Best Way To Train A German Shepherd
A German Shepherd is one of the smartest, most loyal, and hardest-working dogs you can own. But if you don’t train them properly and consistently, you’ll end up with a stubborn, uncontrollable powerhouse that runs the show—and trust me, that’s not what you want.
As a veterinarian with ten years of experience and someone who runs a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, I’ve seen my fair share of German Shepherds. When trained right, they’re disciplined, obedient, and eager to work. When trained wrong—or not at all? They become anxious, reactive, and impossible to control.
1. Start Training Early—Like, Immediately
Don’t wait. The second you bring your German Shepherd home—whether it’s a puppy or an adult—training starts that day.
👉 Why?
- German Shepherds are working dogs. They need direction early, or they’ll develop bad habits.
- They’re too smart for their own good—if you let them get away with something once, they’ll think it’s okay forever.
👉 What to Focus On First:
- Name recognition – Say their name and reward them when they respond.
- Housebreaking – Take them out on a strict schedule. Reward immediately after they go.
- Crate training – Helps with housebreaking and gives them a safe place.
- Basic commands – Start with Sit, Stay, and Come right away.
💡 Pro Tip: If you have a German Shepherd puppy, don’t assume they’ll “grow out” of bad behaviors. They won’t. They’ll grow into them.
2. Establish Yourself as the Leader—Firm but Fair
A German Shepherd needs structure and leadership—and that needs to come from you. If you’re too soft or inconsistent, they’ll take over.
👉 How to Establish Leadership:
- Be calm and confident—don’t yell or get frustrated.
- Make them work for everything—food, toys, affection.
- Set clear rules and boundaries—and stick to them.
💡 Pro Tip: Being a leader doesn’t mean being harsh. It means being clear, consistent, and in control.
3. Socialization—Expose Them to Everything
German Shepherds tend to be protective, which can turn into aggression or fearfulness if they’re not socialized properly.
👉 Start Socialization Early:
- Introduce them to different people, places, and situations.
- Expose them to other dogs and animals—but do it in a controlled way.
- Let them experience different surfaces, sounds, and environments.
💡 Pro Tip: The goal isn’t just for them to meet new things—it’s for them to learn how to stay calm and confident in any situation.
4. Train with Positive Reinforcement—But Set Limits
German Shepherds love to work and please their owners, so use positive reinforcement to your advantage.
👉 Best Training Approach:
- Reward good behavior with treats, praise, and play.
- Ignore or redirect bad behavior instead of just punishing them.
- Be consistent—don’t allow something one day and correct it the next.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t let them manipulate you. German Shepherds are smart enough to fake obedience just to get a treat—so be sure they’re actually learning, not just working the system.
5. Teach Essential Commands First
Start with the basics, then move on to more advanced training once they master them.
👉 Must-Know Commands:
✅ Sit – Foundation for control.
✅ Stay – Prevents bolting and jumping.
✅ Come – Crucial for recall and off-leash safety.
✅ Heel – Stops pulling on the leash.
✅ Leave It – Keeps them from eating or grabbing things they shouldn’t.
✅ Down – Reinforces calm behavior.
💡 Pro Tip: German Shepherds love mental challenges—so once they master the basics, start adding complex tasks and off-leash work.
