| Are you fortunate enough to live with a | | | | everyone. |
| German Shepherd? Then you know that they are | | | | |
| extremely active dogs. They need lots of | | | | The most essential point to remember is that |
| exercise. They are bold, determined, and | | | | your German Shepherd needs an Alpha dog to |
| smart, requiring a lot of attention. German | | | | give him firm, consistent leadership and is |
| Shepherds are also naturally dominant dogs so | | | | happiest when this occurs. However, your |
| proper training is a must. It is essential | | | | German Shepherd is instinctively wired to |
| that you control your German Shepherd or she | | | | better his pack position so beware of periods |
| will control you. But training will ensure | | | | when he tests boundaries, especially during |
| that she is a happy, well-adjusted member of | | | | training. He may push your buttons by |
| your family. | | | | misbehaving or ignoring commands that he has |
| | | | already learned. This is normal and the best |
| So, you are going to train your German | | | | way to work through this is with consistency |
| Shepherd but what's the best way to do this? | | | | and maintenance of the training program you |
| There's some important points to remember, | | | | have established. |
| but before we tell you what they are, here is | | | | |
| the biggest secret to training your German | | | | The Alpha wolf in the wild will always decide |
| Shepherd? | | | | where to hunt and when he will decide where |
| | | | to settle the pack. After each kill, the |
| CONSISTENCY | | | | Alpha wolf always will eat first as the |
| | | | unequivocal leader of his pack. There are no |
| You guessed it! Consistency. Many times | | | | exceptions. He governs his pack in a firm and |
| someone will bring home a German Shepherd | | | | fair way, with no exceptions to his law. |
| puppy and underestimate the amount of time | | | | |
| needed to train him effectively. Training | | | | What does all this have to do with training |
| your dog is really very simple, give him | | | | your dog? Simply that you must be the Alpha |
| praise when she does something you want, and | | | | dog in your pack to effectively train your |
| correct him when he doesn't. If you do this | | | | German Shepherd. He will work harder to |
| consistently, your German Shepherd will be | | | | please you if he understands his relationship |
| trained. In essence, training him will | | | | with you. This will also establish a proper |
| enhance the bond you share. It will establish | | | | relationship between you and your dog right |
| you as the leader of the pack, making your | | | | from the start and he will bond more closely |
| dog more comfortable. You can promote this | | | | and deeply to you. |
| natural rank by following these teaching | | | | |
| points. We will discover the best ways to | | | | There is a special situation that you must |
| train your German Shepherd, ensuring a long | | | | consider. It is this: Imagine being a petite |
| and happy relationship. | | | | woman married to a big guy who is 6'4" and |
| | | | weighs 225 pounds. In your dog's mind, you |
| First you must understand that your dog is | | | | probably won't be recognized as the Alpha |
| not human and is largely governed by | | | | dog; although your husband might recognize |
| instinct. It is up to you to temper that | | | | you as such. This is because the undetectable |
| instinct with conditioned behavior through | | | | scent he puts off to the dog and his deeper |
| human training. By correctly establishing a | | | | voice establishes him as the Alpha dog. Even |
| social hierarchy within your household from | | | | though you might have to work a little |
| the very first day you bring your German | | | | harder, you can easily establish yourself as |
| Shepherd puppy home, you can achieve this. | | | | the Beta dog, dominant over all other dogs in |
| The hierarchy consists of an Alpha dog, which | | | | your household. Are the kids the Omega dogs |
| is the dominant dog to all. He is the supreme | | | | then? Definitely not! It is essential that |
| ruler of the pack and is submissive to no | | | | they participate in the training of your |
| one. Following the Alpha dog is the Beta dog, | | | | German Shepherd so they will also be dominant |
| second in command. The Beta dog is second in | | | | over your dog. |
| line for dominance. Obviously, the Beta dog | | | | |
| would be submissive to the alpha dog but | | | | David Lee is the owner and designer of |
| dominant above all others. At the tail end of | | | | several web sites promoting responsible pet |
| the pack, so to speak, is the Omega dog, | | | | care. |
| which is dominant to none and submissive to | | | | |