German Shepherd Training: What Training Approach
The best and most effective training approach out there is positive reinforcement, or as its better known: reward-based training. Positive reinforcement involves encouraging your dog to repeat the desired behavior by rewarding them with something they highly value, like treats or toys.
You should always avoid using punishment-based measures. These measures do not truly tackle the bad behavior they only suppress it, and they typically just leave your dog confused about what is being asked of them.
Punishment-based measures also often do more harm than good. Studies have shown that dogs trained with correction and the use of aversives are more likely to develop aggressive and destructive tendencies.
While avoiding this training approach applies to all dogs, its especially the case for German shepherds. Although they may look tough, they are gentle giants at heart. They are extremely sensitive, and will not respond to any sort of punishment well.
Basic Socialization For German Shepherds
Begin socializing your GSD by letting her get to know you and your family. This is easy to doit involved just allowing your GSD to be a part of your everyday life.
Even if she appears to be snoozing by the couch, she is very much aware of whats happening around her. She isnt just sleeping. In fact, she is observing everything and everyone.
She is learning whats normal household activities, how you and your family behave in a normal situation, and what she can expect in everyday life.
She will quickly come to be soothed by normal household sounds like the vacuum or dishwasher, and she wont be bothered by neighborhood sounds.
She will also learn whats unusual in your world. Shell take her cues from you and your family to either ignore the knock on the doorsay, from the main carrieror become very alert to a stranger knocking unexpectedly.
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Utilize as many digital means as necessary when setting up appointments or consultations with dog trainers near you during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the best way to begin is by conducting a search for dog trainers online. Compare services side by side, and ask each dog trainer you contact if its possible to schedule a consultation or appointment completely virtually. During this time, you should also discuss strategies for completing training and payments through digital means.
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Companion German Shepherd Puppies=$750
Companion German Shepherd puppies are typically available for purchase for as little as $750 but may go as high as $3000 or more. A careful review of breeders throughout the United States shows that obtaining a GSD puppy for less than $2000 is extremely rare. Pet puppies are no less special than their littermates that have been reserved for breeding programs or show careers, but their price is typically lower since there are no performance expectations on the breeder or the puppy.
German Shepherd Commands In German
In case youre interested in training your GSD in German, here are a few basic commands and pronunciations:
| Command in German | |
| Zetz | Sit |
Although its a lot of fun to teach your German Shepherd tricks in German, its best to start in English. That way, when anyone else needs to ask them to do something, theyll be able to do so without you being there.
A great way to make this transition is to also teach your dog hand signals. You can use a hand signal along with the command in English and eventually, theyll respond just to the hand signals.
Then, you can start using the hand signals with German words and eventually, theyll respond to the German commands alone as well. Because these dogs are highly intelligent, theyll not only be able to learn each trick with 3 different signals, but theyll have fun doing it.
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German Shepherd Training School
While proper training and socialization are important for all breeds of dog, theyre especially important for large guardian breeds such as the German Shepherd. This is why theyre not recommended for first-time dog owners.
If you dont feel like youre up to the task, it may be worth it to invest in training lessons for your dog. Failure to properly socialize and train your German Shepherd puts them at risk for a variety of undesirable comportments, such as aggression, shyness, nervousness, and reactionary behavior.
The best way to find a good training school is by word of mouth. Consult your breeder, your veterinarian, and your local German Shepherd Dog club for advice. Dont be fooled by flashy advertisements and false promises. The best training schools never make guarantees on results.
Its also important to interview any prospective school and take a tour of their facility. Ask them about their training methods, what kind of training they do, and the various levels and courses available to you. Focus on schools that stress manners and obedience rather than toughness and protection.
Here are a few dog trainers to check out:
Do German Shepherds Train As Service Dogs Cost More
Katie Nowak points out how specialized the requirements for service dogs are, which is why these dogs are often somewhat hard to come by. Service dogs often have long waiting lists.
Service dogs assist people who have conditions protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. One of the reasons these dogs must have such good training is because they are allowed in public locations not usually open to dogs.
Many people associate service dogs with guide dogs who help the blind. German Shepherds have a long history of performing such work. However, acting as a guide dog is one of many roles that a service dog can fulfill for the disabled.
