7 Pro Tips for Training Your German Shepherd

German Shepherds. Incredibly smart and loyal. A breed I never pictured myself having in my home, until I met my Ella at the Albuquerque Eastside Shelter. And let me tell you, I had no idea of what I was in for and I quickly came to realize just how much I needed to learn about this powerhouse dog. Here are 7 tips I wish I had known before bringing her home.

1. Understanding Breed-Specific Traits

If you are already the proud human guardian of a German Shepherd, it's probably not surprising that these dogs have strong herding and guarding instincts. Engaging your German Shepherd in training and play that fulfill more of the predatory sequence can be hugely satisfying to your dog and ward off the fetch obsession that commonly plagues this breed (and other herding breeds, like Border Collies). These games also strengthen your communication and relationship with them. These games and training include:

• dynamic fetch

• use of flirt poles*

• use of herding balls

• goalie dog*

• introductory sheep herding exercises (without sheep)*

* these activities are explained in depth in the online courses by Collies with Yen.

As natural guardians, it's probably also not surprising to you that your adolescent or adult German Shepherd isn't particularly fond of new people, especially when those people enter your yard or home. Early, careful, and deliberate socialization is crucial for these dogs to know when someone is a threat and when they are not.

Another important consideration for training German Shepherds is when they reach certain life stages, particularly when they are puppies and when they are adolescents. As puppies (the first 6 months of life) it's crucial to 1) give them as many positive social interactions and life events as possible and 2) not overdo it on physical exertion. Leading causes of bone, joint, and tendon issues in puppies are slipping on hard, slick surfaces like wood or tile floors, being asked to "sit" too often, and running too much. (Read point number 3 for more on why this is important.) The adolescent stage of life (6 months - 2.5 years) is that velociraptor phase that so many memes point fun at. The teenager phase. This is when your German Shepherd is physically and mentally maturing. In this phase, your German Shepherd is more likely to test boundaries and not cooperate like they used to. This is where they lose their "puppy license" with older dogs. And most important to understand, this is where your dog is most mentally and emotionally sensitive. During this time negative experiences can really weigh heavy on them, and it can take significantly more positive experiences to outweigh that one scary event. On the other hand, this is an excellent period of time for your dog to learn important life skills and cues and build trust in you to keep them fulfilled and safe.

2. Working Line vs. Show Line

Do you know which flavor of German Shepherd you have living under your roof? If you didn't even know they came in different varieties, you're not alone - I just recently learned that show line German Shepherds are a thing. Here are some key differences.

Working Line

These are your sheep herders, police dogs, and protection trained dogs. They're the stereotypical high energy, high drive, high endurance, highly intelligent, and highly territorial German Shepherds. They require experienced and skilled handlers and guardians, or very dedicated guardians new to this kind of dog. They tend to have narrower bodies, straighter backs, and may have shorter fur than show line Shepherds.

Show Line

These are those lower energy, more laid back, friendlier, yet just as intelligent, German Shepherds. That's not to say that they aren't naturally alert and protective, though they tend to be less intense. They tend to have longer fur, wider shoulders, and more curved backs than the working line Shepherds.

Knowing which flavor of German Shepherd you have as your companion can really help know how what kind of training you'll need to do with your dog and how much time and energy you'll need to put into it. Click here to read more about the differences between working line and show line German Shepherds.

3. Regular Health Checks

It's estimated that 30-80% of dogs with behavioral problems also have underlying health issues that cause pain or discomfort. Being in pain or discomfort can significantly hinder learning and emotional regulation.

As larger dogs, German Shepherds are particularly prone to hip and joint problems. Additionally, many German Shepherds have long and sloping backs that can lead to spinal issues (e.g., Degenerative Myelopathy and IVDD). Asking your veterinarian to assess your Shepherd for hip or elbow dysplasia as well as back issues at regular check ups is recommended. Other common sources of pain and discomfort include allergies, itchiness, ear infections, and digestive upset.

