There may be secrets in the basic puppy training approach to training German Shepherds, but Dove Creswell covers it all in her online puppy and dog training package.
Secrets of German Shepherd Training
Training a German Shepherd can be as simple as it can get challenging. The training is no different from what is imparted to other canines. The German Shepherd learns quickly and is generally very alert…
German Shepherd training secrets involve teaching the canine to display a certain code of conduct around environment, circumstance and established responsibility. The animal is known to make a good watch dog and adapts easily to indoor or outdoor dog kennel arrangements. The German Shepherd responds easily to command. This particular breed reciprocates well to certain methods and combinations of methods to learn obedience. German Shepherds take to herding, tracking, retrieving, hunting and guarding easily. They are agile and alert by inherited nature.
Secrets of German Shepherd Training:
German Shepherds are taught basic ‘dog obedience training’ through commands, tricks, leading and rescuing techniques and hunting. The canine is known to respond to instinctive behavior at appropriate times. Though the specific behavior pattern of the German Shepherd may differ from that of other canines, the underlying principles are not very different. The trainer has to take on the ‘alpha’ role prior and while training the animal. German Shepherds are best trained young, since their natural instincts favor cooperation early. The instincts and the training get refined through the formative years of selective behavior. The German Shepherd is popular as a domestic dog not only because of its correct interpretation of training techniques, but also due to the breed’s natural ability to respond to signals promptly.
The secrets of German Shepherd training include:
Develop a common language: The German Shepherd is naturally endowed for advanced training and service for intended purpose. It is very important to ensure that the pet dog understands commands. Like other canines, German Shepherds too do not figure out the ‘obedience’ on their own. They have to be trained and like other modes of animal communication, training a German Shepherd too calls for the development of signs and commands that the dog can understand. The underlying principle of the communication should be simple – reward good behavior and ignore or correct the undesired.
Get the basics right: The trainer should endeavor to get the basic pet obedience training commands right before getting over-ambitious. The common commands of ‘sit’, ‘down’, ‘stay’, ‘come’ and ‘loose-leash’ should be practiced first, and thoroughly. The animal should be able to execute the basic commands ‘by ear’. The first two weeks of a German Shepherd puppy’s life, or the neonate period is excellent for training. The pups learn from simple associations. They show amazing capacity to sense and learn. The pups soon enter the socialization period, when play, investigation, mock fighting and body contact helps to developing strong social relationships.
Reward desired behavior: German Shepherds love to be rewarded. The pups respond well to rewards in the form of praise and petting, pet food treats like bones and biscuits and play. In fact, failure to reward the canine only makes training more difficult. Rewards also help the animal to differentiate between safe and dangerous situations and behavior.
Correct undesired behavior: Correction should never involve physical force or violence. This kind of behavior by the ‘alpha’ only results in a loss of enthusiasm, stress and show of aggression. The German Shepherd responds well to a light jerk on the collar. The best alternative to physical correction is to deprive the canine of a preferred location or an activity.
Co-ordinate hand-sound commands: German Shepherd puppies begin learning commands and tricks early. It is preferable to consider the pup’s stamina and then build on concentration and desired physical coordination. The hand-sound co-ordination should be simple and such that the animal is able to relate to one without the other at times. The command ‘sit’ with a wave of the hand should be thorough and in the absence of the dog trainer, the canine should be able to sit on verbal command.
The secret of dog training lies in timely application of reinforcing techniques. It is very important for the canine and trainer to be very comfortable with one another. German Shepherds should be socialized regularly. Training the animal will take time. It should be a natural process that is interspersed with vaccinations, socialization and domestic and outdoor fiasco.
| By Gaynor Borade Published: 2/3/2009 |
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Posted under Puppy Training Classes
This post was written by Noel DCosta on March 4, 2009
I really like this article! Thanks for sharing it! Tom