Puppy training and socializing your German shepherd is a must to help shape the temperament and character of your young dog.  German shepherd puppies are intelligent, independent dogs and their puppy antics can become challenging to manage if ignored.  It is best to start training and socializing them as soon as possible.

The German shepherd is a smart breed that thrives when given a job to do.  Your German shepherd puppy will love the challenge and mental stimulation from basic obedience training.  Remember to keep your training sessions short, fun and positive.  Focus on one training item per session with a very young puppy to avoid confusion and achieve success.

German shepherds are recognized as a member of the herding group or guardian breed category.  Therefore, German shepherd pups are not instinctively the friendliest of breeds when it comes to other dogs or people outside of your immediate family pack.  German shepherd puppies need proper socialization; they need to be exposed to all types of people, dogs, animals and experiences from a young age to ensure they become a well adjusted and confident adult dog.

German shepherd puppies need vigorous daily exercise with early and ongoing training.  The time spent training and socializing your German shepherd puppy will become the foundation of a lifelong bond you share with your dog.

When a German shepherd puppy is provided with adequate socialization, regular exercise, some basic training, lots of love and attention, they will thrive as protective, loyal, well adjusted household companions and family pets.   

Potty training a puppy is a vital part of living with your pet.  Success will come easily from the following three things:

1. Patience
2. Consistency
3. Praise/Reward

Remain patient.  Your puppy’s undesired behavior of eliminating in the house is ultimately your fault. Teaching your puppy a new behavior will take some time and effort on your part.  If accidents happen remain calm and reflect on why/how the accident occurred.  Do not scold or punish your puppy if accidents do occur. Remember that the accident is your fault not your puppy’s.

Be consistent.  Take your puppy to the same door to go outside.  Take your pup directly to the same area of the yard to relieve himself and give a potty command.  Do not leave the potty area of the yard until your puppy has relieved himself.  In the beginning this will require your patience and you might have to take your puppy out on a leash to keep him in the desired potty area of the yard.  Calmly repeat your potty command as many times as necessary.  The more consistent you are the quicker your puppy will learn the new behavior.

After your puppy has relieved himself, be lavish with verbal praise and reward him with petting, playing with a favorite toy or a doggie treat.  You are teaching your puppy that business comes first rewarded with attention and treats.

If you make a trip to the yard and your puppy does not relieve himself, do not be defeated.  Do not scold your puppy but do not reward your pup either. Take your friend back into the house and confine them to an area where they do not leave your sight.  When your pup is out of your sight is when accidents occur.  Wait fifteen to thirty minutes and start the process of going outside over again.  Repeat this until your puppy has relieved himself successfully in the potty area of the yard.

These are the basics to potty training your puppy.  If more than one person in the house is involved with potty training, be sure that everyone is being consistent by doing the same things and using the same commands.

The more patient and consistent you are, the quicker your puppy will learn the new desired behavior of eliminating in the yard instead of the house.

Crate training puppies is invaluable tool that can help keep your puppy safe and secure.  Crate training a puppy will also assist and speed up the housebreaking process. There are many tips to help your puppy get accustomed to being in a crate.  Here you will find some suggestion to speed up the process of crate training a puppy.

Crate training should be a pleasant experience and never used for punishment.  Crate training is actually more about teaching your puppy they have a space or a “den” of their own. Allowing your dog to routinely spend time in his crate everyday can eliminate unwanted behaviors such as inappropriate chewing, digging, barking and eliminating in the house.

It can be normal for a puppy to feel uncomfortable or anxious in a crate for the first time.  Place your puppy into the crate with a command “kennel or crate” and give puppy a small yummy treat.  Close the door to the crate and stay within your puppy’s view so they do not feel abandoned.

When first starting out, introduce the crate slowly, only leaving your puppy in it for a few minutes. As your pup becomes accustomed to the crate gradually increase the amount of time spent in the crate.  It will not be long before your puppy is comfortable and confident inside of the crate.

Never remove your puppy from the crate if they are whining or barking.  If your pup initially cries or barks ignore this behavior and only remove your puppy after they have quieted down.  It is also important to remain stoic or nonchalant when removing your puppy from the crate. If you act excited about removing your puppy from the crate, your puppy will become excited.  Save the fun and excitement for playtime outside of the crate.

If your puppy is not eating, playing or being directly supervised, get into the habit of crating him.  This will keep him out of trouble and he will more than likely nap.  Your puppy will not soil in a confined area where he regularly sleeps.  Use this to you advantage to speed up housebreaking.  Get into the routine of taking your puppy outside to eliminate every time you remove him after a nap or a prolonged period of time in the crate.

