Dog training is the jewel in the crown – the most important aspect of doggy husbandry.
There is no more important variable influencing dog behavior and temperament than the dog’s education: A well-trained, well-behaved and good-natured German Shepherd puppy dog is always a joy to live with, but an untrained and uncivilized dog can be a perpetual nightmare.

Moreover, deny the dog an education and it will not have the opportunity to fulfill its own canine potential; neither will it have the ability to communicate effectively with its human companions.

Luckily, modern psychological dog training methods are easy, efficient and effective and, above all, considerably dog-friendly and user-friendly. Doggy education is as simple as it is enjoyable. But before you can have a good time play-training with your new dog, you have to learn what to do and how to do it.

There is no bigger variable influencing the success of dog training than the owner’s experience and expertise. Before you embark on the dog’s education, you must first educate yourself.

Basic Dog Training for Owners

Ideally, basic owner dog training should begin well before you select your dog. Find out all you can about your chosen breed first, then master rudimentary training and handling skills. If you already have your Shepherd puppy/dog, owner training is a dire emergency – the clock is running! Especially for puppies, the first few weeks at home are the most important and influential days in the dog’s life. Indeed, the cause of most adolescent and adult problems may be traced back to the initial days the pup explores his new home.

This is the time to establish the status quo – to teach the puppy/dog how you would like him to behave and so prevent otherwise quite predictable problems.

In addition to consulting German Shepherd breeders and breed, seek out as many pet owners with German Shepherd you can find. Good points are obvious. What you want to find out are the breed-specific problems, so you can nip them in the bud. In particular, you should talk to owners with adolescent dogs and make a list of all anticipated problems.

Most important, test drive at least half a dozen adolescent and adult dogs yourself. An eight-week-old puppy is deceptively easy to handle, but she will acquire adult size, speed and strength in just four months, so you should learn now what to prepare for.

Dog Training Tips – Watch and Learn From Other Owners

Puppy and pet dog training classes offer a convenient venue to locate pet owners and observe dogs in action.

For a list of suitable trainers in your area, contact the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. You may also begin your basic owner training by observing other owners in class. Watch as many classes and test drive as many dogs as possible. Select an upbeat, dog-friendly, people-friendly, fun-and-games, puppy dog pet training class to learn the ropes. Also, watch training DVDs and videos and read training books. You must find out what to do and how to do it before you have to do it.

Before you begin training a dog you must start with training yourself. If you’re getting a new puppy, then you will certainly need to learn about house training a dog before you bring him home.

Dog Training Tips For Using and Choosing Collars

The most suitable collars are the broad leather or fabric ones or the half-check (check-choke), which is three-quarters nylon or leather and a quarter chain link.

Half-checks are good when training, because you can achieve a rattle with the chain part to attract the dog’s attention.

When fitting a collar, make sure you can slide two fingers between it and the dog’s neck. Check the collar regularly for signs of chafing, and also to see that it still fits comfortably on a growing dog.

Leash

Leashes, like collars, are available in all sorts of lengths and designs. What is important, however, is to choose the most appropriate one for you and your dog. It makes an enormous difference for both parties in terms of comfort and control if you have a leash that is the correct length for the size of your dog, and the right width for your hand.

The leash must be of suitable length to maintain a slack tension. If it is too short, the dog will be dragged along; too long and you will have meters of lead to deal with.

Personally I prefer a leather lead to train my dog. Choose a fabric or leather lead that can be extended or shortened as desired (as favored by dog trainers), and then you will have the best of both worlds when training and when simply out for a walk.

Retractable leashes are available in a variety of designs, but as some are better than others it is imperative that you choose one you can retract easily and instantly when desired. You must also buy the variety suited to the weight of your dog, otherwise it may not be strong enough to control him (some have been reported to snap when under stress and flick back into the handler’s body or face, resulting in serious injury). To be on the safe side, do not use retractable leads on dogs that pull or become very excitable.

Crate

Also called a den or a cage, a crate serves as a bed and is useful for toilet training, for keeping the dog separate from the family and other pets when necessary, and for safety when traveling with your dog.

Crates come in all sizes, with different types of opening. Good, sturdy ones are expensive, so choose one that will be big enough to accommodate your dog when it is fully grown. Cheap crates tend to be badly made or flimsy, and therefore represent poor economy because they do not last.

Plastic-covered metal crates are quieter and easier to clean than those constructed out of bare or galvanized metal. A two-door foldaway crate is more convenient, especially when being used in a vehicle.

Before getting a dog, you will need to make a number of decisions, including selecting the breed and type of dog you would like. You may have in mind the ideal appearance, color, type and temperament, but would the type of dog you have in mind fit without any problems into your family’s lifestyle and fulfill your expectations?

What’s the difference?

Picking a pedigree or non-pedigree dog is your decision. However, armed with a fair amount of knowledge you are in the best position to make an informed choice and, therefore, end up with a pet that fulfils all your basic requirements.

Some pedigree dogs are known for certain character traits, such as a laid-back attitude, tolerance and a strong affection for humans, and this can make the job of choosing a dog easier if you do your homework well.

The options

Dogs are available in three varieties:

pure-bred (pedigree).

cross-bred (pedigree parents of different breeds).

mongrel (a dog with one or both parents cross-breds or mongrels).

Cost may influence your choice, but bear in mind that pure-breds are not necessarily superior to cross-breds or mongrels – indeed in terms of health the reverse is generally true, as many pure-bred dogs are prone to physical and psychological problems caused by inbreeding.

What’s in a name?

Pedigree dog breeds are categorized into named groups to differentiate their particular uses, that is, what they were originally bred to do.

Longhaired breeds need correct grooming on a daily basis to remain matt-free, healthy and looking good.

Your lifestyle

This determines, to a great extent, what sort of pet you should be looking for/In the dog’s lifetime, you are responsible for his health and well-being.

Some breeds, compared with others, are high-maintenance, so only consider these types of dogs if you are able to provide daily care and attention for them for the next 15 years or so. If you get a dog with a coat that needs a lot of grooming, or requires clipping on a regular basis, you must be prepared to learn how to care for his coat properly

If you choose an extrovert, energetic type with high exercise needs, then you must have the time to cater for him. Such considerations may seem obvious, but animal welfare organizations still have to cope with thousands of unwanted animals that their owners felt unable to care for.

The right dog for you

Pedigree dogs are not necessarily more loving, clever or naughty than other dogs, and each breed’s appearance is a matter of taste. Working dogs tend to be more demanding of their owners, companion dogs tend to be more laid-back and cross-breeds tend to be generally thought of as being ‘hardy’.

Whatever the type or breeding, an animal’s character is also determined by the way it is reared and its handling by humans. Whether you get a pedigree or non-pedigree dog, the costs of neutering, vaccinating, feeding and caring for him will be just the same. The only difference will be in the initial cost of acquiring him.

Whatever type of dog you get, you will need to learn how to train a puppy to make sure you build a strong and loving relationship between the two of you. One of the first things you will need to learn is how to house train a puppy, so check out these puppy training tips and get started right away.