Obedience Training Tips
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Site was updated: 06/27/14
Too often someone will get a German Shepherd puppy and underestimate the amount of time needed to effectively train it. Training your dog is pretty straightforward, give him praise when he does something you want, and correct him when he does something wrong. Do this over and over and eventually your German Shepherd will be trained. In essence, training your dog enhances the bond you share. Effective training establishes you as the leader of the pack, which makes your dog more comfortable.
The bases of all training is about the three A's of training:
Attention: is generated by making yourself (the handler) the most interesting thing to your dog.
Attitude: comes from work with the dogs drives so training becomes enjoyable for your dog.
Accuracy: results when discipline reinforces correct habits through the dogs drive.
First, understand that your dogs' behavior is largely governed by instinct and it is up to you to temper that instinct with conditioned behavior through human training. This can be done by correctly establishing a social hierarchy within your household from the first day you bring your German Shepherd puppy home.
What does this mean to the training process? It means that if you are going to effectively train your German Shepherd, you need to become the Alph dog of your pack. That will establish a proper relationship between you and your dog from the start; he will bond to you more closely, more deeply and work harder to please you, if understands his relationship with you.
The bases of all training is about the three A's of training:
Attention: is generated by making yourself (the handler) the most interesting thing to your dog.
Attitude: comes from work with the dogs drives so training becomes enjoyable for your dog.
Accuracy: results when discipline reinforces correct habits through the dogs drive.
First, understand that your dogs' behavior is largely governed by instinct and it is up to you to temper that instinct with conditioned behavior through human training. This can be done by correctly establishing a social hierarchy within your household from the first day you bring your German Shepherd puppy home.
What does this mean to the training process? It means that if you are going to effectively train your German Shepherd, you need to become the Alph dog of your pack. That will establish a proper relationship between you and your dog from the start; he will bond to you more closely, more deeply and work harder to please you, if understands his relationship with you.
TRAINING TIPS
Socialization
What your puppy learns about people and his environment now will stay with him for the rest of his life. From his fourth to twelfth week a puppy acquires almost all of his adult sensory, motor and learning abilities. The more loving interaction you establish now, the stronger the bond your dog will have with you later. Plan to spend at least two periods a day playing with your puppy. Use playtime to teach your puppy the basic training commands.
As soon as your veterinarian says it's safe, you should also begin exposing your puppy to as much of the outside world as possible. Introduce your pup to a variety of positive experiences. Visits three new places a week and introduce him to five new people at each place (find a variety of people). Take your pup on regular car rides-use a carrier to insure safer driving.
Puppies may be predisposed to developing phobias between 8 and 11 weeks of age. During this time, you may want to be cautious when exposing your puppy to particularly stressful experiences, like large crowds and unusually loud noises. If he does become frightened, reassure him in a cheerful voice and pass it off quickly. Keep in mind; your puppy will sense feelings from you, so keep your response fairly matter-of-fact. Too much attention to a frightening experience may actually encourage a phobia.
Brush your pup daily with lots of affection and reassurance to make it a special time for both of you. At the same time, handle your pup's feet and ears and open his mouth for inspection. Massage him all over. If the pup fusses, say "no" firmly. When he is quiet, talk to him in a soft, pleasant voice. Similarly, teaching your puppy to allow you to wipe his paws now will be a real asset when he's full grown, bounding inside with wet feet on a rainy day!
Socialization
What your puppy learns about people and his environment now will stay with him for the rest of his life. From his fourth to twelfth week a puppy acquires almost all of his adult sensory, motor and learning abilities. The more loving interaction you establish now, the stronger the bond your dog will have with you later. Plan to spend at least two periods a day playing with your puppy. Use playtime to teach your puppy the basic training commands.
As soon as your veterinarian says it's safe, you should also begin exposing your puppy to as much of the outside world as possible. Introduce your pup to a variety of positive experiences. Visits three new places a week and introduce him to five new people at each place (find a variety of people). Take your pup on regular car rides-use a carrier to insure safer driving.
Puppies may be predisposed to developing phobias between 8 and 11 weeks of age. During this time, you may want to be cautious when exposing your puppy to particularly stressful experiences, like large crowds and unusually loud noises. If he does become frightened, reassure him in a cheerful voice and pass it off quickly. Keep in mind; your puppy will sense feelings from you, so keep your response fairly matter-of-fact. Too much attention to a frightening experience may actually encourage a phobia.
Brush your pup daily with lots of affection and reassurance to make it a special time for both of you. At the same time, handle your pup's feet and ears and open his mouth for inspection. Massage him all over. If the pup fusses, say "no" firmly. When he is quiet, talk to him in a soft, pleasant voice. Similarly, teaching your puppy to allow you to wipe his paws now will be a real asset when he's full grown, bounding inside with wet feet on a rainy day!
Leash Training Fundamentals
Complete leash training is a gradual process. However, the fundamentals of leash training are an essential part of basic puppy training. Begin by having your puppy wear a collar. He/She may resist this at first but do not give in; for the safety of your puppy this is one rule that must not be broken. Once your puppy is used to the collar, begin letting her drag her leash around the house, under your supervision. When it's potty time, guide the puppy to her potty place on her leash. Get her used to walking on your left side by simply placing her there each and every time you take her outside. Most puppies learn to love their leash since it's a signal they're going outside - and puppies love to explore!
