The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most intelligent breeds of dog and one of the easiest to train. Dog Obedience Training should begin at a young age, and should be handled with patience and consistency. Because they are so intelligent, it’s important to train them firmly from the very beginning. However, overly harsh correction will only make the dog stubborn and willful, so it’s best that you be patient and praise his good efforts. He will likely housetrain very quickly, particularly if you crate train him.

This breed is so intelligent and so enjoys a mental challenge that they can be trained to do nearly anything; a fact that is proven by the many jobs they’ve had over the years. Many people associate German Shepherd Dogs with being aggressive watchdogs, but this behavior is the result of training. A German Shepherd Dog will always be protective of his family and will always be wary of strangers, but they are not aggressive by nature.

Because they are wary of strangers, socialization should begin at an early age. It is important for your German Shepherd Dog to be intuitive about your reactions to people who come into your home. Once your dog learns your reactions, he will gauge his own, and your friends will be his friends. However, if he senses that you’re concerned, he’ll be concerned and as protective as he believes is required. This is one dog that will consistently take cues from his owner. So, over time, the two of you will become fast friends and you’ll be able to rely on your German Shepherd Dog’s behavior.

Playing games and participating in activities is an important part of bonding with your German Shepherd Dog. He will want to be active, and will enjoy participating in activities with you. Because of his great sense of smell, “find” is a perfect game for this breed. But, he’ll also love to fetch and play ball and Frisbee. German Shepherd Dogs have a great sense of humor, so you’ll both get lots of enjoyment out of simply having fun together. The German Shepherd Dog is a very fast runner and also has great endurance. If you’re a runner, this dog will be your best running companion ever.