How to Train a German Shepherd to Track
How to train a German shepherd to track has to begin early in his training career. From the very beginning, your dog should be used to having several kinds of sights, sounds, and smells around him every day. As you introduce new sights and smells, add new commands like “sit” and “stay” so that he is used to having the same kinds of behavior expected of him. As your dog matures and begins to understand that all of these are part of being a pack pet, you can begin to teach him more complicated commands like “speak” and “rollover.”
Training how to train a German shepherd to track is relatively easy, but it does require a little bit of time and patience. Your dog will need at least one kind of basic obedience class, as well as several hours of practice regularly. German training dogs are quick learners, however, so he should catch on fairly quickly. To train a German shepherd to track, begin early, train him at home, and then introduce him to an array of new sights, smells, and activities.
The first stage in how to train a German shepherd to track is to set up his surroundings to create a well-hindered area, which he will use as his personal hunting ground.
You should have a good supply of different kinds of food and treats, as well as some toys that create hoof marks. These items will lure him into your yard and away from other things. Do not, however, allow your dog to wander into the woods or start wandering into the street. This is extremely important in creating a positive learning environment.
After you’ve set up your new yard, it’s time to introduce your dog to learn how to track. To train your dog to track, it’s important to give him the scent of his quarry, and a toy that he smells like is going to be your starting point. You will need to take your German shepherd with you when you go to pick out the toy, so you can be certain he’s going to want to play with it.
When you hand the toy to him, give him lots of praise, but make sure you distract him from the toy by turning your back or closing your eyes. This will create a clear scent trail that the dog will follow.
Next, he’ll need to learn how to recognize a scent trail. In the wild, he uses trees, shrubs, leaves, and grasses to create his trail.
In your yard, you can use these same items to create Hoof Marks. Use your fingers to create Hoof marks in different areas of your yard, for example under stones, in ditches, or anywhere he can find scent.
After you’ve taught your dog how to recognize his own trail, the next step is to teach him how to receive his treats. These threats can either be old fashion cheese treats or human-shaped treats that are great for trick training.
Before you begin your German shepherd training, make sure you have your basic obedience class under your belt, as well as some basic commands such as sit, stay, come, heel, down, or remain.
With your basic obedience class, you should be able to train your dog to sit and stay, while allowing him some freedom to roam about the yard.
At this point, it’s a good idea to introduce him to the private class, but make sure your dog isn’t too anxious to leave his crate. If he starts to worry, he won’t be able to relax in the crate anymore, so he needs to learn how to relax in a private class first. There are many new things you can teach your dog at your private classes, as well as advanced training techniques.
Once your dog has learned these things, you’ll be able to introduce him to many new things that he can do on his own. You can also ask other pet owners who live in your town or are familiar with German Shepherd training to join in on the class.
After your dog has learned how to sit and stay at the basic obedience class, the next thing he should learn is how to track.
This is more of an advanced skill that requires a lot of patience and effort on your part but is very rewarding when your dog completes the task. To train your dog how to track, you’ll need to take him to a private trainer who is specially trained to work with German Shepherds.
Your trainer should teach your dog not only how to track by sight, but also how to track by scent. Your pup should also be taught how to take off, land, and how to stay on a lead correctly before moving on to the next command.
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