A bit of positive encouragement, and they’ll soon be trotting by your side comfortably.
But for every dog that loves the leash, there’s another that sees it as the enemy.
Before you immerse yourself in training, it pays to be aware of some of the common problems you might run into. Problems like
Pulling on the Leash
Rather than give in to pressure, some dogs will pull against it.
They don’t necessarily understand that you’re on the other side of the leash. The only thing they’re interested in is what’s in front of them.
And the one thing they want to do is get there as soon as possible.
It doesn’t take a dog long to learn that when they pull, they get where they want to go much faster.
For some dogs, the urge to pull only kicks in at the beginning of a walk or when they spot something exciting.
For others, it’s a normal way of walking.
Mouthing and Chewing the Leash
Some dogs are orally fixated. If they don’t have something to chew or carry in their mouths 24/7, they get grumpy.
For many dogs like this, chewing or biting on the leash is a calming activity. For others, it’s a way of getting attention. Some just see it as a game.
Some dogs like to confine mouthing or chewing the leash to the start of a walk, while others like to continue it for the duration.
Either way, it’s a habit that can get annoying fast.
Reacting on the Leash
Leash reactivity is a common complaint.
Leash Refusal
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