Black German shepherd dogs are the most loved dogs around the world, and it is easy to see why the American Kennel Club recognizes them as the second most famous breed. BGSDs are affectionate and devoted dogs, and quickly bond with their handlers in a short period of time.

Mostly they are pleasant and well-behaved dogs, but like any other breed of dog, they need basic obedience training. Black German shepherd dogs are considered huge dogs weighing 100 pounds and standing up to 26 inches high at the shoulder, these huge canines can easily, by accident injure people or other dogs. So it’s important to have them trained to avoid a hazardous situation.

Below, we will talk about helpful tips and training strategies for Black German shepherd dogs.

Personality Traits and Aptitudes of Black German Shepherd Dogs

Before you start training your Black German shepherd dog, it is good to get yourself familiarized with dog’s common personality traits and aptitudes.

Some of the most common terms that are used to describe Black German shepherds are:

• Intelligent
• Loyal
• Steady
• Dependable
• Confident
• Strong-minded
• Brave
• Stable
• Energetic
• Loving

Due to their innumerable good personality traits, they often work as police dogs, military dogs and are also taken up for search-and-rescue work. Black German shepherd dogs are patient as well and have kind heart that makes them excellent therapy or service dogs.

Training Challenges faced by Black German shepherd

Black German shepherd dogs are intrinsically built for training programs, as they have the intelligence and flexibility to adapt according to just about any task. However, there are a few challenges that the owners and trainers might face.

What’s difficult is to get your hyperactive shepherd, to pay attention to the training session. Therefore, it’s important you take your pet out to exercise daily. You should try and schedule your dog’s training sessions after their playtime or walks at the park.

Rudimentary Training Approach

There are many diversified training strategies for Black German shepherd dogs out there; each has a set of drawbacks and benefits. Just try to follow a regimen that works for your dog and relies on positive reinforcement.

Training that incorporates harsh methods which use intimidation or pain should be avoided at all cost. Such practices are not only ineffective but also compromise your dog’s emotional well-being. Plus this may cause your dog to have life-long fears and anxieties.

The most rudimentary training session that uses positive reinforcement work in the same way:

That is when you instruct your dog to do something, and when they do the asked task, they are rewarded preferably with a treat.

Furthermore, your best chance of getting your dog trained is to start training them early. Most dogs can start training as early as about 8 weeks of age.

Example of Training Session for Black German shepherd

We made a list of step-by-step easy example of the basic Black German shepherd training process. Below we have an example on how teaching your dog how to “SIT” command.

1. Firstly hold a treat in your hand
2. Hold eye contact with your dog and get his attention
3. Than as him to come over to you
4. Now let him smell the treat to get your dog’s attention
5. Now you have your shepherd’s attention ask them to SIT. Be patient and wait for your dog to comply and lean over them while giving the command, as this will cause his head to go up.  And will lead him to lower his haunches and your dog will begin sitting.
6. Once your dog sits, reward him with a treat and praise him immediately.
7. You can repeat the command over again to solidify the lesson.

Getting Professional Help​

Sometimes training at home might not work for you; in that case, you should get professional help for training strategies for Black German shepherd dogs.

There are plenty of ways you can do this, like enrolling your dog in an obedience classroom-style course. If you don’t prefer a classroom setting, then you can hire a private trainer to come to your home.

Personal session has a slight drawback, as it may cost you a bit more for 1-on-1 sessions, but your dog will benefit more from the trainer’s undivided attention. Some dogs respond well to personal attention and learn more quickly in an intimate environment, while others thrive better in a classroom setting.

In the end, it’s your call, and you should go with the option that works well for you and your dog,

Summary

BGSD’s are the most loved dogs around the world. But it can be slightly challenging to train your hyperactive shepherd, to pay attention to the training session. To overcome that, there are many training strategies for Black German shepherd dogs out there. Just try to follow regimen that works for your dog in a classroom or independent setting.

We would love to hear about your experiences while training your shepherd dog. What approach did you use? While training your dog, did you find any particular method or training style effective?

Let us know all about your training experiences in the comments below.

Harry Kaur a blogger at “Black German Shepherd Info” a website dedicated to providing information to Black German Shepherd owners to keep their dogs happy and healthy.