How to Train Your Fearful German Shepherd

German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the world. One of the most common issues that German Shepherds can face is reactivity.

I have been asked recently to see a few German Shepherds. Met a lovely 6 months old guy today, who now lives with his amazing guardians who want to offer the best home for him.

German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the world. And quite rightly as they are known for their intelligence, loyalty, versatility. They are highly trainable and make both excellent companions and working dogs.

Just as any breed German Shepherds can develop behaviour problems if not properly socialised and trained.

This chap has missed out on both for the most of his life until now. He has already developed issues of reactivity towards both people and dogs at such a young age, that`s why I was contacted.

We agreed to meet on neutral grounds at a park. From across the field where I parked I recognised him even though I had not met him before.

He was lunging and barking, standing on his hind legs as another dog was approaching.

I always feel grateful and privileged when meeting the dog and guardians for the first time how open and honest they are about their struggles.

We have already exchanged a few emails and phone calls where I got a good picture of the dog so when meeting them I know how to prepare and what to expect.

I knew this dog was walked on a head collar and two leads; one attached to the head collar and one to the collar for better control. On our meeting he was wearing a two point harness even though the pet parents had told me that he pulled more in his harness.

When Max first met me he was curious and suspicious which is a natural trait of his breed. I was mindful of my body language and not confronting him with direct eye contact or approach him straight head on. He was very nippy first which I had expected as in line with his arousal level.

His pet parents were open to change gear and we tried the TTouch Harmony lead on him and the change in him was immediate they could hardly believe.

He could turn away from triggers, was watching a dog running past and not react, take food calmly and softly as the head collar came off. He was vey uncomfortable wearing it though tolerated it and wasn`t rubbing his head but his vigilance heightened and reacted to triggers with strong emotions.

Just changing gear didn`t solve all his problems and as he was exposed to more triggers as some off lead dogs were running towards him.

I really felt for Max`s guardians as they had to face shaming and blaming when the off-leash dogs` pet parents questioned his right to existence in the park at all. It wasn`t a peak time for dog walking and most of the field was completely empty, another pet parent with a small dog`s demand barking for getting his ball and an elderly dog just following them quietly decided to take a rest on the bench next to us. That`s when Max lost the plot. We moved away and he managed to calm down and observe the surrounding and sniff. Though his sniffing seemed to be appeasement sniffing and he picked up sticks and cones and chewed vehemently.

I don`t like to expose dogs to triggers. It`s not a nice place for them to be stressed. It`s not the right head space to learn, either. But life happens. And there are situations when we get to call it a day. His brain was fried. He was tired and overwhelmed. This is what regular walks look like for him.

Nobody deserves to be shamed and blamed (especially didn`t understand from the person with the dog who was still barking and did not seem to be under control half a field away when Max was already engaged with us and their little dog was still barking.

No, the equipment won`t solve all the issues straight away. But it`s part of the picture even though it`s not the cause of the reactivity.

We got Max out of dodge and his parents get his back now with a better strategy for a cortisol holiday, enrichment activities to fulfil his needs, how to choose more suitable places to walk to make walks more enjoyable, how to manage this teen dog`s stress levels by providing plenty of downtime and sleep by changing his schedule and incorporate more scent work into his daily routine to mentally stimulate, build confidence and reduce stress for him.

Reactivity seems scary from the outside. It looks scarier for the dog from inside. Glad his guardians recognised this and asked for help. I wish I could help all the Maxes out there. I`m glad his owners reached out, it takes courage to open up.

One of the most common issues that German Shepherds can face is reactivity.

Reactivity is a term used to describe a dog's aggressive or fearful behaviour towards specific stimuli. For example, a dog may react aggressively or fearfully towards other dogs, people, or loud noises. Reactivity can be triggered by a variety of factors, including genetics, past experiences, and lack of socialisation.

German Shepherds are often known for their protective instincts, which can sometimes manifest as reactivity. This breed has a strong prey drive and may react aggressively towards other animals or people they perceive as a threat. Additionally, German Shepherds may be prone to fear-based reactivity, such as reacting fearfully to unfamiliar objects or situations.

While reactivity can be a challenging behaviour to address, it is not impossible to overcome.

With the right training and socialisation, many German Shepherds can learn to manage their reactivity and become well-behaved, well-adjusted dogs.

The first step in addressing reactivity in German Shepherds is identifying the triggers that cause the reactive behaviour. For example, if a dog is reactive towards other dogs, the guardian may need to work on socialising the dog with other dogs in a controlled environment. This may involve gradually introducing the dog to other dogs and rewarding positive interactions.

Once the triggers have been identified, the guardian can begin working on desensitizing the dog to those triggers. Desensitization involves gradually exposing the dog to the trigger in a controlled environment, starting with a low-intensity stimulus and gradually increasing the intensity over time. For example, if a dog is reactive towards other dogs, the owner may start by exposing the dog to a distant dog and rewarding calm behaviour. Over time, the owner can gradually decrease the distance between the dogs and increase the duration of the exposure.

Counterconditioning is another useful tool for addressing reactivity in German Shepherds. This involves pairing the trigger that causes the reactive behaviour with something positive, such as treats or praise. For example, if a dog is reactive towards strangers, the owner may reward the dog with treats or praise for remaining calm around strangers. Over time, the dog may learn to associate strangers with positive experiences and become less reactive.

In addition to training and socialisation, it is important to provide German Shepherds with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. These dogs are intelligent and active, and they need plenty of opportunities to play, explore, and engage in physical and mental activities. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to reactivity.

In conclusion, reactivity is a common behaviour problem that many German Shepherds can overcome with the right training and socialisation.

By identifying the triggers that cause the reactive behaviour, gradually exposing the dog to those triggers, and using positive reinforcement to countercondition the dog's response, many German Shepherds can learn to manage their reactivity and become well-behaved, well-adjusted dogs.

With patience, consistency, and a commitment to positive training methods, German Shepherds can undergo a transformation from reactive to calm and confident.

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Categories: : reactivity