How to Train a German Shepherd – 4 Tips for Doing It the Right Way

Because they are smart and strong, German Shepherds have the ability to be good at just about anything. All they need from you are the tools to succeed… That’s why the right German Shepherd training regimen is so important!

German Shepherd’s love to please the people who love them. They have an innate fondness for obedience training. Your job is to keep it that way!

Don’t know how to train a German Shepherd? Get the ball rolling by following these 4 tips:

1. Start with leash training

German Shepherds need lots of exercise, but if your dog cannot behave on a leash, it’s hard to give him the workout he needs! Working with your dog on a leash is a great way to start out your German Shepherd training because it’s so basic. Your dog needs to learn how to walk or run properly on a leash, and understand that pulling or jumping is simply not acceptable.

German Shepherds have a lot of energy, so if your dog starts to pull, make him sit down and calm down before the walk continues. If you have to, gently push on his bottom to make him sit. It won’t take long to leash train a German Shepherd. After a few sits on a walk, your dog should understand the type of behavior you’re looking for.

2.  Establish yourself as the Alpha Dog

As big as they are, German Shepherds feel safe and secure when they know that their human “parents” are in charge. The key is to make your German Shepherd respect you. If your German Shepherd respects you, he will love and protect you. However, there is a big difference between respect and fear.

Many people don’t know how to train a German Shepherd, and they assume that a dog this big and muscular needs a firm hand. This couldn’t be further from the truth! The best German Shepherd training uses positive reinforcement. Reward your dog when he does something well – instead of punishing him when he does something wrong. If you want to train a German Shepherd the right way, positive reinforcement is an absolute necessity.

Aggressive training leads to aggressive dogs. If your German Shepherd’s training session revolves around you being angry, mean, or loud, your dog will start to act the same way.  When you train a German Shepherd, the goal is to socialize him and make him understand what types of behavior are appropriate. A negative approach can have irreversible, damaging consequences.

3.  Turn to obedience classes for the ultimate in socialization

By having a German Shepherd training class full of other people and dogs, your dog will get used to being around others. In fact, it can help your dog understand the difference between a person in the room – and a threat in the room.

At group German Shepherd training, your dog will learn basic commands, like “sit” and “stay”. If you don’t know how to train a German Shepherd, obedience school is a great way to start.

4.  Put your dog’s intelligence to good use

German Shepherds are some of the smartest dogs out there, so use it to your full advantage. A German Shepherd training session that treats your dog like he’s dumb will only make the sessions less fun for everyone involved.

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