How to Train & Socialize German Shepherds
Herding dogs, such as German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, and Border Collies, are renowned for their intelligence and energy. These traits make them excellent at tasks involving herding and guarding.
However, their instinctual behaviors, honed for herding livestock, can pose challenges in a typical household setting.
Understanding these instincts is crucial for effective training and harmonious living with your German Shepherd.
Understanding Herding Dog Behavior
Herding dogs are predisposed to behaviors like chasing, barking, and even nipping, which are all part of their genetic makeup to control movement.
Trust me, Emma Brent (a certified dog trainer at Urban Pawsibilities) was aghast the first time her 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy charge barked at an adult human. At the time, she was still very new to dog training and didn't fully understand that it wasn't "all in how you raise them."
Some traits are genetically predetermined.
These herding dogs were initially bred to react to creatures crossing their perceived boundaries, often using their herding behaviors to manage their environment.
This isn't to suggest there's nothing you can do about it! But being prepared for and well-informed about the type of dog you choose to share your home with can make it easier to live with them.
Methods to Manage Your Shepherd’s Natural Herding Behaviors at Home
When you bring a German Shepherd into your life, you need to know and pay attention to how they were genetically bred to respond to the environment around them.
It would be silly to hoist blame on them and get frustrated when they do exactly what their genes tell them to!
Whether conscious or unconscious at the time, you chose to get a herding dog. The least you can do for yourself, them, and society at large is to learn how best to set them up for success.
As you bring your German Shepherd home, here are some practical tips from our Certified Dog Trainers for successfully integrating them into your family’s environment.
1. Add a Baby Gate at the Entrance of Your Home
When Emma first adopted her German Shepherd, she decided to install a baby gate at the entrance of her home to separate the front door from the rest of the house.
Why? It helped her to manage her German Shepherds' boundary-guarding tendencies.
When creatures approach, shepherds were originally bred to protect perceived boundaries (in this case, the front door). They’re likely to use chasing, barking, and potentially biting/gripping behaviors to get those “boundary invaders” to move away from the boundary.
But this is not a genetic tendency Emma appreciated when she brought friends & family into her home. 😅
2. Gradually Introduce Your German Shepherd to New People
Adding a baby gate prevents inappropriate behaviors when guests arrive, allowing the German Shepherd to interact only when calm.
However, training your dog to meet these strangers is also essential. Before you bring guests into your home, reward calm behavior and practice controlled setups to prevent the dog from feeling overwhelmed when guests do arrive.
Only allow your shepherd dog to interact with guests if they remain calm on their side of the fence. This is not something that comes naturally to them; you must train a shepherd to do this.
3. Crate Your German Shepherd When Strangers Need to Enter
Crating the German Shepherd or using other forms of containment, away from where they might be able to see or interact with guests, may also be effective when bringing new people inside the house, who are outside their familiar circle.
If you have contractors in your house or plan to host a larger gathering, crating or using another form of confinement, is usually a better solution to avoid mishaps than letting your German Shepherd roam freely.
Only once your German Shepherd has been professionally trained to be calm around strangers will it make sense to let them roam around.
Training Techniques to Redirect Instinctual Behaviors
Training German Shepherds requires patience and an understanding of their inherent traits. Here are some techniques to help manage and redirect their herding instincts:
Impulse Control Exercises: Teach cues like "stay" or "leave it," and how to be calm on the opposite side of a fence, to help curb instinctual urges. These cues can help manage their reactions in situations that trigger their herding instincts.
Mental Stimulation: Provide activities that challenge their minds, such as puzzle toys or obedience training sessions. These can help channel their energy and reduce unwanted behaviors.
Regular Exercise: Ensure they receive plenty of physical exercise. Activities like fetching, running, or agility training can help expend energy that might otherwise be directed toward undesirable herding behavior.
Need Help Training Your German Shepherd?
German Shepherds are some of the most popular dogs to adopt, but as their human, it’s essential you understand and know how to accommodate their genetic behavioral tendencies.
If you're based in Portland, OR, we can teach you everything you need to know at our dog training facility. You and your German Shepherd can learn everything from lunging and crate training to basic skills.
Not local? Get dog training tips and positive reinforcement techniques from our Certified Dog Trainers by following us on Instagram @Urban.Pawsibilities. We regularly share helpful videos and advice to enhance your dog training efforts!
