| German Shepherds make great pets and are one of | | | | around people and other dogs. This should prevent |
| the most versatile and hardest working dogs in the | | | | them from developing aggression issues towards |
| world. They can be trained to do almost anything and | | | | strangers or other dogs. |
| are often trained to be police dogs or other service | | | | There are several ways to go around training German |
| dogs. Because of their versatility, training German | | | | Shepherds. The first way is to sign up for professional |
| Shepherds needs to be approached a little different | | | | dog training. This can be quite expensive, though, and |
| than most other dogs. Read on then check the links at | | | | tie you to a specific class time one or more times a |
| the bottom for some great dog training resources. | | | | week. If you miss a week, you may come in the next |
| German Shepherds are athletic, strong, and relatively | | | | week and find out your dog doesn't know what the |
| large for a dog. They love challenges and will do | | | | other dogs do and you are now on your own catching |
| almost anything if you show them what you want. | | | | up. |
| Before you start, there are some things you need to | | | | A potentially better and certainly cheaper way to train |
| know about training German Shepherds and the dog | | | | your German Shepherd is to buy a dog training book. |
| breed in general. | | | | This will cost you a lot less than professional training |
| When they are young, they can be very excitable and | | | | class and for most dogs this will provide all the training |
| rambunctious. Because of their large size even when | | | | information you need. If you have a problem dog, you |
| young, there can be problems knocking over the | | | | may have to look into professional help, but I would try |
| elderly or small children that may be around. They | | | | the DIY method first. You are going to have to be |
| aren’t being aggressive or mean, this is just | | | | involved in training process either way so why not try |
| because of their size and nature. Letting your dog | | | | to do it at home when you want to. |
| know this is not acceptable is one area you really | | | | In my opinion, there are 2 keys to German Shepherd |
| need to address right away with your German | | | | training and pretty much all dog training. First, you must |
| Shepherd training. | | | | be consistent and use simple commands. Second, you |
| If left alone, they can also be quite destructive | | | | must use positive reinforcement. Your dog wants to |
| because of their size and excitability. A bored puppy | | | | please you more than you can imagine so make sure |
| or young dog can destroy a house if left alone without | | | | you praise them when they do a good job. |
| any stimulation. | | | | Do yourself a favor and download the Secrets to Dog |
| It is important that you socialize any dog to make sure | | | | Training to learn all the secrets you need to know to |
| they are comfortable around other people and dogs. | | | | make your training experience a pleasant and |
| German Shepherds are no exception. You need to put | | | | rewarding one. Good luck with your new pet! |
| them in non-threatening situations where they are | | | | |