Table of Contents
1 The Well-Trained German Shepherd Dog 1
Life with an Untrained German Shepherd Dog 1
Benefits of a Well-Trained German Shepherd Dog 3
2 What Makes the GSD Tick? 7
History of the German Shepherd Dog 7
Characteristics and Drives 17
How Challenging Will This Training Journey Be? 24
3 German Shepherd Dog Training 101 27
Approach to Training 27
Learning Capabilities of the Puppy, Adolescent, and Adult 27
Home Schooling: Working with the Rescued German Shepherd Dog 32
4 Housetraining 35
Your Pup's Urges and Abilities 35
"Gotta Go" Cues 37
Making the Crate Comfortable 38
Does My Crated GSD Need to Relieve Himself? 39
Creating a Routine 41
Special Tips for the Rescued German Shepherd Dog 44
5 The Well-Socialized German Shepherd Dog 47
Genetics Versus Environment 47
The Importance of Understanding Body Language 48
Behavior Pathways and Physical Expressions: Green-, Yellow-, and Red-Light Behaviors 49
Socialization with People 56
Socialization with Dogs 62
Socializing the Rescued German Shepherd Dog 65
6 Habituation 69
Handling Home Introductions with the GSD Puppy 69
Give Your GSD a Safe Observation Place 70
Training Place 70
Preventing Separation Anxiety (SA) 72
Treating Separation Anxiety 73
Training I'll Be Back 74
Thunderstorms 76
Noise Aversion 77
Light Chasing 78
Car Travel 78
Home Habituation for Rescued Adult Dogs 82
7 Beginning Command Training 85
Training Tools 85
Ways of Learning a New Behavior 86
Reinforcements: What They Are and How They Work 88
A Question of Timing 89
Benefits of a Great Trainer and Training School 91
Home Schooling: Clicker Training Basics 93
8 Commands Your German Shepherd Dog Needs To Know 95
Here or Watch Me 95
Collar Touch 97
Sit 99
Stay 100
Down 102
Come 104
Heel 106
9 Additional Helpful Commands 109
Off and Up 109
Stand 111
Take It and Out 112
Leave It 113
10 Preventing Problem Behaviors 115
The Importance of Exercise and Mental Stimulation 115
Mouthing 116
Barking/Whining 117
Teaching Quiet 118
Bolting 118
Teaching Wart 119
Teaching Get Back 120
Counter Surfing 120
Destructive Chewing 122
Digging 122
Fence Jumping 123
Jumping Up 124
Self-Mutilation 125
11 Aggression 127
Owner-Directed or Dominance Aggression 128
Fear Aggression 129
Territorial/Protective Aggression 129
Three Types of Dog-on-Dog Aggression 130
Chase/Predatory Aggression 133
Possessive Aggression 134
Aggression Toward Babies or Children 135
Redirected Aggression, Frustration-Elicited Aggression, and Barrier Aggression 136
Food-Related Aggression 137
Play Aggression 138
Social Aggression 139
Medically Based Aggressions 140
Sex-Related Aggression 141
Hyperactive Aggression 141
Reactive Aggression 141
12 Activities for Your German Shepherd Dog 143
Non-Competitive Events and Programs 143
Non-Competitive Service Activities 146
Fun, Outdoor Activities 148
Competitive Activities 151
Home Schooling: How to Register for Events Without Papers 162
Useful Addresses and Literature 165
Index 168
