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Just 3 days ago I got my first dog, she's a 5 or 6 month old German Shepherd. I'd like to get to training asap but not sure where to start. Since we've had her she has had no accidents inside so potty-training shouldn't be a problem. What command should I start training her first? Thanks in advance :)
First off, enroll puppy kindergarten class or beginning obedience class near you. Look for a class that advertises positive training methods. Socialization and acclimatization to people, other animals and all sorts of life situations (getting in the car, other cars on the streets, bikes, dump trucks, skateboards, shouting children, etc. etc. etc. etc. anything foreign that could scare your puppy) is extremely important at this stage, much more important than any one specific command.
At home, you can work on crate training (there are some great articles on this forum) and teaching her to accept a collar and leash. You can encourage her to stay near you and to become accustomed to a leash by tethering her to you as you move about the house during the day - this will also help you keep any eye on her to avoid any potty accidents.
In a group obedience class, you will probably work on some basic behaviors such as "sit", "down", "stand", "go to spot", "leave it" and loose leash walking. You can start the rudiments of those at home without using any verbal cues, but just rewarding her every time she sits, lies down, goes to her bed or crate, brings you a toy, or simply looks to you for direction (this one sounds kind of dumb but, guess what, it's going to turn out to be really important when you want to have her attention on you later on!) Use a combination of food treats and "life rewards" (playtime, petting, getting to sniff that new dog who just walked in the door, etc). This game can be played while you are watching TV, ironing your clothes, whatever. Sometimes it helps to have the dog tethered (on a 4-6 foot lead) so that she can't just wander off in the middle of the game. Keep these sessions short - just 10 minutes or so a few times a day. She'll probably start offering the behaviors at other times, too, just to see what happens. Reward as appropriate :)
Is there anyway I can train my dog with not taking her to a obedience school?! If so, how can I start?
In theory, certainly you can train your dog without taking her to an obedience class, although classes offer a lot of benefits (collaborating with a professional who can offer feedback and assistance as you work, socialization for both you and your dog, the chance to practice in an environment that is both safely controlled AND offers a variety of challenges and distractions for you and your dog to practice around . . . the perks go on).
Meanwhile, start by contacting a professional trainer in your area (apdt.com is a great resource for locating local trainers). Like all professions, different people have different philosophies and practices so you'll have to ask some questions to make sure you have a good match for you and your dog. A good trainer can help you set up an at-home program for you and your dog to work on, can offer tips and techniques, and can help trouble-shoot if you have any problems or if there are any specific behaviors you would like to work on.
Personally I am a visual learner so I enjoy watching DVDs of professional trainers working. Paul Owens and Ian Dunbar both have excellent DVDs available with clear, easy-to-follow-at-home instructions.
Finally, brush up on your reading. Again, Paul Owens' "Puppy Whisperer" and "Dog Whisperer" books are excellent resources for basic, easy-to-follow training practices. Patricia McConnell publishes short, cheap pamphlets on specific behaviors that are really helpful and I enjoy her writing style (she also has a bunch of full-length books on the market). Jean Donaldson can be a bit more abrasive in her writing style but there is absolutely no denying her expertise and love of dogs - she has several training books available. If you're interested in clicker training, Karen Pryor is the place to start and you can definitely build from there.
As I am the curious sort, may I ask why you would not want to take your dog to an obedience class?
Hope this helps you get started!
Megan
DarPer16,If you want train your GSD read following.
Owning a dog is a long-term commitment and that consideration should be always present in your mind. The commitment is not only an emotional and time commitment, but a financial as well.
From feeding to quality time and everything in between, your German Shepherd puppy will be a part of your family that will grow and have changing needs just as a child would. Puppy behavior can be a real challenge to manage which means training a German Shepherd puppy is a must. Check out our Complete German Shepherd Dog Training system guaranteed to help you with any negative puppy behavior.
German Shepherd puppies are intelligent and independent dogs. Known as a member of the herding group of dogs, it thrives when given a job to do. They are also in need of vigorous daily exercise with early and ongoing training.
Being of the herding or guardian breed category, German Shepherd pups aren’t necessarily the friendliest of breeds when it comes to other dogs outside of the family surroundings. In order to properly begin training a German Shepherd puppy, they need socialization with other dogs from a young age when at all possible.
By spending quality time training and bonding with your puppy you are preparing him for a lifetime of companionship. Consistency with training commands and praise will ensure your dog understands the requests and what is expected of him.
Remember the more clear the command the better chance of success your German Shepherd will have at pleasing you by giving you the desired result time after time.
One of the methods we recommend the most is the positive reinforcement and clicker system training. German Shepherd puppy, or adult, will respond well to this type of puppy training.
It provides a great success rate and is quite easy to implement. The “clicker” itself can be as simple as a snap of the fingers or the shake of a can with a few coins in it, covered and sealed.
When your puppy delivers the desired action you simply make the click and reinforce the positive action with a treat. In no time at all your German Shepherd puppy will be following commands correctly as they begin to associate the click with a job well done.
Not all commands need be learned at the same time however. Pick one, such as “sit” and work on it until it is achieved with ease. Then move on to the next. You want all aspects of training your German Shepherd puppy to be important, and rushing them will just result in possible disappointment and frustration for both of you. If your German Shepherd is a typical one, they’ll have short attention spans. Don’t worry, this is normal puppy behavior and they’ll grow out of it.
Another important training step is to housebreak or potty train your puppy. A good way to go about this is to embrace crate training. Your puppy should have just enough room to turn around and lie down inside his crate.
German Shepherd puppies grow to be large dogs, so to avoid having to purchase several crates during the growing phase of your dog’s life you can go ahead and buy the large or extra large one while they are young.
It is easy to modify the space available to your puppy by inserting sturdy cardboard or well sanded plywood into the crate to allow the maximum space needed.
When you start to crate training your puppy you are likely to encounter a temper tantrum equivalent to that of a two year old child – lots of whining and carrying on. Don’t let your puppy out until the temper tantrum is over. This is a very important step to take if you need to be out of the home for long periods of time, however it is recommended to start in small doses.
As soon as you open the crate, be ready to take your puppy outside without having to wait too long. The time it takes to put on your shoes and grab the leash is just enough time for your puppy to find somewhere else to get the job done. Be ready to clip the leash on right away and head for the area you have chosen for eliminations. Don’t forget your clicker and treats so you can praise him when all is accomplished correctly.
Although German Shepherd puppy behavior is typically headstrong, with adequate and proper training you should be able to correct any behavioral issues easily. Just be consistent with your training, praise and correctional methods and you and your puppy can easily spend many happy years together, grateful that you trained and cared for them well right from the start.
Research local dog trainers in your area.. We've tried it both ways, and it definitely was worth it for us.