Common Mistakes You Should Avoid
There are some common mistakes that could make potty training your German Shepherd puppy go less smoothly than you intend.
Watch out for these little things
Final Thoughts On German Shepherd Obedience Training
One of the reasons why German Shepherds have always been so popular with certain owners is that once you figure them out.’ You can train and instruct them to be extremely well behaved.
Of all the dogs in the world, few compare to this breed when it comes to truly prove that you will receive back what effort you put in.
Left to their own devices, they can prove to be difficult to train, and you need to establish that you control all the good/fun stuff and that you will not just give it away for free.
There is plenty of more recommended training activities that both you and your dog will enjoy mastering.
But if you use the principles highlighted above as a foundation for how to effectively perform. Then you’ll be looking at a very happy future with your German Shepherd.
Do you want to share your experience of training German Shepherds?
I’d love to hear your opinions, so go ahead and post your comments in the box below
About Dan
Tip #: Your German Shepherd Puppy Needs To Learn Things In Different Places And Every Time From Scratch
This is a hard concept to understand for us, clever human beings. Dogs are well lemons as expert trainer Jean Donaldson calls them in her Must-Read book The Culture-Clash. When we learn something new, we can very easily generalize the concept to any situation, that is what makes us creative creatures. Dogs, on the other hand, cant make that cognitive leap. If they learn to Sit in the kitchen, they most likely wont sit in the yard unless trained -from scratch!
Fortunately, you have a German Shepherd puppy, they are clever and chances are they will need less repetitions than the average breed. To help you out on this matter, this link will take you to a step-by-step guide to train a reliable command.
Also Check: Full Breed German Shepherd Price
What Are The Characteristics & Behaviors Of German Shepherd Puppies
Understanding the behavior and temperament of your German shepherd is necessary before you begin training. As mentioned before, German Shepards are considered dog nobility they are intelligent, smart, and quick-witted dogs that are loyal to a fault.
Their big size and athletic nature make them great work dogs as well as family pets. Their need to protect is triggered by movement. However, it is not a bad thing you can use this trigger to get them moving.
Initially, you may get stressed to see the pup barking at strangers and lunging at cars. But, you have nothing to worry about as you should simply view such instances as an opportunity to practice, train, and manage your pup.
The following characteristics of German Shepherds are worth remembering.
House Training And Crate Training
In the beginning, training your German Shepherd to use a crate can help with housetraining.
Most German Shepherd owners plan to let their dogs live indoors with them. Youll need to teach your dog where to eliminate so they can begin to learn the most basic of manners.
Its a must they understand house training rules, also called housebreaking or potty training.
This essential beginner skill is one of the first things you need to work on with your German Shepherd as part of their foundation training.
Using a crate, called crate training, is generally a very helpful part of house training.
This part of training includes:
- Choosing the Best Dog Crate for Your German Shepherd: Do you know what size of crate youll need for a growing German Shepherd puppy? Find out the basics of choosing the right size for your dog and picking the best options on the market.
- Crate Training Your German Shepherd: Here are the basics of training your German Shepherd dog or puppy to enjoy their crate. Not only does using a crate help with potty training, but it gives your German Shepherd a quiet, comfortable place they can call their own.
- How to Potty Train Your German Shepherd: Although house training can seem complicated in the beginning, its really a matter of timing, consistency, and having a watchful eye over your new dog. These 3 concepts are key to the housebreaking process and will help you achieve results faster.
Read Also: Why Does My German Shepherd Have Floppy Ears
How To Begin Potty Training A German Shepherd Puppy
Knowing how to effectively potty train your German Shepherd puppy is the best remedy against feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility a new pup can bring into your life. Although it isnt always easy, and mistakes will happen, the key is consistency, a positive attitude, and a strict routine.
Potty training should not be hard for your German Shepherd puppy to learn, nor should it be stressful, although it may take time. However, there are individual differences within any breed, with some puppies learning faster than others.
The Teach ‘stay’ Method
Understand the idea
Once the pup has learned to sit, you can start working on ‘stay’. First, teach the pup the self-control of staying in a seated position for a minute or more. Once he has achieved that, you can start stepping away and adding the element of distance.
