A Personal Protection Dog Can Be A Liability
Do not forgeta personal protection dog may also be a liability where you live. If he were to bite someone, and it became known that he was a protection dog, you would be more likely to be sued. You would be more likely to lose a lawsuit if your dog has been trained to defend you.
If you do not have total control of your dog, do not even consider this type of training!
Consider if you really want a personal protection dogand if that is what you really needbefore you proceed with any further training.
Why Are German Shepherds Not Calm Out Of Control Or Aggressive
Owner-directed Aggression
GSDs may growl, lift a lip, snarl, snap, or bite to prove theyre in charge of a situation. This occurs when they feel their position is being challenged primarily by their owners or children. For example, This is often the case with children under six years of age. German Shepherds can attack children who behave inappropriately such as interacting with the GSD while the GSD is eating or pulling the GSDs tail.
Protective Aggression
A German Shepherd can become aggressive to a stranger because he perceives the stranger as a threat to his owner and his territory. Even though the owner doesnt consider the stranger as a threat, the German Shepherd can attack the stranger.
Fear Aggression
A German Shepherd may be aggressive when he is punished or abused by his handler. If you put your GSD away in a closed space, he will feel left behind and scared. This will lead to lack of trust so he will fight or be aggressive when he is faced with the same scary situation.
Dog-to-dog Aggression
Unsocialized GSDs usually show excessive aggression towards other dogs. An unsocialized GSD will struggle in accepting change such as meeting and interacting with other animals like dogs appropriately.
Obedience Training is an effective way to make your GSD calm. Experts agree this is better rather than enforcing BSL.
How To Hide Treats Around The House
Create a scavenger hunt for your dog around the house hide treats in various places dont let them see you do this. Your dog can then walk throughout the space and discover a little bite of goodness. This is a great mental exercise for them.
Just remember that this activity can get a bit messy if you arent careful. You may want to avoid hiding the treats under couch cushions or anything else that your pup will need to upturn to get to. You should also steer clear of areas or surfaces where your dog isnt typically allowed.
If you come home to find that the treats are untouched, your pup may need a little help. Hide the treats when you are around and urge them to find them. Once they get the hang of this game, they will be able to do it on their own.
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An Attack Dog By Nature
Some dog breeds are more prone to aggression than others, and German Shepherds are one of them. They are, by nature, attack dogs and often used by law enforcement for this reason.
Since they already exhibit this trait, you must learn to control your dogs tendencies to ensure they only attack when you command. It will keep both you and your dog safe.
How Can You Bond With Your Dog
It is easy to bond with your dog German Shepherds are people-centric and love spending time with people. The first thing to do is to make sure their basic needs are being taken care of. This includes food, water, exercise, and attention.
The fundamental way to bond with your dog is to spend time with him or her. The more time you spend, the closer you will become. Fun activities such as fetch will certainly help to cement this relationship.
Positive reinforcement should also be the driving force in your interactions with your German Shepherd. Your dog values it a great deal and will take your reactions to heart. Raising your voice or showing any signs of anger or aggression can cause them to be wary of you.
This is why your focus should be on rewarding positive behavior. Avoid using punishment and instead, find gentler ways of letting your dog know they have done something wrong.
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Teach Your Dog To Attack An Intruder
For this step of the training, you will require a dummy of some kind. This can be a mannequin, cardboard cutout, etc. It should roughly be the right shape and size of a human adult.
Your goal here is to get your German Shepherd to attack out the dummy when you give the Attack command. It may take a while for your dog to realize that it should attack the dummy and not you. Until your dog gets this right, make sure to wear your protective gear.
Set up the dummy a short distance away from your dog. Get them to sit still while you are setting the dummy up. Stand next to your dog and shout Attack, pointing at the dummy.
Your dog may head for you, but give them the Stop command if they do so. Point to the dummy again before shouting the command. When your dog gets this right, reward him or her.
In case your dog keeps making a beeline for you when you ask it to attack, try standing next to the dummy. You can then tap the dummy or direct your dog towards it when the Attack command is given. This can make it easier for your pup to make the association.
When your German Shepherd automatically moves towards the dummy with the Attack command, they understand the command. Only once your dog has mastered this task should you move on to the next step.