Heel
Once your puppy is used to his/her leash, you can introduce the command, "Heel." or "which ever command word you choose to use. You can find a list of commands on this link to Common Dog Commands. Stand with your puppy at your left side and start your walk. Talk to your puppy and keep her focused on you by making yourself the most interesting thing in her line of sight. When she becomes distracted and runs ahead, as she undoubtedly will, call her name and say, "Heel," and make an abrupt U-turn to the right. She will find herself behind you and hurry back to your side. Praise her and repeat. Make it fun for your puppy to heel with your praise and excitement and she will learn quickly.
Complete leash training is a gradual process. However, the fundamentals of leash training are an essential part of basic puppy training. Begin by having your puppy wear a collar. He/She may resist this at first but do not give in; for the safety of your puppy this is one rule that must not be broken. Once your puppy is used to the collar, begin letting her drag her leash around the house, under your supervision. When it's potty time, guide the puppy to her potty place on her leash. Get her used to walking on your left side by simply placing her there each and every time you take her outside. Most puppies learn to love their leash since it's a signal they're going outside - and puppies love to explore!
Heel
Once your puppy is used to his/her leash, you can introduce the command, "Heel." or "which ever command word you choose to use. You can find a list of commands on this link to Common Dog Commands. Stand with your puppy at your left side and start your walk. Talk to your puppy and keep her focused on you by making yourself the most interesting thing in her line of sight. When she becomes distracted and runs ahead, as she undoubtedly will, call her name and say, "Heel," and make an abrupt U-turn to the right. She will find herself behind you and hurry back to your side. Praise her and repeat. Make it fun for your puppy to heel with your praise and excitement and she will learn quickly.
Come
This basic training command should be started from the first day you bring your puppy home. As with all the basic commands, you should announce your intention by calling his name first, followed by the one word command - i.e., "Max, come!" Make the invitation as inviting as possible by using an enthusiastic voice. When he stumbles to you, praise generously. If he doesn't come immediately, give a tug on his leash, then guide him to you.
If you're having trouble getting your puppy to come, examine your technique. Are you using his name, getting his attention? Squat down to his level and put a lot of energy into an enthusiastic command. Praise lavishly and repeat quickly - puppies typically enjoy learning to come to their leader. Never use "Come" in an angry tone or to call our puppy for a punishment. "Come" must be seen as a positive behavior.
This basic training command should be started from the first day you bring your puppy home. As with all the basic commands, you should announce your intention by calling his name first, followed by the one word command - i.e., "Max, come!" Make the invitation as inviting as possible by using an enthusiastic voice. When he stumbles to you, praise generously. If he doesn't come immediately, give a tug on his leash, then guide him to you.
If you're having trouble getting your puppy to come, examine your technique. Are you using his name, getting his attention? Squat down to his level and put a lot of energy into an enthusiastic command. Praise lavishly and repeat quickly - puppies typically enjoy learning to come to their leader. Never use "Come" in an angry tone or to call our puppy for a punishment. "Come" must be seen as a positive behavior.
Sit
Teaching your puppy to sit can keep him out of a world of trouble and do wonderful things for your relationship - and by eight weeks of age, he's ready to learn this basic command. Start by getting your puppy's attention, then using his name and the command, "Max, sit," gently help your dog to a sitting position by folding his back legs under his bottom. Once sitting, praise him. Repeat the exercise often to reinforce the training.
Teaching your puppy to sit can keep him out of a world of trouble and do wonderful things for your relationship - and by eight weeks of age, he's ready to learn this basic command. Start by getting your puppy's attention, then using his name and the command, "Max, sit," gently help your dog to a sitting position by folding his back legs under his bottom. Once sitting, praise him. Repeat the exercise often to reinforce the training.
Down
Your tone of voice for the Down command is important. It must be different from your Sit command. Use a deeper, more authoritative tone of voice. Make your Down command serious, but not threatening.
When first teaching the down, begin with your puppy standing (not sitting) near your. Show him food in your right hand just in front of his nose. As soon as he shows interest in the food, close your hand. Lower it down slowly all the way to the ground as your puppy's head follows it down. The food arrives at the ground, your puppy's head should be positioned near his elbow, not forward toward his paws. If his rear is still in the air, use your left hand to stroke his spine, beginning just behind the withers. Stroke, do not push, if you try to push, his natural instinct is to resist the pressure. Praise him and continue to give him a nibble of food to encourage him to stay in the Down. You must always teach your puppy a free command to release him from a sit or a down. We use Free Dog, you can use whatever words work best for you. Praise your puppy while he is down. Then release him. Always praise during the down, but just act normal after the release until he understand the difference.
Training is not for everyone, so if you had rather bring your puppy/dog back to us for training click the button below for more information:
Your tone of voice for the Down command is important. It must be different from your Sit command. Use a deeper, more authoritative tone of voice. Make your Down command serious, but not threatening.
When first teaching the down, begin with your puppy standing (not sitting) near your. Show him food in your right hand just in front of his nose. As soon as he shows interest in the food, close your hand. Lower it down slowly all the way to the ground as your puppy's head follows it down. The food arrives at the ground, your puppy's head should be positioned near his elbow, not forward toward his paws. If his rear is still in the air, use your left hand to stroke his spine, beginning just behind the withers. Stroke, do not push, if you try to push, his natural instinct is to resist the pressure. Praise him and continue to give him a nibble of food to encourage him to stay in the Down. You must always teach your puppy a free command to release him from a sit or a down. We use Free Dog, you can use whatever words work best for you. Praise your puppy while he is down. Then release him. Always praise during the down, but just act normal after the release until he understand the difference.
Training is not for everyone, so if you had rather bring your puppy/dog back to us for training click the button below for more information:
