How to Train a German Shepherd German Commands
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Introduction
Teaching German Sherpards their commands in German is a common practice among owners of the breed. These commands are often used for police dogs and dogs trained in home protection. You might also teach your German Shepard german commands for agility competitions or to ensure that he pays attention to you without distraction.
You might think training your German Shepard German commands is a difficult endeavor, but with patience and consistency, it won't take too long before your dog will "sprechen sie Deutsch." In fact, you may find that it takes you longer to remember the new phrases than your dog. Whatever your reason for wanting to use a different language, consistency and patience will be key to success.
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Defining Tasks
German is a common language for dog training, and you may find many German Shepard breeders and trainers use German exclusively with their puppies. If your dog already knows his commands in English, you need to make sure you help him with the transition to German. If you start asking him to perform commands immediately, he may end up confused and frustrated.
If you have a puppy and you'd like to begin his training using German, the training won't differ too much from training in English. The most important factor is to know what which words you are going to use and stick to them. You may need to carry a list with you as a reminder, and make sure everyone interacting with your puppy knows these commands.
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Getting Started
Training your German Shepard German commands is fairly simple, but you will need to be prepared with a few items to ensure your success. Before you begin, make sure you have a plan that you can follow and keep these items at the ready.
- A list of German commands
- High-value treats like cheese or sliced hot dogs
- A leash
The hardest part will be patience and consistency as your dog is making the transition. Below are three methods that will help you stick to your goals. Read through them and pick the best one for you and your dog.
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The First Command Method
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Choose your words
This method works best for puppies or dogs who don't know any commands yet. Begin by making a list of the German commands you want to teach your dog. Keep this on the fridge or easily accessible.
The first command
Start with teaching 'sit'. Take a treat and show your dog, then move it over his head to lure him into a sitting position. As soon as he sits say "setzen" and give him a treat.
Keep practicing
Continue practicing and be consistent with the German command. Make sure anyone else working with the puppy uses the same command.
Move to the next
When your dog is sitting each time you say "setzen," choose your next command. It could be "platz" for 'down' or "bliebe" for 'stay'. Teach these skills with any method, but replace the English commands for the German ones.
Take it outside
When your dog is regularly reacting to your German commands, test him with more distractions. Take him outside and practice, making sure to reward him heavily when he listens.
The Association Method
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Choose your cue
Begin by choosing the first command you want to transition to German. 'Sit' is often a good choice. The German version is very close: "setzen."
Ask for a 'sit'
Start by asking your dog to sit. Before you give him the English command, say the command in German.
Treat the right behavior
When he sits, give him a treat.Keep practicing by saying the German word and then the English.
Take away the English
Once you see him start to sit as you give the German command, remove the English command. Only give him a treat when he sits for the new German command.
Try another command
Once has successfully transitioned to "setzen." try another command like "platz" for 'down'. Follow the same steps for all your commands.
Test your skills outside
After your dog is now listening attentively to German in the house, try these new commands in areas where he is more distracted, like at the dog park. Each time he responds, give him a good treat.
The Key Commands Method
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Define your commands
This method is for anyone who only wants their dog to know a few German words for competition or home protection. First, choose the words and commands you want to teach.
Start inside
Start training the commands inside with little distraction. For example, you may want to teach your dog the agility command to jump, "hopp." Start indoors without the distraction of other commands or people.
Work the command
Work with the new command until your dog is responding to the German command each time.
Practice with friends
Before heading out to the agility course, start by asking friends to try and distract your dog. Have them say the English version of your command. Your dog should only respond to your German command to get the reward.
Real world trial
When you are confident your dog is cued into the German command, test your cues out in the real world. Whether in the dog park or on the agility course, those German commands should be an immediate cue for your dog.
Written by Katie Smith
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/22/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Bear
Georgian Shepherd
Ten Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
How can I stop my dog from barking so much or trying to bite everyone he aww
Oct. 21, 2022
Bear's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello, It sounds like the barking is probably connected to reactivity and aggression. Part of addressing the barking is addressing pup's aggression toward people, since that's probably triggering half of the barking. For the aggression, I highly recommend working with a professional trainer who specializes in behavior issues like aggression in person. Ideally, look for someone who works with a team of trainers or has a staff, where other trainers can practice being stand in "strangers" for you and the trainer to practice counter conditioning Bear to lots of different "strangers", in a safe environment with safety measures like a back tie leash or basket muzzle, repeatedly seeing the same person from a distance far enough away to keep arousal low enough for Bear to be able to respond to training still and learn, and ease into more interaction, less distance, and additional new people as pup improves. I would also work on teaching the Quiet command for situations where Bear is barking and it's not due to aggression, which can also be used later once the underlying aggression is addressed and there are safety measure in place. It's important to be careful when working with aggression even for you, since a dog who is highly aroused can redirect that aggression toward whoever is closest when upset. A basket muzzle, introduced ahead of time using treats and calm praise, is an important tool in situations like this. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Oct. 24, 2022
Molly
German Shepherd
2 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
All.. Just want to make her understand English
March 25, 2022
Molly's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Lucky, Check out these videos of a puppy class. Follow along with your puppy at home and practice the exercises to help with general basic obedience: Puppy Class videos: Week 1, pt 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnhJGU2NO5k Week 1, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-1-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 2, pt 1 https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-2-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 2, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-2-part-2-home-jasper-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 3, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-3-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 3, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-3-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 4, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-4-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 4, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-4-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 5, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-5-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 5, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-5-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 6, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-6-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 6, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-6-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1-0 Over the next six months, these commands can also be useful to teach. Socialization, potty training, crate training, and teaching bite inhibition will be the most time sensitive things to prioritize with a young puppy though. Although helpful to teach early, obedience commands can also be taught when older if you have to choose what to work on with the time you have. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Heel- Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Come - Reel in method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Off- section on The Off command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Drop It – Exchange method: https://wagwalking.com/training/drop-it Finally, check out the PDF e-book downloads found on this website, written by one of the founders of the association of professional dog trainers, and a pioneer in starting puppy kindergarten classes in the USA. Click on the pictures of the puppies to download the PDF books: https://www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
March 28, 2022