Training a German Shepherd - where to start training, first commands, basic rules

The German Shepherd is considered one of the smartest dog breeds.

But in order for the working and protective qualities inherent in it by nature to be fully revealed, the dog must be properly raised and trained.

If you do not devote time to training your shepherd, it will grow up ill-mannered and may even become dangerous to others.

How to properly train a German Shepherd at home: where to start, how to conduct classes and avoid mistakes?

Are they easy to train?

The German Shepherd is an intelligent and quick-witted dog . She learns easily and willingly, memorizing new commands quite quickly and is ready to do everything to please her owner.

Duration of classes

To properly educate and reinforce the desired behavior, it is necessary to take into account the age characteristics of the puppy.

From a month to a year is the period of maximum receptivity of the German Shepherd, when training is especially easy and the connection between the owner and the pet, as between the leader and the subordinate individual in the pack, is finally consolidated. But “subordinate” does not mean “lack of initiative” or “cowardly”! The German Shepherd is a full member of your human pack!

In order not to end up with a morally broken dog, when raising (socialization, games, obedience), it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics and age of the person being trained:

for puppies 1.5-2 months old, the duration of classes should not exceed 5-10 minutes;
for 3 months the time can be increased by 5-7 minutes;
from 4 months, the lesson can last up to 20 minutes;
The duration of classes with a puppy should increase gradually, and by the age of 1 year, lessons can last up to 40 minutes.

Attention! Even if your pet is a genius (in your opinion), you cannot allow time to reach the point of exhaustion!

A German Shepherd puppy develops mentally and physically according to its breed, and to force the initial training skills means to end up with a shepherd that awaits the next order with indifference or horror.

The dog, as dog experts say, will “get stuck,” and this is a serious step back, which most often leads to the complete inability of the individual to learn at an older age. The “spell” must be prevented at all costs! Be patient, over time everything will work out, and you will get the dog you dreamed of when purchasing the BUT puppy.

By raising a puppy with the help of play exercises, you instill in him the necessary skills for further training, and the exercises themselves easily fit into everyday interaction with the puppy on a walk and at home.

At what age should you start?

Dog training begins early: already in the first days after arriving at its new home, the shepherd dog gets used to its name, place, toilet and begins to learn the first simple commands, such as “Come to me” or “No”.

Later, the growing dog must learn other basic commands, as well as learn how to behave correctly in a given situation..

Experts recommend moving on to more serious general training courses at the age of about six months, and it is better to train a shepherd dog in a group or individually under the guidance of an experienced dog handler.

Where to start education

Training a puppy should begin with the simplest commands. First of all, the shepherd dog must get used to its name, place and keeping the house or apartment clean.

Learn more about monthly training.

From 2 months to 3 months, more serious training begins . From now on, you need to devote a certain amount of time to working with your pet.

It is better to conduct the first “lessons” at home, rather than on the street. It is recommended to exercise in the morning or evening. It is important that the growing dog does not want to sleep and is not hungry.

At an early age, the puppy is still unable to concentrate on anything for a long time..

Therefore, the first lessons should be short: no more than 3 minutes a day.

Later, their duration can be increased to 30 minutes, and after 6 months - up to an hour.

A one-year-old shepherd can already exercise for two hours.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“Before moving on to training a shepherd, the owner must establish a relationship with his pet. The dog must obey its owner unquestioningly and recognize his leadership. When training, you need to focus on the individual characteristics of the animal and select a training method suitable for it. But, in any case, the dog should deservedly receive both punishment and rewards.”

Raising a German Shepherd puppy

Small puppies must be treated extremely delicately, and even if they are punished, do not punish them cruelly. The psyche of a young animal is very mobile, kids quickly forget insults, but too much punishment can lead to extreme changes in the nervous system, which will have irreversible consequences. Hitting a puppy is strictly forbidden - the skeleton is not yet strong, and hitting the rump can lead to dislocations or arthrosis (not always, of course, but in practice this happens).

Raising a German Shepherd puppy is best built on mutual trust and love. “Germans” are incredibly loyal animals, the lack of attention from the owner is already a punishment for them - this is exactly the method that can be used to show dissatisfaction with the behavior of a small shepherd dog.

The transition from education and games to training

Games for a young dog are very important; while running after a ball, muscles develop, playing with a rope trains the grip and chewing muscles. In addition, after active games, the puppy will sleep soundly and not look for activities on his own. As a rule, what a dog does out of boredom is destructive to the home.

Through play instincts you can teach a dog:

Importation;
Correct grip (important for service dogs);
“Give” command;
Carrying objects in your teeth.

The list of skills can be more extensive, depending on the severity of hunting or gaming instincts.

Play is as important for a puppy as discipline is for an adult dog . During fun games, the dog gets used to the owner, sudden movements and subsequently is not afraid of them. Running for a ball can become a motivation to follow any command.

Before moving on to teaching commands, it is necessary to raise a friend in the dog who loves and trusts the owner infinitely. Only then will training be effective. If the owner's puppy is afraid, he will avoid following orders in every possible way, and even the right motivation may not work.

Fear is one of the most powerful feelings and is directly related to the instinct of self-preservation. Fear unbalances the puppy, it loses self-control, and this definitely affects the execution of commands.

Training a puppy in the first 6 months

The first six months of a dog’s life are the most difficult and at the same time the most productive in training. At the age of 2 to 6 months, the nervous system of German Shepherds experiences a huge number of stressful situations. A puppy going outside for the first time is already stressful. A new substrate under the paws, a large number of people whom the pet has never seen before.

And most importantly, a huge flow of information enters the brain from street smells. This is why, before starting classes, the dog needs to be taken out several times, just for a walk to the training area, and only then begin training in this place.

You can’t scold the baby for being confused or afraid of a new place; you need to show that the playground is not scary at all and give the puppy time to get used to the new place.
Destructive behavior on the playground is not associated with stubbornness or dominance - the pet’s nervous system experiences enormous stress from the amount of information that the brain has to process on each new playground.

1 – 2 month

During the first 2 months of life, the puppy learns no less than the subsequent months. The baby receives the most important skills at this time.

During the first 60 days, the small predator learns a huge number of skills:

Hear (dogs are born deaf);
See;
Use your nose (even the blind can smell their mother);
Walk;
Try solid foods;
Communication with relatives;

The first stage of socialization takes place exactly up to 2 months. Puppies, playing among themselves, learn to control their strength and study the body language of canines. So that in the future there will be no problems with communication.

2 – 4 months

At the age of 2 to 4 months, puppies leave their mother and relatives, and the second stage of socialization begins. Little shepherd dogs begin to explore the world around them and are already quite capable of learning their first skills and commands.

The first thing every dog should learn is its own nickname . The name should be short, sonorous, and easy to pronounce. It is best if it has no more than two syllables.

