Teaching your dog German Shepherd commands. Service dog: how to train a German shepherd, raise a puppy at home? Protective Service Commands

For a long time of service to man, German Shepherds acquire the "title" of universal service dogs. The only work in which the breed is not used is hunting, and this is not because the shepherd dog cannot be trained in skills, but because of an unsuitable physique for fishing. The training of the German Shepherd is within the power of beginners who have only theoretical knowledge. You should not think that training a dog is too easy, but in the case of German Shepherds, the intelligence of the tailed dog compensates for the lack of experience of the trainer.

The versatility of the breed suggests its "flexibility" in training. It is better to start training a German Shepherd from the age of 3-4 months, but even a one-year-old untrained dog will be easy to train. It is also worth understanding that education and training are very similar concepts, but at the same time different:

Upbringing- an extensive term that includes teaching the norms of behavior, socialization, helping the puppy in the formation of his picture of the world and training.

Training– training and testing of commands, both basic and additional.

So, in the whole process of education there is only one significant factor - the right motivation. Traditionally, it is customary to encourage dogs with treats, but you won’t carry sweets with you for life ... and what will happen if you accidentally forget the “obedience currency” at home? There is a reward scheme - one treat, three praises. In the context of praise, the owner's emotions and an enjoyable activity for the dog, most often a game, are meant. The sooner you find effective motivation, the faster and more successful your pet's training will be.

Advice: take a closer look at the behavior of your puppy, what is he interested in? Maybe he likes looking for toys, fooling around, fetching a ball, jumping high, chasing frisbees? Yes, all these are exercises, part of training, but there is nothing better than a favorite thing that has become work.

Immediately after moving into a new home, the dog is stressed and should receive maximum affection, but not concessions. The pet must make sure that he is surrounded by friends who will not harm him. The initial training of the German Shepherd at home continues until the basic vaccination is received, that is, up to 4–4.5 months of age. On the one hand, this period of life is quite stressful - the puppy adapts to changes, the outside world and society, on the other hand, the dog is already able to learn simple commands. It is important to designate the hierarchy of the pack, the owner is the leader, his will is the law, his rights are unshakable. Against the background of rigidity, the owner is the "parent" of the puppy, that is, he is obliged to devote enough time to joint leisure. Further, already on walks, games are combined with the development of basic commands.

If you do not have even a primitive experience in training, it is worth enrolling in a puppy group for OKD (general training course). The training will take 1–2 months, but will need to be repeated and reinforced at 8–12 months of age. It should be understood that the puppy becomes a teenager at the age of 6-7 months, and this is a real transitional age with all the ensuing circumstances - disobedience, perseverance, the first bullying and fights with relatives. Before the age of one year, it is recommended that the dog be accustomed to sharp loud sounds, get rid of fears associated with water and height (within reason).

The German Shepherd is considered mature and mentally mature when it reaches 3 years of age, and basic commands are honed throughout the entire period of growing up. The pet has perfectly mastered the OKD - work with gestures and with the clicker, this will not only take time, but also allow you to work out obedience to a first-class level.

If you have a desire to freestyle or other sports with your dog, the period of 1 to 3 years is ideal for mastering the basic skills. In the early stages, it may seem that training is too difficult for the dog, but it is not. As soon as the pet matures mentally, he will become more balanced and focused. By the way, agility is an exciting sport and one of the favorite pastimes of German Shepherds who are not employed in the service.

Read also: The puppy eats cat food: is it possible or not?

Important! If your pet is raised as a working dog, then the skills associated with the "profile" need to be developed from an early age. Here you can not do without the help of a cynologist and group classes.

Abilities and talents - what can be trained German Shepherd

Have you met people whose profession does not coincide with what they love? Unfortunately, such a majority and a serious-looking man with an oblique fathom in his shoulders at work, who is happy to crochet at home, is not such a rarity. By analogy, one can also consider the "purpose" of German Shepherds - the breed has prescribed functions, but there is also a job that the pet simply likes. If you want to quickly, successfully and correctly train a German Shepherd - define its "hobby". Usually, a breed is considered as:

Security– protection of the territory and property of the owner.

Protective- protection of the owner and family members from other people, in cynology it is ZKS (protective guard service)

Investigative- a keen sense of smell allows the dogs to be used to detect people, animals, things, fossils, drugs and leaks of volatile gases. By the way, progress has already reached the point that the scent of dogs is used in medicine to detect diseases at an early stage.

Shepherd dogs have been working on the above profiles for centuries, which means that even a puppy has basic skills. Your task is to develop these talents, one or each of them, but in turn. By the way, cynologists do not recommend teaching the dog everything, it is better to choose one profile and hone it to perfection. There are types of work that are not inscribed in the "pedigree" of shepherd dogs, but they look great:

Cargo delivery- no one talks about harnessing to a sled, but teach your dog to deliver a toy placed under the harness and it will be great.

Search and Rescue Service- Shepherd dogs not only succeed in this work, but also set records. By the way, it was Germany that became the debutant, putting the training of rescue dogs "on stream". Shepherd dogs are trained to search for living people under debris, ground, snow, dogs land from the air and walk kilometers to the accident site, work in tandem with a trainer or on their own.

Convoy and patrol- this direction is more connected with dogs working in the special services.

