Factors Training German Shepherd Dogs

Dogs Training

Training German Shepherd Dogs: The Human Factor

One of the most important things a person new to training German Shepherd dogs should understand is the personality of the breed being trained. Each dog breed have different temperaments.

Knowing the temperament of the breed that you are training helps you better understand as to what course of action to take throughout the training process.

The German Shepherd breed is described as one that has a personality that is self confident, fearless but not hostile, and can be somewhat aloof. Properly training German Shepherd dogs makes them approachable, confident, and willing to embrace overtures without themselves doing it.

The second biggest factor in training German Shepherd pets is the trainer. The success of the whole training process does not rely on the dog’s ability to absorb the training, but rather on the ability of the trainer to make the dog understand what he or she wants it to do.

The Teaching/Training Mindset

What most people sometimes overlook is the difference e between “teaching” and “training”. “Between “teaching my dog how to sit” and “training my dog how to sit”, what could be the difference?”

When you teach someone, you impart what knowledge you have to that individual. In this case, a German Shepherd. On the other hand, when you train someone you not only impart knowledge, but do it so in a cumulative way. To simplify things, training is a continuous process.

Now since training German Shepherd dogs is a continuous process, a trainer must have lots of patience to see things through, much more if you’re training your German Shepherd puppy.

Patience mixed with dedication is what can make or break training German Shepherd dogs

Training dogs, especially puppies, is almost the same as training human babies. A trainer must understand that he or she is dealing with a creature that has little to no idea as to what exactly you want it to do.

Because of this, being frustrated with regards to the pace and the ability of your “student” to absorb the program is a constant. In spite of this, you must not lose interest nor give up.

Like what I’ve been saying over and over again, patience must be applied throughout the whole training process. If your dog does not respond, or is easily distracted, find ways to get its full attention.

Here are two tips on how to deal with these problems.

Use Treats

Dogs are suckers for food. In training German Shepherd dogs, or even during playtime, always keep a treat with you. Whenever your GSD does what it is told to do, give him or her a treat. The reward system is a very effective way of getting your dog’s attention.

Also, it instills to the dog that any favorable action he or she does will be rewarded. And since dogs are eager to please its master, the reward system would increase their willingness to perform.

Repetition

Training is all about repetition. Make sure to do the same thing over and over again until the commands become second nature for your GSD. Do not assume that because your dog did well for the past two days that it already is trained. Dog training does not happen overnight, nor are there any shortcuts.

This little article of mine in training German Shepherd dogs deviates from most articles you might have come across. The rationale behind it is to further explore the human side of GSD training.

I do hope that the things written here can help you see things from a different angle, and further help you in turning your GSD into a cherished family member.