Among lovers of German shepherds, there is an opinion that the nickname should contain the letter “P”, which is complete nonsense. In German, this letter is pronounced completely differently than in Russian, and the “R” in a name will not in any way affect the speed of its memorization.

After acquiring a nickname, you should begin to master the following skills:

Accustoming to ammunition;
To me;
You can't (ugh);
Place;
Sit, lie, stand (in combination).

Up to 4 months, the puppy is in quarantine, you can begin to master all these commands without leaving home. Also, it will be very useful, during quarantine before immunization, to take the shepherd outside, introduce it to the outside world, study the smells - but you should not put it on the ground and come into contact with other dogs and people.

Thanks to walks in the arms of the owner, the “German” will gradually get used to the noise of the street, smells, people - this will facilitate the second stage of socialization and speed up the learning process.

4 – 6 months

Starting from 4 to 6 months, the baby shepherd is already actively walking along the street, getting to know other dogs. During this period, it is very important to introduce the dog to as many people and animals (not aggressive ones) as possible. The more territories a shepherd dog gets to know, the more confident it will be in adulthood, and it will not be afraid of every movement of a bush.

Children's fears, the strongest ones, as a rule, remain for life and are very difficult to correct.

Classes from home can be transferred to the yard or training area. While practicing reflexes, we must not forget to actively praise the little “German” for successful execution. The more positive the training is, the stronger the concept that training is fun is formed in the shepherd’s brain; accordingly, the pet works with great pleasure, wanting to please the owner.

To the already learned home commands, the “nearby” command is added. It is very important not to confuse walking on a leash with the order “near”. Walking on a leash involves freely guiding the dog at a distance allowed by the length of the leash. The “next” command means movement near the handler’s left leg, the dog’s shoulder blade is at the level of the person’s knee, each stop of movement implies the dog’s landing. In both cases, the leash should not be pulled.

After 6 months

At six months of age, more disciplined training begins. You can start training your German Shepherd for endurance. Despite the fact that the pet has grown up, it is still a child, and there is no need to require long-term exposure. Sitting in one place for even 5 seconds for a choleric puppy is a big load on higher nervous activity. It must be remembered that this is only the first step towards controlling emotions and not demanding more from the shepherd than she currently can.

After 7 months, service shepherd dogs begin to learn the skills of a special training course. Through the game, they learn to find objects, grab a training sleeve, teaching the correct grip with a full mouth.

What can be taught?

The German Shepherd is considered a universal working breed.

If desired, this dog can be trained in almost any special training course. For example, the search service or the guard service.

Shepherd dogs are used in a wide variety of jobs in the military, law enforcement, and also serve as rescue dogs or guide dogs..

Also, they can engage in almost any sports discipline, for example, triathlon or agility.

Any special training should be carried out under the guidance of an experienced trainer..

Types of reflexes

Dog reflexes are divided into two large groups: unconditioned, which are inherent in all animals from birth, and conditioned, developed during the learning process.

Unconditioned reflexes help dogs survive.

They work regardless of the wishes of the pet or its owner.

Unconditioned reflexes, in turn, can be divided into several categories.:

Defensive . In the wild habitat it is necessary for the animal’s self-defense. It can be active or passive.
Food . Thanks to him, the dog feels the need for food. It is this that is mainly used when training an animal.
Sexual . It interferes more with training: male dogs, when they see a female dog in heat, become distracted and may even run away, chasing her.
Approximate . An animal's reaction to something it encounters for the first time in its life.

In addition to them, there are many other unconditioned reflexes, such as gregarious or maternal.

Conditioned ones are acquired by a shepherd throughout its life, and the main goal of any education and training is precisely to develop conditioned reflexes that make the dog’s service use possible and shape its correct behavior.

Conditioned reflexes are divided into natural and artificial . Natural ones are produced on their own: these include, for example, a dog’s reaction to the smell of a favorite treat. Artificial conditioned reflexes are developed in the process of raising and training a pet.

Proper education

Education has already begun along with socialization and the development of the first conditioned reflexes.

And successfully raising a shepherd puppy, obtaining a stable and sustainable result, will help with knowledge about the behavior and inclinations of animals of this species, inherited from their distant ancestors.

What the owner needs to firmly understand

Raising a shepherd dog must begin with one’s own self-education, so as not to make mistakes that will then have to be corrected “with sweat and blood”:

A shepherd dog cannot think like a human!
She doesn't care about the future or the past. She cannot write poetry or compose music - they have no imagination and fantasies. They think “here and now.”
The Shepherd always follows the path of least resistance, preferring the pleasant to the unpleasant
. Within this framework, she builds her behavior using her previous experience. This quality is always beneficially used in education and training.
Shepherd dogs are well aware of their strength and know how to use it
. They are good observers and, on occasion, willingly demonstrate their superiority.
The shepherd is a herd animal
. They love communication, know how to adapt to new conditions, and easily fit into various social structures. The owner’s task is to convince the German Shepherd that he has found himself in a new pack, where the owner = leader.
You cannot demand from a shepherd the difference between the concepts of “good” and “bad”.
She distinguishes between “possible” and “impossible” - this is a fundamental postulate for the owner in the process of education. You need to raise and train your shepherd in such a way that an action you don’t need becomes unpleasant for her and, as a result, forbidden.
The shepherd dog does not understand human language, and accordingly cannot speak or think in it.
A rapidly developing shepherd dog is able to learn several words and phrases (which is the basis of education and training), spoken in the same tone, reinforced by repeated gestures of your hands, facial expressions, posture, etc. Intonation is an absolute indicator of its correct or incorrect behavior. If your German Shepherd puppy does not listen, then you have not conveyed the correct information to him.
The owner, in turn, must learn to understand canine language (and the language of postures and gestures!) in order to distinguish what makes his pet bark, grumble, whine and howl.
The actions of your German Shepherd will become much clearer if you understand that he does not live “with a family”, but in a pack.
Then the question: “Is it possible to beat a puppy in the process of training?” - will disappear by itself. In a pack, the unreasonable are punished, but dogs cannot hit someone - they do not have hands or the ability to strike with any object.
The “pack territory,” with proper upbringing, will become sovereign territory with age, which the shepherd will be ready to defend until its last breath.
If in this territory the leader “tolerates” a stranger or a new animal, the young dog will also learn to tolerate him.
A dog's reactions are based on reflexes and instincts
. During the training process, do not transfer the logic of human actions to the behavior of your shepherd. The peculiarities of raising a puppy and a child differ in that the child can be explained where he is wrong, but it is useless to have conversations with Canis lupus (lat.). You will have to learn to understand the behavior of your German Shepherd and look for and correct your own mistakes.

If you know how your shepherd will behave in a particular case, you can “predict” the reaction of your dog, which is easy to use when raising a puppy in a friendly environment.

These rules are immutable, you need to know them and be sure to follow and take them into account if your goal is to raise an obedient, well-mannered German Shepherd, a reliable friend and companion.

