Best Way To Train A German Shepherd Puppy
If you’re bringing home a German Shepherd puppy, get ready for one of the smartest, most loyal, and high-energy dogs you’ll ever own. But don’t get it twisted—if you don’t train them right, they’ll turn into an out-of-control, stubborn handful faster than you can blink.
As a veterinarian with ten years of experience and someone who runs a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, I’ve seen plenty of German Shepherds. When raised properly, they’re focused, obedient, and eager to work. When they’re not? You’ll be dealing with a destructive, anxious, and dominant dog that doesn’t listen to a word you say.
You need to start training immediately, and you need to be consistent. German Shepherds aren’t just pets—they’re working dogs, and they need structure, discipline, and a job from day one. Let’s go over the best way to train a German Shepherd puppy so you don’t end up with a 90-pound problem.
1. Start Training Immediately—No Excuses
Some people think, “Oh, they’re just a puppy. I’ll start training later.” Big mistake. If you don’t train your German Shepherd from day one, they’ll form bad habits that get harder to break as they grow.
👉 What to Focus on Right Away:
- Name Recognition – Say their name, reward them when they look at you.
- Housebreaking – Take them out on a strict schedule. Reward immediately after they go.
- Crate Training – Gives them a safe place and prevents accidents.
- Basic Commands – Sit, Stay, and Come should start as early as 8 weeks.
💡 Pro Tip: If you let them get away with something once, they’ll try it forever—so set rules and stick to them.
2. Establish Leadership—You’re in Charge, Not Them
A German Shepherd puppy is cute now, but in a few months, they’ll be big, strong, and testing their limits. If you don’t establish leadership, they’ll run the house.
👉 How to Show You’re the Leader:
- Be calm, firm, and confident—don’t beg or plead.
- Make them work for everything—food, toys, even attention.
- Stick to rules—if they’re not allowed on the couch today, they’re not allowed tomorrow either.
💡 Pro Tip: Being a leader doesn’t mean being harsh. It means being clear, consistent, and in control.
3. Socialization—Expose Them to Everything Now
German Shepherds tend to be protective, and without proper socialization, that can turn into aggression or fearfulness.
👉 How to Socialize Your Puppy:
- Introduce them to different people, places, and situations early.
- Let them meet other friendly dogs—but keep it controlled.
- Expose them to different surfaces, sounds, and environments so they stay confident.
💡 Pro Tip: If your puppy barks or acts nervous, don’t comfort them—stay calm, act normal, and let them adjust.
4. Train with Positive Reinforcement—But Set Boundaries
German Shepherds love to learn and respond best to positive reinforcement—but that doesn’t mean letting them do whatever they want.
👉 How to Train Effectively:
- Reward good behavior with treats, praise, and play.
- Ignore or redirect bad behavior instead of punishing.
- Keep training short and engaging—puppies have short attention spans.
💡 Pro Tip: If they ignore a command, don’t repeat it over and over. Say it once, then guide them into doing it.
5. Teach Essential Commands First
Start with the most important commands, then move on to advanced training.
👉 Must-Know Commands:
✅ Sit – The foundation for all obedience.
✅ Stay – Prevents jumping and bolting.
✅ Come – Crucial for recall and off-leash training.
✅ Heel – Stops leash pulling.
✅ Leave It – Teaches impulse control.
✅ Down – Helps keep them calm and in control.
💡 Pro Tip: Use hand signals along with verbal commands—German Shepherds respond well to visual cues.
6. Leash Training—No Pulling Allowed
A fully grown German Shepherd can pull you across the street if you don’t teach leash manners early.
👉 How to Stop Pulling:
- Start leash training as soon as they’re vaccinated.
- If they pull, stop moving until they come back to your side.
- Reward loose-leash walking with treats and praise.
💡 Pro Tip: Teach “Look at Me” to get their attention when they’re distracted.
7. Mental Stimulation—They Need a Job
A bored German Shepherd is a destructive German Shepherd. They need mental challenges, not just physical exercise.
👉 How to Keep Their Mind Busy:
- Use puzzle toys to make them work for treats.
- Teach them new tricks regularly.
- Start basic scent work or agility training.
💡 Pro Tip: Training is mental exercise—a 10-minute session tires them out more than an hour of running.
8. Exercise—But the Right Kind
Puppies have a lot of energy, but that doesn’t mean you should over-exercise them. Too much impact at a young age can cause joint problems.
👉 Best Activities for a Puppy:
- Short, frequent walks instead of long ones.
- Light play sessions with toys and other dogs.
- Low-impact activities like fetch (on soft surfaces) or gentle tug-of-war.
💡 Pro Tip: Follow the 5-minute rule—for every month of age, limit structured exercise to 5 minutes at a time (e.g., 3-month-old puppy = 15 minutes).
9. Correcting Bad Behavior—Don’t Let It Slide
If you ignore bad behavior, it will get worse. German Shepherds are smart enough to test you, so correct problems early.
👉 How to Correct Bad Behavior:
- Redirect instead of punishing—give them something appropriate to chew instead of yelling.
- Stay calm—don’t scream or react emotionally.
- Be consistent—don’t allow jumping one day and scold them the next.
💡 Pro Tip: Use a firm “No” or an “Ah-Ah” sound to correct behavior, then show them the right thing to do.
Final Thoughts: Train Smart, Stay Consistent
German Shepherd puppies grow fast, and what seems “cute” now can turn into a serious problem later. If you train them with structure, patience, and leadership, you’ll have a loyal, obedient, and well-behaved dog.
✅ Start training immediately—no excuses.
✅ Establish leadership early—don’t let them take control.
✅ Socialize them properly—expose them to everything.
✅ Use positive reinforcement—but set firm boundaries.
✅ Teach essential commands—don’t skip the basics.
✅ Leash train early—no pulling allowed.
✅ Give them mental stimulation—they need a job.
✅ Correct bad behavior immediately—don’t wait.
Train them the right way from the start, and you’ll have a dog that listens, respects you, and makes your life easier—not harder.
