German Shepherds are natural guard dogs
Did you know that German Shepherds have a natural predisposition to being guard dogs? In fact, German Shepherds were bred to guard sheep. That means they are genetically predisposed to protect their owners and their territories.
German Shepherds possess traits that make them brilliant guard dogs. They are strong, fierce, and valiant dogs. They are hyper-intelligent and alert too, which helps them identify threats. Male German Shepherds are especially excellent guard dogs because they are naturally more territorial, dominant, and aggressive. Additionally, they have the strength and weight required to knock over an intruder.
Five steps to train your German Shepherd to be an excellent guard dog
It is in a German Shepherd’s nature to protect and defend you. So as a pet parent, you don’t need to train them to be aggressive, which can be dangerous and counterproductive. Instead, teach your German Shepherd obedience and how to recognise danger. Keep reading to see how you can train your German Shepherd to be a strong and healthy guard dog.
Please note that you should never train your German Shepherd as a guard dog if it is out of control or fearful. Your dog should be friendly, stable, and well-socialised to become a guard dog.
Step One: Socialise your German Shepherd as a puppy
Socialising your German Shepherd puppy will teach it the difference between normal and threatening behaviour. To do this, take your puppy into different environments with you, allowing it to interact with a variety of people and animals. Be sure not to expose it to negative experiences that will cause fear.
Step Two: Teach your German Shepherd basic obedience
Obedience is essential for any guard dog. As a pet parent, you need to be able to control and command your German Shepherd for it to be a suitable guard dog. So enrol your German Shepherd puppy into obedience classes. You should also make sure your German Shepherd understands basic obedience commands like: sit, lie down, and come.
Step Three: Teach your German Shepherd to obey commands
Along with basic obedience commands, your German Shepherd needs to obey more high-level commands like: speak and quiet. Your dog must be able to cease barking on command. Otherwise, it will bark incessantly at everything, and you will not know if there is a threat. First, train your dog using the “speak” command, then reward it with treats and praise when it barks. Next, teach your dog the “quiet” command, rewarding it as soon as it is quiet. Once it understands these commands, you will be able to control your dog’s bark.
We suggest using the Bully Max Performance Chews as treats when you’re training your German Shepherd to be a guard dog. These chews will provide additional proteins and fats to help your dog gain lean muscle and strength while learning obedience.
Step Four: Train your German Shepherd to bark when strangers arrive at your home
To encourage this barking at strangers behaviour, always check why your German Shepherd is barking. Respond positively and give it praise for identifying a stranger at your home. Then give the “quiet” command to get it to stop barking. Make sure that your German Shepherd only does this at home. It should not bark at friendly strangers when away from home on neutral territory.
Step Five: Teach your German Shepherd how to behave if there is an intruder in its territory
Ask people that your German Shepherd doesn’t know to pretend to be intruders, so it learns how to behave if a real intruder arrives. When your dog barks, the intruder should look at your dog and then escape. During this training, hold your dog back and praise it when the “intruder” vacates the property. As soon as the intruder leaves, command your dog to cease barking. Never let your dog chase the intruder. It should only alert you to the intruder, not attack them.
Additional tips to ensure your German Shepherd stays strong and healthy:
Tip One: Exercise your German Shepherd.
Exercise will help your dog build fitness and lean muscle. This will keep it strong, so if the need arises, it will be able to defend you and your property. We suggest the following exercises:
- Daily walks
- Four-legged squats
- Jumping
- Tug-of-war using the Bungee Tug Toy
- Sprinting
If you want to learn more tips on how to build lean muscle in your German Shepherd, please read this article. (Link to the Bull Terrier Bulking Article)
Remember to allow your dog adequate rest and recovery after exercising it.
Tip Two: Feed your German Shepherd a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
Your German Shepherd needs to eat foods containing the correct macronutrients to stay healthy and build lean muscle.
We suggest using the Bully Max High Performance Super Premium Dog Food. It is meat-based and contains 30% more protein and 20% more fat than traditional options, with 535 calories per cup. What’s even better is that it has no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, or hidden ingredients that could harm your dog.
Tip Three: Provide your German Shepherd with adequate mental stimulation
As mentioned earlier, German Shepherds are incredibly clever. So you need to make sure that your dog is getting the mental stimulation it needs. By stimulating your German Shepherd’s brain you will prevent it from getting bored, barking, or chewing things around the house. We suggest the following things:
- Teach your German Shepherd new tricks
- Train it with a new command
- Play brain games with it
- Provide chew toys
- Teach it to do an obstacle course
- Take it to the park to play with other dogs
Tip Four: Bond with your German Shepherd
For your dog to remain emotionally healthy, it needs to feel safe. That’s where bonding comes in. Here are some bonding activities you can try:
- Play engaging games with your dog
- Brush it regularly
- Spend quality time petting it
- Learn how your dog communicates and listen to it
- Be consistent with rules
Conclusion
Training your German Shepherd to be a guard dog requires consistency, dedication, and understanding. Always make sure that you pay attention to your dog’s behavioural cues to see that it is happy and progressing with the training healthily. Never push your dog too hard, cause it to fear you, or train it to be aggressive. A healthy and strong guard dog feels safe in your presence and will protect you because it loves you.
Remember to consult your vet about any changes you make to your German Shepherd’s diet, training, or lifestyle.
