You took the plunge and added an adorable German Shepherd puppy to your family. Now it’s time to get that pup some training so he or she becomes the perfect family member you hoped for.
You wouldn’t leave your child with an unfit babysitter, nor should you trust just anyone to train your dog. Dog trainers are unregulated, so virtually anyone can call themselves a dog trainer.
Check with the show line German Shepherd breeders where you got the puppy to see if they offer training classes or recommend someone.
When researching trainers for your dog, pay attention to these specifics.
What Method Do They Use?
Does the trainer use shock collars, choke collars or prong collars as part of their training methods? If so, find someone else. Your dog doesn’t have to hurt to learn. The use of force as a training method can cause aggressive behavior from the dog.
Positive reinforcement, where the dog is rewarded for good behavior, is a more effective training method than punishment. This approach can help strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
Is A Group or Private Class Better?
Group training classes are beneficial in helping your dog socialize with other dogs. But, if your dog has specific problem behaviors like jumping on guests or chewing up shoes, you might consider private one-on-one classes to address those issues. Private lessons are also a good idea if your dog is easily distracted by other dogs.
Do They Encourage Owner Involvement?
Besides training your dog, an excellent trainer will try to give you a better understanding of why a dog does a particular behavior and how you should communicate with the dog to fix bad behavior. Find out how much time the trainer will spend with you to show you how to perform the things the dog has learned.