Escort or guide dog- here you can also include four-legged nannies. The job of a dog is to take care of a person.

And of course, sports both at the amateur and professional level. German Shepherds excel in agility competitions, dog pulling (tug of war), dog frisbee, sports herding, pitch and go (quick fetching competition), fast track (high-speed overcoming barriers), fly bole, obidiense, freestyle.

Teams and age - when and what to teach?

Ideally, training a German Shepherd puppy starts at 2 months of age, in fact from 3 months of age. The first jerk of training is the most difficult for the owner, but not for the caudate. The puppy is still small and loves to do any business, if only the owner was nearby. A coach who does not get everything right the first time is going through a period of adaptation. You need to understand that too much depends on your emotional stamina. Demonstrative breakdowns, screams, slaps with leashes are nails driven into the coffin of your authority. Is the puppy slow? Well, let it be, the speed of command execution can be improved, but you will not return respect. So, the first thing you need is patience and understanding that you are working with a child. The second is ammunition for the dog and at least theoretical knowledge on the topic of training.

The general German Shepherd training course includes 9 sets of commands, but a minimum of 15 months is given for its passage. The tailed one can get the OKD certificate earlier, but it will have to be confirmed. The commands of the general course, worked out for voice and gesture, are:

Near- forward, backward, step left and right, turn around its axis.

Show your teeth or Teeth, dressing and wearing a muzzle - the minimum test time is 30 seconds.

Sit, Lie, Stand.

To me and near- march to the front position, change position to the left leg of the coach.

Place- delay at the specified place up to 30 seconds, approach for recall, return to the specified place. The minimum distance between the trainer and the dog is 15 m, in a fixed position the dog can be laid down with the “Down” command, the use of toys or personal belongings is acceptable.

Aport and Dai.

Barrier and Forward- jump over a blind obstacle; overcoming boom and stairs.

Loud sounds- in the process of executing any command, a single shot of the starting pistol is heard on the site to check the reaction and concentration of the dog.

Naturally, Skills are acquired gradually. It is recommended to teach the dog a set of commands, since the monotonous repetition of the same exercise reduces the effectiveness of classes. The process of basic training can (and should) be extended for 6 months. The load is distributed approximately in this order:

1-2 months - acquaintance, establishing contact with people, accustoming to a nickname.

2-4 months - Come to me, Fu, Place (return to sunbed).

4-6 months - Side by side, Sit, Lie down, Stand.

It is worth starting to study the rest of the teams only with a solid “base”. Don't be embarrassed if your dog gets distracted or gets tired quickly - that's normal. It is not normal to give a command and not bring it to completion, each time to encourage the dog with a treat, to scream and use physical punishment, to rush the puppy. Trainings are held every day, it is advisable to train with the dog several times, but not for long (15-20 minutes). Whatever one may say, but the most important commands should be considered the call (Come to me) and the termination of the action (Fu), they must be practiced at any convenient time and in a variety of external conditions.

From 7 months or later, the dog is trained to overcome obstacles, but be sensible and do not overload the puppy's still fragile joints with jumping. The study of the commands Aport and Dai is carried out in a playful way and most often does not cause difficulties. Returning to the place in the conditions of the street requires restraint and concentration, therefore, working out can be postponed until the age of one. Accustoming to shots is also carried out individually, it’s worth starting with a game - inflate balloons and let the puppy burst them, later you can use pyrotechnics and only after that, the starting pistol.

Training at the ZKS course is carried out only after passing the OKD and excellent working out of the Fu, Next, To me commands. Also, the dog should be calm about the muzzle (part of the classes without a leash is carried out in a muzzle). To master the protection, the pet must mature morally (age 1.5–2 years), that is, grow up differently, it will show results only on the site, and in case of real danger it will run away first.

Additional commands

A number of teams that play a big role in everyday life are not included in the OKD course. To teach a pet or not is a master's business, but if you plan to work or perform with a dog in any sport, there are no superfluous skills. So, additional commands include:

The German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds. This animal is very intelligent and devoted to the owner. The mind and natural instinct inherent in her characterize her not only as the best watchman, but also as a friend of the owner.

She is easy to deal with in terms of education and training. Nature has laid down that the German Shepherd pliantly indulges in these processes even at home, subject to the rules of the owner himself.

German Shepherd Training

This breed of dog is popular not only as a pet. This is the best watch dogs. They are also specially educated and trained to be involved in operational search activities.

In particular, one of these dogs - Dzhulbars, was awarded the medal "for military merit" during the Great Patriotic War.

Characteristics of the "German"

This breed of dog is commonly referred to as universal". It is marked by a complex of its own, only its inherent merits, namely:

Even a beginner can train such a dog. A person who has not been involved in this business before, but clearly follows the recommendations and instructions from training, will go through this path with a shepherd dog without problems.
An extremely intelligent animal. Easily accepts all commands, ready to make decisions independently.
"Watchman No. 1". So this is the real truth. This animal is extremely intuitive. It feels the approach of danger, and is ready to go first to protect the owners. You don't need to issue a command to do this. The dog itself feels the approach of the threat.

Choosing a puppy and his upbringing

If your choice fell on this breed, then you should acquire it at the very favorable period of a dog's life. It is recommended to take a baby at the age of 1-2 months. So that he does not become attached to the previous owner, since they become attached to people very quickly.

What to consider when choosing a puppy

Pedigree;
The physical condition of the animal.

When choosing a puppy, be sure to ask for documents, health certificates. If you are buying a dog for your own enjoyment and have no commercial purpose and no desire to participate in an exhibition, then the pedigree is not important to you.

But in any case, make sure that the dog is healthy. Examine it, if necessary, you can contact a veterinarian who will give qualified assessment of the condition of the dog.

Basic rules for training a German shepherd at home

We adopted this wonderful puppy into the house, remember that in the future you want to have disciplined dog. Therefore, it is worth thinking about training a shepherd dog from the first days.

Discipline. Often the little one wants to allow more than possible, because he is so cute. But if you train your dog to lie on the couch from a small age, he will also behave when he grows up. From the first day do not allow actions against which to continue.

Courtesy. Take good care of your little puppy, guide him and praise him for all the right things. Don't rush to be strict. Teams first apply in the form of a game. Your dog feels everything, he is like a child. Praise when she goes to the toilet in her designated area, when she has eaten, and so on.

Mode and order. Feed at the same time from his bowl. Set aside a separate place for this. In order not to collect leftovers throughout the house in the future.

German Shepherd Training

How to train a German Shepherd? It is necessary to start training and education from the first days in the house. Gradually, as the perception of age.

1-2 month

The first thing to start with is accustoming to nickname. The main rule: do not twist the name, always call the same way so that the dog learns to respond to it.

Gradually accustom to the collar, leash and muzzle. A puppy from a young age should get used to this so that in the future there will be no difficulties. It just needs to be done very carefully. Wear the collar starting from a few minutes a day. Subsequently, you also work out with a leash, walking around the apartment.

At first, when the little one has not yet been vaccinated, walks are prohibited. Therefore, he will go to the toilet at home. In this, too, try to maintain discipline. After feeding or drinking, take him to the place where he is to urinate.

If you see that the little one has shit in the middle of the apartment, you can lightly poke him with his nose, indicating the place where you should go to the toilet. But to do this trace immediately after he shat. If this happened a long time ago, and you just noticed it, then you should not use this technique. He simply does not understand what you want from him.

2-4 months

Now you can teach to perform basic teams. It is important not to forget that:

During this period, the puppy learns the following commands:

"To me". When you give the command, keep something tasty for the dog. She should be encouraged to follow commands, to full development.

"Place". In order to teach your dog to master this command, do the following. In the place where you send the dog, that is, the place where he will sleep, put something tasty for him, for example, a bone. Over time, the kid himself will run after your team and without encouragement. Send the baby to the place when you go from home.

"Fu", "No"

This team is no less important than the others. But to give her trace more strictly. After all, this is your prohibitive reaction to certain actions of the dog. Say it in a strict, raised tone and lightly spank the baby.

The development of all these basic commands at home will make it possible to calmly go for walks and continue to master the commands on the street.

4 months

After 4 months, the shepherd dog is taught commands that develop endurance. As in previous cases, accustoming to new commands should be accompanied by encouragement as something tasty.

During this period, the owners teach the puppy the commands “near”, “sit”, “lie down”. The dog must follow these commands until the owner gives the command "walk". Training should be carried out starting with a few seconds, gradually increasing.

Along with such training, you can perform exercises with obstacles. But don't overdo it. The baby is still quite fragile.

On a playful walk, throw the stick away from you and ask for it. Shepherd wants to please and will bring it to you with joy. Necessarily for this she should be praised.

Workouts are best daily. You must make time for your beloved animal. The main thing is not to delay the start of training. You should start while the shepherd is small, then everything is perceived and remembered better. Training, daily routine - this is the way of life of a dog. If you do not ask him right away, then she will get used to another, and retraining is always harder.

How long does it take to train a German Shepherd puppy?

Starting from two to twelve months, the German Shepherd requires close attention. attention from your side.

From this period depends on what your already adult and formed dog will be.

That is, depending on how hardy and calm you are, you can raise a dog like that.

How to train a guard dog

By nature, this dog has the ability to guard. She is fully devoted to this business and one of the best guards.

To raise a shepherd dog as a real watchman, you must also introduce certain restrictions. This applies to strangers. When you have guests over, or you meet someone on the street, do not allow contact with the dog. All kinds of stroking and playing with strangers teach the dog to be nice to everyone. That's not how you train a watchman. Give orders in the presence of strangers "near". The dog should sit next to you and guard. In this case, you will bring up a real guard dog that will not let anyone else even take a step.

The exception is family members. Shepherd - very friendly dog. He is kind to all family members. He especially loves children, and they love him. Playing together, they have a lot of fun, but this does not affect the violation of discipline. Your dog will be very happy with this.

How to properly punish

In no case it is forbidden beat the sheepdog You can order, accompanied by light pats, but no physical strength. If you hit your dog, he will most likely be cowardly.

Effective as a punishment resentment owner. Shepherd most of all tries to please the owner. Therefore, your offense for them will be a good lesson.

The most common parenting mistakes

Everyone dreams that the acquired puppy will grow into a big smart and balanced dog. Which will clearly follow the commands and adhere to discipline. However, some hope so, but do not put so much effort and attention.