Service dogs may also assist people with intellectual disabilities like autism or psychiatric conditions like PTSD. A service dog may also be trained to help people with mobility-related diseases like MS, cerebral palsy, or Parkinsons.
Because the tasks that these dogs perform are often reasonably complicated, they require dogs with the right set of traits and an extensive amount of training. The extra costs associated with getting one of these dogs to help cover their training.
Service dogs that have received training might cost from $15,000 to $30,000. However, some have been known to cost as much as $50,000 for the most specialized training. A trained German Shepherd is a significant investment worth your time and money.
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They Are Easy To Train
One of the best things about owning a German Shepherd is the fact that they are very intelligent. This makes training easier than you could ever imagine whether it is potty training or you want to teach them a new trick.
That is why trained German Shepherds are so valuable because by the time they are ready there is very little they cannot do or learn.
At What Age Should You Start Training German Shepherds
You should begin training your German Shepherd puppy the moment they arrive in your home. Despite popular misconceptions, its never too early to start training.
In fact, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to train your pup. If German Shepherd puppies are given the opportunity to form bad habits it will be harder to break them as they get older.
You need to be consistent when training your GSD. Establish the fact that you call the shots when they are still very young. They dont react well to harsh training methods, nor do they need them. Instead, these beautiful animals should be instructed with a firm but loving hand.
While its important to begin training right away, its crucial to keep your German Shepherd puppys mental and physical development in mind. Set your expectations to match them. For example, its unreasonable to expect a 10-week-old puppy to be fully house-trained and responsive to all commands.
If youre worried that your GSD puppy isnt reaching various training milestones, check out this general guideline:
of age your German Shepherd puppy should be able to:
- Come when called
- Walk nicely on a leash
- Hold their bladder for 2 3 hours
of age your German Shepherd puppy should be able to:
- Give paw on command
- Stay or wait before taking food on command
- Hold their bladder for 4 4.5 hours
of age, your German Shepherd puppy should be able to:
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What Is The Price Of A German Shepherd Protection Dog
Owning a German Shepherd can be an expensive feat. German Shepherds are bred to be loyal and become members of their owners families which is why going with a puppy at 8 weeks old will keep more money in your pocket although its more work and time to raise them as well.
It might also save you the hassle of finding a reputable breeder because most of the time they are reputable but sometimes people come across some strange ones.
There are even times when they want too much money for a not very well-bred dog, so thats where we can help by buying dogs from them.
German shepherds are an expensive breed of dog. The most commonly bred type is from a working line, but if youre interested in a show line or even a rarer coat, the price could grow substantially higher. For example, the price for a common black and rust colored-German shepherd will cost around $1,500. But if youre after something more exotic like say yellow with patches or pure white fur coat, your pup may cost as much as $2,500.
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German Shepherd Temperament And History
The German Shepherd is a herding breed that originates from Germany. The breed was developed by Captain Max von Stephanitz in the 1800s.
Stephanitzs goal was to create a breed optimal for working. Before the breed was officially registered in Germany, they were commonly used by farmers for herding and guarding sheep, due to their high level of intelligence, strong sense of smell and ability to stay focused.
These sizable working canines are intelligent, self-assured and brave in most circumstances, which is a big reason why theyre commonly used by police and military forces.
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Are German Shepherds A Good Family Dog
German Shepherds are great around kids, families, and even cats! However, the caveat is only if the family is knowledgeable about the breed, has a lot of time, energy, and resources to implement training and behavior modification protocols.
If you get your German Shepherd as a puppy and socialize, train, play, enrich, and exercise your dog appropriately, your investment will pay off tremendously down the road with a well-balanced, calm and secure dog. If however, you adopt an older German Shepherd, you still must have the resources to hire a certified dog behaviorist to help you and the dog with any behavior quirks that arise.
How Much Does It Cost To Train A German Shepherd
If youve been thinking about how much does it cost to train a German Shepherd then youre one of the few who understand the importance of obedience for this strong working breed.
While training prices for your GSD can quickly add up, dont stress theres a reasonably priced option for less than you think!
Ill tell you the costs you can expect to pay for German Shepherd training and give you the best option Ive found if youre looking for a cheaper way to train thatll give you professional results.
