Do’s & Don’ts For A Healthy Dog
It is unhealthy for a dog to be overweight. Overfeeding is NOT a sign of love.
Your German Shepherd is the right weight when you can tell there are ribs and there is a slight ‘waistline’ behind the ribs, before the rear legs.
- Stages:- Puppies eat more and are highly active- Adult dogs have normal routines and food intake- Older dogs might require special diets & limited exercise
- Feed a really good quality dog food. Quality foods have good protein sources and few fillers. Quality foods cost more but you will feed less because your dog will get more nutrition for the food. Good food will decrease your daily pickup chores.
- Set Regular Mealtimes. An irregular eating schedule can affect your dogs digestive system and ultimately cause chronic digestive disorders.
- Keep the water and food bowls in the same place every day. If you have more than one dog, make sure each dog has its own food and water bowl. Wash them often. Stainless steel is a good choice.
- Dont worry about your dog getting hunger pangs between meals. Unless instructed by your veterinarian, your dog should only need two meals daily.
- Set a 15 minute rule. If your dog has walked away from its bowl, it has probably had enough to eat. Take the bowl up, dispose of the uneaten food & wash the bowl.
Based on information supplied by The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Dog Training Cape Cod
Training your dog is one of the most important things you can do to build a positive experience for you and your pet. Its also very rewarding.
How does having an obedient dog that you can take anywhere sound? Imagine taking a freeing road trip from Boston to the beautiful Cape Cod area with a well trained K9. Or driving up the California coast to see the Hearst Castle? You could make stops at all the lovely sites and not worry about your dog running into traffic or chasing a squirrel when youre not looking. Being able to open up your car door and have your dog remain patiently sitting, takes effective obedience training. And that peace of mind is entirely worth it.
Think about your guests that come over dogs love to jump and play with everyone! But there is a time and place. Whether you believe it or not, most people will judge a person on how their dog acts and reacts. Do you want to be that wild dog owner that no one wants to see? No. No, you dont. You want to be admired for having such a sweet dog that has the manners of an angel.
With consistent conditioning, he or she will behave in wonderful ways you would not believe possible. With proper obedience training, you can ensure that when someone comes to the front door, your dog is already in his bed observing, making you look like the top notch dog owner you aspire to be.
Tony Is Truly A Dog Whisperer
Kaela A.
Tony was recommended to me by a fellow dog owner and dog sport competitor. The objective was to prepare my 6 months old German Shepherd for Schutzhund competition. We are two years into the project delayed by Covid and winter months, but he has obtained his first title of BH and we are currently well along in training for his IGP 1 title which involves obedience, some agility, tracking and protection. This diverse work requires a trainer to have a broad knowledge and training base and Tony has and does it all. His work with my difficult dog has been excellent and I recommend him highly.
D Brown
Don’t Miss: Are German Shepherds Aggressive Towards Other Dogs
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.
How Long Does It Take To Train A Puppy
Dog training depends on the dog and how much homework the dog owner is willing to put in. Puppy training is similar to dog training in that the onus of the work depends on the owner learning new ways to interact with their dog. For a quick crash course, you can opt for a single, two hour smart-start puppy training consultation to teach you the ins and outs of being a new dog parent. You can learn how to manage potty training and what to do if the puppy experiences separation anxiety. As long as youre willing to work on dog training a little bit each day, your puppy will quickly learn these new behaviors. If youre not confident about training your puppy yourself, you can enroll in a 6- to 8-week puppy training course, with weekly lessons touching on everything from bite control to obedience. Puppies usually need to be at least three months old for group training classes. If you want more intensive one-on-one work, you can opt for private lessons. Some behavior problems can be resolved in one session if the dog owner learns and can implement new skills. In the case of more serious issues, 3 to 10 private sessions can typically correct challenges.
Recommended Reading: Best Training For German Shepherd
In Home Dog Training Cape Cod
Private trainers may come to your home and tailor lessons specifically for your dog in regard to your lifestyle. This is beneficial because certain issues only arise at home and often times, this is the most important place for your dog to behave. In time, you can take training steps outside of the house and eventually to a nearby park, but it should start in the home.
When the trainer is not present you will need to do your homework! That means repeating what you have been taught, keeping track of the progress, and writing down any questions you have for the next session. Since dogs are living animals with minds of their own, all dog training requires maintenance and consistency after the initial training is complete.
