The American Kennel Club describes the German shorthaired pointer as a medium-sized dog, 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder. It was bred to be a hunting dog and is well muscled with good scenting ability. Being loyal to its family, with enthusiasm for its work and a desire to please, the German shorthaired pointer is well suited to be a watch dog or guard dog. Although puppies can be a bit of a challenge to train at first, due to their high energy, German shorthaired pointers possess a stable temperament and intelligence that make them trainable with patience.

Some people leave the dog training to professional trainers, but if you train your dog yourself, he or she will be more attuned to what you want. Dog training can also be fun and a method of bonding for dogs and their families.

A dog who is afraid of strangers and attacks every new acquaintance is a liability, so socialize your puppy when you first bring him or her home. Take your new friend to a park or outdoor mall and invite friends to come in and pet the new pup. Be sure not to allow anyone else to feed your dog. The dog should understand that food comes from you only so that he or she will not accept food from burglars.

At about 6 months of age your German shorthaired pointer is ready to learn guard dog training. Get your dog used to other animals and normal sounds of traffic and other ordinary disturbances so that he or she is not distracted when guarding becomes necessary. Teach the puppy to sit by gently pushing down on his or her hindquarters while giving the command. Give a reward when the position is achieved and soon your dog will learn to sit on command. Make your dog sit and stay and reward him or her for staying calm when other dogs or cats are around.

Dogs have a natural instinct to bark when there is someone at the door or when a stranger enters your property. To keep this from becoming an annoying habit, say, "enough" when you have found the cause of your dog's barking, and reward him or her with a treat or praise when the barking stops. Chasing intruders is also a natural instinct, and this is where the dog's knowledge of "sit" comes in. If your dog is in hot pursuit of the mailman, saying, "sit" and being obeyed can prevent a lawsuit.

Dogs typically nip with their front teeth when trying to defend themselves. Teaching your dog to bite as a guard dog involves training him or her to use his or her whole mouth. This can be achieved by playing tug of war with a piece of rope or toy. Do not use an old rag or shoe because the dog might not be able to distinguish it from your clothes or new shoes, and you cannot blame the dog for doing what you have taught him or her to do.

Remember to be consistent with your German shorthaired pointer. Consistency is important to dog training because dogs like to know what to do under what circumstances every time. If you or your dog is becoming frustrated with training, then a professional trainer might be the answer. Choose one carefully. Ask your local German shorthaired pointer club for recommendations.

About the Author

Camille Goldin informs all about German Shorthair Training as a guard dog. Get information on Dog Training and care from TrainPetDog.com