However, despite all the reflexes and instincts, every good owner knows that sometimes his pet exhibits feelings that cannot be interpreted as purely reflexive actions.

Dogs have more than intelligence and reactions - affection and love. In a dog's understanding, of course.

Basic rules of education

When training a German Shepherd, you need to follow certain rules.:

The dog is first taught simpler commands and only later moves on to more difficult ones.
At the beginning of training, it is recommended to reinforce any command with a nickname, which serves as a call for attention.
All commands, with the exception of prohibiting ones, are pronounced in a neutral tone.
Commands should not be distorted: for example, instead of “Come to me!” say “Come here!”
It is necessary to be reasonable about rewards and punishments: do not use them excessively, but do not ignore them either.
During classes, it is unacceptable to hit the dog or shout at it.
During classes, commands should be alternated, and not constantly repeated.

Only one person should be involved in training a shepherd dog, whom the dog trusts and obeys unquestioningly..

Caring for a 5 month old puppy

Walking has a great influence on a dog's development. Only thanks to long walks does a healthy dog grow up, and vigilance in this regard will not hurt. By the age of five months, a puppy’s immunity is quite strong, but it is still necessary to take into account weather conditions and ambient temperature. During the walk, make sure that the dog does not chase someone, so that the puppy does not get hurt from other animals.

Particular attention should be paid to your pet's fur. The German Shepherd has a hard and thick coat that requires constant care. Only cleaning can free the hair from sticky hair, dirt, and also eliminate the possibility of skin disease. You need to clean with brushes. You need to wash your dog with a special shampoo.

To brush your dog's teeth, you need to buy a bone or use toothpaste. It is also necessary to monitor the condition of the dog’s claws: if grinding does not occur during walks, use nail clippers.

What treat to give and how much?

Suitable treats include low-fat varieties of hard cheese cut into small cubes, small homemade crackers, unsweetened small biscuits, as well as dry food especially loved by your pet..

A treat in itself is not a reward: the owner’s attitude towards the pet’s actions is no less important.

IMPORTANT!

The shepherd dog must see that the owner is truly happy and proud of her successes, and therefore the giving of treats must be reinforced with verbal praise.

It is necessary to subtract a portion of the treat from the daily diet and give the dog a slightly reduced portion during feedings.

Basic feeding rules

It's important to remember that puppies have no sense of normalcy. The kitten stops eating as soon as it feels full, the puppy eats until its bowl is empty. That is why it is necessary to monitor not only the diet, but also the amount of food consumed, and avoid overeating.

It is also necessary to ensure that your pet always has water. It is better to use filtered water.

Feeding with natural food

Natural food does not equal savings in pet care.

Buying quality products will cost the same amount as buying good ready-made food. The dog's rapid growth necessitates feeding the puppy vitamins. Natural products used to feed the baby must be of high quality. Products from which your dog will get enough protein:

Meat. Helps strengthen muscles and promote good growth. A dog is able to digest a raw product, but boiled meat will be digested better. You can combine one with the other, but give more raw.
Fish. It is better to boil river fish, while the sea variety is best served raw. You should not often feed your pet fish to avoid unnecessary problems and slow down the development of your pet.
Offal. To avoid worms, offal must be boiled.

Allowed vegetables:

Carrot. Grated fresh carrots with the addition of an apple results in a dish filled with essential vitamins. For taste, it is better to add vegetable oil and sour cream.
Tomato. Thanks to it, plaque and tartar are formed to a lesser extent.
Pumpkin. Eating the seeds gets rid of helminths; adding the pulp to porridge will give you a pleasant and healthy dish.
Cabbage. Once your pet reaches five months, you can stop boiling.
Beet. Can be used as a laxative.
Potato. Only raw.

List of dishes that will help supplement your diet with vitamins:

Fish fat. One tablespoon is enough every day in autumn and winter.
Brewer's yeast. Helps normalize microflora, added in gram quantities daily.
Eggshell. Will provide the necessary calcium to the body.
Raw seaweed. Normalizes the work of CT, makes the pet’s coat more shiny.

You need to exclude the following products from your diet:

Spices, smoked meats. You can only add salt.
Bones. The puppy may be injured.
Pork. The source of excess weight.
Citrus fruits and grapes (fresh or dried) can cause kidney failure.
Sorrel. May cause gastritis.
Semolina. May cause an allergic reaction.

Feeding dry food

Many owners prefer dry food. The main thing is to give preference to a good brand, because today the range of products is extremely large. Experts recommend feeding your dog Premium and Super Premium food.

The food is balanced and filled with a complex of essential nutrients that help the pet develop harmoniously, develop its taste and teeth correctly, affect the quality and condition of the coat, and muscle development. The amount of products harmful to dogs tends to zero, which can be traced by animal advocates.

Once the puppy reaches four months, he needs to be fed three times a day.

How to teach street behavior

Already in the first days after the puppy appears in the house, it is recommended to carry the puppy outside in your arms so that it can get acquainted with the street noise and get used to the sight of passers-by rushing about their business.

As soon as the dog can start walking, it should be taught to walk next to its owner . Naturally, the puppy should already be familiar with the leash and collar and not pay attention to them.

It is better to take your first walks in a quiet and secluded place, where there are no strangers, strange dogs, cats and, of course, transport.

Later, you can walk with your growing shepherd on crowded and noisy streets. If the pet is frightened, you need to calm it down, then take it to the frightening object and show it that it is harmless.

The owner must teach the pet to cross the street only with him . At the same time, the shepherd should perceive this as a normal part of the walk.

Crossing the road should not frighten or bother her.

It is very important to teach your shepherd to be calm around strangers, as well as cats, strange dogs and birds..

The slightest manifestations of aggression should be strictly suppressed, after which the dog should be calmed down and its attention diverted to something else.

We play and educate

In the game, you can begin to practice the skills of following the owner, the command: “Come to me!”, looking for objects, bringing a ball or favorite toy, and being calm about the collar and leash.

In the game, the baby will learn to give his paw, to correctly grab a rag without catching it with his front incisors, but to take it deep into his mouth, to give a voice on command, and will receive his first lessons in basic training.

You should play and exercise an hour and a half before feeding, so that the puppy is in a cheerful mood and wants to get a treat.

If the baby is overexcited and cannot tune in to your attention, stop giving commands, but do not praise or encourage the naughty child - pretend that you do not notice him. After some time, when the puppy moves towards you, call his name and say in an even voice: “Come to me!” When he runs up and perhaps sits down, then express your delight at his behavior and be sure to encourage him.

At 1 month, a German Shepherd puppy already knows for sure that when called it should run up to its owner, and at 2 months it should run up and sit down.

How to play correctly

There is no need to consolidate what has been achieved with three to five repetitions - unconditional execution of commands will begin a little later. For now, the scheme is enough: did the right thing - received praise and a treat; didn't do it - got nothing.

Scolding or punishing a child for failure to follow or unclear execution of a command at such a young age is unacceptable!

