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How To Tame A German Shepherd Dog

Why Has My Adult Dog Started To Show Bad Behavior And What Can I Do

How to Understand and Train your Crazy German Shepherd Dogs 101!

Sometimes an adult German Shepherd who has been relatively obedient for most of his life can suddenly start to misbehave again. Maybe youve started chewing on your wooden furniture, or shoes, or maybe youre peeing inside. What would normally be expected and considered normal for puppies can be an unwanted trait in older dogs. So what does this mean?

If an older dog begins to misbehave, it can be for a number of reasons. Dogs often behave as an emotional complaint, whether out of boredom, loneliness, anxiety, or simply to get attention. Some German Shepherds are known to be clingy .

If your dog tells you that he is not feeling well, he needs your intervention. So instead of getting angry and punishing him, you should take steps to eliminate bad behaviors and make your dog more relaxed and content.

If your dog is acting out of boredom or a need to dissipate excess energy, then you should start incorporating more activities into his day to help ease his pent-up energy. Some breeds, like the German Shepherd, naturally have higher energy levels, and no amount of training and discipline will reduce this!

Make sure to reward your dog for any good behavior. This will reinforce the positive and desired behaviors and give you the attention or treatment that you are probably wanting. When your dog shows unwanted behavior, turn and walk away and pay him no attention. Since most bad behaviors are a way for the dog to seek attention, do not reward bad behavior.

What Skills Must A German Shepherd Have To Become A Police Dog

There are three primary skills required by dogs in the K-9 unit. These skills ensure that they can adequately fulfill the duties needed out in the field. The skills are protection, attacking, and tracking. A German Shepherd will receive full training in the police dog academy, but they must possess those necessary three skills.

Are Ddr German Shepherds Rare

Yes, as we have said, DDR German Shepherds are very rare. At least true DDR German Shepherds are. This is because this bloodline only spanned roughly 40 years of breeding between 1949-1990.

So, the eligible dogs to breed from are very limited.

Due to this, this bloodline of German Shepherds is often viewed as the elite.

Traditionally, German Shepherds are working dogs, and this is what DDR German Shepherds were designed for.

They were first bred to be guards of the East/West Germany border and this led to them being able to endure harsh weather conditions, which makes them perfect working dogs now.

True DDR German Shepherds are also incredibly athletic, much more than regular German Shepherds or mixed breeds.

It is a combination of all of these different factors and qualities that makes this variation of the breed so popular. Despite the fact that they are very rare.

Also Check: German Shepherd Puppies Price Range

Be In Tune With Your Dog

As you spend more time with your dog, pay attention and observe them closely. Youll notice that they have their own ways to communicate with you.

If you make an effort to listen and figure out what theyre trying to say, youll appreciate how communicative German Shepherds really are, and this is critical for successful training.

What Are Good Activities For A Ddr German Shepherd

German Shepherd Puppy Training

One of the most important things that owners need to know about DDR German Shepherds is that these are dogs that thrive on a lot of activity.

Like all Shepherds, they require more fulfilling lives than existing ignored in a backyard.

An activity that should be a part of every German Shepherds everyday life is a brisk walk once or twice a day. Taking a dog on walks helps provide stimulation.

Another advantage of walking is that it helps to provide better bonding between both of you.

Even though German Shepherds are not bred for retrieving or other hunting-related activities, many learn how to fetch and perform similar activities easily.

Playing Frisbee can also be an exciting activity for a Shepherd.

Having a ladder or ramp that you encourage the dog to climb can help keep their muscles healthy. Your dogs leg muscles will stay healthy with the activity of this type.

Just make sure that, if leashed, your dogs leash cannot become tangled.

If your dog has a lot of energy that takes effort to burn off, consider taking your dog out for activities while wearing a backpack or dog weights.

These products will help your dog gradually burn off more of its excess energy.

Consider taking your dog along when you go bike-riding. German Shepherd Dogs are built to keep up with a bike in full motion easily.

One of the best things about this option is that it allows both of you to get exercise.

Hiking is also a relaxing, refreshing way to spend time with your dog when you get outdoors.

