German Shepherd Training / Advice

[TangoSierra916]

Hey everyone,

We are looking at adopting a Shepherd and wanted to see if anyone here had any good training articles/books/approaches I could study to try and better train the puppy. Just looking for resources/insight into training methods/cool tricks/toys (like puzzle food bowls) and things to keep challenging the dog outside of the fitness side of the house.

We grew up around dogs and have had dogs for many years just never a Shepherd.

Any help here is appreciated, thank you!

 

[91Eunozs]

What age dog?

Seriously… vast difference in behavior for that breed based on age, but they always need attention. If you can’t devote several hours per day; especially when they’re younger, you’re in for an adventure.

And a lot of shedding too…. My God! The dog hair…everywhere!

 

[Aftermath]

To add to post #2, what sort of training and/or treatment has this potential adoptee already had? Small children around? Other pets? You really need to be asking some questions and spend some time observing this animal before you decide. Realize you are inheriting someone else's mistakes...you know they are mistakes because the dog is being put up for adoption. Dogs are fantastic creatures but once they learn something, good or bad, it's real hard to untrain that behavior.

I adopted a German Wire Hair that had a reputation at the local pound for escaping. About 3-4 years old. They had him almost as much as his irresponsible owners. He was actually at the vet to be euthanized when my wife saw him while the Short hair was there to get some shots. Great dog. Lovable, biddable, bold, good hunter. But in 2 years I was unable to train him to not shit in his kennel. 2 years...and I am a competent trainer. All of my dogs have a "potty patch", it's basically just a 10'x10' sand box that is bordered off. They all go there to shit on their own...they will stop playing to go there to shit. I have a "doggy dooley" in the ground there and every few days one of us scoops the poop into the doggy dooley, add an enzyme tablet, spray some water in there and rake that sand so any Gunny would be proud. But this this dog had been kenneled and neglected his entire life...shitting in the kennel was just normal.

Be careful of what you wish for.

 

[kindabitey]

What age dog?

View attachment 8731204

Seriously… vast difference in behavior for that breed based on age, but they always need attention. If you can’t devote several hours per day; especially when they’re younger, you’re in for an adventure.

And a lot of shedding too…. My God! The dog hair…everywhere!

The shedding is only twice a year. From Jan- June and then July- Dec.

 

[Aftermath]

To add to post #2, what sort of training and/or treatment has this potential adoptee already had? Small children around? Other pets? You really need to be asking some questions and spend some time observing this animal before you decide. Realize you are inheriting someone else's mistakes...you know they are mistakes because the dog is being put up for adoption. Dogs are fantastic creatures but once they learn something, good or bad, it's real hard to untrain that behavior.

I adopted a German Wire Hair that had a reputation at the local pound for escaping. About 3-4 years old. They had him almost as much as his irresponsible owners. He was actually at the vet to be euthanized when my wife saw him while the Short hair was there to get some shots. Great dog. Lovable, biddable, bold, good hunter. But in 2 years I was unable to train him to not shit in his kennel. 2 years...and I am a competent trainer. All of my dogs have a "potty patch", it's basically just a 10'x10' sand box that is bordered off. They all go there to shit on their own...they will stop playing to go there to shit. I have a "doggy dooley" in the ground there and every few days one of us scoops the poop into the doggy dooley, add an enzyme tablet, spray some water in there and rake that sand so any Gunny would be proud. But this this dog had been kenneled and neglected his entire life...shitting in the kennel was just normal.

Be careful of what you wish for.

Let me add:
He also had a blood disorder that was genetic. My wife can tell you what that was but I don't recall. Basically his blood would not clot. Any little wound and he would bleed and bleed and bleed. I carried suture, a staple gun, antibiotics, alcohol and super-glue all of the time. I have a kit that a veterinarian helped me put together that I carry out hunting anyway so I carried that all of the time. We duplicated that kit at home. I had him about 2 years, maybe a little longer and he had to go to the vet for some sort of growth on his side. They decided they didn't want to work on him at all with that disorder. I took him to another vet and they drew some fluid off that and had it tested, cancerous. Again, they didn't want to operate or anything because he'd probably bleed out. I decided to euthanize him and that was sort of a hard thing to do.

 

[TangoSierra916]

What age dog?

View attachment 8731204

Seriously… vast difference in behavior for that breed based on age, but they always need attention. If you can’t devote several hours per day; especially when they’re younger, you’re in for an adventure.

And a lot of shedding too…. My God! The dog hair…everywhere!