How To Train A German Shepherd To Be A Guard Dog
German Shepherds will usually take to being a guard dog naturally. It’s important to train them to be obedient. Learn how here.Many dogs are natural watch dogs their bark is sufficient to alert their owner to something unusual, and the alarm they set up is a deterrent. In addition, dogs who will fight if their owner is genuinely attacked do not have to be made aggressive to do so. Training a dog specifically to be a guard dog is hazardous and potentially creates a liability for you. Misguided attempts to make a dog aggressive through abuse will only backfire because the dog will not be loyal to someone who treats them harshly, and if the dog wrongly bites someone you will be at fault. Never train dogs who are basically fearful or out of control. Such dogs may not respond appropriately in non-threatening situations.
A German shepherd dog should not be selected to receive training as a guard dog unless the dog is basically friendly, stable and clear-headed, and has been well-socialized.
STEP 1
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STEP 6
Walk your German shepherd dog on a leash around the perimeter of your property regularly to identify your territorial boundaries. Do not allow your dog to bark at people who are outside your property. Do not allow your dog to chase people under any circumstances.
TIPS & WARNINGS
THINGS NEEDED
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German Shepherd Advanced Obedience Commands
The following advanced German Dog commands are demanding so your GSD may need a month or longer to master these.
- Back up- signals your GSD will walk backward
- Bark or Speak- signals your GSD to bark on command
- Bite- signals your GSD to bite into an object
- Fetch- makes your GSD catch the desired object in the mouth and retrieve it to you
- Find or Track makes your GSD search the desired item or person
- Jump- teaches your GSD to jump over or through an object
- Quiet- interrupts your GSD from barking or whining
- Turn Left- teaches your GSD to turn to his left
- Turn Right- teaches your GSD to turn to his right
- Walk faster- teaches your GSD to walk faster
- Walk slower- teaches your GSD to walk slower
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How To Do Clicker Training For German Shepherds
Clicker training is a popular reward-based training method. Its a great option for German Shepherd owners because its direct. The dog wants to please their owner, and is a simple way of letting your dog know what you want so you can instantly reward them once they comply.
If youre interested in clicker training your dog, the good news is that you only need one thing: a clicker. A clicker is a small plastic device with a button makes a distinctive clicking noise when you press it.
There are tons of different clickers on the market, and they all pretty much do the same thing. The brand and model you choose will be based largely on personal preference. The difference is mostly in the sound: some are loud, while others make a softer clicking noise.
Youll want to find a clicker that you wont lose, and that is comfortable to use. Some, such as the Downtown Pet Supply clicker, come with a bracelet so you can wear the clicker around your wrist during training sessions.
Others, such as the Starmark Pro-training clicker, have a keyring and can easily be attached to your house keys, which is particularly useful if youre using the clicker to help with potty training. Its also great to be able to train on-the-go.
Whatever clicker you choose, the methodology is much more important than the hardware involved. When clicker training your dog the most important thing is consistency.
Heres a simplified step-by-step guide to clicker training:
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Should You Leave The Curtains Open
There is plenty of stimulation outside your home from neighbors and other dogs to the occasional squirrel. Leaving your curtains open is a great way to make sure that your German Shepherd keeps itself entertained. You can ensure that all the curtains are open in the house so that your dog can bound from one window to the next and keep the view interesting.
Give this a trial run while youre at home. Some dogs love being able to stare out of a window, while it can prove to be too much stimulation for others. Make sure that your dog is looking out interestedly and isnt continuously barking or getting worked up.
Are Male German Shepherds More Aggressive
Yes male German Shepherds tend to be more aggressive than their female counterparts. Male GSDs are more aggressive because of their territorial problems and dominant behavior. Compared to a neutered male GSD, an intact male tends to mark his territory more because of his higher testosterone levels.
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Teach Them The Command
Once your German Shepherd is comfortable with basic commands, its time to try the attack command. The best process is to put on your gloves and tap on the face and nose of your dog. This action will cause annoyance, and eventually, they will respond by biting the gloves. When this happens, state the command attack.
