If you would like to train your German shepherd dog, you should start when the dog is a young puppy. In order for the training process to be successful, everyone in the house should use the same cues. For this reason, training a German shepherd demands the entire family to commit.

You can go about using other resources including more formal classes once the dog is 12 weeks old. In kindergarten level classes, your dog will learn socialization skills. This has a very outstanding effect. More advanced formal lessons can begin after these preparatory classes.

At the age of six months, more structured classes can be started. It is essential to do some research before choosing a course. The German shepherd breed is very witty and strong-willed. If not trained well, the dog will not get live well with a family. The dogs are very independent and should learn to be loyal and submissive to the owner.

In addition, the training program should provide time for the dog to relax daily. It is to be noted that the exercises do not make the puppy physically exhausted. Dogs at this age should not be made to jump or run long distances. These type of exercises can damage the growth of the puppy’s bones which are still growing quickly at this stage.

The German shepherd breed has a tendency to be affected by hip dysplasia. To prevent this condition, dogs should be 12 to 18 months before they are made to do any heavy physical exercise.

At the age of 10 weeks the typical weight of the German Shepherd should be between 13 to 20 pounds. At this point it will continue to grow and will reach its final adult height at the age of 12 months. After this time it fills out in terms of its size until about the age of 24 to 36 months.

Socialization training works especially well for German shepherd dogs. When German shepherds are young, they are likely to face issues with shyness. Socialization classes can treat these problems as early as 4 to 12 months. Most dogs will see a benefit from taking these classes, but they are especially helpful for training the German shepherd to face new situations.

At an early age, simply petting your dog’s ears can cause issues. This is because the framework of the ear is not fully developed yet which prevents them from remaining erect. It is secure to scratch the ear at the point where it connects to the head, and this method will also keep your dog extremely happy.

In Germany the focus is on developing its skills as a working dog so as much importance is given on other aspects. A German shepherd should be developed to retain its breed characteristics, that include bravery, a sharp sense of smell, and loyalty while also keeping its independence and encouraging controlled aggression and agility.

German shepherd puppy average growth time make excellent guard dogs. If you want to find out more you can have a look into our report on German Shepherd puppy pictures.