The worst thing you can do for your pet is to instill fear in him before exercise or extinguish the dog's natural intelligence.

To prevent this from happening, do not let him overwork. If the child did the exercise correctly, be sure to praise him once; and immediately invite the puppy to play, switching his attention - two.

A point that owners often miss during play: the puppy should always come out a winner!

Tugging a rag or stick - feel when the toy begins to get tired and give the object to him to be torn to pieces.

How to stop eating anything on the street

Weaning a dog from picking up tasty, and often not very appetizing, pieces from the ground is one of the main tasks of any responsible owner, since a dog that pulls everything that is more or less edible into its mouth can easily become poisoned.

In order to stop your pet from grabbing anything on the street, you should ask an assistant to scatter pieces of meat or other food around the area of your private home. After that, take your pet on a long leash, bring him to this place and give the command “Walk!”

As soon as the shepherd reaches for the meat, you need to say “Ugh!”, and if the dog continues to try to eat the scattered food, then you need to sharply pull the leash . Repeat this every time until the dog stops trying to take the food.

After this, you need to practice the same skill, but without a leash. To punish your pet from a distance, you can use an electric collar or throw small stones at the dog.

CAREFULLY!

You cannot teach a dog to pick up food from the ground before it has been trained to track or search the area.

Feed correctly

The appearance of the puppy will give comprehensive information about whether you are making mistakes in selecting the menu. A good appetite, normal stool, and shiny, healthy coat of the baby indicate a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and microelements necessary for growth. Diarrhea, characteristic diathesis plaques, mangy tail, weeping eczema can be caused by errors in the selection of diet. Unlike people, dogs do not need to constantly change the food in their bowl. If your dog is healthy, you can continue to feed him the same food day after day without fear of getting bored with the same thing.

Read the book on the topic by O.V. Zykina "German Shepherd"

Breeders generally prefer dry food. It is advisable to select them individually so as not to provoke the development of allergies or skin diseases, to which German shepherds, by the way, are less prone than other breeds.

In areas where tap water is not drinkable, dogs should also be given filtered water.

How to stop barking all the time

A service dog should generally bark only at the command of its owner.

In order to wean your German Shepherd from barking at the slightest noise, you can use several methods.:

Divert the dog's attention to something else: for example, show the puppy a toy, but not give it away for a while, so that he does not decide that the owner wants to reward him with a game for barking so menacingly.
Spray the dog with water from a spray bottle.
Approach the dog and, holding your hand over its mouth, sternly say: “Be silent!”
Ignoring. Make the shepherd silent, and then ignore it for a while. The owner’s reluctance to communicate with the pet is a serious punishment for such a people-oriented dog as a shepherd.
Silence using the “No!” command. After this, you need to send the dog to the place and force it to stay there for some time.

When weaning a shepherd dog from barking constantly, you cannot use forceful methods of influence . It is also unacceptable to shout at your pet.

Basic principles of dog training

Absolutely all training methods are based on controlling the animal’s reflexes. By observing how it reacts to certain stimuli, a person can assign the behavior he wants to the dog.

Reflexes are conditioned and unconditioned:

Unconditioned reflexes are an innate reaction of an animal to a stimulus. For example: the food reflex is inherent in a puppy from the moment of birth; the need for food is used by the trainer to encourage the dog to carry out the necessary commands. The defensive reflex forces the animal to attack the enemy, protecting its life.
A conditioned reflex is a dog’s reactions that it acquires throughout its life. For example, a dog quickly gets used to a certain feeding time (Pavlov’s famous study, when dogs began to salivate by the time food was served) and a walking schedule.

In training, the method of reward and punishment (contrast method) is most often used. Rewarding can include giving a treat, verbal praise, or short play with your pet. The choice of reward depends on the dog's personality. There are so-called food specialists who are ready to fulfill any command for a piece of delicacy. Other dogs value a fun game above all else (running after a thrown stick, flapping a rag ring). For others, it is important to feel the owner’s satisfaction from their good work. When communicating closely with your pet, it is easy to understand what type of dog he is.

For failure to follow a command or bad behavior, the dog must be properly punished. The method depends on the characteristics of the dog’s psyche. This could be a stern shout, shaking the puppy by the skin at the withers (this is what the mother does if the puppies get naughty), ignoring it (turning her back to the dog). Some individuals have to use physical force: slapping a rolled-up newspaper or a twig on the backside, or spraying with cold water from a spray bottle.

You cannot spank a puppy or an adult dog with your hand! Something good should always come from the owner’s hand for the pet - a treat, affection, but not pain!

A trained shepherd is easy to communicate with, she is adequate, obedient and predictable. The characteristics of the breed allow you to train at home, on your own. But better results can be achieved by working in a group under the guidance of an experienced dog handler.

How to teach basic commands

Nickname

It is given to the puppy immediately after its acquisition. The shepherd dog will quickly get used to it if you repeat it by showing the pet a bowl of food or playing with it.

"Ugh!"

Pronounced when the dog wants to pick up something from the ground or has already grabbed it. In order to teach it to a shepherd, you need to say “Ugh!” in a stern tone, and then sharply pull the leash.

"It is forbidden!"

Said in a stern voice when the dog does something illegal.

"Place!"

To teach it to a shepherd dog, you need to take him to a bed and, holding him there, say “Place!” If the dog tries to leave, the command must be repeated more strictly.

"To me!"

The puppy is shown a treat and given the command “Come to me!” After the baby runs up, the owner praises him and gives him a treat.

"Sit!"

The treat should be raised above the puppy’s head and said “Sit!” The little shepherd will reach for it and sit down.

"Lie!"

The hand with the treat is lowered down and slightly forward, after which the word “Lie down!” is said. The baby, reaching for it, will lie down.

"Near!"

First, the command itself is given, after which you need to tighten the leash so that the withers of the shepherd dog are near the left leg of its owner. Then the owner, together with his pet, begins to move in a straight line.

If the puppy runs ahead, lags behind the owner or rushes to the side, the command is repeated more strictly, after which you need to sharply pull the leash.

When teaching a dog commands, you need to use measured physical pressure on the puppy..

What a puppy should know and be able to do in different months

The German Shepherd grows quickly. His physical and psychological development differs in different periods. Therefore, in certain months, education and training vary.

2-3 months

Already at 12–16 weeks, the little “German” should:

approach the owner at the first call;
sits in front of the owner;
know the basics of fetching;
get used to the collar and leash;
relieve yourself on a diaper;
know the command: "Place".

The duration of training with the baby is from 5 to 10 minutes at a time.

3-4 months

After 3 months the puppy is already grown up. The duration of training is increased to 15-20 minutes.

During this period, kids learn the following basics of training:

commands “Come to me”, “No”, “Sit”, “Stand”;
practice walking on a leash with turns and the order “Nearby”;
search and importation of objects hidden within a radius of 3 meters;
independent walking on small stairs and ramps.

By the age of 4 months, a small German Shepherd should not gnaw on the owner's things, bite, attack other animals, take food from the hands of strangers or pick it up from the ground.

5-6 months

At about six months, the German Shepherd begins puberty and becomes a teenager. Perky, impudent and not always controlled. There may be attempts to gain a leading position, tests of the owner for authority, and insubordination. This behavior must be stopped and the dog punished for such antics.

The duration of training can be increased to 40 minutes.

At 6 months, a German Shepherd should master all basic commands and obey them without question. It is important that she responds adequately to stimuli: transport, cats, strangers, children, loud noises.

From six months

They continue to develop and hone basic commands. Additionally, they visit training grounds and teach the German Shepherd to jump hurdles, crawl, and walk on booms and stairs.

After 6 months, the need for physical activity increases significantly. This should be taken into account when training.

The list of skills by month is approximate. Some puppies easily master all commands and rules, others – some of them. There is no need to force training. Each dog is individual and develops differently. It is important that she remembers the norms and tries to comply with them.

How to teach guard duty

It is necessary to train a shepherd dog according to the course of protective guard service only after the pet learns to perfectly carry out the commands “Come to me!”, “Ugh!” and “Nearby!”

It is not recommended to conduct such classes on your own, since it is very easy to embitter a dog or intimidate it, which will greatly complicate its further official use and can even ruin its psyche.

Therefore, it is necessary to take care of finding a suitable dog handler who will teach the shepherd the basics of protective guard duty.

The dog must be at least 1.5 years old at the start of special training.

What to do if your pet bites?

The German Shepherd is too serious a dog to be bitten by. That is why all attempts by a puppy to bite its owners must be strictly suppressed, and the pet must be punished and sent to its place.

If a shepherd dog deliberately tries to bite its owners during play, then you can wean him off this using one of the following methods:

Ignoring. The owner stops the game and goes into another room for about 20 minutes. All this time he does not pay attention to the dog. This way he lets the puppy know that they will play with him only if the pet does not behave aggressively.
You can hold the dog's muzzle and hold it until the shepherd stops growling at its owner.
Lift the puppy by the collar and shake it slightly.
An older dog, who is already difficult to lift, needs to be grabbed by the collar and pressed to the floor, forcing him to lie down on the floor. It is necessary to hold him for some time, not allowing him to rise without permission.

A young shepherd dog should only be punished for intentional aggression . If a puppy, while playing, accidentally grabbed the owner with his teeth, then it is better to simply stop this game and switch the animal’s attention to another, more harmless one.

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Here I would like to talk about training a German Shepherd in preparation for an exhibition. The German Shepherd is the most labor-intensive breed to prepare for a show.

The physical development of a puppy begins from the moment it is weaned from its mother. Initially, it is expressed in getting to know the outside world, playing with other puppies and gradually increasing daily walks in time and distance.

During walks, the puppy should be constantly in motion. Determine several routes and a pace that is comfortable for the puppy, at which he can move at an easy, relaxed trot, and gradually increase the distance of such walks.

The puppy can be on a leash or without it, as long as there is no road nearby. Up to 7-8 months of age, provided regular walks, this will be enough.

In the future, when starting targeted training, remember that there is not and cannot be a single training method suitable for all dogs. Only the general principles underlying the physical development of the German Shepherd can be uniform, but the approach in each specific case and to each specific dog must be strictly individual.

Just like training a dog, training is an art based on deep knowledge of its anatomy, physiology, psyche, and behavior. The most frequently used exercises for training can be recommended, but they must be strictly differentiated in relation to each specific dog.

Before starting systematic training, it is necessary to conduct a thorough veterinary examination of the dog and make sure that it is healthy and has no contraindications for physical activity (for example, hip or elbow dysplasia, arthritis, osteochondrosis, heart disease).

Driving at a stretch . Based on the experience of German Shepherd owners, this exercise should be considered the most effective in the process of training the dog and preparing it for the exhibition.

Driving with a tight leash (or moving the dog on a tight leash) best meets the objectives - it forms the dog’s correct body, articulation angles, develops the necessary muscle groups of the withers, shoulder girdle, hips, and thereby ensures correct balanced movements.

When training on a tight leash, breathing training also occurs, and the dog’s ability to properly regulate breathing under stress develops. However, this exercise may be contraindicated for dogs that are prone to ambling or have an excessively convex topline.

The puppy begins to develop the skill of stretching movement at the age of 7-8 months, but in no case does it force the load on the joints - this can lead to diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Initially, it is necessary to teach the dog to move on a tight leash at the command “Forward!” one body in front of the coach. Dogs with high temperament do not require special training; they do it themselves, and with great desire.

Dogs with low temperament need to develop a conditioned reflex to the command “Forward!” To do this, first moving with the dog on a leash in a normal rhythm, give the command “Forward!” and start running. After running with your dog for some distance, praise him.

Repeat the technique more often until the dog develops a strong conditioned reflex to this command. This may take more than one week. When the dog commands “Forward!” will begin to speed up the pace on its own, begin to slow down slightly, stimulating her to move on a tight leash.

It is more effective to teach this command when moving behind someone the dog knows well, or behind another dog. Be creative, but get things done.

For tight driving, it is better to use a round collar rather than a flat one, or even better, a chain with large links. It is not recommended to use a harness, because when moving on a harness, the dog develops a slightly different center of gravity than when moving on a collar. Having received training using a harness, the dog will no longer feel so comfortable in the ring wearing a collar.

When moving under tension, the leash should be located at an angle of about 45° to the ground, and be long enough (1.5-2 meters) to conveniently regulate the dog’s pace of movement.

During training, the dog should move at an even pace, in a straight line, without leaning on its side or falling on its front. She should not waste extra energy and rush forward; in this case, she should be “restrained” with a leash, or first give her the opportunity to run at a fast trot, and then gradually reduce the pace of movement.

The handler should not indifferently “hang” on the leash, turning the training into towing. It is important to learn to feel the dog through the leash and regulate the pace of its movement.

This exercise should not be tiring for the dog. The duration of the stretching movement should be increased gradually, focusing on her desire, capabilities and degree of physical fitness. Initially, these should be segments of 500-600 meters, gradually they can be increased to several kilometers per day.

Trotting . The movement of a German Shepherd at a trot causes a complex physiological chain of reactions in the body - the intensity of energy processes increases, the central nervous system, motor and respiratory centers are excited, and the work of the heart is stimulated. All this has a beneficial effect on the dog’s body and hardens it.

The most effective method of trotting training is to have the dog walk on a leash next to the trainer. In this case, the trainer has closer contact with the dog through the leash, feels well and regulates the dynamics of its running, but this is only possible if he himself is an athlete, has good health and sprinting abilities.

If these qualities are absent, it is most convenient to train the dog to trot using a bicycle, although other options are possible, for example, using a riding horse or a special trainer, but they are usually less accessible. Of course, the dog must be accustomed to both a bicycle and a horse in advance in order to avoid possible injuries during training.

Initially, the distance that the dog runs during training should be small, but over time it increases to several kilometers.

Training is carried out at a medium trot pace. Occasionally it is recommended to make short, quick “throws”, i.e. give the dog the opportunity to run 100-200 meters at the maximum trot pace. When starting to gallop, you should immediately slow down the pace of movement and put the dog at a trot.

Under no circumstances should you allow constant long-term training at a very fast trot, and even more so at a gallop, this is dangerous for the dog’s health! For the same reason, any training in hot weather is strictly contraindicated. It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the dog and its breathing.

Training is carried out on earthen soil, since the dog “knocks down” its paws on concrete or asphalt.

Swimming . This is an ideal type of training for a German Shepherd, since when swimming, the dog’s body and limbs work in the same mode as when trotting, but there is no supporting load on the ligaments.

In addition, swimming promotes the development of thermoregulatory processes in the dog’s body, causes an increase in heat production and an intensification of all metabolic processes. While swimming, the dog's muscles undergo active massage as a result of rhythmic changes in water pressure on the surface of the body.

All this has a beneficial effect on the health and physical condition of the animal. Unfortunately, this type of training is often inaccessible and is possible only in the warm season.

You need to gradually accustom your puppy to swimming. At first, playing in the water and swimming with the owner are recommended. You can use the imitation method when a puppy learns to swim from an adult dog.

If the puppy still continues to be afraid of depth, it is recommended to carefully pick him up, bring him to a deep place and, holding him by the collar with one hand and under his stomach with the other, give him the opportunity to work with his paws and feel that he is able to float on the water. Then the puppy should be taken to a shallow place and only then released.

All dogs can swim from birth, but not all can overcome their fear of water on their own. This exercise should be repeated until the puppy gets used to it and stops being afraid of the depth. Then, gradually freeing your hands, teach him to swim on his own.

Stop your puppy from trying to climb into your arms in the water. Having learned to swim, the puppy will do it with pleasure. You can train a dog in water by swimming next to it, or with the help of a retrieval object thrown into the water.

You should not force a dog to swim after a boat - this can lead to stress (fear of falling behind the owner), fatigue and heart failure.

Swims should be short in duration. Of course, in this case the load also increases gradually and strict monitoring of the dog’s well-being is carried out.

It is very useful for developing the muscles of the limbs and strengthening ligaments, moving through shallow water, and the surface of the water should be at the level of the dog’s elbows.

Moving up an inclined surface . This type of training gives excellent results in the development of the muscles of the withers, back, shoulder and pelvic girdle, and promotes the correct formation of the angles of the hind limbs. But, unfortunately, it is often inaccessible due to the terrain or involves the need to return the dog down the same path, which can no longer be called useful.

The ideal option is a mountain road, rising at an angle of 30-35o, along which the dog moves upward on a leash, and can be taken back by car. It is possible to use steeper slopes (up to 45o), but the descent should not be made straight, but in a spiral. Of course, as in all other cases, the loads should increase gradually.

The above recommendations are general and very approximate. They do not exclude other training methods. The main thing is that any training achieves the goal of physical and exterior improvement of the dog, is carried out regularly, and not occasionally, and takes into account the individual characteristics of the animal.

And remember – you can only train a completely healthy dog! Training is not carried out with females in heat, whelping or suckling.

Every time, before starting training, whether it be driving the dog in a stretch, trotting or swimming, it needs to first “warm up” the muscles. This is achieved by a short warm-up - a light jog at a trot for 5-10 minutes. The same warm-up is necessary after completing training.

Classes are carried out before feeding the dog . The dog should be given water after training 10-15 minutes later, and fed after an hour.

Not so long ago, a new concept appeared in our cynology - handling . Translated from English it means “management”. Handler is the person who controls the dog. The concept of handling is closely related to the concept of training, but if a trainer works with a dog constantly, preparing it for shows and maintaining its athletic form with daily training, the handler, as a rule, only demonstrates the dog in the ring.

In the German Shepherd breed, these functions are usually combined by one person, whom we more often call a trainer, and directly in the ring - a handler.

The art of training is very multifaceted and requires many professional qualities. This is not only the ability to properly prepare and show a dog in the ring. A trainer, no less than an expert, must have an artist’s eye, a sense of proportions, and know the anatomical and physical characteristics of the breed and the specific dog with which he works.

He must intuitively feel each dog, be able to establish contact with it, develop a stance and pace of movement that is optimal for it, in order to maximize its inherent advantages and not turn the expert’s gaze on its shortcomings.

But, probably, the primary quality that a real coach should have is talent. A talented trainer, he is a Maestro with a capital M, whose professional services will always be in value. Abroad, leaving promising puppies for raising, the breeder, first of all, selects a professional trainer for them.

Often a trainer works with several dogs from the same breeder. And if this cooperation turns out to be fruitful, it lasts for many years, during which more than one generation of dogs is replaced.

In recent years, in our country, when raising puppies, breeders have increasingly begun to resort to the help of professionals, and more and more talented trainers appear at exhibitions, memorable for their individuality and professional skills in exhibiting dogs.

Training a German Shepherd is probably one of the most difficult, because this breed has no analogues in its appearance, movements, and demonstration techniques in the ring. A professional handler who has previously handled other dog breeds will most likely find himself helpless in the German Shepherd ring if he suddenly finds himself there.

One of the main qualities that a show German Shepherd should have is temperament. This quality is innate, firmly transmitted by inheritance, and the influence of training here is very insignificant. The history of the breed knows many examples when magnificent dogs, only due to lack of temperament, were never able to rise to the “starry Olympus”.

Exhibiting a German Shepherd in the ring traditionally takes place on a tight leash. The examination rules allow this. But the same rules provide for mandatory inspection of dogs at a fast trot without a leash.

Therefore, it is important to teach the dog to move correctly at different trot rates and, during the training process, to form in it exactly the muscle group that provides the given functions. The process of this preparation is described in detail in the previous section.

When exhibiting in the ring, the dog should move a body ahead of the handler, but at some distance from the dog in front. Its movement on a tight leash should in no case resemble towing, when the dog, spending a lot of energy, drags forward.

The “tight” movement should give the impression of a natural, relaxed gait, as if the leash does not play any role. This is not easy to achieve, but an experienced trainer will try many methods, but will find the one that is unique for each specific dog.

Through the leash, he must feel the condition of the animal, just as a well-trained dog must fulfill the requirements of its trainer at the slightest movement of the leash: slight tension - the dog slows down, loosening - speeds up, a slight movement to the side - turns to the right or left.

German Shepherd dog show stand . Exhibiting the dog in a standing position is of no small importance. This element is usually included in the training system, although it does not carry any load and does not contribute to the physical development of the dog.

But a correctly built and well-prepared show dog must independently take a show stance during breaks between individual running exercises. Therefore, during training, it is recommended to begin and end each stretch driving or trotting exercise with practicing the exhibition stance. A puppy should be taught it from a very early age.

Correct stance for a German Shepherd

The classic stance for the German Shepherd is a stance in which the forelimbs are positioned perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other, forming two symmetrical points of support located strictly under the withers. The right hind limb (located on the trainer’s side) is placed under the dog’s body, forming a fulcrum at the level of the hips; the left hind limb (on the expert’s side) is pulled back to the point where the metatarsus occupies a position perpendicular to the ground.

An important condition for a correct stance is the location of the shoulder and hip joints, elbow and knee joints at the same level. The horizontal lines passing through these corners should be parallel to the base of the dog.

With the correct stance, the dog's head should be raised, while the neck forms an angle of 45° horizontally. The body is strong and solid, with a smoothly sloping topline and a noticeably high front. The tail is down.

A characteristic mistake of handlers is an exaggerated “torpedo-like” stance, formed by excessively “landing” the dog on its hind legs - it is believed that this way it looks more impressive.

However, with such a stance, the principle of two horizontals is violated (location at the same level of angles: humeroscapular and hip, elbow and knee) and shortcomings appear that are not even characteristic of this dog.

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There are two ways to practice the show stance - the method of coercion and the method of using the emotional state of the dog, striving forward towards some goal. In the first case, the dog is simply placed in a show position using manual manipulations, repeating this regularly and thereby developing in it a kind of conditioned reflex.

In the second case, the owner gives the dog to the assistant, and he moves forward, without hiding from her field of view. After several attempts to follow the owner, the dog calms down and takes a stance, which the assistant can only slightly correct.

This exercise is repeated daily until the dog learns to stand, calmly and carefully watching the owner. In the process of developing the exhibition stance, you should not overtire the puppy. The exercise should be repeated often, but at fairly large intervals. In this case, you need to use treats and praise.

At specialized German Shepherd exhibitions, it is usually allowed to demonstrate the dog in a standing position using hand manipulations, but it is possible that at an all-breed exhibition, an expert will require its natural display. The more correctly built the dog is, the easier it becomes when standing, and the less intervention is required from the handler.

From about 6 months of age, the puppy begins to be accustomed to movement in the ring. To do this, a special tape is used to mark a square around the perimeter of which the puppy is led along with other dogs. The owner, at the end of the straight line along which the assistant and the puppy are moving, attracts his attention with a toy, a ball or some other way. As soon as the puppy approaches him, the owner encourages him and moves to the end of the opposite straight line. The puppy's movement in the ring should be free and straightforward, and the handler should carefully monitor this. During training, handlers are changed and dogs are rearranged.

You should take care of the equipment of your show dog in advance. Instead of a collar for a German Shepherd, it is advisable to use a metal chain with large oblong links, loose and not very heavy. It is strictly forbidden to use a noose or a strict collar. The leash should be long enough (about two meters), leather, and not wide.

When exhibiting a German Shepherd, the handler's clothing is of great importance. If it is considered good manners to show a Great Dane, or, for example, a bobtail in a formal suit, then in the German Shepherd ring, on a large stadium field, it will look ridiculous. A lady in a long dress or high heels will also look ridiculous.

Therefore, clothes and shoes should only be of sports style. The color of the clothing should not match the color of the dog. Too gloomy or colorful costumes, as well as conspicuous, decorative elements of clothing, are undesirable.

The German Shepherd looks best against the background of plain, bright tracksuits. Many famous trainers use clothes of the same color year after year, thereby creating a unique and memorable image.

On the eve of the exhibition, you should give the dog a day of rest, freeing it from training. The coat must be tidied up, combed well, and treated with a special spray that adds shine. You should not bathe your dog before the exhibition - the fur will become fluffy, lose its shine, and stick out in different directions.

You need to feed the dog well in the evening, take it for a walk in the morning, and give it some meat or cottage cheese. In no case should you give dry food before the ring - in combination with physical activity, this will cause severe thirst and will not have the best effect on the dog’s performance.

It would not be a bad idea to take care of assistants in advance, from among people trained and well known to the dog, who will call out to it from behind the ring at the moment when the expert turns his gaze to it. Helpers should always be in front of the dog, and not call him from behind. For this purpose, you can use a special whistle, the sound of which the dog is accustomed to in advance.

During the examination, the handler's attention should be concentrated on the dog, but at the same time he should not let the expert's actions out of sight. There is no need to “cast magic” on the dog if the expert is looking in the opposite direction or is busy with other participants. During the examination, a dog with an imperfect exterior should especially be under the watchful eye of the handler, so that the expert does not accidentally see it in an unattractive manner.

The conductor must perfectly know the methodology and technique of the examination and strictly follow the expert’s orders. Arguments and remarks addressed to competitors are unacceptable. At the end of the ring, he must thank the expert for his work, even if he does not agree with the dog’s assessment. Ethical behavior is the face of a professional trainer.

Lyudmila Arkhangelskaya From the book “Breeding and Raising the German Shepherd”
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Training scheme

Shepherd puppies usually go to their new homes at the age of 1.5 - 2 months.

In order for your baby to grow up smart and well-mannered, you need to start training him right away, and experts recommend adhering to the following scheme:

1.5-2 months . At this age, the puppy gets used to its nickname and during the same period the correct relationship between the pet and its owners is established. The shepherd dog is also taught to keep the house clean. Training begins on the commands “Place!” and “Come to me!”, but since the pet is still too small, you should not demand unquestioning obedience from him when performing them.
from 2 months to 4 months. The puppy is taught to compulsorily follow the previously learned commands “Come to me!” and “Place!” In addition, the shepherd is trained to use a leash and collar. After the completion of quarantine, which falls in the middle of this period, you can walk the shepherd dog on the street, therefore, at the same age, the puppy is taught to behave correctly on the street and do its business there, and not at home.
from 4 months to 6 months. The main emphasis is on commands such as “Near!”, “Lie down!”, “Sit!”, “Stand!” It is very important during this period to teach the growing shepherd dog endurance. Therefore, each command must be worked out so that after the pet completes it, it remains in this position until the owner tells it “Go for a walk!”
From 6 months . A six-month-old shepherd dog can begin to be taught such commands as “Face!”, “Voice!”, “Aport!”, “Stranger!” At this time, further socialization of the dog occurs, in particular, it continues to be taught the correct behavior in various situations.

Under no circumstances should you anger your pet or set it against strangers..

The shepherd dog must learn protective skills, including detention, at special courses in protective guard service.

Training the little "German"

From 1 month to a year, German puppies are very susceptible. Teaching them at this age is extremely important. If you miss precious time, it will be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to correct the behavior of an adult dog.

