Training - House Training
House Training is something that must be started from day one. Getting your German Shepherd to use to your home environment and showing him around is most important. Setting rules and boundaries helps your German Shepherd learn where he can and cannot go and guides him quickly into a desirable routine.
This will require you to be alert and aware of the signs, when your German Shepherd needs to go outside. You might try keeping the door open, if practical, when you are home and leaving your German Shepherd outside, when you are not home. If you do decide to leave your pet outside, while away, make sure that he has a place to sleep and some water to drink. You may even decide to leave some dry food out for him to nibble on, while you are gone.
After a while, your German Shepherd will get to know that he has a place both inside and outside of your home. This will also lead to forming healthy potty habits.
Generally, German Shepherd will not jump on furniture, or try to take food off plates, but if your German Shepherd does begin to show these tendencies, you can try the following method:
Using a rolled up piece of paper, hit your hand - never hit your pet, as you only need to make the sound of hitting and your pet will take notice.
After hitting your hand with the rolled up piece of paper, say sternly in a low tone, the word ‘No!’ You must be consistent and never raise your voice. Simply by being stern and affirmative, your German Shepherd will soon learn that getting on the furniture, or trying to take food off of peoples' plates is not a good idea.
This method must be affirmed with a reward and the words, ‘good boy’, or ‘good girl’, or ‘good (and say the German Shepherd’s name)’, whenever your German Shepherd does something that is the right thing. When you speak, make sure that your words are spoken at a higher and happier tone.
The German Shepherd is an intelligent creature, so they will soon respond to these two gestures, but you must remain fair and try to remain consistent. Your reward should be something special and not something similar to your German Shepherd’s everyday food.
