German Shepherd Training: The Basics and Beyond

Dogs are pets that are beloved and owned by many people. While some fell in love with puppies, others prefer to adopt adult dogs from the shelter or rescue groups for they believe that puppies are often mischievous little rascals and sometimes even destructive. To prevent your new German Shepherd from becoming problematic, use the following article to help you get started with German Shepherd training.

Start your dog off on the right foot by installing good habits early on. It is more difficult for you and your dog to unlearn bad habits than it is to teach him good habits. Communication is one of the essential aspects of training your dog. Make your efforts to communicate easy to understand when you are training your dog. This especially applies to your verbal and nonverbal interactions, but the rewards you give and the corrections you make should be consistent, too. Always pay attention to the communication your dog is giving back to you as that will affect your training routine. If you learn to read his body language, you will know when he is too tired to continue training or when he has the energy to go on. Also use your dog's name when you want its attention. To have some good control over your dog, a solid response is crucial. Be sure to call your dog a dozen times a day until you are sure he knows his name, and will respond. Make sure you never punish your pet for responding to his name.

Dogs have a lot of energy to exhaust so make certain that you provide plenty of outlets for this to happen positively. A dog's needs include having the proper diet and being able to get a good amount of exercise. Table scraps must be avoided since some human foods such as raisins, chocolate and onions can be harmful for your pet while lack of exercise leads to boredom and trigger undesirable behaviors such as chewing, digging and excessive barking. These are essential in keeping your German Shepherd healthy, happy and problem-free.

Train your dog to respond well to vet visits. Rub your hands gently over his whole body, and praise him for his calm attitude. Work with him so he is tolerant of having his paws touched and teeth examined. Having a close family friend participate in these exercises will be very helpful.

Your love of dogs and your desire to keep your house presentable should not conflict. It is easier to love and care for an obedient, well-behaved dog, so investing some time and effort in your German Shepherd training is a great idea.

Patrick Hayes has been a German Shepherd owner for many years thus his knowledge on German Shepherd training. To find out more tips on German Shepherd training, feel free to visit the website dedicated to the breed.