The Best Way To Educate A German Shepherd
Training a German Shepherd requires first and foremost reflection on the needs and requirements of the dog. Too many people mistakenly treat their dog as if it were a human, expecting similar reactions from him. Regardless of how attentive and intelligent your pet may be, you must never forget that it remains a dog, and that as such it has specific needs. He will therefore want to be part of the pack, have his own territory and will want to be accepted.
Some advices
If you want to fix any of your German Shepherd’s negative behavior, the best thing to do is approach him not to scold or yell at him, but to change the way he expresses his genetic instincts.
There are a few key points that every German Shepherd owner must consider when training his dog. Many of these rules will make training a lot easier.
Talk to your dog in a quiet tone of voice to make him feel comfortable. All changes in a dog’s temperament will go against its natural instincts, so even though the German Shepherd is often an intelligent animal, the training process will require repetition and patience.
If your dog is afraid he will certainly not obey your orders. If you want your pet to learn, they must first trust you. But for this to happen you must first learn to be good owners, that is, not to overreact to your dog’s behavior problems. You will therefore have to teach your little friend how to communicate better. Of course this will take time and money, but it will certainly be worth it.
Many behavioral problems stem from boredom, so you need to offer your dog a wide range of activities. A bored German Shepherd will try to get your attention. To keep him from getting bored, plan long walks, play with him in the park, and involve your puppy in active play in any way you see fit. If you live near a park, your dog will undoubtedly enjoy being able to run free and interact with other dogs.
Training as a game can be very effective : teaching your dog, for example, to catch a Frisbee on the fly can lead both you and him to have a lot of fun.
If you have to transport your pet by car, place its transport cage in the rear seats. Do not let it stay free inside the car, animals must travel safely while you drive.
Good tips
The German Shepherd is not aggressive by nature: in the rare cases where it is, this behavior is generally due to an unhappy upbringing. For this reason it is important not to strike or yell at him when he is a puppy, because when abused as young, these dogs tend to exhibit more aggressive behavior as adults.
Puppies are more likely to nibble on the person they regard as their owner. You will have to fill the role of pack leader, so that your dog respects you and lets you pass first when you leave the house.
Inside the house the German Shepherd is usually suspicious of strangers. Therefore, avoid organizing a welcoming committee. Wait until your dog has settled for at least a couple of days before inviting friends, family or neighbors. Prepare a bowl of fresh, clean water for him and make sure to always place his water and food bowl in the same place.
When dogs arrive in a new place they often don’t have a great appetite. Don’t buy fine food to entice him to eat. Don’t worry if he doesn’t eat initially, he won’t starve: he’ll eat when he feels like it. So remember: you don’t have to overfeed your pet.
Finally, from eight weeks, the German Shepherd is ready to begin the actual training. Obedience training, for example, helps this dog breed develop cognitive skills and fight boredom. All of this is strictly necessary if you want your little friend to become an extra member of the family.
