Training Alsatian Puppies

About Alsatians

Alsatians, or German shepherd dogs, are intelligent and easily trainable dogs. As such, they are used by the police, military, search and rescue teams and other organizations as working dogs. Alsatians are large dogs, weighing between 75 to 90 lbs. Early training and socialization is key to having a well-behaved adult dog.

Early Training

Alsatians can be described as a dominant dog breed, inasmuch as they will try to become the "pack leader" if the owner fails to establish his or her own status. This does not mean that the Alsatian should be treated harshly or uncaringly; in fact, this would likely be counterproductive. It simply means that the owner must be confident, calm and assertive when dealing with the dog, and misbehavior should be corrected immediately. It may seem cute when a puppy gnaws playfully on someone's finger, but it is significantly less cute when an 85-pound adult dog tries the same thing.

Puppies need their own space, ideally in the form of a crate, and enough toys so they can satisfy their natural urge to chew and play. If the puppy is caught chewing on something that he should not be, firmly tell him "No!" and take it away. Replace it with one of his toys. Likewise, if the puppy nips when playing with humans, again say "No!" and stop momentarily. If he does it again, say "No!" and cease play for several minutes.

Socialization and basic obedience are essential for all puppies, and large breed puppies in particular. Consider taking a "puppy kindergarten" class, which will allow the owner and puppy to work on basic commands and expose the puppy to different people and dogs. These classes are often provided by large pet stores like Petco or PetSmart or local community groups. Boarding facilities may offer puppy play times, and dog parks also allow for socialization.
Keep in mind that Alsatians are bred to be working dogs, and are happiest when they have something to do. Practicing obedience commands at home and taking classes is not a "chore" to them but something that they enjoy.

Advanced Training

Beyond puppy kindergarten, basic and advanced level obedience classes are also available. Consider training for and taking the AKC Canine Good Citizenship test, an advanced obedience test which ensures that the dog is calm and responsive to the owner in a variety of situations. From here, training can begin in other areas such as agility, tracking and Schutzhund. Schutzhund is composed of a series of trials testing tracking, obedience and protection that was originally developed specifically for German shepherds. If the owner wishes to do something for the community, therapy dog or search and rescue training are other possibilities to explore.

Resources

• German Shepherd Dog Club of America
• AKC Dog Ownership Page