For example, a simple dog is fed and walked, and only occasionally trained. Complete chaos at home, the dog sleeps and eats where it pleases. It is not surprising that such a dog behaves inappropriately on the street. How to prevent such a situation? It really all depends on the owner. There are a number of mistakes that will prevent you from raising a shepherd dog properly. Namely:

The use of physical punishment. We are not talking about light slaps with which you are simply trying to draw the puppy's attention to his bad behavior. It's about hard power.
Infrequent workouts. Training should be carried out not when you want, but constantly during the formation period.
· Lack of attention from the owners. From the moment you adopt a puppy, you have to take care of it. If you want a devoted dog, be sure to pay attention to him from a small and constantly.
Insufficient amount of mental and physical exercise. The dog will become cultured and educated only if the owner teaches him this.
· Stability in prohibitions. If you do not allow the dog to climb on the sofa, then this prohibition should be permanent, without exception to the rules. After all, when you are unstable in your position, the dog also does not learn to steadily fulfill this or another requirement.

How to care for a German Shepherd

This animal unpretentious in supervision and is no different in this from other animals.

In the first months it requires vaccination. Therefore, the owner must:

make the necessary vaccinations so as not to have dog health problems;
stick to the diet. It is necessary to give food to the dog at the same time, in the same place. Babies are fed three times a day. It is enough to feed an adult shepherd dog 2 times a day, in the morning and in the evening;
keep the place where the shepherd sleeps clean. Periodically bathe the animal in special shampoos or laundry soap. Comb the coat accordingly. When your animal is well-groomed, and will not create discomfort in the house.

It can be concluded that the German Shepherd itself naturally has the most favorable conditions for education and training. With the right approach to the animal, you can raise a real, intelligent friend and guard. But, at the same time, you should make a little effort. But the one who loves his dog will do it with pleasure.

German Shepherd training is not only fun, but also an indicator of the dog's discipline. The German Shepherd is a very smart animal, which is not without reason used in all special services. Raising a pet is half the battle, it also needs to be educated. Dogs of this breed are easy to train. Raising a German Shepherd puppy will not cause much trouble, he will be happy to demonstrate already learned skills and learn new ones. When training, it is important to remember that we train a puppy in order to raise a best friend out of him.

It is important not to confuse concepts such as training and education. They are similar, but have semantic differences. Education is a broader concept, it includes not only training, but also the ability to "behave in society."

The main aspects of training

Any person, from an amateur to a dog handler, can train a German Shepherd puppy, as well as its upbringing. In order to properly raise a German Shepherd, special training is not needed.

The main idea that needs to be conveyed to the puppy from the first minutes of his appearance at home is that the owner is the leader of the pack. Otherwise, training a German Shepherd at home can be a lot of trouble. But do not forget to give your pet affection, remember that it is now a difficult period for him, big changes have taken place in his life. After all, the owner is not only the leader of the pack, but also a friend, a parent.

Before starting training, it is necessary to understand the nature of the dog in order to choose the best method of motivation for the pet, because favorite treats may not always be at hand.

The best age for training is 3-4 months.

There are also professional courses for puppies, where a training manual is issued. Owners with no experience in pet training should consider this option. One such lesson costs from 1000 rubles.

The "Germans" have many talents: they can be used as a guard, protector, courier, guide dog, in special services or as athletes. So, let's look at how to teach German Shepherd commands. First you need to choose the direction in which it will need to be developed, and then move on to training.

Basic Commands

Commands that a dog should be able to perform, regardless of its type of activity:

"next" - the dog should stand to the right leg of the trainer;
"sit" - the dog must sit and sit for at least 30 seconds;
"lie down" - the dog must lie down for at least 30 seconds;
"stand" - the dog must stand for at least 30 seconds;
"place" - the dog must stay in the indicated place;
“to the leg” - the dog must approach the trainer;
"Aport" - the dog must bring the object that the trainer threw to her;
“fu” - the dog should stop and spit everything out of its mouth, if there was something there;
"barrier" - the dog must jump over the obstacle indicated by the trainer.

The study of all these commands is included in the aforementioned general training courses.

How to train a German Shepherd? Any training should be divided into special logical blocks. They should be formed taking into account the age of the dog and logically, because some of them rely on the knowledge of others. To make it easier for the “Germans” to study them, do not forget to use the features of your pet. Remember that raising a German Shepherd is a painstaking but rewarding task.

Teaching basic commands

First block

How to teach a shepherd dog commands? Puppy training begins with the “fu” command. In order for a dog to obey any order, two rules must always be observed: a stern voice and a look into the dog's eyes. Puppies are quickly distracted, which can be used when teaching this command. To do this, distract the puppy from unwanted actions, and do not forget to repeat "fu!". If, nevertheless, the find turned out to be much more interesting than the proposed analogue, then the owner has the right to slap the baby in the area of \u200b\u200bthe croup. If the find is still winning over the owner's team, then you can increase the blow a little or unclench your teeth yourself.

Together with the “fu” team, the “to the foot” team is being studied.