Sources:
https://www.petcarerx.com/article/6-tips-for-building-lean-muscle-in-bigger-dogs/2916
https://germanshepherdshop.com/blogs/list/12-ways-to-improve-the-bond-with-your-dog
https://www.shepherdsense.com/german-shepherd-mental-stimulation-brain-games/
https://allaboutsheepdogs.com/are-german-shepherds-good-guard-dogs/
German Shepherds possess traits that make them brilliant guard dogs. They are strong, fierce, and valiant dogs. They are hyper-intelligent and alert too, which helps them identify threats. Male German Shepherds are especially excellent guard dogs because they are naturally more territorial, dominant, and aggressive. Additionally, they have the strength and weight required to knock over an intruder.
Five steps to train your German Shepherd to be an excellent guard dog
It is in a German Shepherd’s nature to protect and defend you. So as a pet parent, you don’t need to train them to be aggressive, which can be dangerous and counterproductive. Instead, teach your German Shepherd obedience and how to recognise danger. Keep reading to see how you can train your German Shepherd to be a strong and healthy guard dog.
Please note that you should never train your German Shepherd as a guard dog if it is out of control or fearful. Your dog should be friendly, stable, and well-socialised to become a guard dog.
Step One: Socialise your German Shepherd as a puppy
Socialising your German Shepherd puppy will teach it the difference between normal and threatening behaviour. To do this, take your puppy into different environments with you, allowing it to interact with a variety of people and animals. Be sure not to expose it to negative experiences that will cause fear.
Step Two: Teach your German Shepherd basic obedience
Obedience is essential for any guard dog. As a pet parent, you need to be able to control and command your German Shepherd for it to be a suitable guard dog. So enrol your German Shepherd puppy into obedience classes. You should also make sure your German Shepherd understands basic obedience commands like: sit, lie down, and come.
Step Three: Teach your German Shepherd to obey commands
Along with basic obedience commands, your German Shepherd needs to obey more high-level commands like: speak and quiet. Your dog must be able to cease barking on command. Otherwise, it will bark incessantly at everything, and you will not know if there is a threat. First, train your dog using the “speak” command, then reward it with treats and praise when it barks. Next, teach your dog the “quiet” command, rewarding it as soon as it is quiet. Once it understands these commands, you will be able to control your dog’s bark.
We suggest using the Bully Max Performance Chews as treats when you’re training your German Shepherd to be a guard dog. These chews will provide additional proteins and fats to help your dog gain lean muscle and strength while learning obedience.
Step Four: Train your German Shepherd to bark when strangers arrive at your home
To encourage this barking at strangers behaviour, always check why your German Shepherd is barking. Respond positively and give it praise for identifying a stranger at your home. Then give the “quiet” command to get it to stop barking. Make sure that your German Shepherd only does this at home. It should not bark at friendly strangers when away from home on neutral territory.
Step Five: Teach your German Shepherd how to behave if there is an intruder in its territory
Ask people that your German Shepherd doesn’t know to pretend to be intruders, so it learns how to behave if a real intruder arrives. When your dog barks, the intruder should look at your dog and then escape. During this training, hold your dog back and praise it when the “intruder” vacates the property. As soon as the intruder leaves, command your dog to cease barking. Never let your dog chase the intruder. It should only alert you to the intruder, not attack them.
Additional tips to ensure your German Shepherd stays strong and healthy:
Tip One: Exercise your German Shepherd.
Exercise will help your dog build fitness and lean muscle. This will keep it strong, so if the need arises, it will be able to defend you and your property. We suggest the following exercises:
- Daily walks
- Four-legged squats
- Jumping
- Tug-of-war using the Bungee Tug Toy
- Sprinting
If you want to learn more tips on how to build lean muscle in your German Shepherd, please read this article. (Link to the Bull Terrier Bulking Article)
Remember to allow your dog adequate rest and recovery after exercising it.
Tip Two: Feed your German Shepherd a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
Your German Shepherd needs to eat foods containing the correct macronutrients to stay healthy and build lean muscle.
We suggest using the Bully Max High Performance Super Premium Dog Food. It is meat-based and contains 30% more protein and 20% more fat than traditional options, with 535 calories per cup. What’s even better is that it has no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, or hidden ingredients that could harm your dog.
Tip Three: Provide your German Shepherd with adequate mental stimulation
As mentioned earlier, German Shepherds are incredibly clever. So you need to make sure that your dog is getting the mental stimulation it needs. By stimulating your German Shepherd’s brain you will prevent it from getting bored, barking, or chewing things around the house. We suggest the following things:
- Teach your German Shepherd new tricks
- Train it with a new command
- Play brain games with it
- Provide chew toys
- Teach it to do an obstacle course
- Take it to the park to play with other dogs
Tip Four: Bond with your German Shepherd
For your dog to remain emotionally healthy, it needs to feel safe. That’s where bonding comes in. Here are some bonding activities you can try:
- Play engaging games with your dog
- Brush it regularly
- Spend quality time petting it
- Learn how your dog communicates and listen to it
- Be consistent with rules
Conclusion
Training your German Shepherd to be a guard dog requires consistency, dedication, and understanding. Always make sure that you pay attention to your dog’s behavioural cues to see that it is happy and progressing with the training healthily. Never push your dog too hard, cause it to fear you, or train it to be aggressive. A healthy and strong guard dog feels safe in your presence and will protect you because it loves you.
Remember to consult your vet about any changes you make to your German Shepherd’s diet, training, or lifestyle.
Sources:
https://www.petcarerx.com/article/6-tips-for-building-lean-muscle-in-bigger-dogs/2916
https://germanshepherdshop.com/blogs/list/12-ways-to-improve-the-bond-with-your-dog
https://www.shepherdsense.com/german-shepherd-mental-stimulation-brain-games/
https://allaboutsheepdogs.com/are-german-shepherds-good-guard-dogs/