German Shepherd Obedience Training

photo credit: DaneKhy

This is so important with German Shepherds…Check out the German Shepherd Handbook. What is Schutzhund?

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Being descendants of pack animals, dogs have needed to find a way to determine leadership within their packs. You have probably seen many examples of pack behavior watching TV.The pack’s have ways of teaching the new members just where they belong in the order, and this keeps things on an even keel, and reduces problems among the pack members.

In every pack there is an “alpha” dog, who is the pack’s leader. If you have brought home a dog or puppy, your home has become their new den, and your family is the new pack. So, it becomes up to you to assume the role of pack leader-the Alpha dog-and teach your dog the rules and guidelines he must follow to get along with his new “pack”. Your pet needs to know that he is below your family in the pecking order, to avoid any confusion that could lead to displays of aggression.

Puppies are easier to teach to become submissive, but you certainly can teach your older dog that you are indeed the alpha dog, not him. You’ll find that just by being consistent with some basic obedience training exercises you can establish yourself as the alpha dog.

Becoming the Alpha dog doesn’t mean you will need to act threateningly or intimidating to your dog. Being the alpha dog is more a matter of communicating the right attitude to your dog. You can take charge and be the alpha dog without resorting to any  negative yelling and hitting. Negative training ends up hurting your relationship with your dog, and creates confusion. Be consistent with your training, staying positive, and earn his respect and trust-this will make you the alpha dog much better than any negative actions will.

Obedience training your dog on a regular basis is the way to get started becoming the alpha dog. Every time you interact with your dog you can give him a few basic commands-sit, stay, down-just to keep him sharp and get him used to listening to you. Due to your consistent and persistent training your dog will look to you for guidance and give you the deserved alpha status. Try these useful positive training techniques that help you become the alpha dog, without any need to ever act unfriendly towards your dog.

• Tell your dog to sit down and make him wait a little bit in that position, perhaps 30 seconds, before giving him his dinner bowl. By doing this you are showing your dog that you have control of the food-this is a pretty clear way to tell him who the Alpha dog really is. Make him wait until he is calm before offering him the food as positive reinforcement that he has behaved properly. If you do this each time you feed your dog, you are really reinforcing who is the alpha dog, and also helping him develop good manners at dinnertime.
• Every time you walk through the door to go outside, make your dog sit and wait until you invite him to pass through the door. By reminding him often of your alpha status,  he will learn to look toward you for guidance as a matter of course.
• A similar exercise can be done when you are on a walk with your dog and want to cross the street. Stop your dog from entering the street by making him sit and wait for your command. Besides reinforcing your alpha position, this training also serves to teach your dog not to run out into traffic.

If you are staying consistent and fair with your training, using positive training techniques, it shouldn’t take too long to gain your dog’s respect confidence and trust and be seen as the pack leader-the alpha dog.

For more reading about becoming the Alpha dog and training your dog using positive training methods, please click here to visit http://www.BehaveDoggy.com.

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