Training German Shepard or Chiuaua

Question
I'm thinking of getting a German Shepard or a Chiuaua what in your opinion is the easiest to train? Is there a big difference in training a big dog vs a small dog.

Answer
Wow, Amanda; there's a big difference between Chihuahuas and German Shepherds! It's interesting that you're considering one or the other. There really isn't that much difference in training small dogs or big dogs; the concepts are all the same, you just have to be a little more gentle when correcting a small dog because of their size. Smaller dogs can also be a little more difficult in that you have to get down on their level, and some people cannot bend and stoop as well as others. As for which would be easiest to train, it all depends on you and the dog. German Shepherds need an owner that can be a strong and firm leader, whereas you can get by with being a little more slack with Chihuahuas. That doesn't mean that you can let them get by with more; it simply means that Chihuahuas do not have to have as strong (mentally, not physically) a leader to respect them. If you are a first-time dog owner, or have no experience with German Shepherds as a breed, DEFINATELY go with the Chihuahua to start with.

My main concern would be your reason for wanting the dog. German Shepherds require a lot of time, energy, and money. If you're just wanting a dog to be a companion, I'd say go with the Chihuahua, again. HOWEVER, be very careful where you get the dog from. Do NOT go to a pet store to get your dog. Also, stay away from the ads in the paper. Most times, dogs that come from these places are poorly bred, and can suffer from behavior problems as well as genetic issues that can result in costly vet bills. No matter which dog you choose, make sure you're getting it from a reputable breeder (contact the local branch of the AKC - go to http://www.akc.org to search for branches in your area), contact breed-rescue groups, or check the local animal shelter! You'd be surprised at how many purebred dogs end up in shelters.

If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Kristen