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Training a German Shepherd: A 3-part plan for dog training

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Training a German Shepherd: Why you need a plan

Training a German Shepherd isn't hard. I've had German Shepherds for over 45 years, and a trained German Shepherd is a pleasure to own, visit or simply admire. So it makes me crazy to see a German Shepherd jumping on people, tearing across the yard chasing squirrels or pulling on the leash in every direction while the owner says "It's just instinct." For crying out loud! Train it!

In this lens, I give you an outline of a 3-stage plan for training a German Shepherd. If you have just started training a German Shepherd puppy, you can set goals using this outline. If you have a full-grown dog, it will show you any gaps in your German Shepherd's training that you should take deal with now. Do you have a talent for dog training and want to develop your German Shepherd's potential after the basics? See the section on specialized training here.

I can't tell you everything about training a German Shepherd here, so I'll send you to some other pages I trust that give effective, reliable instruction. Don't blame "instinct" until you've covered the basics of training a German Shepherd.

Table of Contents

  1. Before You Start Training a German Shepherd
  2. Training Kit for German Shepherds
  3. Training the Handler
  4. Ready, Set...Get Started with Training
  5. German Shepherd Training Plan, phase 1
  6. Training from 4 - 9 Months
  7. German Shepherd Training Plan, phase 2
  8. German Shepherd Training Plan, phase 3
  9. Specialty Training for German Shepherds
  10. Reader Feedback
  11. Like it? Share it to show what you found!
  12. Blog: German Shepherd Training Now!
  13. Other Lens I Like about Dogs
  14. The Case for Slip Collars

Before You Start Training a German Shepherd

Required dog training gear

German Shepherd puppy training is easy because they are so eager.Before you start training a German Shepherd, make sure you have the right equipment. In order of importance, you need:

  • A fresh bag of healthy dog treats
  • A strong 6-foot leash
  • A slip collar (a.k.a. choke collar)

Useless for our purposes are: retractable leashes (hint: GET RID OF IT), flat collars, harnesses, muzzles, prong collars, longer leashes or, electronic training collars.

Do not substitute items that almost match. If you've been using an adjustable collar or a long leash, you now know why your dog isn't learning. And if you have a problem with a German Shepherd chasing after squirrels, cats or cars, you already know how worthless these collars and retractable leashes really are.

This is all the equipment you need for 92% of the basic training a German Shepherd needs. Disagree about the collar to use? See below.

Training Kit for German Shepherds

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Training the Handler

The Mindset Needed for Training a German Shepherd

Training a German Shepherd trainer doesn't require a uniform!

You don't need a buttoned uniform or a funny hat, but you - the dog handler - have a lot to master. Here are the ten training commandments that are prerequisites for success in training a German Shepherd.


  1. Demand your German Shepherd's attention or you will get nowhere.
  2. Be consistent with the instruction phrases you use.
  3. Give commands. Lectures, pleading and screaming won't work.
  4. Don't laugh at mistakes.
  5. Always correct bad behavior, even when it's inconvenient or disruptive.
  6. Punishment doesn't fix anything.
  7. Your German Shepherd will love you even if you don't give in.
  8. Your tone and body language have to match your words.
  9. Almost completing a command is not good enough.
  10. Be the Alpha leader for your German Shepherd or get out of the way.

If you're new to German Shepherds, I recommend you learn a little about the breed. This site is a great source of information on German Shepherds - they know what they're talking about. Take advantage of their free mini-course about German Shepherd ownership too.

If you've been trying to train a German Shepherd that has obedience problems, check your behavior against the list above.

Photo: flickr.com/connor395

Ready, Set...Get Started with Training

Training a German Shepherd Puppy from 8 to 16 weeks

These German Shepherd puppies are practicing "sit-stay".

I start training as soon as a German Shepherd puppy is weaned. Here's the first phase of training commands that I teach my pups when they are between 2 and 4 months old.

German Shepherd Training Plan, phase 1

Training a German Shepherd on the essentials

Appropriate for puppies from 8- to 16 weeks old. Adult German Shepherds should have mastered these skills. If not, get remedial training before going further.
  • "Focus" - make and hold eye contact with the trainer

    "Sit" - butt on ground, eyes on the trainer

    "Stand" - four paws on the floor

    "Stay" (sit-stay, stand-stay, down-stay) for short periods

    "Down" - belly on the ground, head upright

    "Come" - move directly to the trainer facing her head-on

    "Go" - walk in the indicated direction

    "Stop" - halt

    "Off" - get down from standing on hind legs (jumping, looking over a fence, etc.)

    "Potty" - this is the right time and place to go

    "Kennel up" - get in the crate

    "Back" - step backwards

    "OK" - release from the last command

    "No" - stop current action and focus on the trainer

    Loose leash walking

    If you want to get a running start at this list, there is a set of outstanding training videos that you can watch online that lets you bypass a classroom training and learn the basics right away. The instructor, Dove Cresswell, is well known for getting immediate results. The videos are no-nonsense and her training philosophy is spot-on.

Training from 4 - 9 Months

Training a German Shepherd on new challenges

Training a German Shepherd to heel isn't difficult once you cover the basics.

Phase 2 builds on the basic commands. For instance, "Wait" is meaningless unless your German Shepherd has mastered "stay" first. By now, your German Shepherd has more physical stamina and coordination, a longer attention span and greater bite control. These developmental changes are necessary for phase 2 training.

German Shepherd Training Plan, phase 2

Training a German Shepherd to be civilized

German Shepherd training should branch out to include additional skills appropriate from 4 to 9 months old.
  • "Heel" - refers to the position both prior to and during movement

    "Wait" - go to a designated location and remain there

    "Gentle" - take something from a person carefully, without touching them

    "No bite" - without offering a chew toy alternative

    "Drop" - let go of an object and step back from it

    "Leave it" - ignore an object that has the dog's attention

    "Quiet" - stop barking, growling or whining

    "Paw" - offer a paw and let you clean or examine it

    "Stay" - (sit/stay, stand/stay, down/stay) for extended duration while you leave the area

    "Fetch" - retrieve an object

German Shepherd Training Plan, phase 3

Training a German Shepherd on advanced skills

A well trained German Shepherd makes its owner come to it!

There are many advanced options for training a German Shepherd once your dog has mastered the fundamentals. Some examples are:

"Speak" - bark only on command

Interrupted run - immediately halt and down/stand/sit on command

Indirect commands - follow verbal commands without seeing you

Tricks - everything from playing dead to reading books

There are many kinds of specialty training also. More on that below.

Specialty Training for German Shepherds

In addition to herding and show...

There are prescribed training skills and programs for:

  • Companion dog

  • Schutzhund

  • Protection dog

  • Search and rescue dog

  • Guide dog

  • Therapy dog

  • Police K9

  • Military dog

  • Hollywood dog (movies, TV, commercials, modeling)


All these specialties require mastery of the skills in earlier phases of the plan above. This video gives a short demonstration of Schutzhund, a sport that requires excellence in obedience, agility and protection.
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Learn More About Specialized Dog Training

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Blog: German Shepherd Training Now!

Training tips for German Shepherd puppies and dogs

My blog focuses on training German Shepherd dogs and puppies.There's much more information for you there. Here are some recent posts. Please come by and visit. If you have a question I don't answer either here or on my blog, please ask it here!
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The Case for Slip Collars

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lincolnk

For over 45 years, I've been training German Shepherds. I must do it pretty well because uppity people invite me to bring my dogs when I stay overnight.... more »

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