German Shepherds are highly intelligent and energetic dog breeds. For a well-behaved and calm German Shepherd, training plays an important role. Pet parents need to have patience and consistency and follow the right approach to train their dogs. Understanding some effective dog training tips will help pet parents raise an obedient German Shepherd. Let’s dive deeper into this blog below to learn more about those tips. 
 

1. Start Training While They Are Young

As soon as you welcome a German Shepherd into your family, start training them. Dogs can start learning commands as early as eight weeks old. Their learning skills are great when they are young. Early training helps establish good behaviors and avoid the development of bad habits. It also helps in socialization as you expose your dog to different environments at an early age. 
 

2. Positive Reinforcement

This is one of the best training techniques for dogs. Also popular as reward-based training, it involves offering treats, toys, or just praising your dog verbally when they follow your command. It aims to encourage good behavior. For example, when you command your shepherd to “sit,” offer them treats as soon as they follow it. This also allows them to associate good behavior with the reward, which encourages them to repeat the behavior. Most importantly, don’t punish your furry companions when they don’t follow the commands. It requires patience to train a dog.
 

3. Consistency

Pet parents need to be consistent with their commands. Make sure that you, your family, and your neighbor use the same commands. For example, if you are teaching them to "sit," don’t use related terms like “sit down.” It will confuse your dog, and they won’t be able to understand what is expected of them.

4. Mental Stimulation

For any highly energetic and intelligent dog, mental stimulation is crucial to prevent boredom. Make sure to keep them engaged in activities such as obedience drills, puzzle toys, learning new tricks, hide and seek games, and other such games. This will avoid the development of destructive behaviors like excessive barking or chewing.

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5. Socialization

German Shepherds can be wary of strangers due to a lack of socialization. You can avoid this by exposing them to different environments, animals, and people. This will develop confidence and friendliness. You must also take them to parks, pet-friendly places, and obedience classes to ensure they are sociable and well-adjusted to new environments.
 

6. Exercise

Exercise is one of the most important parts of a German Shepherd’s daily routine. They need enough physical activity to use their energy and avoid behavioral problems. Assess your dog’s exercise needs and ensure that they at least exercise for 60 minutes a day. You can include activities like agility training, hiking, and fetch to prevent boredom and ensure they are healthy.
 

7. Correct Unwanted Behaviors

Your dog can exhibit unwanted behaviors, and they need to be addressed immediately. Delayed correction will confuse them, making training difficult. For example, if your dog jumps on guests, redirect them to sit before they get attention.
 

8. Start with Basic Commands

This is an important dog training tip. Before moving forward to advanced training, you need to teach your dog basic commands such as sit, stay, come, heel, and leave it. Once your dog masters these commands, you can introduce advanced commands and specialized training. 
 

9. Work on Impulse Control

Impulse control is important for an obedient German Shepherd. Commands like “wait,” “stay,” and “leave it” allow your dog to resist the urge to act on impulses. This training is useful in preventing chasing, jumping, and unnecessary barking. 
 

10. Train in Different Environments

Training in different situations helps your German shepherd generalize commands and behave well. You can practice commands in your home, parks, backyards, and even on busy streets. This ensures that your dog listens to you regardless of distractions. 
 

11. Consider Professional Training

If you think you need additional guidance from professionals, don’t hesitate to enroll your dog in obedience training classes or hire a professional dog trainer. Make sure to conduct background checks and get references from other pet parents to establish the credibility of the training center. 
 

Stay patient and positive while training your German Shepherd. Celebrate small progress, and over time, you will see significant improvements. Happy training!