Is there a way thats best for training GSDs?

My mother got a GSD puppy for Christmas from one of my fathers employees that breeds them. His name is Sam and he is getting to be a pretty big boy and since my mom is having to take care of my dad more(unfortunately we all found out dad has chrones colitis when he went to the hospital on New Years) than she ever had to before it is making it hard for her to do anything with Sam. Not to mention the fact that my father owns his own refrigeration/heating and air buisness and mom is the president of the company so they can get pretty busy even on the weekends and since dad has been ordered to recover mom gets to get out and do all the running around. When he is feeling ok my dad will play fetch with him but cant do anything rigorous until he fully recovers which the docs say will take up to three months if not more. They want me to come over two or three times a week to play with him and train him which I told them I would do what I could. Growing up my dad bred beagles and hunted them and we had various other dogs. I grew up learning how to train them and a whole lot more(such as they arent all the same in character). Sometimes mom would tell me I smelled like the dogs because I was with them so much. What I was wondering is if anyone could tell me if there is a training method that works best for GSDs that I could use. Ive used almost every training method I know of that isnt hurting the animal or that makes me a brute. The only one I have never used is clicker training. There could be others but I dont know and even I have used the method before I would really appreciate some feedback on them. I dont know the breed we have never owned a GSD. Please dont go into all the stuff you disaprove of Id really like to hear positive insights from people who know the breed and have training methods that they know work for a GSD. I would really appreciate any positive insight here.

there is no set 'best' training method for any dog.

What will put you in good stead, however, is regardless of the training method you use (clicker, reward, whistle etc) that you are consistent, realistic and timely with your actions, reactions and rewards.

One thing you must do with a GSD is socialize him with both people & other dogs is a "safe"environs, which is a dog training club for other dogs. GSDs do tend to be a bit "full on"& their body language is frequently misunderstood both by other dogs & their owners.

As for the best way-it's the one that works for you & the dog & one that never includes punishment or negative enforcement. Treats &/or toys are probably most useful if you are not used to using a clicker.

I must say I never put a lead on my puppies at home for heelwork training & use either treats to lure the puppy to me or a toy. they only ever have a lead on when they are away from home.

5-10 minutes only of formal training with play in between & also rest periods

I started by training other people's GSDs in the 1950s & when on to having my own dog when I was 8-only been GSDless for the past couple of years & I've been planning my next one for a long time, not used a choker or non positive reinforcement since 1964 !

GSDs are the same as other dogs in how they actually learn, but what you do need to do is as Joedee mentioned, which is to just take into account that they do need pro active socialisation with other dogs and people, which ideally means taking them out and about early on and continuing with that

There are some really good books out, why not invest in those to give some guidance?

I'd suggest:

http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB759

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB622

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB723

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB1011

I work with dogs and owners like others on here, and find using lure and reward, clicker training etc is good for all dogs

A friend of mine has many gsds and uses clicker training, she's rehabilitated several dogs using these methods also. I have BSD and now use clicker training and use of toys, food rewards etc.

Wys
x

This is a good website:
http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/behavio...ogs-learn.html

That particular article goes into how dogs learn. The author who is a behaviourist and ex police dog instructor has trained many dogs from spaniels to GSDs.

HTH and have fun

Wys
x

I did find training my pointers different from training my GSDs as the gundogs were eager to please and the GSDs are more eager to get on to the next bit. Not so much a difference in method than in attitude really. GSDs are (usually) very intelligent and this may not translate to obedient, so occasionally you may need to outwit them! Mine have a low boredom threshold and have always been best with very short training sessions, but repeated many times in different places to keep it interesting.
Totally agree about the socialisation. Many GSDs are unsure of new experiences which can lead to them getting a reputation for aggression whereas in fact they are shouting Go Away!
They are wonderful dogs. They do tend to bond closely to one person and only tolerate others, so if there is to be more than one person handling them you may need to begin that right at the outset.

