German Shepherd Dog Training Essentials

The German Shepherd Dog is a very noble breed with excellent working abilities. These dogs are capable of performing long hours of physical exercise without showing signs of extreme exhaustion. They are often used as police dogs, guard dogs, search and rescue dogs and also therapy dogs. The German Shepherd Dog is one of the best examples of a perfect working dog.
The German Shepherd Dog is also one of the most popular family and pet dogs because of its many good properties. Owning a German Shepherd Dog comes along with a great responsibility to train the dog. It is very important that the owner shall at least do basic obedience with their dog. That includes sit and down on command, sit and down stays and loose leash heeling. The recall command is probably the most important command of all for any dog, but even more so with the German Shepherd Dog.
German Shepherds are very strong dogs and you do not want to be dragged around the block when you take it for a walk. You need to be in control. When you have visitors, you do not want your German Shepherd to jump up against your friends. It is essential that you start training your German Shepherd puppy the moment it arrives at your home. From day one you should establish the packing order. Your puppy should not for one moment get the idea that he must fulfil the role of alpha.
Things your German Shepherd puppy should not be allowed:
Your puppy will be very cute and beautiful, they all are, but he should not be allowed on the bed or on the couch.
He should not be allowed to play bite any human. If he wants to bite your hand, say "NO" in a growling voice and give him a chewable toy.

The most essential thing you should do with your GSD puppy:Your puppy should be well socialized especially the first few months of its life, but preferably for the rest of its life. Take him with you wherever you go. Let him meet other dogs, people and especially children
German Shepherd Dogs are such clever dogs and easily trainable and so willing to please their owners that it is really sad when owners do not train their dogs.
There are so many disciplines in which their dogs can excel for example:Obedience
Tracking
Protection work
Agility
Therapy work (depending on the temperament)
Which method should be used for training the German Shepherd Dog?
It is wrongly believed that because the GSD is such a strong dog, that you should use strong and harsh methods to train the dog. Actually it is just the opposite. GSD’s are sensitive dogs and so clever that they learn very fast when you use positive reinforcement methods with lost of treats and praise. Clicker training is ideal for training any dog but also the GSD. You still have to be very firm especially when it is a male dog going through his hormonal phases, but the key is consistency and patience. If properly trained your German Shepherd will be a joy and companion for many years.


Tapeworm in dogs


MS du Toit has been training dogs for ten years. Please visit her Dog Training Page at http://www.dogtrainingtipsforfree.com

My Dog - The Digger - My Garden!!!

The question was asked: My dog digs in my garden, what can I do?
That is one of the most common problems amongst dog owners. Here is one solution.

What you can do is decide on an area where you can make a digging area for him. Take a bone or hoof or something he likes and bury it in that area. Then take your dog there and tell him to "search". Encourage him by starting to dig yourself. He will pick up the smell of the bone and he will carry on digging until he gets that.

Do that every day and he will soon learn that if he digs in that area, he will be rewarded by a nice bone. Fill up the holes in the lawn with some of his poop and cover with soil. He will not dig there anymore.

Did You Know That...

... the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed indigenous to SouthAfrica.
... Cocker Spaniels combine such a range of qualities, they might seem to be the perfect companion for anyone - merry and lively, attentive, sensitive, intelligent, tough and hardworking.
... Bamse - a Saint Barnard, was a symbol of the Free Norwegian Forces in World War II.
... Laika, the first animal to enter orbit when she was launched into space aboard Sputnik 2, was a Siberian Husky mix.
... backyard dogs have more behavior problems than dogs that are allowed in the house.

Being Your Dog's Leader is the Key to Training

Not taking the true nature of a dog into account can make training more difficult. Dogs are pack animals like the wolves. Understanding what it means to be a pack animal can unlock one of the greatest secrets of dog training. As pack animals, dogs have a leader, and all other dogs in that pack will automatically submit to that leader. They will look to that leader for guidance and instruction.

For domesticated dogs the owner and his family and close friends become the dogs pack. If you as owner demonstrates the properties of a leader, your dog will naturally follow your lead. If not, the dog will assume that he must fullfill the role of leader. That is where most behavior problems start. So you as owner should make sure that you know what your dog is looking for in you and your behavior to respect you as leader and submit to you.

Remember, good leader are consistent enforcers of rules and regulations.