Training is best done with an assistant. Find a quiet place so that nothing can distract the puppy from activities, then ask a friend to pick up the puppy in his arms and carry it 1-2 meters. But the dog must be carried to the chosen distance so that he does not lose sight of his owner. Then you need to lower it to the ground and hold until the command is pronounced. When the dog approaches, pet it and give it a treat.

And another team that is studied along with the “fu” and “to the foot” commands is “place”. When it became clear that the puppy had eaten, played enough, was tired and no longer minds taking a nap, lay him on the bed, while commanding “place!”. If after moving the baby remained there, then stroke him, but if he changed his mind to rest, then hold him for a few seconds, commanding “place!” again. You can put the treat on the bed so that the dog can see what you have done, and when he goes to get the treat, command again. You can hide a treat in the bedding, and when the puppy comes into the room, command "place!" and take out the treat in front of him.

Second block

The upbringing and training of the German Shepherd at the second stage involves the study of such commands: “lie down”, “sit”, “stand”, “beside”. The "sit" command is one of the simplest. To study it, you need to raise your hand with a treat to shoulder level and command “sit!”. If the dog does not understand what is required of her, then help her do it. Press lightly on the dog's croup and command again.

The “down” command, as well as “sit”, is performed using combined techniques, that is, with the help of treats and tactile contact. To teach the “down” command, put your hand folded into a fist on the floor and command “down!”. If the puppy does not understand what is required of him, then press on his withers and command again.

To teach the “stand” command, you must first walk a circle with the dog with the “near” command, then stop, put your open palm forward and command “stand!”. If necessary, you need to bend down, lift the puppy by the stomach, repeat the command and stand with him for a couple more seconds. Then you need to praise the baby, because he is well done and did an excellent job.

To teach the “near” command, in the case of a German Shepherd puppy, a parforce is used - this is a collar for large breeds of dogs with spikes bent inward.

We take the dog on a leash and walk with it so that it does not move further than 50 cm. If the “German” has gone too far, then we pull it back and repeat the command.

Third block

And the last, third block in the general training will be the teams "fetch" and "barrier". Consider how to properly train these teams. To train the “fetch” command, you need to choose an object suitable for your pet: a flying saucer, a ball, etc. We take the dog on a leash and start playing with it with the selected object, now we throw the toy at our feet and command “fetch!”. A puppy who is fascinated by the game will, of course, immediately grab it. Now you need to repeat the action, but throw the toy further and command again. After the dog grabs the object, it is important that it does not run away from the handler. She must return the toy. If she still tries to run away, you need to gently but persistently pull the pet towards you. It is important not to bring down the game mood. After the dog approaches, it must give the item to the trainer. If she did not do this, then the owner has the right to lightly slap the puppy on the lower jaw or exchange the item for a treat.

The methodology for teaching the “barrier” command must be considered in relation to a single pet. The first way is to pass obstacles together with the owner, and while overcoming them, you need to command “barrier!”. You can throw a treat or a toy over an obstacle and again, while overcoming, say “barrier!”. Another option is to command the dog to "sit!" 2 m before the obstacle, then go behind it and command “to the foot!”, And when overcoming the barrier itself, say “barrier!”.

Additional commands

German Shepherd training is not limited to this list of commands. There are additional commands:

"voice" - the dog should start barking;
“quiet” - this command will help stop barking;
“give a paw” - the dog must sit and, after pronouncing the command, stretch out its paw to the owner;
"Snake" - the dog must go around the obstacles with a snake;
"face" - the dog must attack the person indicated by the trainer;
"spit" - an analogue of the "fu" command;
"wait" - the dog must remain in place without the supervision of the owner;
"turn" - the dog must go around some object;
"Roll" - the dog must roll to the side from a prone position.

The easiest way to teach your dog the "voice" command is the stimulus method. As an irritant, you can use food or a toy. It is necessary to show the selected item to the pet and not let him grab this thing, the reaction of the animal will be quite predictable: it will begin to bark. And the owner, taking advantage of the moment, must command "voice!".

Your pet may bark at the most inopportune moment for this.

In order to stop him, the command "quiet" is needed. For training, she needs at the moment when the puppy barked, hold his mouth with his hand, commanding “quiet!”, and be sure to give him a treat.

The “give paw” command is one of the favorites of all guests, why deprive them of such pleasure? To teach this command, you need to hold a treat in your fist and slip it under the dog's nose. Instinctively, the dog will try to get a treat with his tongue, and when it doesn’t work out, he will put his paw, and at this moment it is necessary to command “give a paw!”.

Teaching the "snake" command begins with the "close" command. When the dog has taken the desired position, we take a step with our left foot and circle the delicacy from the formed passage to the left side. When the dog has performed the trick, praise it and repeat the trick, but stepping with the right foot.

As a rule, dogs that work in special services are trained in the “fas” command, but sometimes owners train their pets. So, to train the “face” command, it is better to immediately take an assistant with ammunition with you. It is better if it is a person whom the dog does not know. First you need to tie the dog to a tree and tease, some kind of rag is best for this. If the dog began to react to it, then it is imperative to command “face!”. But it may happen that the four-legged will not be interested in this undertaking, and at this moment an assistant will be needed. He should provoke the dog, for example, by gently tapping on the back. When he starts to attack, you need to say "face!".

