Jasper’s Take on Training
Hi! This is Jasper. Jasper the German Shepherd Dog! I have a few things to say about German Shepherd training. After all, I am a German Shepherd. I should know, right?
Table of Contents
German Shepherds are Smart
First, let me say that Mom is right. German Shepherds are very smart! There may be a few stupid German shepherds out there, but mostly we are a bright breed. Mom says I learn things VERY fast, well except the part about not barking at other dogs. That’s a hard one!
Because we are so smart as a breed we need lots of time. Not just exercise although we do need lots of that. I’m really bummed out. 🙁 It’s almost too cold to play in the pool and that’s my favorite thing!! It’s not fair! Why do you have to have stupid seasons?
German Shepherds are Brave
Mom says if I spent less time being afraid of my dock I might of had more time to swim. Well, let me tell you I was NEVER afraid of that dock. I was just taking my time to be sure it didn’t bite! You have to do that with new stuff you know!
People are Strange
For instance, Mom had some kind of leak and had to tear up the flooring and the wood underneath. Well, that new wood looked funny! It was all shiny. How could I know it wasn’t dangerous? I don’t think mom should have laughed at me though. Do you?
Also, let me just say tearing up floors is apparently not a happy thing to have to do for you humans. All my people were in very bad moods! I heard saws that made loud noises and hammers and don’t tell mom I told you but there were a good deal of bad words flying around too!
Dad told Mom we should just pay someone to do it, but Mom said why pay someone to do something you can you tube? It took Mom, Dad and my boy Aiden who is 16 human years 12 whole hours to cut out the bad wood and replace it with the shiny wood! We still don’t have a floor, just plywood. Floors are apparently very complicated.
Anyway back to exercise. Exercise is very important for German Shepherds. Mom says if I don’t get enough exercise I’m “difficult”. What’s difficult? I will say I have noticed If I don’t get exercise I begin to think about how good Moms trees might taste. If I could reach them. She got smart and put chicken wire around them.
Speaking of Chickens
Speaking of chickens, Mom says we are going to get some. I was so excited! But then Mom said no chasing or barking at the chickens. That Mom can sometimes kill the fun in things. Sigh. She also says she is going to teach me to let the chicken sit on my back because it will make a good picture. I’m not so sure about that. Chickens have claws! Also beaks! I’m pretty sure I could take a chicken but Mom says that would be bad for the chicken and pretty bad for me too!
Speaking of Cats and Vets
That brings me to cats. Of course, you know dogs and cats are generally not friends. But my granny Addy taught me to not react to her cats and it worked too. When I went to the vet she had a cat and it was boring. I didn’t even sniff it. Mom says if I could just do that with dogs I’d be good. What does she mean? I’m already very good. I know because she tells me so all the time. Good boy, Jasper. Every now and then it’s NO, that’s not OK! I generally lay right down and do “sad puppy” when she says that. For some reason that always makes Mom smile. Sometimes it even results in a cookie! I like cookies!
That bad dog was still there on the counter too. Why doesn’t someone tell him being on the counter is bad? You will be glad to know I did not bark at that dog even once. Well, OK. I guess I did bark at him once, maybe twice. But I was much better. I even went up and sniffed him. He smells funny. I’m beginning to think there’s something wrong with that dog!
I had to get shots again. What is it with you humans and shots anyway?! But hey, I was a “very good boy” and got a cookie, so I guess it’s all good. A “very good boy” is better than a good boy. It’s a matter of degrees…and cookies. I have noticed more cookies are forthcoming for a “Very good boy”. I notice these things. Mom says it’s because I’m smart!
I Remember Now
Oh, that’s right! We were talking about training German Shepherds. In my opinion, we are very easy to train. As I have become more mature, I am one now you know, I understand that easy to train does not mean easy to manage. Actually, I have no idea what that means but Mom said to tell you that. She also said to tell you I have been worth it! Of course, that is true. How could I not be worth it?
Just be very prepared and use your tools like a crate which Mom says is a part of “management”, and lots of cookies! You will be glad to know I have graduated from my crate to my “place’. This means I’m in the same place but on my new place bed and no bars. I do of course still sleep in the crate at night. Mom says there’s no sense in pushing the envelope. What’s an envelope? Why would you want to push it? So many mysteries to figure out!
Mom says don’t waste your time buying anything smaller than extra-large as your GSD will out grow it. It has a divider that you can use to make it smaller.
Anyway, that’s all I have for now!
Woof! From Jasper the German Shepherd Dog
PS Mom says if you know any really good trainers who do NOT hit dogs with shoes, please leave a short note about your experience with them and their contact in the comments if you like. You may help someone or a dog. She thinks most people want to do right by thier dogs but don’t know where to go to get help.
