How To Train Your German Shepherd Dog

How To Train Your German Shepherd Dog

By David Burns

Dedicated to my many faithful friends including:

Jack, Lady, Chow, Kim 1, Cindy, Candy, Elsa, Kim 2, Tessa,

Sally, Jet, Cassy, Trixi and Greta

Copyright David Burns 2013

Published by Needwood Publishing Services Publishing at Smashwords

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold

or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person,

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How To Train Your German Shepherd Dog

(By David Burns)

Contents

Introduction

Part One

The German Shepherd

The German Shepherd Breed, Notes specific to training a German Shepherd Dog

Part Two

The Background to Training Your Dog

Evolution Of The Dog, Dog Psychology, Your Dog is not Human,

Preparing Yourself to Train Your Dog, The 10 second rule

Your Duties, Communicating With Your Dog, You As The Pack Leader,

How to React With Your Dog, Avoiding Negative Reactions (Things you should not do)

Part Three

Aids and Commands

Meal Times, House Training, Exercise, Handling and Good Manners, Tools, About Using The Tools, Basic Training Exercises, Using Commands,

Out and About, Meeting and Greeting, Off the Leash, Dogs n’ Kids, List of training Exercises

Part Four

Real Life

Some Things That Might Spoil Your Day Including, Pulling on the leash, Aggression to other dogs, Barking, Chewing behaviour, Digging, Separation Anxiety

Part Five

Any Other Business?

Diet, Travelling with Your Dog, Onwards and Upwards

Conclusion

Appendix

A crash course in dog training

Introduction

Author and Friends

Why bother to train your dog? It takes a lot of time and patience to achieve a good result, could you not spend this time more profitably? Well if you have a dog or intend to get one, then you probably already know the answer.

Owning a dog can be a most rewarding and enjoyable way to spend time. If you do not understand this you probably should not become a dog owner.

Once you assume ownership of a dog and all the responsibilities and costs that go with it you need also to consider the following point. - If you are going to put time and effort into owning a dog it makes sense to have a dog which is controllable and a pleasure to be with. An uncontrollable animal which causes you grief and worry will not require any less input and may end up costing you more.

Over many years I have owned various breeds of dog. Some of these dogs were rescue dogs and a few of them brought with them all sorts of behavioural problems.

No two dogs, owners or situations are the same but the basic nature of the dog is always there

When I originally started training dogs I used the then traditional methods with military type commands and lots of work on the leash (a choke chain and short leash). There were regular training sessions outdoors most days. This training consisted of many set exercises which were repeated until the dog performed them to my satisfaction. The training tended to finish when we went back indoors.

More recently I have become acquainted with dog psychology which is based on the evolution of the dog and it’s inherited wolf characteristics. I have studied the techniques of some of the best and most successful trainers who use this psychological approach. As a result I have changed my own training methods drastically. The new methods are based on a softer approach with much more positive encouragement and rewards for the dog.

There is no shouting (well! Except when one forgets the rules) and the complete adoption of the leader of the pack role. - And you know what? It really does work. It has turned out to be a great improvement on the old traditional ways of training dogs.

This latest book is based on these successful dog friendly methods and teaches you how to approach the training of your own dog. You will be learning many of the secrets used by talented dog whisperers (also called dog listeners). At first you may consider the first part of the book to be too much about evolution and theory but stick with it because you will be amazed how much this background information will help you to train your dog. A qualified and successful professional trainer would understand all this background stuff. It might not necessarily be taught to you as the pupil, but this background philosophy would filter through in the instructions. Learning how to train your dog without the experience and knowledge of a good trainer can be a difficult, however, it will be much more simple if you have learned how your dog actually thinks.

The book is divided into four main sections. The first part is about the specific breed of dog. The second part is background training information. The third part is about hands on training and the fourth part is about practicalities – what happens in real life.

The rest of the book is about training aids and commands and about handling your dog in real life where things do not always go according to the rules.

In the Appendix I have included a small crash course for those of you who need to get control of your dog quickly. You should use this as a temporary measure because long-term success with your dog really does require, at least a minimum knowledge of all the information given in this book. Hopefully you will catch up as soon as you can spare the time.

As you assume the role of Pack Leader and gradually train your dog to become compliant you may wonder if when you eventually complete the training schedule and have an obedient dog is it going to stay that way? - Well the answer is yes and no.

Yes your dog will have learned how to accept it's place in your pack and it will continue to be obedient and behave as you have now trained it to be. However, you cannot leave it at that. You will have to maintain your role as pack leader 24/7 you will also have to control your dog in the way that we will show you in this book.

You will be relieved to know that you should not have to repeat the detailed basic training because once your dog understands what you want it to do it will retain that knowledge and as long as you are consistent in the way you give commands and administer your rules your dog will be well behaved.

