When it comes to German Shepherd potty training you are going to need to exercise patience but if you use some basic techniques, and do them correctly, then you should really have no problem. The German Shepherd is a normally obedient dog and if you are using the proper training techniques then you should experience little or no problem in getting your dog to do its business in the area you have designated for it. Remember that in the beginning of the process it will take some dedication by you and some patience so be ready for that.
Always remember that a German Shepherd puppy wants to do what is expected of it so accidents are just accidents and not the dog making any kind of statement. If your puppy has accidents do not deviate from the training and do not punish the puppy for those accidents. As easy as German Shepherds are to train they also confuse easily as well when you punish them. And punishment as a puppy can bring out aggression later in life so whatever you do you do not punish your puppy during housebreaking.
Most German Shepherd owners use the crate method when they are working on German Shepherd potty training and that seems to work the best of all the methods. It is not cruel to use a crate as you are teaching the dog that it has its space and that it needs to keep that space clean. Only crate your dog when at night or when you are not at home. When you are home keep your puppy near you at all times and keep an eye on it. Watch for behavior that indicates they are ready to go to the bathroom like circling and sniffing.
Another tip for housebreaking your German Shepherd is to make sure meal times are at the same time everyday. That way you can predict when the dog will need to relieve itself and you can take it to its designated spot outside to do its thing. Watch for when it drinks water as well as you will need to get it outside soon after that so the dog knows to go outside to empty the bladder.
Housebreaking becomes much easier when you can get it on a set schedule and you can do that if you feed your dog at times when you know you will be able to take it outside to relieve itself. If you keep a regular feeding schedule then you get a regular potty schedule and that can help out a lot. Also watch for the times when the dog drinks so you can take it outside right afterwards and let it know that it needs to be outside for that.
German Shepherd potty training is going to require a great deal of your time and a lot of patience. You will need to be taking your dog out to its designated spot frequently and that can mean as often as every forty-five minutes.
Housebreaking a German Shepherd is not nearly as difficult as some of the other breeds out there. Just be careful during the housebreaking period because you do not want to cause bad habits later in life like aggression or confusion.
Following the correct training procedures can help insure success with German Shepherd potty training. You have to be aware that anything you do when they are puppies can potentially become bad behavior later in life so during German Shepherd potty training you need to use the utmost patience and love with your dog and make sure you show them when they do things right.
Are you fortunate enough to live with a German Shepherd? Then you know that they are extremely active dogs. They need lots of exercise. They are bold, determined, and smart, requiring a lot of attention. German Shepherds are also naturally dominant dogs so proper training is a must. It is essential that you control your German Shepherd or she will control you. But training will ensure that she is a happy, well-adjusted member of your family.
So, you are going to train your German Shepherd but what's the best way to do this? There's some important points to remember, but before we tell you what they are, here is the biggest secret to training your German Shepherd?
CONSISTENCY
You guessed it! Consistency. Many times someone will bring home a German Shepherd puppy and underestimate the amount of time needed to train him effectively. Training your dog is really very simple, give him praise when she does something you want, and correct him when he doesn't. If you do this consistently, your German Shepherd will be trained. In essence, training him will enhance the bond you share. It will establish you as the leader of the pack, making your dog more comfortable. You can promote this natural rank by following these teaching points. We will discover the best ways to train your German Shepherd, ensuring a long and happy relationship.
First you must understand that your dog is not human and is largely governed by instinct. It is up to you to temper that instinct with conditioned behavior through human training. By correctly establishing a social hierarchy within your household from the very first day you bring your German Shepherd puppy home, you can achieve this. The hierarchy consists of an Alpha dog, which is the dominant dog to all. He is the supreme ruler of the pack and is submissive to no one. Following the Alpha dog is the Beta dog, second in command. The Beta dog is second in line for dominance. Obviously, the Beta dog would be submissive to the alpha dog but dominant above all others. At the tail end of the pack, so to speak, is the Omega dog, which is dominant to none and submissive to everyone.
The most essential point to remember is that your German Shepherd needs an Alpha dog to give him firm, consistent leadership and is happiest when this occurs. However, your German Shepherd is instinctively wired to better his pack position so beware of periods when he tests boundaries, especially during training. He may push your buttons by misbehaving or ignoring commands that he has already learned. This is normal and the best way to work through this is with consistency and maintenance of the training program you have established.
The Alpha wolf in the wild will always decide where to hunt and when he will decide where to settle the pack. After each kill, the Alpha wolf always will eat first as the unequivocal leader of his pack. There are no exceptions. He governs his pack in a firm and fair way, with no exceptions to his law.
What does all this have to do with training your dog? Simply that you must be the Alpha dog in your pack to effectively train your German Shepherd. He will work harder to please you if he understands his relationship with you. This will also establish a proper relationship between you and your dog right from the start and he will bond more closely and deeply to you.
There is a special situation that you must consider. It is this: Imagine being a petite woman married to a big guy who is 6'4" and weighs 225 pounds. In your dog's mind, you probably won't be recognized as the Alpha dog; although your husband might recognize you as such. This is because the undetectable scent he puts off to the dog and his deeper voice establishes him as the Alpha dog. Even though you might have to work a little harder, you can easily establish yourself as the Beta dog, dominant over all other dogs in your household. Are the kids the Omega dogs then? Definitely not! It is essential that they participate in the training of your German Shepherd so they will also be dominant over your dog.
Both Jan Ryan & David Lee are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jan Ryan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Puppies Dogs, German Shepherd Dogs and Puppies Dogs. About the author: Jan Ryan is a passionate lover of the German Shepherd and owns a popular website where you'll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved. Jan Ryan's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
David Lee has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, German Shepherd Dogs and Flea Pest Control. David Lee is the owner and designer of several web sites promoting responsible pet care. For more info see