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Hello, has Tiny shown aggression to your small dog? If so, you should contact a trainer used to dealing with aggressive dogs to ensure that your small dog is safe. Training Tiny will give her the chance to be the dog she was meant to be, with your guidance and help. Training also cements a bond between pet and pet parent, and encourages the dog in training to listen better. But first, it is essential that you never leave the two dogs alone. Get Tiny assessed right away, and start working toward a safe and happy relationship. I can give you a guide to read on helping a dog get along with other dogs. Try the Counter Conditioning Method, adapting it to your situation: https://wagwalking.com/training/not-attack-other-dogs. You will have to work on it every day, bit by bit, always putting the safety of both dogs first. If you do not see some form of success after gradual exposure to each other, please call a specialist for advice. Good luck!

Best Dog Food For German Shepherds

Because German Shepherd Dogs can weigh more than 50 pounds at maturity, opt for a large-breed dog food to support joint health and mobility and maintain their ideal body condition. You may also want to consider foods formulated for active and energetic dogs, which offer an ideal protein-to-fat ratio to maintain lean muscles.

These foods include:

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Top Gsd German Training Commands

Some German Shepherd owners prefer to teach their dogs commands in the German language. This is typical among dogs that participate in Schutzhund but not limited to that purpose.

Generally, teaching your dog commands in another language lowers the risk of them following commands from other people. This is especially important for personal protection and service dogs.

German is a good option not only because it has been used for decades to teach GSDs but also because the nature of the language itself sounds terse and forceful, which is effective for commanding dogs.

Here are some of the most common German Commands for German Shepherds, along with the pronunciation of each:

English Commands
braaf

Week 3 Training Your German Shepherd Puppy

How to Train a German Shepherd Puppy – A Detailed Video on GS Training Tips
Socialisation exercises to do this week Training Exercises to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week
Scent Trails
  • Pick a quiet spot in your garden.
  • Start off easy just say your puppys name and come.
  • Say your marker word good when they come to you, and then throw the treat
  • Now lets make it fun! As your puppy comes towards you, run back a few steps. Careful, dont run into a wall.
  • When they reach you, give them the marker word good and then give them a treat.
  • Repeat this about 5 times and start to increase the distance you run backwards, so that your puppy is coming further each time.
  • PRO TIP: Were going to be honest. Outside, its soooo difficult for puppies to focus on their owners, so dont be surprised if they find it tricky at first. Be patient and give them lots of praise and be happy when they come back when you call them!

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    What Is A Training Session And Can It Help Train A Senior Dog

    Training sessions are simply specific windows of time that are reserved for working on particular commands with your dog. Sessions are usually short, with a structured plan to achieve a particular goal. Training sessions are great when starting to train a specific command, but can also be used throughout your German Shepherds life to refresh and maintain consistent obedience training.

    Older dogs can definitely benefit from training sessions and they act as a compromise between you and your dog to work together. They can be used not only to establish basic training commands, such as sit and stay, but also to impart more advanced techniques such as turn around or speak.

    Training sessions are best when they are short. If a session takes too long, your German Shepherd will become disinterested and easily distracted, leading to mistakes and a waste of time. Be efficient with your sessions and keep them in short, manageable segments of 15 minutes or less. This is best accomplished by teaching one command at a time.

    When training a German Shepherd in a session, regardless of age, it is important to ensure that the time is well spent, and that your dog does not become too overwhelmed. For this reason, try to practice in a quiet place with minimal distractions to begin with.

    Stuff You Should Know About Sleep Training Your German Shepherd

    • Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the toilet at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings just for the first few weeks.
    • Having them sleep next to you is only temporary.
    • Consistency is key! The more you stick to the routine, the better theyll get at holding it in. As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer.

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    They Need Lots Of Exercise

    German Shepherds are easy to take care of if you are an active person. But if long walks and stimulating playtimes arent your thing, you might end up with an agitated dog with lots of pent-up energy and consequent frustration.

    To avoid this, you have to either hire a dog walker or accept the fact that youll need to engage with and exercise your German Shepherd every day. Most GSDs require around two hours of daily exercise over a couple of sessions.

