German Shepherd
Intelligent, loyal and keen to work, the German Shepherd was developed as a herding dog and is often used in working roles. It thrives on structure and having a job.
Photo: gomagoti · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
- Bred for
- Herding and working roles
- Typical energy
- High
- Size
- Large
Where to start
Usually motivated by play, work and food. Use that in training and keep sessions short and rewarded.
First focus
Start socialization early and keep it positive, so confidence grows alongside natural alertness.
Next
Use short, clear sessions with a mix of play and food rewards to build focus.
Daily habit
Give daily mental work, such as scent games, tricks and obedience practice.
Breed notes describe tendencies in a group of dogs, not your dog. Every dog is an individual, and Dogify does not assess your dog. This is general training information and not a substitute for a qualified professional.
Chosen for the German Shepherd
Positive reinforcement explained: why reward-based training works
What reward-based training is, why timing matters and what a professional society for animal behavior says about the methods you choose.
Sit, down and stay: the three foundation cues
How to teach the first three cues with a food lure, then make them reliable with the three Ds: duration, distance and distraction.
Teach your dog to settle on a mat
A calm default behavior you can use at the cafe, at meals and when guests arrive: how to teach "go to your mat" in short sessions.
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