German Shepherds are extremely active dogs, as anyone who is fortunate enough to share their home with them can attest to. Needing lots of attention and exercise, they are very smart, bold, and determined. To ensure that your dog is a happy, well-adjusted member of your household, German Shepherds must have training as they are naturally dominant dogs. Controlling your German Shepherd is a must or he will control you.
We are going to share some important points with you so you can understand the best way to train your German Shepherd. But, first off, let me share the biggest secret to training your German Shepherd…
CONSISTENCY
Consistency! You’ve heard it before but it’s true. We’ve seen it before; someone gets a German Shepherd puppy and underestimates the amount of time and attention it will take to train it effectively. Dog training is pretty simple, give her praise when your puppy does something you want, and correct your puppy when she does something you don’t want. Doing this consistently will eventually train you German Shepherd effectively. In essence, training you dog enhances to special bond you have with your dog. Dogs are more comfortable when their owners establish themselves as the leader of the pack. This is a naturally occurring rank and you can promote it by following these teaching points. We will go over the best ways to train your German Shepherd so you will ensure a happy and long relationship.
First understand that your dog’s actions are largely governed by instinct so it is up to you to balance your dog’s instinct with conditioned behavior through human training. You can do this by correctly establishing in your household a social hierarchy from the very first day you bring your German Shepherd puppy home. This naturally occurring hierarchy is headed by the Alpha dog, which is the dominant dog, followed by the Beta dog, or second in line for dominance, and bringing up the rear is the Omega dog, which is dominant to none. The Alpha dog is submissive to none, dominant to all, and the supreme ruler in the pack. The Beta dog is submissive only to the Alpha but dominant to all other dogs. The Omega dog is submissive to all other dogs.
A critical fact to remember is that your German Shepherd is happiest when she has an Alpha dog to giver her firm, consistent leadership. But it is also essential to know that your dog will instinctively try to better her pack position, so, especially during training, you may experience periods where she tests the boundaries. She may test you by misbehaving and ignoring commands you are sure she remembers. This is normal. The best way to work through this trying period is with consistency and maintenance of the training program you have established.
The Alpha wolf in the wild will always decide where to hunt and when he will decide where to settle the pack. After each kill, the Alpha wolf always will eat first as the unequivocal leader of his pack. There are no exceptions. He governs his pack in a firm and fair way, with no exceptions to his law.
So what does all this have to do with the training process? It means that you must become the Alpha dog of your pack if you want to effectively train your German Shepherd. From the start this establishes a proper relationship between you and your dog. He will bond to you more closely and deeply. He will work harder to please you if he understands his relationship with you.
There is a special situation you should know. Imagine this situation: Let’s say your husband is 6’4”, weighing 225 pounds and you are a petite woman. Can you really be the Alpha dog? You might say when and where your husband eats, but in the mind of your dog, you probably aren’t perceived as the Alpha. This is because his deeper voice along with the undetectable scent he gives off to the dog naturally establishes him as the Alpha. But you’re not doomed to Omega dog status. You can establish your dominance over all the dogs in your household as the Beta dog. But you may have to work a little harder to do this. Having your kids participate in the training process will make them dominant over the dog, as well. This is essential.
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