Good question, the dog is 8 weeks old. We have raised a few dogs now from the very young puppy stage and you're rights its always an adventure. We feel well versed in the stages, that raptor stage is hilarious, just wanted to try and learn more on the breed and see if besides more mental and physical stimulation what other advice would be.

@Aftermath - good points too, I maybe used the wrong word when I said adopt, the dog is from a breeder, so only the breeder has been around it, the litter and parents. The puppies have been socialized with other dogs and young kids as well. Breeder wasn't our first choice but after searching months with shelters we couldn't find one to adopt.

A few months back we put down our amazing 14 year old lab after cancer took over and that was a shi* day, so I hear ya with the story you mentioned, it sucked.

 

[91Eunozs]

There’s another member here who got a GSD pup about a year ago, and had a thread about it…would be a good reference.

Can’t recall who right now though…

Edit: it was @AmmoFort

I think we're going to get a GSD for the family. Not 100% decided yet, but close.

When I was really young before my parents divorced I had a Samoyed and a GSD. I was told they were stolen, but who knows what that means. I always suspected they developed some sort of problems and unfortunately took bullets. After that we had a blue heeler and then mutts. One of the mutts was...

www.snipershide.com

 

[TangoSierra916]

There’s another member here who got a GSD pup about a year ago, and had a thread about it…would be a good reference.

Can’t recall who right now though…

Edit: it was @AmmoFort

I think we're going to get a GSD for the family. Not 100% decided yet, but close.

When I was really young before my parents divorced I had a Samoyed and a GSD. I was told they were stolen, but who knows what that means. I always suspected they developed some sort of problems and unfortunately took bullets. After that we had a blue heeler and then mutts. One of the mutts was...

www.snipershide.com

Thank you, I was just reading that one too.

 

[Milf Dots]

One upside to a GSD is they're easier to train, and more likely to obey that training, than my favorite breed Siberian Huskies.

 

[Ronws]

One upside to a GSD is they're easier to train, and more likely to obey that training, than my favorite breed Siberian Huskies.

Sibes are also my favorite breed. My dog, Shadow, was a mix of Siberian Husky and Labrador Retriever. He was trainable to a degree. So are sibes but they are working dogs.

Originating from a people in eastern and northeastern Siberia called the Chukchi. These dogs could run fast and pull hard in the worst conditions on the planet very simple food. It helps to remember that the job is to pull and run. It is my opinion that people could not properly pronounce the word chukchi or even the cyrillic equivalent, huskya. So, the called the dogs Siberian Husky. I could be wrong.

 

[Ronws]

As to the OP, look into clicker training and also determine what kind of job the dog will have.

For example, K-9s are not trained with treats or food but with tug on a towel.

 

[diverdon]

When a 8 week old puppy is jumping on you because they are starving and you are getting their food ready it's cute. When they growl while eating it's cute.

Now consider how those behaviors become habits and how cute they'll seem when the dog is two years old and 90 pounds.

So (I advise) correct your problem described in paragraph one. Its not the dogs food it's your food. You allow the dog to eat some of your food only when the dog is calm. You calmly order the dog to sit. When the dog sits you put the food on the floor. If the dog is still sitting then tell him to come get it.

If the dog can't wait till you tell him to come get it. Pick the bowl up and put it on the counter. Wait five minutes and try again. Next time wait 10 minutes. He don't eat until he's with the program.

First week sit on the floor next to the food. Periodically (when the pups eating seems frenzied) place your hand between pup and food ordering sit. If the pup sits calmly then remove your hand and say come get it.

But normal pups have a bit of resourse guarding behavior. Remember in two blinks this will be a 90 pound defender of your home and family. So the pup must learn not to nip or threaten the family. So if/when that happens---calmly pick up your food and put it on the counter for five minutes. Then start over.

If worst comes to worst it will not hurt a healthy pup to miss a meal. But resource guarding and jumping are why many adult dogs loose their family.

GSD's are smart. The pup also learns that a happy full belly comes from paying attention to what you want and giving it to you.

JMHO

For food i always liked Purina Pro Plan kibble. I always served it dry. A hungry dog will eat enough dry kibble and drink enough water.

 

[Milf Dots]

Sibes are also my favorite breed. My dog, Shadow, was a mix of Siberian Husky and Labrador Retriever. He was trainable to a degree. So are sibes but they are working dogs.

Originating from a people in eastern and northeastern Siberia called the Chukchi. These dogs could run fast and pull hard in the worst conditions on the planet very simple food. It helps to remember that the job is to pull and run. It is my opinion that people could not properly pronounce the word chukchi or even the cyrillic equivalent, huskya. So, the called the dogs Siberian Husky. I could be wrong.

