[/caption]German Shepherds are also naturally dominant dogs so proper training is a must. Consistency! Dogs are more comfortable when their owners establish themselves as the leader of the pack.
This naturally occurring hierarchy is headed by the Alpha dog, which is the dominant dog, followed by the Beta dog, or second in line for dominance, and bringing up the rear is the Omega dog, which is dominant to none. The Beta dog is submissive only to the Alpha but dominant to all other dogs. The Omega dog is submissive to all other dogs.
A critical fact to remember is that your German Shepherd is happiest when she has an Alpha dog to giver her firm, consistent leadership. What does all this have to do with training your dog? Simply that you must be the Alpha dog in your pack to effectively train your German Shepherd.
Can you really be the Alpha dog? You can establish your dominance over all the dogs in your household as the Beta dog. Having your kids participate in the training process will make them dominant over the dog, as well.
German Shepherd Training
Once you’ve brought your German shepherd home, it’s time to start training. Though Shepherds have a reputation for instability, the fact is, with the help of an experienced dog obedience instructor, your dog can be extremely well trained. Trainers will tell you to always provide your Shepherd with plenty of regular exercise as well as mental stimulation to tame their rambunctious natures.
Provide plenty of fresh water everyday, but especially after long walks. German shepherds shed constantly, so be prepared to do a lot of vacuuming. There are some tips to reduce the work load: Mix one part brewers yeast and garlic with two parts doggie stew, or try Mrs. Allens Shed Stop, which is also mixed with the dog’s food. Daily brushing helps, but frequent bathing isn’t necessary.
