10+ Tips to Train Your German Shepherd Puppy in Omaha

It’s the weekend. You’re excited, the time comes up of your new German Shepherd puppy training. You step inside, and suddenly—chaos. Your puppy is bouncing off the walls, furniture toppled, and he doesn’t hear you. Nipping turns into biting. You think, “Did I make a mistake?”

Don’t fret. Many new puppy owners in Omaha face this. German Shepherds are full of energy and smarts. If you don’t channel that energy, it can turn into wild chaos. Calm down, and know this is fixable.

At Dog Gone Problems, we know how to handle these challenges. We specialize in transforming your puppy’s wild energy into positive behavior. Whether you’re dealing with a mischievous 8-week-old or a stubborn older pup, we’ll help you tackle any problem. Let’s dive in and make German Shepherd training enjoyable for you and your German Shepherd.

German Shepherd Basics

Let’s talk about the basics first. German Shepherds are strong, smart, and oh-so-loyal. They come in medium to large sizes and flaunt their black-and-tan fur like a superhero cape. Puppies? They’re bundles of energy and curious about everything.

These clever pups need mental workouts and plenty of playtime. Keep them busy or risk some mischief.

10+ Training Tips for Your German Shepherd

1. German Shepherd Behavior

Now that we know the basics, it’s time to decode your pup. German shepherds are smart and energetic, which can lead to barking, jumping, and nipping for attention.

Training starts with it. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and energetic. These traits can lead to behaviors like barking, jumping, and even nipping for attention.

One of our expert trainers, Sam Kanouse, worked with Riley and Cova, a mother-son pair of German Shepherds, to help them relax in their kennels. She rewarded calm behavior with treats. When the dogs chilled out, the kennel door opened. Calmness means good things.

With consistent effort, you can train your German Shepherd to be a calm, obedient companion.

2. Start Training Early

The earlier you start, the better. German shepherd puppies are like sponges. Teach them basic commands and socialize everywhere.

Take walks in Omaha parks. Visit pet-friendly cafés. The more places they see, the more confident they become.

3. Teach Basic Commands

German shepherds want to please you. Please make the most of it. Start with “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” These are your building blocks.

David Codr worked with Sam, a rescued puppy mill dog, to teach her basic commands, focusing on building trust first. He used positive reinforcement and gentle body language to create a safe environment.

Keep sessions short and fun. Patience is key; some dogs need time to get comfortable.

5. Socialize Your German Shepherd Puppy

German shepherds are loyal but can be wary of strangers. Early socialization helps.

David worked with Cion and Clover, two ten-month-old German shepherd brothers, to build trust. He showed their guardian how to structure greetings. When new people entered the home, the puppies waited calmly. Repetition and clear expectations helped them learn.

Practice calm greetings and repeat them often. Avoid crowds before vaccinations, but seek smaller interactions.

6. Leash Training

Leash training is key for happy walks. Puppies often pull like crazy.

David taught Max, a nine-month-old German Shepherd, to heel using treats. Instead of pulling Max, he showed his family to position the treat by their legs. This way, Max learned to follow the treat, not the leash.

Regular practice is essential. David rewarded Max for walking calmly beside him and helped him focus despite distractions through a focus exercise. They practiced indoors first, then in busier places.

With dedication, Max learned to walk nicely on a leash. Mastering the heel command takes time, but it will make walking more enjoyable.

7. Stop Jumping Behavior

Jumping puppies can be adorable—until they grow.

David Codr trained Stella, a 9-month-old German Shepherd, to stop jumping on guests using Operant Conditioning. Instead of micromanaging, David taught Stella that jumping led to disengagement while calm behavior earned rewards. By reinforcing calm greetings and consistency from the guardians, Stella learned that sitting, rather than jumping, gained attention.

This approach allowed Stella to understand that guests wouldn’t engage if she jumped. So Stella learned to sit instead of leap into arms.

8. Prevent Chewing

Puppies are notorious chewers. They love to chew—on everything.

Taylor taught Elsa, a 6-month-old German Shepherd, to stop chewing on furniture using the “leave it” command. After some energy release, he redirected Elsa to approved toys.

The trick? Praise her for good choices.

9. Overcoming Separation Anxiety

German Shepherds get attached, which often leads to separation anxiety.

Samantha helped Roxie, a three-year-old German Shepherd, overcome separation anxiety. Samantha taught Roxie the “stay” command to build her self-control and emotional regulation. Gradually increasing the distance between Roxie and her guardian helped Roxie feel more comfortable with their departure.

Short stays without fussing can help. With practice, Roxie learned to chill when her human left.

10. Potty Training Your German Shepherd Puppy

Smart puppies catch on to potty training quickly. Consistency is vital.

Samantha helped Luna, a German Shepherd/Australian Shepherd mix, with potty training by creating positive associations with her crate. Luna’s guardian had already started working on counterconditioning by keeping the crate door open while the guardian stayed nearby. Samantha broke down Luna’s separation anxiety and crate training into small steps, rewarding her with treats at each stage.

Take your pups out regularly. Reward them for doing their business outside. With steady practice, your little one will learn the routine.

11. Health and Wellness

Keep an eye on health. German Shepherds can face certain issues like hip dysplasia.

Regular vet check-ups are a must, as are healthy meals and lots of exercise. Catch problems early for a healthier pup.

Enjoy Your German Shepherd Puppy

Training your German Shepherd puppy is an exciting journey. It requires patience, consistency, and a whole lot of love. Your energetic pup will blossom into a fabulous companion with the right tips.

Dog Gone Problems offers tailored training to help you. Ready to make training fun? Let’s do this.