German shepherds are inherently smart dogs and can learn tricks and commands quickly. You can start training your puppy from litter age but the best time to teach is within 12 – 14 months of the dog’s age. The most basic training that owners want their dogs to have is following the command to sit. It is advised to start to train a German shepherd to sit early as it will make the trick quicker for the dog to learn.
Things to Keep in Mind Before You Train Your German Shepherd to Sit
German shepherds are known for their intelligence. You should be patient, positive and regular with the training of your puppy. Early training also tones down the alpha male behavior, as German shepherds have a tendency to control everyone. You can make your dog sit using treats and a combination of hand and verbal commands. Keep the following things in mind while training your dog:
- Train your dog for 3 to 4 times in a day in short duration
- Vary the place of training as it will prevent the dog from associating the surroundings with the trick
- It is better to train a calm dog. Let your pup play or run around exhausting their energy before you find them in a calm state to concentrate.
- Do not use too many treats or chocolates. You can cut a big treat or make small pieces.
- Do not keep a big bag of treats in the open which may distract the dog. Hide a few in your pockets and take them out when required.
- Use voice modulations with verbal commands for effective training. Using the command in a serious tone get the message to the dog that he is expected to obey something.
- Use the command “Sit” and do not change the term.
How to Make a German Shepherd Sit?
It’s quite easy to make your dog listen to you if you have the patience you need. German Shepherds are known for their intelligence so it would be really easy to make your pet know what you want. In a matter of a few weeks, you would find your German Shepherd knowing just when you want it to sit.
Start with finding suitable treats. Dog biscuits or even a meal of bowl can be used. You can the dog tied or someone else holding the leash.
If you have time you should cook your own dog treats. In so many ways, cooking your own dog treats is a lot healthier than buying. You know exactly what kind of ingredients that you put into.
But sometimes, we are too busy to cook our own dog treats. In that case, you can buy ready-made dog treats. As a general rule, when you are looking to buy dog treats, you should always check the ingredients contained. If you are unsure about specific ingredients, open your browser and Google the ingredients.
How to Train a German Shepherd to Sit in 4 Steps
Now after you get the dog treats, it’s the time to train your dog to sit. These are the 4 steps to train your dog to sit.
Step 1 -Lure Him with His Favorite Treat
Take the treat in your hand and show it to the dog. Move your hand with the treat above his nose. Do not let him bite or eat it. Keep it just out of his reach and close enough to lure him.
Step 2 – Hand Gesture
Move your arm towards the head of the dog. Your pup will instinctively follow the direction of the treat and move or spin around. He should soon come to the sitting position naturally tracking the movement of the treat.
Step 3 – Ask Him to Sit
Give the verbal command of “sit” the moment your dog attains the sitting position or his back touches the floor. You can associate a hand signal as a command by raising it with the word “sit.” Your dog will learn more effectively with this combination of audio and visual commands.
Step 4 – Reward Him
Offer him the treat with open hands or near his mouth when he sits. This will make the dog associate rewarding with the act of sitting. You can also give a pat or perform some act of affection without giving treats all the time. It prevents the pup from becoming treat dependent all the time.
Keep training your dog in the same way until he gets an idea about sitting. Then slowly eliminate the whole process and just say or signal to sit. You can also stop using the hand signal after some time and see if your dog obeys only voice command to sit.
After Training
Follow the same steps again from step 1 to step 4 for each training session. Give a break between 3 to 4 hours per each training session. If you have a job, you can train your dog 1 to 2 times in a workweek. One in the morning and another one after you come home from work.
The time required to Complete the Training
As discussed earlier, German shepherds are intelligent and can be trained in a short time. If you train your dog regularly according to the steps and the considerations in mind, it can take your dog just 3 to 5 days to obey the hand signal to sit.
Another 7 days and it can learn to sit only on voice commands. Also, be patient and never punish or shout at your puppy. It can cause negative reactions and unwanted behavior from the dog. With a German Shepherd, your life would surely never be the same again. They are communicative, happy and full of life.
Here are some of my favorite German Shepherd supplies
Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd.
Here are some of my favorite reviews for German Shepherd supplies that I personally use and recommend. If you do decide to purchase them, please remember that I’ll earn a small commission which helps me maintain this website.
- Food: All of the different dog food brands out there can be confusing, and it’s hard to know which one is best for your GSD. Here is my recommendation for the best dog food for German Shepherds.
- Collar: A lot of people think that all dog collars are created equal, but this just isn’t true. If you have a German Shepherd, you need a special collar that is designed for their breed’s fur and neck size. Here I’ve reviewed some of the best collars for German Shepherds out there.
- Leash: A leash is a must-have for any German Shepherd owner. With a good leash, you can give your dog the freedom they need while keeping them safe and under control. Here are my top picks for the best leashes for German Shepherds.
- Harness: If you’re thinking about getting a German Shepherd, or you’ve just brought home your new pup, it’s important to know how to harness them correctly. A harness that is improperly fitted or used can cause serious injury to your dog. Read my review of the best harnesses for German Shepherds here.
- Bowl: A lot of people think that all dog bowls are pretty much the same, but this simply isn’t true. Different bowls serve different purposes, and the bowl that you need will depend on a number of factors. See my recommendation for the best dog bowl for German Shepherds here.
- Crate: You want to buy a dog crate for your German Shepherd, but you’re not sure which one is the best. There are a ton of different factors to consider when choosing a crate. Here’s my review of the best dog crates for German Shepherds and what you should know before buying one.
- Beds: German Shepherds need a bed that is comfortable, supportive, and durable. This breed is known for being high energy, so you need a bed that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Here’s my review of the best beds for German Shepherds.
- House: It can be tough to find the best dog house for German Shepherds. Agitate: Not only do you have to worry about finding a good-sized dog house, but you also need to make sure it’s well-insulated and weatherproof. Here’s the house I recommend for German Shepherds.
- Shampoo: You want to find a shampoo that is specifically designed for German Shepherds. This breed has a lot of furs, and you need a shampoo that will be gentle on their skin and coat. Here’s my review of the best shampoo for German Shepherds.
- Shock Collar: A shock collar is a training tool that can be used on German Shepherds. It delivers an electric shock to the dog when they exhibit certain behaviors. While some people are against the use of shock collars, I believe that they can be helpful in certain situations. Read my review of the best shock collar for German Shepherds here.
- Vacuum: If you have a German Shepherd, you need a vacuum that is specifically designed to deal with all of the furs they shed. Shedding is a natural process for dogs, but it can be hard to keep up with. The right vacuum will make your life much easier. Here’s my review of the best vacuums for German Shepherds.