The biggest mistake people make with German Shepherd dog training is starting out with basic commands like sit, stay, lay down, and the like.
This is a major oversight and will only result in what amounts to parlor tricks, if you haven’t already established your role as the leader in your dog’s eyes.
This type of training starts the first day you bring your new puppy home, and it must be practiced on a daily basis for the maximum effect.
Put yourself in the position of pack leader, then all the novel training just becomes a matter of time and practice.
The first thing you can do to train your dog to obey and follow you, physically and mentally, is to enter and exit every door first, whether it’s interior or exterior.
Putting your shepherd in this physical following state, will naturally and instinctively begin to form a following mentality too.
This is the first step, no pun intended, to getting the most out of your GSD’s famous obedience and loyalty traits.
One other early thing to watch for and correct is biting, because German Shepherds are very mouthy dogs, even if they are just playing.
You are not a chew toy, and any biting, chewing, or teething on your or any other person should be stopped immediately, and replaced with an actual toy, bone, or rawhide.
This will take some patience, especially during the early teething stages, but consistency and persistence are key to any type of training.
Once you’ve mastered these two basic concepts, it’s time to move on to one more abstract form of training: socialization.
German Shepherds are very loyal dogs, and without proper training, this can lead to them being over-protective and aggressive toward other animals and guests.
While I rarely recommend dog parks, because of the irresponsibility and unpredictable nature of many owners and their pets, they are great for socializing your dog, even if you just walk them up to the fence and around.
If you feel comfortable with the dogs, and there aren’t too many, then letting them in can help their social skills, as long as they are learning from other well-behaved dogs.
No matter where you take them, getting them around other people and animals is essential and must be done as often as possible. If you see any signs of aggression of over-protectiveness, stop and correct them immediately.
Use calm and assertive commands, never violence, because that will only escalate the situation now or in the future.
Once you’ve got this foundation laid, the tricks and basic commands become a cinch.
The most useful are sit, stay, lay down, and heel, because they can be used in public situations by you or others to keep your dog in control at all times.
German Shepherd dog training is well worth the effort, because it can really make your GSD shine, while providing physical and mental stimulation for both of you.
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Owning a dog is a great joy, but it can also be a great challenge as more and more it seems, laws and regulations about pet ownership is being implemented in various parts of the country. This is due, to some extent, because of the irresponsibility of some dog owners – who have not trained their dogs at a young age – with the end result being a dog that barks all the time, jumps on everyone and fails to respond to simple commands such as stay, heel or sit. Not only is this annoying for everyone involved, it can also be highly dangerous to the dog.
Fortunately, as a dog owner, you can get some help from a reputable, professional and knowledgeable dog training or obedience school. If you are fortunate enough to live in the Long Island, Brooklyn or Queens area of the US, you have access to many progressive and professional dog obedience schools. Choosing the right dog training school is daunting, but there are some guidelines to follow that can make your search much easier. Always look for a dog training school that puts your pet and its security above all else. This will mean a school that works with dog trainers who truly like animals and are not just there to “discipline”. You want someone who will treat your dog respectfully.
There are a variety of methods available, when it comes to training your dog. However, look for a dog school that is progressive – that will train your dog on-leash as well as off-leash. Look for a school that offers “boarding” services, but with a twist – your dog will be “boarded” but not in a kennel, but rather in a regular home, designed to accommodate this type of training. Your pet will learn basic obedience techniques such as sit, no jumping, leave it, etc., all the while interacting with other dogs as well as other human beings. In essence your dog will get the obedience training while co-existing within a regular family environment. This type of obedience training has shown to be very effective and beneficial for your dog – who learns to blend in as a regular member of a household. If you are unsure you need dog training to this extent, then you might consider a dog training school that offers you behavior and modification consultation.
If your dog is acting up in certain situations or has a “bad habit”, you may want to consult with dog training professionals. They can assess the problem areas and set up a modification program that will help you train your dog. If you are located in the New York, Long Island or Brooklyn area, log on to the Internet and locate a professional firm that is located right at your fingertips, for those of you who are situated in other parts of the country, don’t despair, you can located some qualified dog training schools in your area.
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