How to Train a German Shepherd

German Shepherd dogs were bred to be working dogs and serve man. They are large dogs with very active minds. Not only do German Shepherds need training, but they crave it. Training gives the German Shepherd a job to occupy his mind and body. An untrained German Shepherd will be out of control, difficult to handle and unhappy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Establish yourself as leader of the pack. German Shepherds are pack dogs. They are also very large and very strong willed. If you do not assert yourself as Alpha dog, your German Shepherd will gladly step into the roll. It is very important to let your German Shepherd know that you are in control and in charge.

2. Get your dogs attention. Your German Shepherd is eager to learn but in order to learn he has to focus on you and what you are trying to teach him. Always train your Shepherd in an area that is free of distractions and make sure you have his undivided attention.

3. Be consistent. Your German Shepherd is eager to please you, but in order to do so she must understand what you want. If the rules are constantly changing, she will be confused and frustrated because she will not understand what she must do to please you.

4. Start informally training at home at eight weeks of age. Your Shepherd puppy is then old enough to learn things such as going to the bathroom outside and to not bite or jump.

5. Leash train your German Shepherd puppy at ten weeks old. This is very important because he is going to grow up to be very big and strong. If he is not trained to walk well on a leash you will find he walks you when he is an adult.

6. Attend Basic Obedience Class with your puppy when he is four months old. In class you will teach your German Shepherd important commands such as sit, stay, down and come.

7. Understand that is never too late to train a German Shepherd. Unlike some dog breeds, a German Shepherd is very intelligent and can learn throughout their entire life. A German Shepherd is never too old to train.

Tips & Warnings

• To establish yourself as pack leader you should always feed your German Shepherd after you have eaten. When walking through a doorway, you should go through first and train your German Shepherd to enter behind you.
• Never hit or abuse your German Shepherd to train them. Not only is this cruelty to animals, but it will lead to your dog displaying aggressive behavior towards you and others.
• Get help from a professional dog trainer if your German Shepherd starts showing any signs of aggression.

[truswell]

on 10/6/2009 I now have a 9 month old german shephard. Last owner no longer wanted her. and now I know why. We have had her for 3 days and each time we leave our home she goes #2 on my kids floor. Is it a Leader of the pack issue? a seperation issue, or a jealousy issue with the kids leaving and her not?? Not sure but I could use some advice on how to break this bad habbit!
Thanks

[davidedward1228]

on 10/5/2009 nievescarmen48
house training is a annoying but inmportent step in training any dog. house training helps set routine with your puppy and gets the message across that training is not a bad thing. now for your problem, feed the dog 2 times a day once after YOU eat breakfast and again after you eat dinner. afterwards take her/himn out and let them go to the bathroom, reward your dog when he/she used the bathroom.

[johnrapp]

on 7/31/2009 i got a German Shepherd, thanks for the tips.

[nievescarmen48]

on 6/17/2009 I need help training my German Shepard to go potty outside but i am not doing to well he goes on the porch which its outside but we walk him 6 times a day between 2 hours and half hour and he wont go outside so what can i do?

[mybabylucky]

on 1/19/2009 My Germen Shepard is going to be 2yrs. old at the end of April he is very lovable to us but not to others plus he loves to bite the arm not to hurt but so you cant get free like if he says (your not going anywhere)please he scares all the other kids on the block is there anything I can do to make him stop.