The Ultimate German Shepherd Training Commands Guide (or, Everything Your Dog Needs to Know)

Do you know why German Shepherd training commands are essential for successful dog obedience?

Without knowing the training commands, you could unintentionally miss basic commands or worse…

Confuse your German Shepherd, making your training harder and more stressful!

But with this essential list of German Shepherd training commands, you and your German Shepherd will have a smoother experience.

Let’s get started.

Types of German Shepherd Training Commands

You may just need the basics to begin your training, and you’ll find that list below.

Or, you might aspire to teach your GSD a few advanced dog commands.

Either way, you need to know what words to say and how to say them for the best training.

You definitely want your German Shepherd to master the basic commands. These commands allow you to control your dog’s movements and help make them more reliable to your training.

If you want to impress your friends or make the most out of owning one of the world’s smartest dogs, then the more advanced dog commands might appeal to you.

You can even make a hobby teaching your German Shepherd new commands or tricks!

There are two basic types of German Shepherd training commands you can use with your dog.

First is the hand signals.

The second is the verbal commands.

Your German Shepherd Training Commands Using Hand Signals

Hand signals, or hand commands, are a convenient way to communicate your needs to your dog in conditions where verbal commands are unsuitable, such as during noisy events or when your dog is far away.

Hand signals require your dog’s attention to focus on you to see the command signal, unlike with verbal commands that need your dog to hear you.

If you plan on extensively using hand signals, it’s a good idea to teach your dog to have the habit of looking at you regularly.

For every verbal command, there’s a matching hand signal that means the same thing. 

Just remember that German Shepherds are more attuned to your voice since they are bred to work with handlers giving verbal commands while performing herding or guard work.

The Deaf Dogs Education Action Fund is a terrific resource for teaching your dog hand signals and learning more, even if your dog isn’t deaf.

However, the command training for your German Shepherd that we’ll focus on for your basic training is verbal commands.

Voice Commands for German Shepherd Training

Verbal, or voice, commands are audible messages that tell your dog to display a specific behavior when you command them.

Unlike hand signals, verbal directions work even when your dog isn’t looking directly at you.

Verbal cues transmit a wealth of information to your GSD.

For example, tone and volume. Changing your tone and volume provides multiple channels through which your dog learns your intent.

When teaching your dog with verbal cues, you need to pay attention to how you deliver your intent or message to your dog.

Match Your Voice and Command

Mixed messages are detrimental to the training process.

Make sure your dog understands your message by giving your command exactly how you mean it.

For example, if you want your dog to stop, don’t say stop in a happy, high-pitched voice. Use a deeper, more authoritative tone.

Your voice carries the urgency and message.

The thing to remember is that your dog makes associations with what you say, how you say it, and what actions you do while you’re saying it.

Give your command in a firm, clear tone of voice.

The next sections cover the German Shepherd training commands and their meanings. This is followed by the steps to correctly give your GSD their first introduction to the basic commands.

The German Shepherd Training Commands List

You don’t have to use the German Shepherd training commands list in order.

But, it’s best to begin with the basics and work your way through to the advanced commands.

Remember that all GSDs learn at different rates, so don’t get frustrated if your dog doesn’t understand you right away.

Keep practicing and stay patient.

This list covers 3 types of German Shepherd training commands:

Basic (Essential) German Shepherd Commands

Intermediate German Shepherd Commands

Advanced German Shepherd Commands

Now that you have a list of training and obedience commands for your German Shepherd, you need to understand how to use them.

How to Direct a Good Performance

Issuing your commands is essential to successful obedience training.

Don’t just expect your dog to know what you want from them. Instead, you must first show them and then tell them exactly what you want.

Make your command clear, concise, and consistent.

There are four parts to command good performance.

Now you need to know if your dog understands the command you give.

You want to make sure they really know what’s expected of them and how to perform the command correctly.

How many times do they need to get the command right?

If they correctly perform the action that matches the command you gave 10 times in a row, then:

• move on to increase your distance away from them when you give the command
• the time they hold the command
• and practice with different distractions (vary your training environment).

If your dog doesn’t get 10 right in a row, then continue to work on the command.

If you touch your dog while giving a command, your dog may pay more attention to your action of placing them into the position, rather than the command word.

So, the command then loses its value for your dog, and your training becomes much harder.

Let’s get right into a basic list of German Shepherd training commands you need to know how to give.

The Come Command

Come is the most important dog command to teach your German Shepherd.