    Dog Owners Have Benefited Already

    How to Train a Female German Shepherd Puppy

    875,000 dog owners have already taken the free mini course training and proven its power to breathe happy, obedient life into their German Shepherds and inspire a loving new relationship with them. Join them by signing up for our FREE mini course and discover the fastest way to turn your GSD into a loyal, friendly companion who’ll go to the ends of the earth for you.

    “I was amazed at how quickly he picked up the commands… Your mini course taught me the most efficient, gentle, fun way to bond with my dog. My GSD is my buddy now, … I can’t remember a time when I was any more proud.” – Ben Barlett, Jerome, Idaho

    “Without this mini course, Ginger’s aggressiveness towards other dogs would have escalated. I would recommend everyone to get this course – you will be glad to get a well trained puppy at the end.” – Karla Robertson, Woodbridge, Virginia

    “The mini-course gives insights into the way a German Shepherd thinks and reacts to behavior training. I have been able to stop T Bone’s chewing habits because of this course.” – Helen McCormick, Montvale, Virginia

    “I trained Hamish from your Mini course. He is now an obedient dog, he understands all my commands, I feel proud when people comment on how well behaved he is.” – Doug Eames, Riga, Latvia

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    What Can You Expect From Obedience Training

    • German Shepherd is a dog born with a strong-willed nature. On the other side of the coin, they born with several nuisance behaviors such as barking, chewing and jumping on people. Obedience training can help correct all of those nuisance behaviors.
    • You will deepen a relationship with your dog.
    • You will nurture a great dog that will become an invaluable member of your family. He will watch, protect and guard all of your familys members without expecting anything in return.

    Now, you have learned all the benefits that you can get from obedience training, this brings us to the next question when is the best time to start training your dog?

    Week 1 Training Your German Shepherd Puppy

    In the first week, well dive straight into socialisation exercises, training and husbandry tasks.

    Socialisation exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week
    Let your puppy explore the garden Teach your puppy about surfaces Name Brushing Hand Touch

    Congratulations! Its your first week of training your new puppy. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed.

    Take a look at these first few articles. These will be key for establishing a solid, comfortable base theyre all about toilet training, crate training and alone time training. All the ingredients you need for a happy home.

    Read Also: Do German Shepherd Puppies Change Color

    What Does This Have To Do With How I Train My German Shepherd

    Its a fair question actually. A dog is a dog is a dog right? But knowing the context and breed characteristics might help you train your German Shepherd puppy better and understand why they do certain things the way they do.

    Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

    PRO TIP: If your German Shepherd puppy switches off or starts acting silly they may resort to doing what they know best nipping or barking. Shift to some play, let them have some downtime and revisit training later we want training to be associated with fun, and not something they begin to dread.

    Harness Fitting For A German Shepherd Puppy

    Best German Shepherd Puppy Training Tips | Dog World

    The days for going on walks arent that far away! To prepare for the big day, getting used to wearing a harness will make your puppys transition to the outdoors much smoother.

    Heres how to prepare:

    • Pick a comfortable harness for them. A padded one that doesnt squeeze them tight will be brilliant.
    • Adjust the harness roughly to the size of your puppy. If youre hesitating, its generally better that it fits too big rather than too tight.

    How to do it

  • Lets get them acquainted with each other. Sit on the floor holding the harness and let your puppy investigate it.
  • Drape the harness over them, and give them a couple of treats.
  • Encourage your puppy to put their head through the harness reward them when they try it! They should think of the harness as being a good thing that brings treats galore. Its half true anyway.
  • When your puppy is happy with their head in the harness, fasten it gently and give them a handful of treats.
  • Take the harness off, and practice getting it back on around 3 times always and keep on, rewarding your puppy! We want them to keep thinking its a magic thing.
  • PRO TIP: Dont adjust the harness while theyre wearing itit will probably make them feel like its a dodgy piece of armoury. It if needs adjusting, take it off and resize before trying it on again.

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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.

    Benefits Of Training Your Gsd In Two Languages

    Training your German Shepherd in two different languages can help them with context switching, especially if theyre trained both as working dogs and as household companions.

    You can use English as a casual training language that allows them to be more relaxed. For work, you can use a more serious language like German so they know when they need to be more focused and precise.

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