"Training Your German Shepherd Will Prove To Be A Very Worthwhile Investment"
So you've decided that it's time you found out about training your German shepherd...maybe your new puppy's antics are starting to send you a little crazy, or you have an older German shepherd that needs the training to make her understand and follow your commands.
If so, you're in the right place.
There are lots of owners who don't bother training their German shepherd because they wrongly believe that because their dog does most of the things they ask, she doesn't need any further training.
The problem arises when she jumps up on visitors or other people she meets, runs headlong into the local forest to chase some unfortunate small animal, or starts rifling through your clean washing basket while you aren't looking.
Training your German shepherd is as much about training yourself as an owner to understand how she thinks and then learning how to give her commands that she understands and follows without hesitation.
Trained German shepherds understand that you are the master and they will love and respect you as the leader of their pack. Your dog will be aware that she lives in your home and has to abide by your rules and will be a wonderful companion for you and your family.
An untrained shepherd can be a nightmare, with habits that can show up as aggressive, anti-social behaviour and bring you lots of problems with neighbours and people who visit from time to time.
All in all, training your German shepherd will prove to be a wise investment of your time and money which will allow you to have many hours of enjoyment with your new puppy or dog.
Training Methods
Every German shepherd trainer you talk to will have a different opinion of what constitutes the 'best' method of teaching your puppy or dog how to obey you and your commands.
If they have been training for any length of time, they will have found a variety of methods that work most of the time for most of the dogs they meet, but some dogs have special needs and not every trainer will be able to teach every German shepherd.
There are many different dog training methods used around the World, but they basically fall into two major categories -
- Compulsive Training
- Inductive Training
Compulsive Training aims to force the dog to behave in a certain manner and uses corrective techniques which can sometimes be quite forceful. This type of training is often used by the military and the police force and can be very effective for dogs that are strong-willed and enthusiastic.
It is not usually ideal for dogs that are less intense and more easily trained, and many pet owners feel that it can be too harsh or rough for their pets. it does have it's place however and maybe the best form of dog training for your German shepherd if other less forceful methods do not produce the results you desire.
Inducive Training, on the other hand, offers rewards for good behaviour and following commands and avoids the harsh checks that Compulsive Training uses to force your dog to conform to your wishes.
This form of training works very well for the majority of dogs, especially puppies, and is perfect for owners who don't like to chastise their dog for any reason.
The problem with this form of training is given in isolation is that some strong-willed German shepherds will take advantage of the lack of discipline they receive and completely disregard the wishes of their owners ;-)
As with most things in life, the best form of training for your dog or puppy probably lies somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. The best option is to talk with prospective trainers in your area and ask them what methods they have personally found successful. Ask them if you can talk to previous customers about their experience with your prospective trainer to gauge the success of his or her methods.
Ask if you can watch a training session for yourself to see how the trainer relates to the dogs and the owners involved. Are the owners happy with the process and listening to the trainer? Are the dogs behaving well or losing interest?
If the trainer won't agree to let you watch a training session, find yourself another trainer...they either have something to hide or they don't have any confidence in their abilities to stand scrutiny. Either way, they are probably not the one for you.
Private or Group Lessons?
It is a personal choice whether you train your German shepherd in a group environment or in private lessons and there are benefits and drawbacks to each.
Group lessons will help to teach your dog to obey you when the are distractions around such as other people, cars and children playing. They can be a great social environment as well for you as an owner to meet other like-minded shepherd owners.
Private training sessions are better for dogs that are easily distracted and can't seem to concentrate on the lessons but would rather look at and get involved in everything else that is taking place around them. If your dog tends to exhibit any form of anti-social behaviour, then private lessons may be the only option you have available.
It is really a matter of you and your dog's specific needs and requirements.
Does she become aggressive around other dogs or does she mix well? Does she get easily distracted or can you hold her attention? How about you...do you feel comfortable meeting new people and being involves in groups or would you prefer the one-on-one privacy of a personal training environment?
By answering these questions, you should be able to decide on the best method of successfully training your new German shepherd.
The Stages Of Training Your German Shepherd
Your German shepherd will require ongoing training throughout the different stages of her life. The training life-cycle is outlined below, with links to pages that discuss the various levels of training your dog will require.
Puppy Training looks at her initial training classes where she will learn some basic lessons and get to socialize with other puppies in a safe and caring environment.
Obedience Training looks at the next stage in your German shepherd's education and what is involved in making her understand your commands and teaching her to work with you rather than against you.
Advanced Training takes her education further and looks at all sorts of enjoyable activities that you can do together as you learn more about the skills and abilities of your canine companion.
It also looks at other activities you and your German shepherd may want to become involved in such as Agility Training, Schutzhund, Therapy Dog Training and Scent Work including search and rescue exercises.
We hope this introduction to training your shepherd has helped you understand just what is involved in the ongoing education of your newest family member.
Quality training will pay handsome dividends over the years as you learn from each other and grow together.
We wish you all the best and hope that your training is an enjoyable experience for both of you.
If you would like any more information on educating your German shepherd or would like to comment on anything in this article, we'd love to hear from you.
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