The "wait" command is one of the most difficult because it requires execution without the owner's supervision. This command is based on another previously learned command - "sit". In order to learn this command, it is necessary to seat the puppy and gradually move away from him, from time to time saying “sit, wait!”. When it becomes clear that the baby cannot wait any longer, call him and be sure to praise him. Then you need to gradually increase the time and distance between the trainer and the tailed one, and also remove the word "sit".

For the pet to execute the “turn” command, bring a treat to the puppy’s nose and circle around the selected item. The result will not be long in coming, the kid will happily run for a treat, and the owner will only have to command “turn!”.

The “roll” command is executed in the same way as the “turn” command - with the help of a treat. To execute this command, wait until the dog lies down, and then run your fist with a treat along the puppy's lower back so that it does not get up, but rolls over. Do not forget to repeat "roll!".

Mistakes in learning

For a dog like a German Shepherd, training should not be a burden.

To properly train a German Shepherd, it is important to understand it. It is necessary to take into account its character, temperament, to know what the dog likes and what not. Sometimes problems in training are created by the owner with a misunderstanding of the characteristics of his dog. But that's not the only mistake beginners make. trainer mistakes:

Puppies are quickly distracted, and if you train only one team for a long time, then soon they will become uninteresting and classes will be unproductive. Therefore, train several teams at once.
Never yell at a dog, as you can completely lose your authority in her eyes.
Do not feed your pet with treats - this is permissible only at the beginning of study, then it is better to just praise.
German Shepherd training should take place in a playful way, because the “Germans” should like training.
There is no need to rush and demand a result from the puppy right away, he is still just learning, the baby needs to first understand what they want from him, and then remember. He will succeed.
Practice voice commands and gestures.
Train teams constantly.
During training, be sure to praise the puppies for their success.
Dog training should not involve physical punishment.
German Shepherd training lessons should take place in a quiet place so that the puppy is not distracted by extraneous sounds.

Many dogs are not able to learn commands when they are older, but this is not the case with "Germans". The training of an adult German Shepherd is quite real and even productive. To do this, it will be enough just to reconsider the approach to learning. Of course, training a German Shepherd puppy will be much easier, but there is no need to despair if you have an adult dog.

How to train a German Shepherd? The upbringing of a German Shepherd will be almost entirely based on training. Good training will make the dog more disciplined. Although many say that the German Shepherd has a good upbringing from birth, the breed obliges. During training, it is important to remember that you can both raise a friend from a dog and get an enemy.

Teaching German Shepherd commands is a fascinating business, it should be enjoyed by both the owner and the pet.

Discipline, precise execution of commands, fearlessness, strength and agility are characteristic of one of the most famous dog breeds - German Shepherds. The fashion for dogs - giants or miniature crumbs - comes and goes, but this versatile breed is always consistently popular and in demand. Intelligence, stable psyche and focus on the owner make it easy to teach the dog basic commands.

Basic rules of training

Shepherds and watchmen, bodyguards and guides, in any business become the best. But these large and very smart animals need to understand what exactly they want from him. Therefore, it is very important from the first days of an independent life of a baby to pay as much attention as possible to his upbringing, making every effort to establish contact.

The German Shepherd has an excellent memory, she remembers not only the good, but also the bad. In no case do not humiliate, do not punish the dog unnecessarily, do not raise your hand to a small puppy, so that after months you will not start to be afraid of your own pet, expecting aggression and revenge. It is almost impossible to “break” a purebred shepherd dog.

Important! The potential of the "Germans", their possibilities, laid down by nature and carefully cultivated by breeders and breeders, are almost limitless.

Sheepdogs are ideal guards and protectors, they are so devoted to their owners that they sacrifice their own lives without hesitation, saving people. Hearing, smell and vision in shepherd dogs are inherited from wild ancestors, they did not suffer at all as a result of domestication, so, coupled with a stable psyche and excellent mental abilities, they make the Germans ideal service dogs capable of performing the most complex tasks.

The mental features of shepherd dogs help in training, dogs not only willingly execute commands and memorize new ones, but also do it with pleasure, as if playing. By the way, these dogs also love to play, remaining active until old age.

Before you get a puppy, you should really evaluate your own capabilities, because the German Shepherd is a service dog that can carry a real threat. Her upbringing requires a lot of strength and energy; she will obey and unquestioningly obey only those whose authority she recognizes. The shepherd always "chooses" the owner from the family members, she will serve him faithfully and faithfully, at the same time protecting his "flock".

Important! Remember that from the moment the shepherd was in your house, only you are responsible for her life, health and well-being, as well as for everything that can happen through the fault of this strong beast. Without proper training, a shepherd dog can be a threat, do not forget about it.

The dog must trust its owner, know that a reward awaits it for the correct execution of the command, feel good and be in the mood for classes - every owner of the animal should know these rules.

From the first day it is necessary to establish the right tone of communication with the pet. Any commands should be pronounced calmly and confidently, be sure to achieve their execution, encourage for the slightest success. You should never change once and for all the established daily routine, the time of feeding, walking, classes and games.

This will help the baby from the very beginning to understand the rules and get used to the daily routine. Few people can resist and not start caressing and undead the baby left without a mother and brothers and sisters, this is one of the mistakes of shepherd dog owners who dream of a companion dog. The “Germans” are excellent psychologists, they are sensitive to weaknesses and often just sit on the neck of their owners, dictating their own rules.