Delay the Reward
Start out with the dog in a ‘sit’. However, instead of instantly rewarding him, say “Good” in a happy voice, but make him wait a few seconds for the treat. If he starts to shuffle or move, make a disapproving “Uh-oh!” sound, to let him know this is the wrong thing to do.Start with just a few seconds’ delay and then reward him.
Aim for one minute
Your first target is to have the dog sit for at least a minute. Do this gradually, building up 10 seconds, then 20 seconds, etc., until you get to 60 seconds. Once he is able to stay still for this time, you can start adding in distance.
Take one step away
Remain facing the dog in a seated position. Hold your hand up, palm facing the dog and say “Stay”. Take one step away, pause, then step back. Praise and reward him if he stayed in a ‘sit’.
Progressively increase the distance.
As the pup masters each stage, gradually build up the distance separating you from the dog. At this point, remain facing the dog at all times. Once you are able to back away across the room you can add in the final element, which is turning your back.
Turn away from the dog
You May Like: How Many Times To Feed German Shepherd
Speedy Ways To Train A German Shepherd
Are you excited to begin training your German Shepherd and wondering how to train a German Shepherd because youre eager to get started?
Ive trained German Shepherds and will show you the quickest ways to get the behaviors that you want
While having fun and bonding with your dog!
Dont Let Your Pup Out Of The Crate Until It Knows The Rules
A crate is supposed to be a safe space that mimics the feeling of a den and teaches your pup to control its bladder and bowels to avoid soiling its sleeping and eating area.
While your German Shepherd is learning that the entire house is out of bounds for elimination, the crate is a useful tool to avoid accidents. Once this has been achieved, you can gradually allow your puppy more free rein indoors.
You May Like: How To Cut Dog Nails German Shepherd
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.
Do Reward Good Behavior
Dog trainers and experts agree that positive reinforcement using rewards are highly effective in forming and keeping desirable behaviors as a puppy matures into an adult dog.
Try reaching out your hand to your puppys nose. If her nose touches your fingers without biting them, give her a treat and praise generously.
Hold off the treat if she bites. Do this repeatedly until she associates the treat with not biting your hand .
Dont Miss: German Shepherd Smart
Read Also: How Long Can A German Shepherd Puppy Hold Its Bladder
Keeping Your Pup From Nipping And Chewing
Puppies have sharp teeth, especially German Shepherd puppies!
Puppies are energetic and must learn their limits for playing too rough . When your dog nips you, say ouch immediately and do your normal noise when something hurts.
Dont immediately jerk your hand back or punish your puppy physically.
Puppies view you jerking your hand back quickly as part of a game and could also tear your skin. And physical punishment should never be given!
Understand Your German Shepherds Body Language
Weve discussed keeping yourself calm and under control, as your GSD is very adept at reading your emotional state. He will pick up on cues from your body language just as easily as he will pick up on the inflection of your voice.
This goes both ways. It is very important that you are able to understand and accurately interpret your GSD puppys body language. Unlike a person, a dog will not smile when hes happy, and he will not frown when hes sad.
For example, if your GSD has his tail hanging in a middle position, neither high nor low, then this could be a cue that he is feeling either fear, arousal, aggression, or even playful. Obviously these emotions cover the spectrum from fearful to playful it seems rather ambiguous because it is.
This example illustrates the importance of understanding your particular dogs body language, as it is often the surrounding context and environment that will provide the true meaning of a cue such as a middle hanging tail.
This cue, like many others, is often subtle, so it is imperative that you take the time to clearly understand what your GSD is feeling by getting to know his body language.
Weve taken the guesswork out of this for you here in this article about German Shepherd body language. Give it a thorough read before you begin any training regiment with your GSD, as it provides clear explanations for even the most subtle of body language cues.
Don’t Miss: Akc Registered German Shepherds For Sale
Tip #: Train Your German Shepherd Puppy To Ask For Permission
Dog commands and fun and useful and you can probably find hundreds to teach your GSD. This one though – Ask for permission– is technically not a command, because you will not ask your canine to do it every time, instead you want to teach him to do it on his own every time the occasion requires it. For example, wouldnt it be great if your puppy would look at you for approval before running after another dog or kid? Take time to do this with your puppy, it will be worth it!