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Essential German Shepherd Dog And Puppy Training And Wellness Products
German Shepherd Puppy Specific
- Enzymatic Cleaner Lets face it, puppies pee on the floor, carpet, or rug and are going to make mistakes. You are going to need to clean your dogs urine and feces with an enzymatic formula that not only eliminates smells for us but destroys the proteins and smells from your puppys strong olfactory glands.
- Garbage This is the one that I have, but any self-closing, tight-sealing garbage will do to keep odors at bay
- Puppy Wee Pads For potty training your puppy pee pads are mandatory as well as some artificial turf mentioned below
- Dog Artificial Turf Perfect for city folks, or do not have access to grass while potty training.
- Puppy Kong Toys Puppy-specific Kong Toys come in pink or blue I recommend getting at least a dozen of these as they have so many uses and your dog will love them.
- Dyson Pet Vacuum Expensive but not when you use it every single day for years. This is an awesome pet vacuum.
What Type Of Training Should I Use For A German Shepherd: Reward Vs Punishment
Be careful where you choose to train your German Shepherd since not all training schools use modern dog training practices, and some even use force to train your intelligent breed. Interview the trainers or classes youre interested in to see which training methods they use with dogs.
Make sure you are comfortable with the handling of your dog and stay away from punishment-based dog training. This type of training uses force and pain to coerce your dogs behaviors and most owners dont need to resort to punishment at the initial training stages.
Punishment based Choke, shock, or otherwise cause pain to the dog when bad behavior is chosen. This is not fun for the dog and isnt necessary for basic obedience.
Rewards-based Reward with food, praise, or sounds. This is pleasant and positive for your German Shepherd and increases your bond with your GSD.
The program I use and support is the Brain Training for Dogs Academy, which is entirely positive and rewards-based training. Its also all online, so you can use the program at your convenience wherever you are!
You can also use games to help train your German Shepherd and keep costs lower. Training games increase your intelligent breeds obedience while helping them to have fun and bond with you!
Herere the best links to get started
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What Is A Reasonable Price For A Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
Reputable breeders, when pricing their German Shepherd puppies, must factor in the expenses involved in breeding, feeding, raising, and caring for the pups as well as their mother.
A reasonable price for a purebred German Shepherd puppy should be around $1200- $2000, depending on your location and the litter size.
If you have ever asked the question: Why are GSD puppies so expensive?, you should understand the very basic cost for the breeders. Below are the estimated costs for your reference:
Cost for a puppy:
- Genetic health testing: $250 to $750
- Vaccinations: $100 to $500
- AKC registration: $30
Minimum cost per puppy: $580
Cost for the parent :
- Stud services: $500 to $1000
- C-sections and birthing complications : $2,000 $7,000
- Dog food, vitamins, supplements: $100 to $200
- Veterinary check-ups: $125
The minimum cost for maternity care, with no complications: $725
Thus, it may not even be reasonable for you to buy a puppy for less than $580, with the consideration of the cost a breeder has to bear at the minimum for the puppy as well as the mother.
That said, when you are looking to purchase a puppy, do not be tempted to go to a low-cost pet store or search for the cheapest puppies online. These puppies are often bred in very poor conditions and are prone to health issues.
Go to AKC Marketplace PuppyFinder to find AKC-Registered litters and the breeders in your area.
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Should I Choose A Male Or Female German Shepherd
When considering whether to get a male or female German Shepherd, your expectation from a dog and handling experience plays an integral part. If the GSD is your first dog or you have kids at home, females may be easier to handle. But if youre looking for a guard dog or working dog, male GSDs are more suitable.
Check out our post to learn more:
Where Will My German Shepherd Dog Training Take Place
Group classes and obedience courses generally are taught at a facility that will give everyone and their dogs enough room to maneuver and have space. But a private session may take place at your home if requested and the dog trainer will charge travel fees. This varies from $1 to $2 per mile from a stated location area.
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Advanced Activities German Shepherds Excel At
German shepherds excel at all sorts of advanced activities, including :
- Police Dogs: German shepherds are famous for being ideal police dogs for good reason: theyre loyal, brave and have a reliable nose. As police dogs, German shepherds provide protection, find crime scene evidence and even search for explosives.
Truly, German shepherds are the ideal all-around working dog!