It is the principle of the spinning wheel. It may take some effort to get it up to speed but once that is achieved it takes only a little effort to keep it going. There is another thing you will have to get used to and that is you will find much of this book is about training yourself rather than your dog. Remembering the correct command at the exact moment when you need to use it. This can be a tough discipline until you have practised it a little.

It is important that you are not be overwhelmed by all the information here. If possible start with the first exercise and work your way through the manual step by step. This is because each step increases the dog’s obedience and your own confidence until you arrive at the result you require. Of course for some of you there will be an urgent problem to solve and you may choose to tackle that first but you must then go to the first exercise and work through all the training if you want to make permanent changes to your dog’s behaviour.

If you follow the guidance given here you should end up with a better behaved and a happier dog. You should also have some fun along the way.

OK folks its time for you to learn how to get control of your dog.

[Dog Whisperer - The meaning of the term.]

I have tried to find an exact definition and origin of this term but there are several variations the following is based on the definition given in Wikipedia.

A horse whisperer is a horse trainer or breaker who adopts a sympathetic view of the motives, needs, and desires of the horse, based on the natural evolution of the horse and modern equine psychology .The term goes back to the early nineteenth century when Daniel Sullivan made a name for himself in England by rehabilitating horses that had become vicious and intractable due to abuse or accidental trauma. Sullivan kept his methods secret, but people who managed to observe him noticed that he would stand face to face with the troubled horse and often spoke very softly to them. They seemed to think that he must be saying something to the horse in a way the horse could understand and accept because the horses were quickly gentled by his mysterious techniques.

The method is fairly faithfully represented in the novel and motion picture The Horse Whisperer (1998) directed by and starring Robert Redford based on the 1995 novel by Nicholas Evans. Redford plays the title role, a talented trainer with a remarkable gift for taming and controlling horses. The film with the title, The Horse Whisperer, made the term known to a much wider publi

The basic technique of the horse whisperer which is working with the nature of the horse was also used in the world of dogs – obviously using the natural evolved nature of the dog, hence the term dog whisperer. More recently the term Dog Listener has become used as an alternative but the basic technique of studying the natural behaviour of a dog and working with it is always the same.

PART ONE

THE GERMAN SHEPHERD BREED

The German Shepherd

Background and History

German Shepherd Dogs are a superb breed. There are various other names for this dog such the Alsatian which is the main alternative name in the US and Western Europe.

German Shepherd dogs are a natural progression from the wolf. At the end of the 18th century there were several types of dog vaguely similar in appearance to the German Shepherd of today but not a clearly defined breed. In fact these dogs would be thought of today as some sort of mongrel cross. By 1870 a more distinctive breed began to emerge in Germany although this still did not resemble the modern German Shepherd. These dogs were bred from existing working sheep herding dogs and they were required to have stamina and to be able to run all day when large flocks of sheep were being moved over a great distance.

Capt.von Stephanitz was instrumental in the refining of the breed. His first German Shepherd, named Horand von Grafrath, is the genetic basis for the German Shepherd, as we know it today, and Capt.von Stephanitz helped to establish the original breed standard, which became recognised in Germany at the very end of the 19th century.

The breed gradually developed until the period 1940 to 1960 when the popularity of the breed exploded with German Shepherds appearing worldwide but being especially popular in Europe and the U.S. The breed covers slight variations such as long and short-coated versions and the fact that the traditional German breeds tend to have a slightly more sloping back than the U.K. and U.S. breed lines

Today, based on 2006 Kennel Club figures, German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular breeds in the United States with 43,575 registrations. In the UK there are currently 12,857 registrations (year 2008)

German Shepherds are found working as guide dogs for the blind or the disabled, carrying out police work and guarding duties. They are also used in search and rescue, therapy and in the armed forces. . These dogs are bred to have an enduring work drive, and unwavering obedience. Of critical importance is the dog's ability to distinguish what constitutes a threat and what does not constitute a threat. Dogs that cannot make such a distinction are unsuitable for police and military work.

Normally a German Shepherd is extremely well-suited for police and military work

The German Shepherd dog is one of the most widely used breeds in a wide variety of scent-work roles. These include tracking, search and rescue, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection, and mine detection amongst others.

Despite their suitability for such work, German Shepherds can also make loyal and loving pets inside the home. They enjoy being around people and other animals. Socialization is vital for young puppies in order to prevent aggressive and dangerous behaviour developing as the dog matures.

It is obvious that German Shepherds are highly intelligent and will show undying loyalty to their owner especially those who follow the guidelines in this book and adopt the role of Alpha Dog. These dogs are steady, self-assured, courageous and willing They are actually a working dog and need to be occupied to be at their best. They are a big tough dog, but like all dogs they need to be part of a pack (your family group?) and need companionship.