Keeping a close eye on your dog's physical condition, noting any changes in behaviors, and keeping in touch with your veterinarian can help your dog reach their full training potential, but most importantly, it ensures your dog is living as happily and healthy as possible.

4. Management

Management refers to safety and prevention. When thinking about safety in training, this includes keeping our dogs safe as well as keeping others safe. To keep our dogs safe, we use the appropriate length leash for the environment, keep training equipment like leashes and harnesses in good working condition, and make sure off-leash areas are secure. Keeping others safe includes using muzzles, crates, and leashes when warranted.

Prevention often occurs in the same thought as safety (i.e., preventing harm), and it can also apply to preventing our dogs from practicing behaviors we don't want them to practice. For example, if our German Shepherd reliably barks at the mail man and we'd like them to not bark at the mail man, we might manage our dog by putting them in the yard with a blocked view of the mailbox. Alternatively, we may choose to manage our dog's environment by using window films or blinds/curtains to block their view.

5. Enrichment

It can be easy to hear the word "enrichment" and think it means fun extra stuff that doesn't matter a whole lot. That couldn't be further from the truth. Enrichment is meeting your dog's natural doggie needs in a modern human world. Giving your dog opportunities to be a dog can do wonders for reducing stress and anxiety and increasing confidence and problem solving skills. These things include:

• dog-led (aka sniff) walks or chances for off-leash running

• other outlets for sniffing (e.g., scatter feeding, snuffle mats, etc.)

• opportunities for licking (e.g., lick mats, Pupsicles, etc.)

• appropriate chew items (e.g., antlers, dog-safe wood, dental sticks, etc.)

• chances to dig

• allowing them to ground scratch (when they kick up grass and dirt after going potty)

When caring for a high drive and intelligent dog like a German Shepherd, giving them multiple outlets for their energy and natural instincts will go a long way in keeping them fulfilled, and therefore, you less stressed.

6. Positive Reinforcement Training Methods

Positive reinforcement methods are rapidly gaining the spotlight in the dog training industry, as they have been scientifically proven to be the best for dogs' wellbeing and for providing lasting results. Positive reinforcement essentially boils down to showing dogs what we want them to do, rather than punishing them for what we don't want them to do. When it comes to the German Shepherd, a breed that thrives on having a job to do and receiving praise from their guardians for doing their job well, positive reinforcement is a no-brainer.

7. Know When Your Dog is Frustrated or Tired

With working breeds such as the German Shepherd, it can be difficult for them to settle on their own or know when it's time to clock out of work, and it's our duty as their guardians to help them with this. Learning your dog's individual signs of frustration and fatigue, and ending the training lesson at the earliest indication of these signs, can help learning happen faster and make training more fun for both of you. We want to end training sessions on a positive note, or on a "win." Some common signs that your dog is getting frustrated, tired, bored, or burnt out from a training lesson include:

• increased barking

• decreased attention span

• increased jumping

• increased nipping or mouthiness

• laying down

• walking away

Bonus Tip

Ending training lessons with play (and I mean true play, no expectations of "drop it" or "sit") and high quality rest (undisturbed and comfortable) can improve your German Shepherd's learning retention.

Common Training Challenges

Based on your own personal experiences, or perhaps the information outlined above, you may not be surprised at these common training challenges when it comes to German Shepherds:

• Having a hard time settling

• Chasing things with wheels - bicyclists, skateboarders, cars

• Herding behaviors towards children

• Difficulty walking on leash with other dogs (e.g., pack walk)

• Reactivity, especially with barriers such as fences and on leash

• Loud and persistent barking when aroused

• Not sharing toys well

Conclusion

German Shepherds can be overwhelming for inexperienced handlers and guardians, but leaning into their incredible intelligence, loyalty, and yearning to learn with the tips outlined above can increase confidence and communication between human and dog - leading to a less stressful life with a German Shepherd.

I hope you found this article helpful! I know not all problems can be fixed by reading a blog post, so if you're looking for more specialized help, I'm here for you! Just head over to my main page and submit the contact form, and I'll be in touch with you soon.