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Training Your German Shepherd to Listen to You

Why Won't My German Shepherd Listen To Me?

This is a common question that most first-time German Shepherd owners ask me. Before I answer your question, let me ask you a few instead:

Do you use cookies, collars, head halters or clickers to make your German Shepherd listen to your commands?

Do you have to raise your voice every time you want your German Shepherd to listen to you?

Does your German Shepherd always come or sit on command - anytime and anywhere you want him to?

If your answers are mostly in the negative, its time you seriously reconsider your role as a sincere German Shepherd trainer and an ideal pet parent.

Learn how to bond with your German Shepherd with this free mini course.

Get Your German Shepherd To Listen To You

Before you begin any training, you must first establish yourself as the "ALPHA dog" of your family. Your German Shepherd must know that you’re the leader of the pack and it is YOU who is in charge.

Here is a list of simple DO's and DONT's that you must follow if you want to be the Alpha:

Always go out or come in through the door first - remember you are the leader;

Always eat first - give your German Shepherd something to eat only after you've finished your meal;

Don’t circle around your German Shepherd when he is lying on the floor - make your German Shepherd move out of your way instead;

Don't let your German Shepherd set the rules - pay attention to him when you think fit and not whenever he demands;

Don’t permit your German Shepherd to sleep with you in your bed - demarcate his sleeping area clearly.

Once you successfully established yourself as the Alpha, training your German Shepherd and making him listen will be a lot easier than you can imagine. Remember, if your German Shepherd does not learn to "listen", all your training efforts will be in vain!

Does your German Shepherd know his name? Does your German Shepherd look at you whenever you call him by his name? This is the first and the most critical step involved in German Shepherd Training. If your German Shepherd doesn't respond to his name, you cannot have his attention for teaching him any other commands.

To make sure that your German Shepherd recognizes his name, take a treat in your hand and hold it away from your body. Call your German Shepherd's name. He is most likely to look at the treat in your hand. Continue calling his name untill he turns and looks at your eyes. Give him the treat immediately. Repeat this exercise by holding the treat in the other hand. Once you're sure that your German Shepherd has learnt to recognize his name, just call his name and reward him for looking at you by petting or with a hug.

You must understand that German Shepherds respond far better to positive reinforcement than they do to coercion or force.

Learn how to train your German Shepherd better with this free mini course.