It is very sad but there has always been indiscriminate breeding of German Shepherds right from the start, which has resulted in problems with health such as hip displacement and worryingly, temperament. If such a powerful dog has a bad temperament it can be very dangerous and those breeders who have bred German Shepherds with a view to profit and ignored temperament have much to answer for.

Breed Characteristics

Physical Data

The adult dog is usually between 75lbs and 110lbs, (34kg and 50kg) but males can reach 150lbs (68kg) plus.

The height for males is typically 24in - 26in (60 - 65cm); for females it is 22in - 24in (55 - 60cm). The fur is a double-coat (under coat and outer coat). While some organizations accept long haired German Shepherds, short haired dogs are typically (and historically) preferred.

Build – Sturdy, muscular, slightly elongated, with a light but solid bone structure

Coat:

There are three varieties: Short, medium and long haired

Colours

Black with tan, sable or all black also white, black with red, tan and red (Blue, liver and white considered a fault for AKC dog registration) They can have silver points

Head:

In proportion to its body, with the forehead a little convex

Teeth:

A very strong scissors bite with 750 to 1200 pounds

Eyes:

Almond-shaped, never protruding, dark brown (sometimes blue as puppies), with a lively, intelligent expression

Ears:

Wide at the base, pointed, upright and turned forward

Tail:

Bushy, reaching almost to its hocks and hanging down when the dog is at rest

Legs:

Front legs and shoulders are muscular, its thighs thick and sturdy

Paws:

Round with very hard soles

Typical Life span:

10- 12 years on average.

Exercise Requirements

As a large working dog a German Shepherd needs at least 45 minutes each day of moderate exercise

Intelligence

The German Shepherd is a highly intelligent breed and as such, needs a great deal of mental stimulation. Obedience classes will usually be enjoyed by a German Shepherd. This dog is eager to learn and very responsive to training, especially voice commands given with the appropriate tone. It is best to work with reward-based training because punishing a confused or timid dog into submission is likely to make matters worse. Starting with basic obedience, the German Shepherd can go onto learn agility, tracking, rescue work or personal protection work; he excels at all these skills.

Temperament

Because German Shepherds are highly intelligent and agile dogs, they will have a strong work drive. This is why they are often deployed in various roles such as police, guarding, search and rescue, therapy, service-dog, and in the military applications.

The breed has a personality marked by direct, fearless willingness to protect what it considers its territory (i.e. house, yard or garden or the car) and the pack (i.e. human family in a home situation). This dog is eager, alert; and willing to serve in its capacity as a companion, watchdog, as a herding dog, or guardian, and guide dog for people who are blind, whatever the circumstances may demand.

Proper socialization as a puppy is one of the two key factors, which determine what a dog's temperament will be as an adult. Genetics is the other. They go hand-in-hand; a dog with certain genetics cannot be trained to be stable and friendly, and by the same token the genetics most fit for training are meaningless if the dog is not well socialized as a puppy. The ideal German Shepherd should be alert and fearless in defence of its territory and pack, but loving and non-aggressive within the home environment.

Health

Irresponsible breeding has led to some health problems. The most prevalent of these is Hip Dysplasia. To overcome this problem, the Kennel Club instituted a hip-scoring scheme in 1983. Another bone disease that can affect fast growing, large dogs, such as German Shepherd dogs, is panosteitis. Male dogs are often affected more than female dogs. Bloat is a disease of deep-chested dogs but can often be prevented with careful husbandry. Cutaneous vasculopathy affects German Shepherd puppies causing crusty ears, tail and swollen cracked pads. Congenital heart problems can also be found in German Shepherd Dogs.

As is common in many large breeds, German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. A survey in the US found that approximately 25% of German Shepherd Dogs were found to be affected by this disease.

When buying a puppy you should be able to obtain a certificate from a breeder to show the hip score of the dog or at least of its parents. In the UK a points system is used. For a German Shepherd the average score is 19. This is arrived at by scoring each hip individually and adding the scores together. So the average for each hip should be no more than 9.5. in practice look for lower scores. In the US the system is based on an OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) rating. OFA evaluates the hip x-rays of dogs of all breeds in the USA to determine if the animal has hip dysplasia.

OFA Ratings

Excellent means no dysplasia, superior hip socket conformation

Good means no dysplasia, a well formed, congruent hip joint

Fair means no dysplasia, minor irregularities in the hip joint present.

Borderline means no consensus between radiologists to place hip into either a normal or dysplastic category

Mild (Grade I) means mild hip dysplasia present

Moderate (Grade II) means moderate hip dysplasia present

Severe (Grade III) means severe hip dysplasia present

Good breed lines have few problems but proper breeding is needed to breed these traits out of dogs, so that the dog may enjoy a pain-free life and stay suited for work situations. Responsible breeders ensure that their puppies' hips and elbows are x-rayed, and the x-rays approved and certified when the puppy is fully-grown (age 2), in order for the puppy to be allowed to be bred.

Other health problems sometimes