How to train a German shepherd dog? It can be an easy task if you know some basic principles. This breed is highly intelligent, quick to learn new tricks, and easy to discipline. If you want to make your life easier as a dog owner, here are some useful tips:
Requires Consistency
Training a German shepherd requires consistency. Instead of yelling at your dog to stop jumping, try using positive reinforcement during a german shepherd dog training Miami, FL. Then, reinforce that behavior by giving it food or a treat. You can use food as a reward if it does not interrupt other activities. A reward for fetching a ball can also be a good reward. German shepherds learn faster if you reward them for being calm and friendly.
The first thing you should remember is that German shepherds have very high energy levels and will need a lot of exercises to stay fit. It would help if you exercised and mentally stimulated them to keep them from becoming destructive. Walking your dog daily or going to a dog park is good for their development. You can also take them to puppy classes to get social with other dogs. Puppy classes will help you overcome problems with your dog, like resource guarding, and increase your dog’s mental stimulation. By increasing their exposure to new people, German shepherds will become less prone to anxiety, aggression, and stress.
Basic Commands
Training your German Shepherd dog will involve giving it basic commands that you can use to reward your pet. Puppies are not the best students and will need to be taught these commands slowly and patiently. It is best to start with short five to ten-minute training sessions and end on a good note. Rewarding your puppy for a good job is a great way to make him feel good about the training.
While training a German Shepherd, use toys as training rewards. For example, when your puppy learns that a biscuit is a reward, could you give him a toy instead? German Shepherds love to chew on their favorite toys.
Discipline
Disciplining a German shepherd dog is simple, but you must be persistent. Positive interruption and redirection to stop your dog from misbehaving is an effective way to curb unwanted behavior. Discipline also includes using timeouts to correct a bad habit. Discipline should never involve yelling or hitting your dog. It can instill fear in a German shepherd, which should never happen.One of the best ways to correct your German Shepherd’s bad behavior is to catch him in the act:
- Say a firm “NO!” without yelling or hitting.
- When your German Shepherd shows the behavior, try repositioning him so that he doesn’t repeat it.
- Use a positive interruption cue, such as a different word, to redirect his attention to your desired behavior.
Clicker Training
Clicker training can be very effective for dogs with difficulty recognizing and following verbal commands. For example, the dog should be clicked when he approaches you to accept a treat. You can also click when your dog places his mouth on a treat. It will ensure that your dog learns to wait for the clicker. Eventually, you can eliminate the clicker and only use it for positive reinforcement.
A clicker is a great tool for training your German Shepherd. It works by giving your dog a positive response when he performs the desired behavior. Using small treats when training your dog is best, but you can also use toys. Toys may not be able to be retrieved as quickly, so you should use your discretion when presenting them to your dog. Make sure you choose treats according to your dog’s preference, however.
Hand Signals
Verbal cues are helpful when teaching a dog how to perform a particular action. Most of the time, these cues are commanded words with an associated tone of voice. The clicker is one example of a verbal cue associated with a positive response. As your dog gets used to using hand signals, you should drop verbal commands and stick with hand signals. Verbal cues may become redundant once your dog understands hand signals, so be consistent with your training.
When using hand signals to train a German shepherd dog, keep the training session distraction-free. Ensure your dog is looking at you and listening to your commands. Choose a quiet environment with minimal distractions so that you and your dog can focus on training. If you don’t have a quiet room to train in, try using different sounds to catch your dog’s attention. Once he understands the signal, you can move on to more complicated exercises.
Treats
Use treats to train your German Shepherd dog! Treats are a great way to teach your dog tricks and commands. When your dog acts correctly, it will be rewarded, encouraging him to do the same thing again. Make sure you praise your dog and give them treats after every try! Then, you can introduce the next trick set by showing your dog how to do it.
When choosing treats to train a German Shepherd, make sure you find ones that your dog will enjoy. Look for healthy and delicious ones, and don’t break the bank. Choose ones that contain omega fatty acids, as these are essential for a healthy coat and skin.