What Is The Significance Of Consistency
It is important to be consistent in your training. Follow the same steps over and over. Only try to change things up if a particular technique is not working.
Constantly altering things will only confuse your pup and make them unsure of what they are supposed to respond to. Always use the same commands, same positions, and rewards as well. This will allow your dog to make clearer connections.
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German Shepherd Aggression And Attack Warning Signs
Watch out for signs that your German Shepherd is getting ready to attack another dog.
These warning signs may include:
- a focused stare on their intended target
- raised hair on their back
- a stiff body and muscles
- pulling wildly and strongly toward the other dog
- showing their teeth or pulling their lips back
- and growling
You may even have to avoid your dogs stressors temporarily if your dog is becoming that upset.
So have a plan of action in mind, such as crossing the street safely to avoid another dog walker or choosing a new route to take your dog for exercise.
Give your German Shepherd the chance to choose a good behavior, instead of adding to their stress and causing them to attack unnecessarily.
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:
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German Shepherd Attack Training Summary
In summary, German Shepherd attack training is no easy task and requires plenty of preparation, practice, and determination to achieve the result of attacking on command.
There exist a variety of ways to train a GSD to attack and you will need to exercise all of them to get the best results possible out of the training. However, it isnât for everyone because not only is it hard to do but the owner must remain consistent or else all efforts given would be wasted.
Overall, we should all look back at President Dwight D. Eisenhowerâs quote saying, âWhat counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight itâs the size of the fight in the dog.â
And if you are up for the task to train your GSD to become quite a courageous guard dog â then it will take effort and teamwork from both of you to achieve your goal.
What Is The Function Of An Attack Dog
Many people are unclear about the function of an attack dog. This is because the role has been twisted in the media.
The first thing to be aware of is that attack dogs should never be aggressive. When a German Shepherd attacks a perpetrator, their goal isnt to physically harm or maim that individual. The main objective is to get that person to back down and eventually go away.
Your German Shepherd shouldnt be trained to hurt people. Their function is to appear aggressive and to prove they are capable of being a physical threat. When a German Shepherd attacks a perpetrator, there shouldnt be any signs of aggression in them. They simply need to be following a command.
You may imagine that an aggressive German Shepherd makes for a good attack dog but this isnt the case at all. A dog that cant control its emotions has just as much of a chance of turning on you. There is also the increased risk that your dog will go too far during an attack and do serious harm to someone else.
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Why Should You Always Use Positive Reinforcement
It is important to avoid getting angry or upset with your dog during this training period. This will only cause them to retreat or to be afraid of trying a particular task again.
Always stick with positive reinforcement and reward your dog for the right behavior. You know your dog best and what motivates them use this during training. Some dogs respond well to cuddles and affection while others prefer treats.
Get A Connection With Your Pet
You have to build a connection with your pet, and the easiest way to do that is by taking him for a walk. You can create a routine with your German Shepherd by taking him for a run or a walk in the park. With these morning outings, you will create a connection with your pet, where he will know that he cannot hurt you.
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Why Should You Hire A Dog Walker
German Shepherds are a high-energy breed and the more exercise they get, the happier they are. Taking out your dog on a more regular basis also means that they wont have to hold their bladder for as long.
Dog walkers are increasingly hired by pet parents that are stuck at work all day and cant spend enough time with their pups. This is a great option to consider if it is affordable. As many dog walkers will often walk several dogs at once, it is a great way for your dog to interact with other animals as well.
What Does It Mean To Train A Gsd To Attack
So often, owners who choose a German Shepherd in order to have a family protection dog misunderstand what it means to train their GSD to attack.
Here, the word attack doesnt necessarily mean to bite, to chew, or to hurt. It simply means to hold or immobilize the object of their attention.
To truly understand what this means, it is important to once again remember that the GSD was originally herding and livestock guarding dog.
Not only did this require the German Shepherd to ward off large, dangerous predator animals, but it also required the GSD to retrieve stray or lost livestock and herd them back into the group for safety.
So a dog would need to know how to maintain a firm grip without necessarily causing any harm or injury.
When a German Shepherd learns to attack this means they learn how to maintain a firm grip that is immobilizing so that their human handler can take appropriate action against any threat.
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