If you’re considering getting a German Shepherd, you might wonder when the best time to start training is. After all, German Shepherds are intelligent dogs that need plenty of exercises, so you’ll want to ensure you’re prepared for the commitment.
The good news is that German Shepherds can be trained at any age. However, there are some things to remember when deciding when to start training your German Shepherd. In this blog post, we’ll cover the pros and cons of training a German Shepherd puppy vs. an adult dog, so you can decide what’s best for you and your new furry friend.
Training a German Shepherd Puppy
There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning on training a German Shepherd puppy. First, puppies have shorter attention spans than adult dogs, so you’ll need to be patient and keep training sessions short (no more than 15 minutes at a time). It’s also important to start training early, as puppies learn best between 8 and 16 weeks old.
One of the biggest advantages of training a German Shepherd puppy is that they’re more likely to remember commands and tricks if they learn them at a young age. Puppies have what’s known as “neuroplasticity,” which means their brains are still developing and growing. This allows them to learn new things more easily than an adult dog whose brain has already developed.
However, some challenges come with training a puppy. For one thing, puppies tend to have lots of energy, making it hard for them to focus during training sessions. Additionally, puppies are still learning to control their bladder, so accidents are common (and expected).
Training an Adult German Shepherd
While puppies have many advantages when learning new things, adult dogs aren’t far behind. One of the benefits of training an adult dog is that they tend to be less distracted than puppies and have an easier time paying attention during training sessions.
Additionally, adult dogs usually have more self-control than puppies—so potty training isn’t usually as big of an issue. And since they’re not as full of energy as puppies, adult dogs can usually handle longer training sessions (up to 30 minutes).
However, some challenges come with training an adult dog as well. One thing to remember is that adult dogs often have set habits and behaviors that can be difficult to change. Additionally, older dogs may not be able to learn new tricks or commands as easily as younger dogs—but with patience and perseverance, most anything is possible!
Conclusion
No matter what age you are when you start training your German Shepherd, the most important thing is to be patient and consistent with your commands. With time and dedication, your furry friend will obey your every command in no time!