German shepherds are the most versatile dog breed in the world. They are liked everywhere because of their unparalleled loyalty, smartness, agility, strength and their most-loved trait of easily adapting to the environment. Where most dogs have unique capabilities at the peak, German shepherds have a bunch of all even if not each, at the best, but moderate enough to be called an all-rounder.
It is their fast-learning capability that makes them the most preferred dog breed globally. If considering all the factors, you have adopted a German shepherd puppy and want to train them to get the most out of them in the long run as a companion, gatekeeper, to deploy them for a search and rescue mission, or perform the basic duty of herding for which they were originally developed. We will give you the best effective ways to train a German Shepherd puppy so you can reap the fruits of a reliable pet for longer.
1. Begin with Socialization
2. Use Reward-Based Positive Reinforcement Training
3. Stick to Consistent Commands Repeatedly
4. Teach basic obedience early
5. Mental stimulation is key
6. Provide plenty of physical exercise
7. Establish an emotional bond
8. Enroll in obedience classes
- Begin with Socialization
German shepherds are protective in nature; therefore, it is important to socialize them by taking them out regularly for a morning and evening walk so they can mingle with strangers, play with other dogs, and recognize other animals and sounds in the surroundings. This regular activity will help them to become aware of their surroundings and the things that contribute to them. It will save them from becoming reactive or getting panic attacks when listening to the sudden sounds of lorry horns, kids screaming, or a bunch of stray dogs fighting together.
- Use Reward-Based Positive Reinforcement Training
Training done in a playful way with affection gives immediate and lasting results. Therefore, do not make this part pushy to your dog; otherwise, it will feel overwhelming to them, resulting in avoidance from their side or a no-response attitude. Such a negative response may be misinterpreted by your side as no progress.
So, start off with the minor tasks like bringing the ball back and to add a strong motivator, play this game as a training tool before the mealtime so the meal becomes their reward. For the other training task, you can also replace the meal reward with a toy reward, which may include different types of toys every other time. It will give them a new reward for a new task.
Also, make sure to stick with the timings at the early stages of training, as it will work as a reminder to them. Like playing with a ball in the yard in the daytime before lunch. You can also change timings to see which sessions are more effective and then continue following them until the newly trained outcome becomes a regular habit.
- Stick to Consistent Commands Repeatedly
When using specific words as commands like “sit”, “up”, “walk”, “stop”, and using the gestures with them, make these command combos consistent throughout day and within your family as well. It means that each family member practices the same commands so the dog doesn’t get confused and become used to of it easily. The purpose of the training should be to make a habit that your dog remembers for the rest of his life.
- Teach basic obedience early
Basic obedience trainings today help lay the foundation for strong command and control tomorrow. Considering the same, start with the core training that includes using specific words and gestures to get the basic actions done, like sit, stand up, come, leave it, walk, run, stop, and keep quiet, etc.
This basic training activity will build up a routine stamina in your dog to get ready to learn something new each day or week. Besides, it will strengthen your bond with your dog, giving you a timely leverage to teach them something advanced without feeling burdened or overwhelmed.
- Mental stimulation is key
Attending a class every day to learn something new without experiencing anything enticing or stimulating feels boring to the dog. Consequently, they may show reluctance, a non-cooperative or boring attitude, leading you to leave frustrated when they begin to show a decline in their progress. To cater to this, consider using toys, games, and treats to reward them. For example, you may direct your dog to find a hidden treat, which will automatically reward them in the shape of eatables, besides helping them easily learn your command for search.
You can explore here the best treats for dogs that are the best treats for them and are great tools for stimulation too.
- Provide plenty of physical exercise
Do not let your dog become clumsy; otherwise, it will become weak over time. Keep them engaged in physical activities or healthy sports like tug of war, fetch a frisbee, chase a rabbit, running through obstacles, and also take them for a daily walk in different atmospheres, like most often in hustling and bustling urban areas, and other times in rural and seashore areas too. The physical activity will boost their physical and mental growth, besides contributing positively towards their healthy sleeping pattern.
- Establish an emotional bond
Hugging, petting, playing, and caring help create an unconditional bond with your dog. Develop a similar emotional attachment with your dog by spending time with them, in which teaching should not be the focus; rather, nurturing a bond should be the priority. It will help both of you to understand each other and grow a bond that will eventually help you in training your dog in a way that will give you lasting results. To develop such a bond, you can also use a clicker to attract their attention, but use it as one of the ways of creating an emotional bond instead of completely using it as a communication device.
- Enroll in obedience classes
If it is your first time keeping a dog and you are not getting a constructive response despite putting in weeks of effort, then it is recommended to get professional guidance. In some cases, there could be a mental illness with the dog, which could result in non-responsive behavior, and this can only be pointed out by the professionals who have years of experience training the specific breeds like German shepherds. Enrolling your dog for obedience classes will also give you sufficient learning about how to deal with a dog at the early stage of training, how to communicate with them for goal-oriented results, and understanding the reasons behind their responsive vs non-responsive attitude.
In a Nutshell
Training one of the best dog breeds in the world requires patience, discipline, consistency, and adequate amount of learning from those who are either professional trainers or have years of experience raising and training a dog. On the other hand, it is equally important to notice that not all dogs perform the same way, no matter if the breed is the same; being a living creature, each dog has their own unique way of responding, learning, and creating a bond with their owners.