When I was a young kid, relatives had three Sibes over the course of about 20 years, and I've had two rescue females that were pure breds, they've since past on at about 13.5 and 15.5 years old.

They of course got a ton of exercise in a big fenced yard, and 2x a day walks, but their indoor antics were very amusing!

I'll rescue another one or two Sibes eventually.

 

[TangoSierra916]

When a 8 week old puppy is jumping on you because they are starving and you are getting their food ready it's cute. When they growl while eating it's cute.

Now consider how those behaviors become habits and how cute they'll seem when the dog is two years old and 90 pounds.

So (I advise) correct your problem described in paragraph one. Its not the dogs food it's your food. You allow the dog to eat some of your food only when the dog is calm. You calmly order the dog to sit. When the dog sits you put the food on the floor. If the dog is still sitting then tell him to come get it.

If the dog can't wait till you tell him to come get it. Pick the bowl up and put it on the counter. Wait five minutes and try again. Next time wait 10 minutes. He don't eat until he's with the program.

First week sit on the floor next to the food. Periodically (when the pups eating seems frenzied) place your hand between pup and food ordering sit. If the pup sits calmly then remove your hand and say come get it.

But normal pups have a bit of resourse guarding behavior. Remember in two blinks this will be a 90 pound defender of your home and family. So the pup must learn not to nip or threaten the family. So if/when that happens---calmly pick up your food and put it on the counter for five minutes. Then start over.

If worst comes to worst it will not hurt a healthy pup to miss a meal. But resource guarding and jumping are why many adult dogs loose their family.

GSD's are smart. The pup also learns that a happy full belly comes from paying attention to what you want and giving it to you.

JMHO

For food i always liked Purina Pro Plan kibble. I always served it dry. A hungry dog will eat enough dry kibble and drink enough water.

Thanks for the insight here, we have practiced the distraction during eating with our dogs before, definitely helped make them kid friendly.

 

[Nailbender]

The same as any other dog.

A tired puppy is a good puppy.

Dogs thrive on consistency.

The lesson you think you're teaching is not always the lesson you're actually teaching. This is the hardest for people to figure out.

Find what motivates your dog and use it to train. Hopefully it's food, that's the easiest.

 

[wvfarrier]

I trained working dogs both in the mil and as a LEO.

Get a Kuranda bed and put it in the room near where your dog will be able to feel involved with everyone. Teach him "go to bed" or "go to your place". I use electronic collars initially to instill the commands. Then switch gradually switch to the vibration setting.

Once this command is locked in, move on to the basics of heel, sit, stay, etc.

 

[whatsupdoc]

We have had a few German Shepherd Dogs over the years, my wife is a trainer.
They are not for everybody and bad nervous owners will create bad nervous dogs as
a dog is usually a reflection of their owner.

Either you will train your German or your German will train you.

There are many good videos on Youtube for basic obedience training, Germans are easy to train
and naturally want to please. We never use clickers (annoying as shit) or electronic collars just positive reinforcement.

 

[GreenGO Juan]

Get a bout a 3-4 feet long tree branch, tie a rope about 2-3 feet long to it, to that rope tie a rag. Now go out in your front yard and spin in circles flipping the rag around with your contraption the dog will love it. Jumping around barking and biting, having a good ole time.

Nobody will ever try to break into your house after they see this.

 

[Runnineh]

Get a malinois instead if you want to see a real raptor. That and there is less of a worry about their hips later. Very easy to train as long as you put in the time.

 

[sheepdog697]

The shedding is only twice a year. From Jan- June and then July- Dec.

well said

 

[j-moose32]

Depending on how serious you are about it , if you’re open to an online program Mike Ritland has an online training portal that is very good. It gives you a structured program with videos on how to do everything etc.

https://teamdog.pet/

 

[Laser1]

When a 8 week old puppy is jumping on you because they are starving and you are getting their food ready it's cute. When they growl while eating it's cute.

Now consider how those behaviors become habits and how cute they'll seem when the dog is two years old and 90 pounds.

So (I advise) correct your problem described in paragraph one. Its not the dogs food it's your food. You allow the dog to eat some of your food only when the dog is calm. You calmly order the dog to sit. When the dog sits you put the food on the floor. If the dog is still sitting then tell him to come get it.

If the dog can't wait till you tell him to come get it. Pick the bowl up and put it on the counter. Wait five minutes and try again. Next time wait 10 minutes. He don't eat until he's with the program.

First week sit on the floor next to the food. Periodically (when the pups eating seems frenzied) place your hand between pup and food ordering sit. If the pup sits calmly then remove your hand and say come get it.