In closing, crate training a puppy should not be stressful for humans or pets.  Most puppies quickly learn and adapt to routines that involves their crate.  When used properly, crate training is an important tool to assist with raising a puppy.

Teaching your dog the “leave it” is a useful command to have in your training arsenal.  It is an easy command to teach and can be vital in keeping your dog healthy and your household safe and sane.

The world is a dangerous place for dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.  It is your job as a pet parent to look out for your four legged companion.  Dogs are opportunistic by nature and will take the chance to snap up anything that seems appealing to them.  This can range from harmful foods or toys (for dogs) accidentally dropped in your household to dead animals, rodents, or feces you may encounter on walks or outings to your favorite park.  The command is also handy when you spot Fido targeting in on making the household kitty a new squeaky toy.

Follow the three simple steps below to teach any dog of any age to “Leave It”.

1.  The first step is to teach your dog to refrain from grabbing tempting treats at will.  Place your dog on their leash and place a desirable treat in front of them out of their reach.  Give the command “leave it’ and immediately offer a different, yummier treat.

2.  Do not reward with the same treat you are asking your dog “leave” as this can cause confusion. Use low value treats on the ground and high value treats as reward to teach that “leaving it” has a higher payoff.

3.  Initially you will reward your dog immediately after giving the “leave it” command.  Gradually increase your dog’s self control between the command and the reward.  Also increase the “leave it” item’s desirability to a toy or a tastier treat.

When starting out keep your sessions short and fun.  As you progress with the “leave it” command be sure to incorporate toys, praise, and play along with food treats as reward.  In no time at all you will have a new command that is a win/win for everyone.

Teaching your puppy to jump is a fun command to have in your training arsenal and it will instill confidence in your young companion.  Many people assume that teaching a puppy to “jump” will encourage them to inappropriately jump on furniture, people, or try to jump over the backyard fence.  This is a common yet false misconception.  Teaching your puppy to jump will provide boundaries of when it is acceptable and constructive to jump and when it is not.

If your puppy will grow into a medium to large breed dog, having a jump command will prove useful for car rides and vet appointments.

Follow the 6 tips below to have your puppy jumping on command in no time at all.

1.       Choose a jump command and be consistent using it.  The command you choose is a personal choice so decide if you want to use “jump”, “hop”, “over”, “up”, etc.

2.       Puppies should never jump higher than their elbows.

3.       Practice jumping on non- slippery surfaces and stay away from hard non- forgiving surfaces like concrete.

4.       Start off with an item or a board that is flat on the ground.  Put your puppy on a flat collar and on a leash.  Place your left hand close to their collar and as you approach the board give your command.  Once both you and your pup have cleared the board allow slack in the leash and immediately break into a trot.  Do not forget to praise your puppy and get excited.  Repeat this three to four time max per session.

At this stage your puppy may not actually be “jumping” over the item on the ground but that is okay.  You are teaching the command and with it, associating fun and praise by running at the end of the activity.  Running is fun for puppies but it also relieves stress.

5.       The next step is to place something low that your pup will actually have to jump over it.  A solid item is best.  If your pup can see under the item their natural instinct will be to go under it rather than over.

Have someone else approach the jump with your pup.  You should be on the opposite side of the jump.  Tap the object with your hand as they approach and give your puppy the jump command.  Back up excitedly to give your puppy enough space to safely clear the object.  Once your puppy is over the jump, transfer the leash and take off running.

DO NOT allow your puppy to go under the jump or go around the jump.  Be ready because they will try this.  If need be stop, back up and start over.  NO scolding – your puppy is learning something new and you want this experience to be positive and fun.

6.       After a few of the above sessions you are now ready to work to work together as a team.  With your puppy on a short leash and by your side, approach the hurdle and give your command.  Stay alongside your puppy and once up and over, jog away from the obstacle hooting and hollering like a complete and total nut!

Keep your approach to the obstacle close.  The obstacle should be relatively low so allow just enough of a start to build up a tad of momentum.   Remember to keep sessions brief and fun.  When your puppy understands the “jump” command it will be easier on both of you to implement “no jumping”.

Your puppy wants to please and will learn to jump quickly at your request if you are consistent with your commands, your expectations and your training routines.  Lead by example and “hop” off that couch and take your pup outside for some fresh air, exercise and training fun.

Some dogs are better at traveling in the car then others.  A dog that is happy to take a ride makes for a more pleasant experience for everyone involved.  A dog that is skittish in the car, or becomes car sick, is a distraction to the driver and makes simple trips to the vet or groomer a strategically routed plan.  To put it simply – it is a hassle and it is a stressful event for everyone involved.

How you introduce your puppy to car rides will affect their attitude about them forever.  A puppy that is bounced around on a sharp turn or a sudden stop becomes frightened.  Falling off a seat may injure your puppy making them reluctant to want to go again.