When private trainers come to your home they will focus on the basics first clear communication with your best friend. This will greatly assist in eradicating pesky behaviors such as jumping, barking, barging out the door, counter surfing and pulling on the leash. You will find instant relief the very first day and begin to get excited as the sessions unfold each time.
Why Is Training So Important
So your dog can relax with your clear leadership and be able to be more involved with your family life outside the home environment.
So your dog is under control in public and able to behave around other dogs.
So your dog knows what type of behavior you expect from him. To teach him/her communication for safety and peace of mind.
Read Also: When Do German Shepherds Balls Drop
Which Dog Training Method Is Best
The best type of dog training for both you and your dog depends on the outcomes you hope to achieve. If you want your dog to learn agility training, go to someone who specializes in those techniques. Regardless of whether you want your dog to learn basic behavior or competitive-level tricks, the majority of dog training is actually about training the owner how to communicate with their dog. Most professional dog trainers agree that a model of training based on positive reinforcement breeds a happy, healthy, well-adjusted dog. The alternative to positive reinforcement training is using force or aggression techniques like physical punishment or shock-collar training to get the dog to do a behavior. While the dog may learn how to behave as you direct, it is also learning to communicate with force and aggression, and will in turn use those behaviors on other dogs that are smaller or weaker than it is. Before signing up with a dog trainer, meet with the trainer and ask for references. Watch the trainer interact with your dog, and make sure they treat your dog with patience and firm kindness. Ask them questions about their training methods:
- What type of training methods do you use?
- What is your background and training, and how did you become a dog trainer?
- How long do you expect that we will work together before we achieve the results Im after?
You never pay to use Thumbtack: Get cost estimates, contact pros, and even book the joball for no cost.
One Vital Skill You And Your German Shepherd Should Practice
The behavior I’m about to share with you is not the usual behavior people focus on.
And you might be surprised to learn that the behavior we’re going to dive into is
Hand targeting!
Or Boop that Snoot, as I like to call it.
And before we dive into the steps, here are some excellent reasons you should add this to your German Shepherd’s training repertoire
Hand targeting has many practical uses in dog training.
It’s a relationship-building tool.
And suppose you consider my dog coming into my hand and touching their nose to my palm. In that case, you can understand how powerful this behavior is for relationships.
It’s one of 4 foundation games I use to teach puppies how to use their mouth appropriately.
A puppy who can come into your palm with a closed mouth is well on their way to a perfectly soft mouth!
Hand targets are an excellent and easy game to teach a dog how easy it is to earn reinforcement from you.
It builds reinforcement history for working with you, having fun, and gaining reinforcement, all with one game!
Hand targets are a great way to move your dog into a position without touching them and without luring them with food.
This is especially useful when working on loose leash walking or heelwork.
Hand targeting is a valuable way to gauge where your dog is on their arousal scale.
A dog that won’t or can’t move in for a nose to palm touch is likely over threshold, and this is feedback for you to know that your dog needs your help.
Don’t Miss: Will Smith Movie With German Shepherd
Benefits Of Obedience Training
Most German Shepherds will take to their new family quickly.
As with all dogs, they will be curious and a little apprehensive being parted from their litter and mother for the first time. But they are a breed characterized by adaptability.
Any trainer will be glad to tell you that their receptiveness and natural curiosity makes them a delight to train.
And unless you are very unlucky or, more likely, just making mistakes, they will usually take to obedience training faster than most breeds.
The advantage of an obedient German Shepherd is that they can make for an outstanding family dog.
While famed for their defensive and protective qualities, they will socialize well into a receptive family who keeps them busy and reminds them when needed exactly who the boss is.
You need to get into the habit of using vocal instruction and hand instructions early and constantly reinforce lessons throughout the day. Because a bored German Shepherd will be far more likely to become a disruptive handful.
Positive & Negative Reinforcement Is Crucial
Knowing when to praise and tell off any dog is one thing any owner should invest time in learning.
Arguably, of all the breeds out there, German Shepherds rely on this far more than most.
Reinforcement is an essential tool for communicating with your dog. The idea is that they will grow to understand when they are being rewarded and for what reason.
But how do we punish bad behavior effectively?
So how do you go about achieving this?
Years Of Experience Training Dogs
The German Dog Training Center is Northern Californias Premier Obedience Dog Training Facility for German Shepherd Dog Training Services.
