The Black German Shepherd is similar to typically colored ones in many ways, but the gene mutation that causes their coloring can result in them growing an inch or two bigger and therefore they’ll weigh 10 to 20 pounds more than a regular GSD. This extra size makes training essential so that you will train your Black German Shepherd, particularly from a puppy when they’re smaller and will learn quicker. The good news is that they’re an intelligent breed that’s eager to please, which makes training fairly easy.
Start Young
Old dogs can learn new tricks, but puppies certainly do pick up things quicker, which is why training should always start as young as possible. Black German Shepherds will quickly grow into their grand size, so establishing yourself as the alpha dog early on will help you to have control over them as they become bigger and more powerful. Understanding obedience at a young age will make it easier for them to learn tricks as they get older because they’ll be used to listening to you, especially if there’s a tasty reward involved.
Don’t Struggle Alone
If you’re new to training dogs or you’re not quite sure where to start with your Black German Shepherd, it’s best to ask for help rather than struggle and end up with an untrained and disobedient dog. If you get your dog as a pup, take them to a certified trainer as soon as possible. This will usually make the whole process shorter, easier and cheaper, which is better for both you and your dog. Begin with getting help for house training, such as toileting and not chewing things they shouldn’t, and follow onto obedience training. If you’ve adopted your Black German Shepherd at an older age and need some help with training, a professional can help to get them out of bad habits and into good ones, making their transition to a new home a smooth and happy one.
Let Your Black German Shepherd Socialize
It’s important for all dogs to socialize with other people, dogs, and animals. Doing this from a pup will help them to learn appropriate ways to behave, which can make their training easier. People who bring a puppy into a home that already has a dog often find it’s easier to train the pup as they’ll copy the older dog who is already trained. Introduce your Black German Shepherd to as many different people and animals as possible so that they learn not to be scared of others, but also not to intimidate others when they get to a big size. Socialization is harder as your Shepherd ages and will often require the help of a trainer.
Training a Black German Shepherd doesn’t differ too much from training a normal colored German Shepherd, but their additional size and weight do mean it’s of paramount importance to train them from an early age. When in doubt, always consult with a professional trainer who can help your Black German Shepherd to settle into their life with you as stress-free as possible.