For your puppy’s safety and mental well-being, crate training is the best option.  After your initial ride home, familiarize your puppy with their crate inside your home.  When it comes time for a trip, talk to your puppy about it.  Tell your puppy excitedly that you are “going for a ride” or “going to the park”.  Build it up and sell it.

Next load your puppy’s crate and your puppy into the vehicle.  Start with short rides and gradually add distance.  Do not feed or treat your puppy two to three hours before a ride to prevent carsickness.  Getting carsick will make any puppy dread going for a car ride.  Also give a potty break prior to leaving to assure your puppy is traveling comfortably.

Upon reaching your destination be sure to praise and play after getting your puppy out of the vehicle.  You want your puppy to associate “going” with “fun, fun, fun”.  Visit new, exciting, safe places and before you know it your puppy will be racing you to the door ready for their next ride.

Which one to use, a collar or a harness?  Appears like a simple question until you are navigating your way through the local pet store.

The abundance of choices may appear overwhelming but the key is to grasp the purpose of each type of collar or harness.  Just as each dog collar is not created the very same, each type does not fulfill the exact same preferences.  When choosing a training device consider your dog’s training goals, size, health, energy level, and unique personality and characteristics.  Below is a quick glance at the different styles of collars and harnesses for dogs.

Flat Collar – The variety of styles and sizes allows a bit of a personal touch to this tool.  Flat collars are an important item for each and every dog or puppy because it enables them to wear their identification.  The flat collar is an optimal walking option for healthy, well-trained, larger breed dogs.  However, for dogs that pull or lunge on leash, the flat collar should be utilized solely for identification, versus a training tool or device.

Be aware that flat collars are safety tools as opposed to training tools due to the fact there is always an  opportunity for injury.  Injuries can include tracheal collapse and neck or spinal accidents.  If your dog or puppy persistently has difficulty breathing while on leash, this indicates that your friend is pulling into the flat collar.  This action could harm or injure your dog or puppy’s throat.

Head Collar – Head collars have straps that wrap around a dog’s snout and behind their head making their appearance seem like a muzzle.  Unlike a muzzle, the head collar allows your pet the freedom of opening their mouth.  Most dogs need to be conditioned to wear head collars so they are comfortable wearing prior to training in them.

The head collar is comparable to a horse’s halter.  The head collar clips beneath the snout with the intention that whenever pressure is applied; the dog’s head will turn.  Head collars are suggested as a walking device for dogs that pull or have other behavior issues including anxiety and aggression.

Body Harness, Back Clip – These tend to be safer for small breeds simply due to the potential of giving a leash correction that seriously injures the trachea is higher with a toy/small dog or a puppy wearing a flat collar.  The back clip harness is also a good choice for dogs with previous neck or back injuries.

Some manufactures of this product may claim this device will stop your dog from pulling and lunging, Buyer beware because just the opposite is reality.  A harness or back clip may inadvertently teach a canine to pull.  Dogs can put their full weight into the back clip harness with no pain or discomfort.

Body Harness, Front Clip – The front clip harness serves a dual purpose.  Similar to other harnesses, this style is often a useful alternative for smaller dogs, due to their susceptibility to tracheal collapse.  The front clip harness may also be utilized as a management tool for ill-behaved dogs.

This device positions the clip for the leash at the center of your pet’s chest.  The distinctive placement prevents them from utilizing their body weight to pull.  If your pet lunges ahead, they will rapidly discover themselves turned towards you.  When they are no longer permitted to lead the way, this will help to deter them from pulling on the leash.

Feel comfortable and confident as you depart from the pet store with your new training purchase.  Choosing a collar or a harness is personal choice, but remember that living with and training a four legged friend can be a learning process for both of you.  If your initial purchase choice is not working well for you or your pet do not hesitate to try a different training device.  There are no “right” or “wrong” dog collars or harnesses so it is up to you to find the most “effective” training device to keep your pet healthy and safe for many years to come.

Keeping your dog safe and secure is one of your chief responsibilities as a dog owner. Crate training your dog or puppy is an invaluable tool that can help you do just this.  If your puppy or adult dog is having issues with separation anxiety, chewing, housebreaking, or cannot yet be trusted when out of your sight, a crate is the answer to your prayers and sanity.

Dogs, and even puppies, are innately den and territorial animals that need to have a safe space that is their own. Having that space encourages a sense of security in your dog. The idea behind crate training is that you provide your dog with a place that they can go to sleep, relax or just get away from the hustle and bustle of your household. The crate becomes not only your dog’s bed, but also a secure place that you can contain him and keep him out of harm’s way when needed.

