The biggest mistake people make with German Shepherd dog training is starting out with basic commands like sit, stay, lay down, and the like.
This is a major oversight and will only result in what amounts to parlor tricks, if you haven't already established your role as the leader in your dog's eyes.
This type of training starts the first day you bring your new puppy home, and it must be practiced on a daily basis for the maximum effect.
Put yourself in the position of pack leader, then all the novel training just becomes a matter of time and practice.
The first thing you can do to train your dog to obey and follow you, physically and mentally, is to enter and exit every door first, whether it's interior or exterior.
Putting your shepherd in this physical following state, will naturally and instinctively begin to form a following mentality too.
This is the first step, no pun intended, to getting the most out of your GSD's famous obedience and loyalty traits.
One other early thing to watch for and correct is biting, because German Shepherds are very mouthy dogs, even if they are just playing.
You are not a chew toy, and any biting, chewing, or teething on your or any other person should be stopped immediately, and replaced with an actual toy, bone, or rawhide.
This will take some patience, especially during the early teething stages, but consistency and persistence are key to any type of training.
Once you've mastered these two basic concepts, it's time to move on to one more abstract form of training: socialization.
German Shepherds are very loyal dogs, and without proper training, this can lead to them being over-protective and aggressive toward other animals and guests.
While I rarely recommend dog parks, because of the irresponsibility and unpredictable nature of many owners and their pets, they are great for socializing your dog, even if you just walk them up to the fence and around.
If you feel comfortable with the dogs, and there aren't too many, then letting them in can help their social skills, as long as they are learning from other well-behaved dogs.
No matter where you take them, getting them around other people and animals is essential and must be done as often as possible. If you see any signs of aggression of over-protectiveness, stop and correct them immediately.
Use calm and assertive commands, never violence, because that will only escalate the situation now or in the future.
Once you've got this foundation laid, the tricks and basic commands become a cinch.
The most useful are sit, stay, lay down, and heel, because they can be used in public situations by you or others to keep your dog in control at all times.
German Shepherd dog training is well worth the effort, because it can really make your GSD shine, while providing physical and mental stimulation for both of you.
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