First, thank you for training Bruno, my Six Month old German Shepard. The Advanced Obedience Training you did was amazing! You are truly one of the best. People should only come to you with there GSD for training!! Here is the Video from todays Session.Thanks,
Also Check: How Much Exercise Do German Shepherds Need A Day
What About Dog Food
The first 5 ingredients listed on a dog food label are required to be listed in order of their pre-cooked weight. So the first 5 ingredients in dog food are the most important and should never include: Corn, Wheat, Gluten, Artificial Colors or Byproducts
“When evaluating any dog food youre always looking for a high quality, digestible meat-based protein as close to the top of the list as possible. So, if you havent found quality protein in those first few ingredients whatever the number its game over for that dog food.” Dog Food Advisor
The best way to choose a food for your new puppy is to read the ingredients on the dog food label and discuss the food with your breeder.
-
Protein should be the top ingredient in any dog food.Good protein comes from meat ingredients, but not just any meat ingredients. Good dog foods have specific meat sources, like beef, chicken or turkey, eggs & cheese. Bad protein ingredients include byproducts, like “chicken byproduct meal,” or mystery meats, like “meat meal,” which can include road kill, diseased animals from slaughterhouses and even euthanized dogs and cats.
-
AVOID foods that rely on corn products as the main protein source.
Welcome To The German Shepherd Dog Training Club Of Chicago
We offer a wide range of dog training instruction inagility, conformation, obedience, and tracking. Our annual eventscalendar offers opportunities to demonstrate skill attained in agility, obedience, andtracking. Club membership is limited to owners of AKC registered German Shepherd Dogs, butour training classes are open to all-breed and mixed-breed dog owners.
This website contains information about our club’s activities in addition todocuments for entry into club events, like premium lists. If you don’t find whatyou are looking for, please contact us for more information.
Recommended Reading: Are German Shepherds More Aggressive Than Rottweilers
Nominate Your Own Hometown Hero To Win A 7
Dog Training Elite Oklahoma wants to recognize heroes in our communities that exemplify what it is to be a hometown hero. Dog Training Elite, in partnership with the Motoa Project, is awarding* one Hometown Hero in the Oklahoma region with a 7-day stay at a 5-star resort.
*Airfare, taxes and additional fees not included.
Please provide you and your nominee’s information below:
Are There Ways To Be Safe If I Hire A Dog Trainer When Social Distancing
Current CDC guidelines state, Do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. It also explains that more studies are needed to understand if and how animals could be affected by the virus that causes COVID-19 and how this might affect human health.
If youre uncomfortable with hiring a dog trainer right now, you can reach out to dog trainers in your area to see if they will let you book an appointment in the future when social distancing guidelines are lifted. Or, ask if they offer virtual or remote services.
If you do decide to hire a pro to train your dog in person, limit any physical contact with the trainer. Stay 6 feet apart, sanitize items and surfaces, and use digital payments instead of cash or a check.
You May Like: Big German Shepherd For Sale
Training Goal #: Begin Obedience Training
The German Shepherd Dogs work ethic is legendary, and you can encourage your dogs best working traits with early and ongoing training. GSDs excel at obedience, so begin teaching your puppy basic commands like sit, down, and stay, as well as loose-leash walking, from an early age. Enrolling in a puppy obedience class can be extremely helpful both for teaching these commands as well as socialization, and its not too early to begin thinking about CGC training as well.
Private Dog Training Cape Cod
Private dog training takes place at a professional facility, at your home or any other suitable location, which often has dog owners and their dogs learning together. This is helpful to be sure both dog and handler are on the same page with their dog obedience training and figure out what questions they might have. It is a wise option if you plan to take your dog to social occasions like friends houses, parks, hotels, and other public places where distractions may take place.
Private lessons can be a great way to save time versus a group lesson and focus on accomplishing specific goals without the stress of added distractions around.
Read Also: Who Should Own A German Shepherd
How Long Will I Have To Train My German Shepherd Daily
Be prepared to train your German Shepherd for at least 10 to 15 minutes a day. You should practice basic obedience training, but also include fun training games to keep them interested in their training and engaged with you.
Youll want to break up the 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day to make sure your German Shepherd doesnt get bored of the same routine commands.
Aim for five three-minute sessions daily in the beginning, as a minimum.
There are exceptions to this rule since your GSD is a working breed and some GSDs will enjoy training for longer. But start with no more than a few minutes in a short session and gradually build onto each individual session longer times.
During each session work on just one or two commands so that your dog learns the right way to perform the command. You can add in another command they know if theyre struggling to pay attention and keep the session positive and interesting.
Ready to start using games during your German Shepherd training?
Then youll enjoy these fun German Shepherd games for obedience training to help your dog stay active, alert, and ready for their daily sessions.