German shepherd dogs can be very stubborn when grown up without being properly trained. They are born to be aggressive and industrious during their service lives. To prevent them from trying to dominate you, training them at their puppy age can never be overemphasized. To help you out, here are some German shepherd training commands that you can use to home train your friend to be well behaved and social towards you, friends and other dogs.
Types of German Shepherd Training Commands
#1. Hand signals
Hand signals can be used in cases where your dog has hearing problems or when you need to give more emphasis to certain commands. Your dog will be able to clearly see the movements of your hands and gauge the command you are passing across.
#2. Verbal signals
These are some of the other ways of passing across commands. The tones of the sounds produced have to be affirmative and clear so that the dog gets them. When complementing your dog, the words have to compassionate so that he knows when he does something right. A NO! should be strong, just as a GOOD BOY! should be accompanied with a smile. Do not flash your teeth during training as this is interpreted as aggression by the dog.
A combination of these two techniques provides for the best training techniques and yields better results. Let us say you want your dog to learn to sit before meals, you would say SIT! and point at the ground. The dog therefore easily knows what to do.
Strategies for effective GSD training
Before you start the German shepherd training commands, you need to establish some common ground. You have to put in place measures that will ensure the entire dog’s attention is on you.
Keep It Short and Simple (KISS): When training your dog, the key to making it a success is to follow this simple rule. She only wants to hear and be able to comprehend whatever you are saying. Using short and concise commands is the best training strategy. Commanding your dog to STAY! Is more effective than telling him to ‘JUST REMAIN ’
Trust: Having mutual trust in between you and your dog is very important for this sort of training. You need to have trust in your dog that he will be able to grasp what you are trying to teach him. GSDs are very intelligent and would detect when you are not very sure of yourself.
Basic German shepherd training commands
| Sit | This command teaches your dog to sit on his hind legs. He could be on or off the leash. This command is essential, particularly during meals. You need your dog to be well behaved and not jump on you as you serve him. |
| Stay | This is when you want the dog to remain in the same spot she is in. An affirmative outstretched arm with fingers held together and pointed upwards will be more assertive. |
| Here | This training command tells your dog to position himself at your side or in front of you. This command is accompanied by a hand gesture, pointing at the place you want the dog to be. |
| Attention | You can train your dog on this command if you need him to focus on you as she wants to be given the next set of command(s). It gives you the dog’s undivided attention. |
| Come | Your dog needs to know this command if you intend to have him come to you or be recalled back. This is critical when he is meeting other dogs in the park. |
| Out | It is useful when you need your dog to leave the room for one reason or another. |
| Crate/kennel | This command tells your dog to go to his crate or kennel. |
| No | This is an interruptive command. It has more effect when used in a gentle tone. |
| Good dog | Not more of a command but complementary. This lets the dog know that he has done something commendable. You should accompany the command with some sort of physical attention like patting or a gentle scratch. |
| Fetch | This command informs your dog to go and bring the object of interest. It can be anything, from car keys, newspapers to playing balls. |
Have fun commanding your dog
Your German shepherd is a very intelligent dog breed and will easily grasp whatever German Shepherd Training commands you use on him. What you need to always keep in mind is that consistency is vital. Use the same words over and over.
The commands have to be simple and straight to the point too. Filler words just make the dog more confused. Follow these simple steps and be the proud owner of the most obedient, intelligent and adorable GSD.
Related article: [Infographic] How to Understand Dog Body Language
Hi! I’m Karen and a certified dog lover. As a freelance writer and blogger, I do my best to squeeze in some time with my dogs, learning more about the way they act and how I can make sure that they continue to stay well-cared for by yours truly.
My dogs have helped me through a lot, and this is my way of giving back to them! Besides animals, I also love to travel and cook, having explored my country’s restaurants and unique places. Follow me as I show you all the amazing tips and bits of information I learn along the way about our furry friends!