Many people mistakenly believe that crate training is nothing more than locking your dog up when they do something wrong. This is not the case. Crate training is actually more about teaching your dog they have a space of their own. Although you may restrain your dog in the crate when they do something inappropriate, dogs should also spend time there throughout the day so that they do not associate the crate with punishment. Many pet owners are pleasantly surprised to discover that their dog will learn to love their crate and seek it out on their own.

Allowing your dog to spend time in his crate everyday can also aid in the housebreaking process.  In general, dogs will not soil the place they sleep. This goes back to the mother dog’s instinct to keep her puppies safe. By crate training your dog, and making his crate the place that he sleeps, you are establishing a “no potty zone” for him. Eventually, dogs and puppies can then be taught to expand the no-go zone to a room and then ultimately to your entire home. Through the use of crate training you will find that your dog can be house broken in almost no time at all.

Used properly, crate training can help your dog to become a well behaved, well adjusted member of your family. In times when you need to restrain your dog, sending him to his crate is an ideal choice. In times when your dog is uncomfortable with whatever is going on in your home, he will willingly and happily retreat to his crate. If you bring your dog’s crate with you when you travel even the most unfamiliar location will feel secure to him, which will encourage him to be well behaved even when he is away from home.

Emotions are contagious.  All emotions, good or bad,  are transmitted to your dog or puppy.  Dogs and puppies read signals from our body language that either calm them or increase their stress and anxiety.  If you react with worry or fear when your dog or pup is stressed or anxious, it is likely to escalate your friend’s reaction which can lead to unwanted fearful or aggressive behavior.

When owners feel anxious or agitated we become tense and our bodies tighten up.  We may clench our teeth and fists, speak louder, speak faster, hold our breath or our breathing becomes quick and shallow.

Here are four tips to help you remain calm and help both of you to regain your composure:

1. Breathe – silently count to five and slowly inhale and exhale with each count.
2. Relax – loosen up your arms and shoulders.  Shift your weight, roll your shoulders forward and slouch a little.  This body language translates to your dog or puppy that you are not worried and that everything is fine.
3. Speak softly – lower your voice and talk slowly.  This reassures your dog or pup that everything is okay.
4. Yawn – yawns are contagious and a big one will relax your upper body.  Yawning will imply that you are calm and maybe even bored.

Remember these tips to stay calm, or at least appear calm, when your dog or puppy is showing signs of stress or anxiety.  A calm and happy owner will have a calm and happy dog.

A well trained, well behaved dog is a happy dog.  There are many different methods used to train dogs, some more popular than others.  Clicker training is a simple and effective dog training method that is based solely on positive reinforcement.  Results with dogs and puppies are easily achieved by shaping desired behavior with the sound of a click.

What is a clicker?  The clicker is a small plastic box with a metal strip inside that makes a distinct “clicking” sound when pressed.

Clicker training is a form of conditioning.  The sound of the clicker is used to trigger a positive reaction in your dog or puppy. The advantage of using a clicker is that it  is faster and more distinct than saying “good dog”.  The clicker is more effective then your voice because the distinct noise your dog hears will be followed closely with a reward.  This causes your dog or puppy to associate the clicking noise with positive attention and upcoming treats.

The secret to the success of any training technique is timing and consistency.  You, the human, are the key ingredient when it comes to these two factors.  When clicker training your dog or puppy, you must learn to time the positive reinforcement (click + treat) with the desired behavior.  In the early stages of clicker training it is imperative every click is followed by a treat.  This creates an association between the click and a treat.  Your dog performs the desired behavior, you click and immediately treat.  Repeat this over and over and before you know it, your friend will be eager to hear the clicker sound.

Clicker training is a fun, easy training method that generally achieves good results with dogs of any age, even young silly puppies.  All that is required to clicker train your pet is a clicker, some patience, and some yummy treats for positive reinforcement.  The clicker training device can be purchased in most pet stores or online.  A bonus to clicker training is the average clicker is inexpensive, so buy more then one to have available in multiple locations.

Clicker training is an easy, cruelty-free training method.  Dogs and puppies can be taught a variety of commands and the clicker can be worked by people of all ages and physical sizes.  The easy use of the clicker mechanism means that any member of your family can get your dog or puppy to obey their command. There is no need to physically discipline your dog because the click itself becomes the reward.  The only negative reinforcement this method uses is the lack of a click when your dog does not perform whatever task you are asking.  This is a safe, kind method of teaching your dog good manners.

With many options available to help you train your dog or puppy to be an obedient companion, clicker training is an excellent choice.  There is very little expense and dogs and puppies react very positively to this type of training.  Get your training supplies lined up and get started on clicking your way to a well mannered pet.