In the first weeks and months of life in a new home, the owner should:

establish a hierarchy in which he occupies a leading position;
clearly define the rules and follow them;
develop a schedule for feeding, walking, training, and care procedures.

The first 10-14 days in the new home allow the puppy to get used to the environment. At this time, he gets to know family members and other pets, remembers his nickname, learns where to relieve himself, where to eat and rest.

Only then are basic commands introduced through everyday situations. For example, it is possible to accustom a puppy to a nickname, orders “Come to me”, “Sit”, “Wait”, “You can’t”, “You can”, “Stand”, “Fetch”, “Eat”, “Give me a paw” during feeding, brushing, bathing, playing, etc.

Until the shepherd is 4-6 months old, it is foolish to expect that it will carry out commands flawlessly. The dog makes them more symbolic. And that's okay. The main thing in the early period of training is to develop basic skills.

Training a small puppy is not training. There is no need to repeat commands, ensure their execution, or punish the “German” for being distracted or not listening. Orders are given gently and even attempts to follow are praised vigorously. Harassment and cruelty will develop anxiety, aggression, and a bad attitude towards training in the dog.

The meaning of socialization

Socialization is the basis of raising and training a German Shepherd. Without it, it is impossible to raise a psychologically healthy, full-fledged dog.

By getting to know new places, situations, people and other animals, dogs learn to control their actions, react calmly to any situation, and learn useful skills.

As soon as the quarantine after vaccinations ends (at approximately 3 months), the puppy is taken outside and introduced to possible situations. The owner’s task is to support and encourage the baby, to be patient and remain calm in any situation. It is important that the German Shepherd ultimately reacts adequately to other animals, strangers, cars, travel in public transport, and loud noises.

Only with proper socialization will a “German” grow up balanced, strong, calm and confident.

Basic mistakes

The most common mistakes when training German Shepherds:

Classes are conducted without taking into account the individual characteristics of the dog.
Lack of consistency: This occurs if the puppy is taught complex commands first and then simpler ones.
Classes are held in an inappropriate place where there are many distractions, which is why the pet cannot concentrate.
Commands are given in a certain sequence, which is why the shepherd dog has an algorithm for their execution. And, having heard, for example, the command “Sit!”, she immediately lies down on her own.
All commands are given in a threatening tone, although the puppy is not doing anything wrong.
Classes are held with long breaks, which is why the pet manages to forget what was previously learned within a few days without training.
The demands placed on the dog are too great.

After three months, you need to give the dog a treat only the third time after correctly executing the command, and the remaining times just praise him.

Rules for training shepherd dogs

There are several basic rules for training a shepherd dog, the observance of which allows even beginners and amateur dog breeders to achieve excellent results:

1 – rule of constancy . In training there is a moment of variable reinforcement, which consists of giving rewards not constantly, but only in a random order. A variable type of reinforcement is much more effective than a constant method. At the same time, significant intervals observed between such reinforcements in the variability mode contribute to a stronger stimulation of behavior. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly adhere to consistency in all your requirements;
2 – the rule of perseverance and perseverance . If the dog is given any command, then it is imperative to ensure its execution, followed by encouragement in the form of praise or giving treats;
3 – rule of impossibility of making demands unknown to the dog . If in the process of training a dog the clarity and correctness of actions is not monitored, then there is no possibility in the future to demand from the pet the normative execution of the given command;
4 – a rule obliging the owner to be clear to his dog . Absolutely all actions of the owner must be completely understandable to the pet, appropriate for it, and not only consistent, but also predictable;
5 – rule of honesty towards the dog . It is strictly forbidden to deceive your pet, since a dishonest attitude towards the animal provokes a complete loss of trust, as a result of which there may be a lack of even minimal mutual understanding in the owner-dog pair;
6 – a rule indicating the owner’s mistakes in case of any errors in the actions or behavior of the dog . As training practice shows, if a pet performs any actions incorrectly, this means that it was the owner who taught it illiterately. During the lessons, most likely, there was a lack of clarity and correctness of actions, timely reinforcement and motivation;
7 – rule of meeting the needs of a pet . If the animal experiences any discomfort or is in a state of stress due to lack of physical activity or intellectual stress, then the learning indicators drop sharply. Therefore, it is important, first of all, to fully satisfy all the basic needs of the dog;
8 – the rule of the owner’s confidence in the training process . The owner of the dog must necessarily possess such qualities as calmness, self-confidence and determination, as well as the absence of fussiness or indecisiveness;
9 – the rule of movement from simple skills to complex knowledge . It is very important to move on to the next stage of education or training only after all previous skills have been fully consolidated. If necessary, it is advisable to go back or practice incompletely learned commands;
10 – rule for the correct use of incentives . It is necessary to strictly monitor the execution of a command or skill, using encouragement strictly as intended. It is important to remember that the lack of reinforcement over time causes the animal’s interest in the learning process to completely fade away.

One should take into account the fact that a dog is a living being, and even if, under the conditions of any distractions, commands are carried out by the pet absolutely competently and unquestioningly, one must remember about the possibility of force majeure developing, and always be prepared for extraordinary situations.

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How much does training cost?

Depending on the region, the cost of one lesson in a general training course starts from 400 and can reach up to 1000 rubles. Special courses are more expensive, as is training to correct unwanted behavior.

A well-trained shepherd is distinguished by self-control and balance, and shows aggression only when necessary..

Such a dog will become not only a reliable guard and protector of the whole family, but also a pleasant and comfortable companion with whom it is pleasant to walk down the street.

A shepherd dog can be trained in any canine profession, since due to its versatility, intelligence and intelligence, representatives of this breed are excellent at learning everything new.

But in order for the dog to grow up smart and balanced, the owner needs to raise and train the puppy from an early age..

Only in this case will the German Shepherd be able to fully demonstrate all of its wonderful service qualities and will never disappoint its owner.

What can and should be taught to a shepherd

From the very first month of life, the dog must master its name well and respond to it. As a rule, a nickname is given according to certain rules, taking into account the date of birth and pedigree. If the official “passport” nickname is too long or difficult to pronounce, then you can use a shortened version that will be easy to pronounce and easily understood by your pet.

It is also very important to accustom the dog to a place in the house as early as possible where the animal will feel absolutely safe and comfortable. Immediately after the puppy has gone through a period of adaptation to its new place of residence, you should begin learning the basic “Get in place” command. The basic skills required for training a German Shepherd also include the following equally important commands:

“Ugh” or “No”;
"To me";
"Near";
"Sit";
"Lie";
"Stand";
"Aport."

Depending on the purpose of purchasing the dog, the German Shepherd can also be trained in some specific commands. It is important to remember that it is unacceptable for beginners to independently train a dog for professional activities, therefore such a training course should be entrusted to an experienced trainer in a service dog breeding club.

This is interesting! German Shepherds are one of the fairly easily trained and intelligent breeds, therefore, with the use of a competent training system, they are able to quickly learn new skills without losing the knowledge they have already acquired.

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