Can't really add much more to what has been said already, but a good tip from me would be to outsmart them everytime! i.e. if you know by experience what they are likely to do and when, you have to be one step ahead every time to stop any unwanted behaviour which in turn means telling them off! They don't like getting told off, they know they're smart, they're eager to learn and eager to please, so they thrive on praise, praise and more praise. Treats are good, but I don't use them all the time, once the dog knows, then I tend to do away with the treat for that particular command and reward with praise, they're just as happy with lots of praise. I tend to be very vocal with all of mine, in that I am constantly praising them when they are doing well, even if they're just lying down, they get told how good they are and given affection and that gets my message across much better than any training session would, and I'm consistent in everything I do. Get the puppy offlead when out a.s.a.p. recall is usually learned very quickly with this breed, they don't want to lose you, they don't even want you out of their sight, so hide and seek when out is all good for this type of work.

I would say puppy classes is an absolute MUST along with the socialisation. Once you learn the basics at proper training classes, you'll be well on your way, these dogs just love to learn and make it fun, use a silly voice, make everything fun for them rather than doing it the strict type of way, I've always found that works so much better with mine. Once you've gained their trust and respect, they will enjoy being led by you and trust you with everything you ask of them without questioning it, and that's exactly why I love this breed so much, a total joy to own, once you've got into their head! Sometimes it can take a while though Good luck.

I have a young pup and we began socilising him almost from day one by carrying him around different places. As has already been said socialzation is key with these guys. A good place for this is schools. If you can walk him past schools at hometime where they are always lots of people in all sorts of shapes and sized, many of whom may want to stroke him (sorry if its a her!). My oh stands outside the school gates whilst I go and get our children and loads of people come up and stroke the dog and it is great for him. You just have to watch your dog's body language and gage when he has had enough or it could go the opposite way. Someone told me that another good place is pub beer gardens as well so that may be an option as the weather gets nicer.

I have just started clicker training with my pup and he has caught on quick. I do a few brief training sessions during the day but also carry my clicker and treats with my anyway and if he does something that I ask I click and treat anyway even tho we are not in a "training session". This is so that he gets used to the clicker as well as inpromtu rewards for behaviour he knows but is still doing well. the only problem I found tho is that I am teaching him off and he figured out that when he got off he got his click and treat. This did seem to have the negative effect as the crafty devil jumped up more knowing that he would get told "off" followed by c&t when he did it!!! As you can probably guess they are extremely intelligant.

HTH

Apologies for the essay!

GSD's are smart dogs so training anything is a good idea
Also clicker training or something would be something easy that your dad could do with him - if you look into free shaping with the clicker when you get the dog turned onto what is supposed to happen with the clicker your dad really would only need to sit and chuck treats - that would tire out the dog too

One thing with GSD's is that they can have trouble with overbonding to one person and dont take commands from other people so I would make sure whatever you teach him you also show your parents how you were teaching it and vice versa so he learns to work with all of you and dosent get confused

HI,

The advice so far is spot on. I'd add only a couple of things though :

firstly, make sure you're consistent in everything you do. GSDs are more intelligent than people think and whereas you may be able to train them to do something and you think they've got it, they'l want to move on more quickly than they're ready for. The ythink in the same way as every other dog so need the repetition for the penny to drop.

Also, some GSDs can become very skittish and/or too close to their owner (which can border on separatino anxiety). Make sure that the pup doesn't HAVE to be in physical contact with anyone for what seems like all the time. Sleepin gacross your feet in the evening when you're watching TV is fine, but if they have to be joined at the hip with you all day every day, you can have a problem (although you don't need to consider this really until it happens - just be aware of it).

Also, they can be fearful of loud or sudden noises. If he's already allowed out for walks etc, as already stated, go to a primary school at home time, walk along a busy main road during rush hour (can build up to this), if you live near an airport take them to the fields nearby for walks so that they get to a point where they're not looking to run away every time they hear something unfamiliar.

You rDad could probably do a littel but of training whilst he recovers. All it needs, particularly with a young pup, is 10 minutes at a time, 2/3 times a day and things like sit, come, down etc can all be learned very quickly. This will enhance the bond betwen the pup and your Dad (& Mom if she does it too), as well as you so it's not bonding just with one person.

Laura xx