Indulgence at a young age is fraught with many problems, so it is better not to give in to weakness from the very beginning. A firm hand, perseverance and self-confidence will help the owners raise a wonderful animal that can be proud of both during walks and at exhibitions, while serving.

What can and should be taught to a shepherd dog

From the first month of life, a shepherd puppy must learn its name. Breeders usually talk about how the baby should be named according to the year of birth and his pedigree, but along with this name, sometimes very long, there is usually a shortened one that is easy for pronunciation and perception by the dog.

The puppy must also know his place, where he must feel completely safe. The “In place” command is the second most important, which the baby must be taught.

Hearing “Come to me”, the puppy should rush to the owner, with the command “Next”, go or run to the right (or left) no further than 30 cm from the human leg. Among the main commands are also "Sit", "Stand", "Lie", "Aport".

Depending on what the dog is purchased for, it is taught a number of specific commands on its own or with the help of experienced trainers in service dog clubs. In experienced hands, a shepherd dog can become a defense, an assistant, but also a weapon, a deadly weapon, so any stages of training should be verified and adjusted with specialists.

Important! Be sure to teach the shepherd dog and prohibitive commands that will help protect both the dog and others.

Unquestioning obedience and immediate implementation should be achieved when teaching the commands “No”, “Drop”, “Fu”, the words “Own” and “Alien” the baby must not only understand, but also know exactly what to do if they are pronounced.

Very quickly and firmly, subject to constant repetition, the dogs, as if on their own, learn the commands “Eat”, “Give the ball (any other toy)”, “Walk (with this word, many bring a leash, harness, muzzle, a little later the dogs themselves, reporting about need to go outside bring all these things)".

Dogs learn easily if it gives pleasure to both them and their owners.. Constant communication with them can work wonders: shepherd dogs remember a lot of words, they understand human speech, intonations, and gestures.

Never forget that even a tiny shepherd puppy is not a toy at all. His upbringing should not be trusted to small children who may inadvertently offend or injure the dog. Only patience, perseverance, purposefulness and purposefulness of a person who understands the purpose for which a shepherd dog was acquired can help to bring up a dog that is aware of its strength, a dog devoted to its owners, a true true friend, from a tiny woolen ball.

Training and education of a puppy

As soon as they pick up a puppy, the owners begin its upbringing. Only on them will depend the socialization of the tiny "German", his ability to trust the world or hate everyone around, the level of danger that an adult animal will pose when it is on the street or in the wild.

The concepts of "training" and "education" are somewhat different, although one is impossible without the other.

In the first six months

Affectionately repeating the nickname of the baby, the owners teach him to the sounds of his own voice, unusual for the dog. Calling him to you, treating him, stroking him, you need to say his name again and again. It is worth taking care in advance of a place for the future pet, where he will be comfortable, calm, warm, where he can hide or go to sleep.

When playing with him, he needs to show him his place several times a day, put the toy that he liked the most there. Many dog owners believe that a few tricks will help to help the puppy remember where his place is.

First of all Wherever the puppy falls asleep, he should wake up in his place. Having played near people, the baby, like all children, can literally fall asleep on the go, falling where sleep overtook him. Carefully taking him in his arms, the owners need to take him to his place: the sleep of dogs at this age is very strong, so this will not wake them up.

Secondly, never and under no pretext should a dog be punished if it is in its place. No attempts to pull her out of there, to poke her nose into a puddle or a torn slipper, to force feed: in her place, the puppy should feel completely safe. If a puppy has dragged a treat or a bone onto the bed, you should not take it away - this is his property, you should not humiliate the dog, emphasizing that you are stronger.

Thirdly, you should immediately foresee that a very large dog will grow out of the baby, this should be foreseen when choosing.

The puppy will not be able to control his natural needs until 4-6 months, but you need to start teaching him right away. Immediately after waking up - a walk on which you should praise the baby if he has recovered. Walking is worth at least half an hour. The next walk is after breakfast, also for half an hour, if the next one takes place in 2-3 hours. If later, then you need to walk for at least an hour. Feed the puppy should be 5 - 6 times a day until he is 2 months old. And after each feeding, be sure to go outside with him - this helps to learn where to go to the toilet.

It is interesting! Often teenagers - shepherd dogs choose their own place, dragging the litter closer to the owner. So they show concern for the most important people in his life. Do not scold the baby when you find him near your bed, under the bedroom door, or even in the children's bed. But this behavior should not be encouraged.

Hygiene is also an important aspect of early education. At least once a week, the dog should be washed, accustoming to water gradually. Sheepdogs are great swimmers and love the water. However, if the procedure brings them suffering, discomfort, the shepherd may hate bathing for life. She will overcome fear, but not hostility.

It should be turned into a pleasant game for everyone and inspections after each walk, because the older the dog, the more active, it can get hurt, climb into thorny bushes, burdock, ticks easily hide in thick wool. Another action that facilitates caring for a dog is regular combing with special brushes at least once a week if the dog lives in an apartment, once a month if the shepherd is in an aviary or booth.

It is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the eyes, ears, teeth of a shepherd dog, constantly visit veterinarians for examinations and vaccinations.