But normal pups have a bit of resourse guarding behavior. Remember in two blinks this will be a 90 pound defender of your home and family. So the pup must learn not to nip or threaten the family. So if/when that happens---calmly pick up your food and put it on the counter for five minutes. Then start over.

If worst comes to worst it will not hurt a healthy pup to miss a meal. But resource guarding and jumping are why many adult dogs loose their family.

GSD's are smart. The pup also learns that a happy full belly comes from paying attention to what you want and giving it to you.

JMHO

For food i always liked Purina Pro Plan kibble. I always served it dry. A hungry dog will eat enough dry kibble and drink enough water.

Wisdom right here.

 

[Roadrace33]

Thanks for the insight here, we have practiced the distraction during eating with our dogs before, definitely helped make them kid friendly.

I have grown up with Shepard’s and we bred them for about 20 years. The last 5 or 6 of them, we got from Mittlewest Shepard’s outside Chicago area.

Consistency is key. You don’t have to set crazy standards like some do. My current dog is 3. We (my parents) bred 2 we got from Mittlewest and I kept this one. He has been with me at work everyday since 6 weeks old. He is amazing with people/kids, but he also does not fuck around with funny business. Every single day I get comments how good of a demeanor he has.

The only training I did with him was up to about 1 year old, we got 8-10 other Shepard’s together(easy in my tribe, my parents have 7!!) and we went through a regular routine. Sit, down, stay, shake, etc. regular shit. My dog is no genius, but he listens and that is what is important. The food info on the previous post is good too. Your dog needs to be 100% ok with you sticking your face next to his food bowl while he’s eating.

Idk if you have kids, but if you want them to be good around little ones, get them around them as much as possible when the dog is young.

Do yourself a favor and buy a prong type collar and a very short leash. Mine is about 1’ long.

Enjoy. They are the best dogs in the world. I will always have one.

 

[AmmoFort]

There’s another member here who got a GSD pup about a year ago, and had a thread about it…would be a good reference.

Can’t recall who right now though…

Edit: it was @AmmoFort

I think we're going to get a GSD for the family. Not 100% decided yet, but close.

When I was really young before my parents divorced I had a Samoyed and a GSD. I was told they were stolen, but who knows what that means. I always suspected they developed some sort of problems and unfortunately took bullets. After that we had a blue heeler and then mutts. One of the mutts was...

www.snipershide.com

I don't think I have much to add that others haven't gone over better. O.P. I think @diverdon is right on about making sure the pup knows the food is yours. That worked out for us really well. As far as training goes we never progressed much past recall, sit, stay and lay down. We got really lucky with Tank. When he was still pretty little we had to curb his instinct to drag people down by the arm. Never actually hurt anyone, but sure as shit if someone would be wearing a bigger coat and running by him he'd try to bring 'em down. My oldest daughter was able to train him some, but it never would have worked if I wasn't there for all interactions with him and the fam to put him on his back while holding the scruff of his neck to correct him. He spent a ton of time in a 8x8' kennel outside and when he was inside he was locked in a regular travel kennel/crate.

Now he's just a really good boy. Treats my children amazing. People still get whapped by his tail now and then, but as far as him with my wife and kids...zero complaints. Seen him bolt with his hackles up and charge to the forefront between my kids and things he has perceived as a threat. And when we walk around the property if I leave he wants to go with me, but I just tell him "go with them" and point, and he roves around them and won't leave. This was the main thing I needed and he's delivering. He's probably up to at least 100lbs. Still needs 3 meals a day. Tried to take him down to 2 and could feel his ribs too easy. He is a lean mean motherfucker.

He currently lives outside with our new chickens (we are just starting our chicken adventure) hoping to keep predators away from the coop. Wish I would have been setup to have the chickens earlier so he could have grown with them from a small pup. He does alright. His favorite thing to do is take night vision and thermal strolls with me and larp like we're hunting operators operating operationally.

I haven't tried the prong collar in forever, but it was a failure. He didn't understand it and it just shut him down. We bought a a Garmin E-collar trying to turn his drive to murder the cat/s and he was too smart for it or I was too dumb to figure out how to utilize it. Possibly both. It sits on the shelf. I'm sure we'd all be even happier if we trained more, but we're doing pretty dang good as it is.

The dogs were freaking out tonight and I thought they were out of water. Went out and found this little rattle snake causing a commotion. I won't say they were scared, but they were a bit concerned and wanting the fuck out of there.

Good ramble? I'm gonna ask my 2nd oldest to help me clean the grill in the morning lol.