This is another one of the most important German Shepherd puppy training tips because a dog that asks for permission is an obedient and safe dog.
How Long On Average Does It Take To Potty Train A Puppy
If everything goes according to plan, your German Shepherd can be potty trained within five days.
However, that does not mean your pup will be able to be locked indoors for eight hours while you go to work and not make a mess. It will still be six months before your new family member has full bladder control, so sticking to a routine, even after your puppy understands that going inside the house is off-limits, is vital.
Read Also: Can A Pitbull Beat A German Shepherd
Final Takeaways On German Shepherd Puppy Training
Here is a recap of the main points of the article:
- Dogs notice first the intonation of your voice. So, always use a calm and friendly voice tone when training or talking to your German Shepherd puppy.
- Using a command with a gesture helps your pup learn faster. Body language is a canines primary mode of communication.
- Your German Shepherd will always stick to the good behavior you have taught them because dogs naturally stick to what they have learned and do not follow the crowd.
- 4-10 weeks of age is the best time to socialize and train your German Shepherd puppy in good behavior. This should be done by positive reinforcement and never aversive methods.
- Be consistent in giving a command only once otherwise, youll confuse your puppy.
- When teaching a command, find a quiet location, and then seek your puppys attention. Teach the command and recap before ending the session with something your German Shepherd puppy enjoys.
I hope you have found this article informative and helpful. Good luck with your German Shepherd puppy obedience training! Remember to stick at it and youll get there!
You May Like: How Long Should I Walk My German Shepherd
What Goes Into A Trained Puppy Program
On any particular day at Hayes Haus, your puppy will be going through any number of proven-safe scenarios for puppies. We take short rides in the car to some of our neighborhood parks and trails to use some of the natural obstacles we teach puppies to pleasantly accept grooming and expose them to bathing we instill good habits such as keeping your paws on the floor and eliminating on leash we also use puppy games to teach important life commands.Here’s a more in-depth breakdown for you:
- Training begins at 3 weeks of age, teaching the puppy to make eye contact
- The puppies are monitored around the clock and follow a very regimented schedule
- Socialization exercises are conducted daily
- All trained german shepherd puppies are available for pickup at 14 weeks of age.
- At this time, your puppy will know his or her name and be used to the schedule you provide us, which helps with easier integration into your home.
When your puppy comes home, they’ll be crate-trained, and have the groundwork to training for the following commands:
Our goal is to save you hundreds of hours and countless night’s sleep with this program. It is ideal for working families who want to get a puppy, but don’t have the time to deal with the headaches of crate training and basic obedience.
Read Also: Can German Shepherds Have Milk
Use The Right Tone And Body Language To Communicate
Different commands and body language conveys information for training to your German Shepherd.
Dogs arent born understanding the words no or sit. You must understand when your new puppy arrives and doesnt understand the human language.
The different tones ofyour voice and body movements are better understood by your dog. The actualcommand words are of less importance to your puppy.
Use a direct tone and body language that matches what you want to say to your dog. But dont lean over them and intimidate them or your dog will begin to fear you. And definitely dont scream.
Some ways to try out your tone and body language:
- When your GSD is tearing up your favorite shoes, stand tall, project your voice, and say leave it like you mean business . Then, offer them another toy appropriate to chew and take away the other item theyre chewing.
- When training the come command, say come in a happy tone and squat down to get on your puppys level so you appear more friendly and inviting.
- Even pointing to a missed treat on the ground is body language your dog learns to understand.
Still not convinced?
Try out your training with this extensive list of helpful German Shepherd commands and watch how much your dog is capable of understanding.
Training Your German Shepherd Puppy Is A Very Rewarding Experience
All dogs are different in their ways. So, it is better to make their training enjoyable. Sometimes it is not possible for dog owners to properly train their pets due to the lack of time. In that case, it is better to buy a trained German shepherd dog. We at North Mountain Kennels provide the best trained German shepherds for sale.
We are one of the best German Shepherd breeders in the country. The German Shepherd Breeds available at North Mountain Kennels are very friendly and are easy to train. If you have any questions related to German Shepherd Puppy training, then contact us. We will be happy to help you.
Don’t Miss: How Fast Can A German Shepherd Run