Best Commands to Teach Your German Shepherd

German Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence, loyalty, and trainability, making them one of the best breeds for mastering a wide range of commands. Whether you want a well-behaved family pet or a highly trained working dog, teaching your German Shepherd key commands is essential for ensuring obedience and safety in various situations.

Here are the best commands to teach your German Shepherd, from basic obedience to more advanced skills:

1. Sit

The “sit” command is one of the most fundamental commands and is a great starting point for any dog. It helps you manage your dog’s behavior in many situations, such as preventing jumping, waiting for meals, or greeting guests.

How to teach: Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose, and move your hand upward. As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower into a sitting position. As soon as they sit, say “sit” and reward them with the treat and praise.
Usefulness: This command is essential for controlling your German Shepherd’s actions in various settings and promoting calm behavior.

2. Stay

“Stay” is a crucial command that teaches your German shepherd breeders in California to remain in one place until you release them. It’s especially useful for preventing your dog from running off, crossing streets, or getting into dangerous situations.

How to teach: Ask your dog to sit. Then, hold your hand out in front of you like a stop sign and say “Stay.” Take a step back, and if your dog stays in place, reward them. Gradually increase the distance and duration of the stay.
Usefulness: This command is vital for maintaining control in busy environments, when guests arrive, or during walks in high-traffic areas.

3. Come

The “come” command is essential for safety, as it ensures your dog will return to you when called, even in distracting or dangerous situations.

How to teach: Start in a low-distraction area. While holding a treat, call your dog’s name followed by the word “come” in an enthusiastic tone. When they approach, reward them with a treat and praise. Practice in various environments to reinforce the command.
Usefulness: This command helps keep your dog safe during off-leash activities, in busy areas, or when they may be distracted by other dogs or animals.

4. Down

The “down” command teaches your German Shepherd to lie flat on the ground. This is useful for helping them calm down in different settings and can be essential for controlling a large dog in public.

How to teach: Hold a treat in your hand and lower it to the floor. As your dog follows the treat with their nose, say “down” and guide them into a lying position. Once they are down, reward them with the treat and praise.
Usefulness: This command is especially helpful when you need your dog to remain calm and relaxed, such as in crowded places, at the vet, or during training sessions.

5. Heel

“Heel” teaches your German Shepherd to walk calmly at your side without pulling on the leash. This command is critical for ensuring peaceful and controlled walks, especially for such a strong and active breed.

How to teach: With your dog on a leash, hold a treat in your hand and position it at your side. As you begin walking, say “heel” and encourage your dog to stay beside you. Reward them when they stay in position. If they start pulling, stop walking until they return to your side.
Usefulness: This command ensures pleasant, controlled walks without your dog pulling ahead or becoming distracted.

6. Leave It

“Leave it” is an important command that teaches your German Shepherd to ignore or avoid objects, food, or distractions that could be dangerous or off-limits.

How to teach: Place a treat in your hand and close your fist. Let your dog sniff it, but don’t allow them to take it. Say “leave it” and wait until they stop trying to get the treat. Once they stop, reward them with a different treat from your other hand.
Usefulness: This command is vital for preventing your dog from picking up harmful items, like trash, food, or toys, and avoiding confrontations with other animals.

7. Wait

The “wait” command is similar to “stay,” but it’s used for short-term pauses, such as waiting at a door before entering or before crossing a street. It helps your dog develop impulse control and prevents them from rushing into unsafe situations.

How to teach: Before opening a door, say “wait” and block your dog with your hand if they try to move forward. Once they wait calmly, give the release command (e.g., “okay” or “go”) and allow them to proceed.
Usefulness: This command is important for keeping your dog safe at thresholds, such as doors, gates, or car doors, and for teaching patience.

8. Off

“Off” is a helpful command that instructs your dog to get off furniture, people, or other surfaces. It is especially useful for German Shepherds, who can be large and powerful, preventing unwanted jumping or climbing.

How to teach: If your dog jumps on furniture or a person, say “off” and gently guide them down. Once they are off, reward them with praise or a treat. Be consistent in enforcing the rule.
Usefulness: This command prevents undesirable behaviors such as jumping on guests or climbing on furniture.

9. Drop It

The “drop it” command teaches your German Shepherd to release whatever they have in their mouth. This is useful for retrieving toys during play or preventing them from holding onto inappropriate items.

How to teach: During play, give your dog a toy to hold. While they are holding it, offer a treat and say “drop it.” When they release the toy to take the treat, reward them. Practice this until they consistently drop objects when asked.
Usefulness: This command is essential for safety, particularly if your dog picks up something harmful or if you want them to release items during play.

10. Place

The “place” command directs your German Shepherd to go to a specific area, such as a mat, bed, or crate, and stay there until released. This is useful for managing your dog’s movements when you need them to settle in a specific location.

How to teach: Lead your dog to their designated “place” and encourage them to sit or lie down. Use a word like “place” to cue them, and reward them when they remain there. Gradually increase the time they stay in their spot before releasing them.
Usefulness: This command is helpful when you need your dog to stay calm and out of the way during busy times or when guests visit.

Advanced Commands for German Shepherds

Once your German Shepherd has mastered basic obedience, you can progress to advanced commands that challenge their intelligence and further develop their skills:

Speak: Teaching your dog to bark on command can be a fun trick and useful for alerting you in certain situations.
Quiet: After learning “speak,” the “quiet” command helps control excessive barking.
Search: German Shepherds excel at scent detection, and teaching them to “search” for hidden objects or treats is a great way to engage their mind.
Back up: This command is useful for helping your dog move out of tight spaces or back away when needed.

Conclusion

Teaching your German Shepherd key commands is an essential part of developing a well-behaved and obedient dog. Starting with basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” will set a strong foundation for more advanced training. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, your German Shepherd will quickly learn and master these commands, becoming a well-rounded and responsive companion. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them one of the most trainable breeds, capable of excelling in obedience and more advanced skills.