Up to 2 months, the puppy perceives everything as a game, it must be treated with care, affectionately, trying not to scold for misconduct and pranks. At this time, rewards for any success are extremely important. It is believed that this time is the most favorable for learning the basic commands, more precisely, for getting to know them.

From 2 to 4 months, the puppy is given more freedom, he is allowed to walk independently on stairs, small booms, gradually increasing their length. During training, which should not last more than 20 - 30 minutes, the commands "Go", "Sit", "Stand", "Next", "Forward", "No" are constantly repeated.

At this time, the shepherd must learn that you can’t run wherever you like, gnaw things, attack people and other dogs or cats, pick up objects from the ground without the permission of the owners and take food from strangers. There are various technologies that can help develop the necessary skills.

In the next period and up to six months, training becomes more intense, the main commands should be repeated daily, adding new ones.

Commands become more difficult to execute. At any distance from the owner, the dog must follow the “Stand” and “Sit” commands, starting to move again on the “Walk” command. The “Voice” command as an encouragement of a wary attitude towards strangers, a ban on playing with strangers and the habit of meeting guests next to the owner is a necessary skill for any service dog.

Up to 6 months, the German Shepherd must master all the basic commands and obey them unmistakably, be able to behave on busy streets and in crowded places, not be afraid to move with the owner in public transport, adequately respond to strangers, showing aggression only as a last resort.

After 6 months

After six months, the "German" becomes an almost adult dog, the requirements for him increase. Significantly increases the physical activity necessary for the normal development of the bones and muscles. At this time, after all the necessary vaccinations, the dog can be taken to training grounds, where there are special equipment, and a specialist is watching the training.

Walking up stairs, logs, jumping over barriers, bringing diapers and much more is easier for a dog if it is not distracted by extraneous noises, objects, spectators. It is difficult to demand full concentration from a teenager, but this should be strived for.

Important! The help of a specialist is also needed because at the age of 7-9 months the shepherd dog begins to show aggression, asserting itself. At this time, very tight control over her behavior is needed. Puberty, the desire for individuals of the opposite sex weaken the control over behavior.

But disobedience must be punished. Causing pain to a dog is not necessary at all, it is even harmful. For a normally educated shepherd dog, a light blow on the nose of a rolled-up newspaper will be extremely offensive and will show that the owner is very unhappy.

It is very important for the owner of such a dog as a German Shepherd to know how to properly train this animal. Dogs are very smart and intelligent creatures, therefore, with the right handling, they can be made into obedient and executive animals.

Where to start

Training a German Shepherd includes not only learning new commands, but also raising a dog. Starting to teach your pet to discipline is necessary from the age of one month. First you need to explain to the dog who is in charge in the house, where her place is and what she absolutely cannot do. You don't have to let your puppy do what you don't like. This could become a big problem later on.

In order for the training of a German shepherd to take place at the highest level, the dog must obey you unquestioningly and consider you an authority. To achieve this, from a very early age it is necessary to actively participate in her life and upbringing: walk, play with her, feed, bathe, etc. If you want the dog to be a family dog and equally obey all family members, then everyone should participate in its upbringing.

German Shepherd training will be successful if you develop its endurance, strength and sociability. To do this, you need to walk a lot with her, preferably a visit to the pool or pond in the summer. Do not forbid your pet to communicate and play with other dogs and people. All this will only be to your advantage in further studies.

Basic commands

There are many schools for raising dogs, but with the patience of the owner, training a shepherd dog at home is just as good.

"Sit" command

You need to start simple, so this command is best to start learning. The training of a German shepherd must necessarily take place in a quiet deserted place: a park, forest, yard, even in an apartment. The main thing is that nothing distracts the animal. Prepare a dog treat in advance and place it in your right hand. Place the animal on your left, then, saying the command “sit”, press the dog’s croup with your left hand, and bring your right hand to the muzzle so that it smells the delicacy. Once she sits down, give her a treat, praise her, and repeat the command. When your dog learns to sit without a prompt near you, start teaching him to do it away from you.

"down" command

This command is executed from the "sit" position. When the dog sits next to you, place your hand on the withers and apply pressure. At the same time, it is necessary to have a treat and If the animal tries to get up, press your hand on the withers and repeat the command threateningly. After that, complicate the task: gradually increase the distance between you and the animal and the time it takes to complete the command.

Command "to me"

German Shepherd training at home must include this team. Be patient to study it. When walking with a puppy, call him to you with the words "to me." It is better to start even in the apartment, so that the dog learns to approach you at least sometimes. Every time the animal comes, give it a treat, stroke it and encourage it with your voice. Over time, when the dog begins to approach at the first call, you can remove the treat, but leave the encouragement with your voice.

Team near

Learning this command will require a short leash and a lot of patience. Take the dog on a short leash so that its shoulder blade is at the level of your leg. Say the command "next" and pull the leash. The dog must follow. At the slightest mistake, say the command, then pull the leash. Gradually let go of the leash so that it sags. When the dog walks alongside in such conditions, the leash can be removed.

To achieve the desired result, it is not enough to know how to train a German Shepherd, you also need to have great patience and a desire to teach her commands. The slightest rudeness or punishment - and the dog may refuse to listen to you at all. Therefore, be patient and educate your pet.