Your German Shepherd dog will give you several years of joy and companionship. It is therefore critical that you introduce training right away - from a bedtime routine to toilet training. These German Shepherd training tips will help you get you started immediately and don't take long to master!

1. HOME

Provide a quiet setting when bringing your puppy home. Preferably bring your puppy home on a weekend so you can spend some time with them and settle them in. Try to reduce the amount of people to the house, this will keep the surroundings relaxed and less intimidating while they adjust. Strangers are just going to add to their confusion as they adjust.

2. TOILET SIGNS

One of the initial German Shepherd training tips you should address is potty training. MAKE IT A PRIORITY. Puppies will need to go to the toilet as soon as they have eaten or drunk ANYTHING. They will give you an indication that they need to go using signs, circling, sniffing, scenting. Be observant and look out for these cues. Just be prepared for accidents whilst your puppy learns!

3. TOILET STOPS

Decide on an spot outdoors that will become your puppy's bathroom area and take them to that place immediately after every meal or drink. If they don't get the hint, that's okay, but if they do poo/pee outside in that location reward them with a small treat and/or praise in a high pitch voice such as "good girl" or "good boy". One of the important German Shepherd training tips is to be regular with your praise words when your puppy is well behaved.

4. CRATE

Expose them to the crate for the first time in a hitch pitched up beat voice. Don't force them to enter the crate straight away. Leave the door open and place a couple of treats in the crate. Allow them to explore at their own pace. When used appropriately, the crate will be seen as a good place and must NEVER be used as a punishment. German Shepherds are den animals so really will come to enjoy their crate. Encourage them to spend time in the crate with the door closed, little by little at first. The is one of the German Shepherd training tips to remember!

5. BEDTIME

It is typical for your puppy to cry and whine when you first bring them home. Being by themselves in the dark for the very first time, will be pretty daunting for them! To ease their fears include bedding, preferably with the mother's scent if available. Also contemplate putting the crate where you are sleeping for the first couple of nights, so she/he can see, hear and/or smell you.

6. ROUTINE

It is crucial to develop a routine as fast as possible. German Shepherds are confident and must be shown that you are their leader right from the beginning. This will really help with developing a well-behaved dog. Routine can be introduced in all areas of your every day life from potty breaks and feeding, to playtime and talking walks. Consistency is essential!

7. PLAYING

Playing with your puppy is one of the essential German Shepherd training tips. It really is important! It is crucial not to go overboard in the first weeks because your puppy will get exhausted Nevertheless playtime teaches your puppy terrific socialisation abilities, helps with behaviour, promotes muscle and bone growth and lets you develop your role as pack leader. It's also fun too and lets you start to bond with your pet.

Use these German Shepherd Training tips to get you started on the right tracks to a well-behaved, happy puppy and a confident owner!