How to teach your German Shepherd to “come”:

1. Have your dog on a long leash when you teach this command so you can ensure they follow through with the return to you.
2. Let your dog run around in your house on the long lead. You can throw one of their favorite toys or a treat to get them moving away from you.
3. Say the word come in a fire, direct voice to get your dog’s attention. You may also gently tug on the lead. Only tug enough to get your dog’s attention.
4. Get down on their level by crouching and offer them a lure (treat) to understand what you want and entice them to come back to you.
5. Once they come to you, give them their reward. Practice letting them wander, then using the word come to get them to you for their treat at least 10 times.

Eventually, you’ll remove the lead in a secure area to practice off-leash recall, like your backyard.

But for now, start indoors in a quiet area.

The No Command

Another life-saving essential command is No.

Most dogs will learn no without formal training, as it’s easy to teach. Most owners use no while their dog is performing an unwanted behavior.

Don’t use a tone which scares your dog, as this isn’t the point of training.

How to teach a German Shepherd “no”:

1. Use a stern face and firm tone when saying no, but don’t scream or make wild actions or your dog will become frightened of you.
2. When your dog looks at you, offer them a more suitable behavior.
3. For example, if your puppy is chewing on your expensive shoes, say “no” and when they look to you offer them another more interesting and appropriate chew toy. Or, have them come to you for a tasty treat and put away the shoe.
4. If you’re having trouble with teaching no, then try a quick clap or slap of your hands together while saying no. This is generally enough to get your dog to stop performing the action you want, or at least to get their attention so you can offer them a better behavior option.
5. Don’t react harshly or punish your dog when teaching no. It’s better if you follow the steps found here on how to discipline your German Shepherd the right way.

Your dog will quickly catch on as they learn what you expect from them. Don’t ever hit, kick, or hurt your German Shepherd when training the basic commands or you’ll ruin your bond and lose their trust.

The Stop Command

The stop command takes a bit of skill and timing since it requires your dog to quit moving.

While it does take time and patience, it is essential you train your GSD to this basic command.

How to teach a German Shepherd to “stop”:

1. To teach the stop, place some distance between you and your dog. Have them on a long lead to start for safety.
2. Walk away to a distance of approximately 20 to 30 feet (as long as your long lead is). Then, turn and face your dog without making eye contact. If you make eye contact, they may run to you thinking you want them to come.
3. When you are ready, call your dog to you. As soon as they move, take a few steps towards them saying stop in a stern voice with your hand up with a flat palm facing them.
4. This command works best when taught with both verbal and hand signals. The simple fact you are coming towards them makes them hesitate, which is a normal reaction.
5. Always reward them with a tasty treat when they stop by going to them. If you call them to you too quickly after teaching the stop they may learn that it’s more of a “wait” command and rush off to see you right after stopping.
6. Once they learn to stop on command, start extending the distance until they stop and stand, sit, or get into the down position at any distance on your verbal command.
7. You will eventually train what command you want after the stop, such as a down or stay. But the most important thing to remember is that your dog stops.

Practice the stop frequently so that your dog understands they aren’t in trouble and nothing bad happens after the stop.

You always want to have a reliable stop in case of an emergency (think about if your dog were to chase a squirrel or rabbit into a busy road).

The Sit Command

Sit is an easy enough command that even your puppy can learn it!

Teaching sit is essential in creating the training relationship, as it is an excellent opening to a training session or a closer after a troublesome session when you want to end on a high note.

How to teach a German Shepherd to “sit”:

1. Don’t force your dog to sit by pushing down on his haunches, especially a growing puppy that is learning about your leadership skills.
2. Instead, move your hand with a tasty reward over your dog and lean over them a bit. Most dogs want to keep eye contact with the reward, which causes their head to go up and their rear end to drop to the ground. This is called luring your dog into position.
3. Move your dog with the lure into the sit position.
4. Once they get the action right while you say the command 10 times, start telling them to sit while you walk away at different distances.
5. Return to them for their reward so they don’t move too quickly out of their sit position.

You can phase out your spacing of the reward so you’re not rewarding for every sit, just occasionally.

Work on having your German Shepherd “sit” in different areas of your home, then move to an area with more distractions, such as your backyard.

Finally, while they are on their lead, practice in even more distracting areas that don’t stress them and while they are safe.

The Down Command

If you plan on having guests over, down is invaluable to prevent jumping or overexcited behavior.

How to teach a German Shepherd to go into “down”:

1. A good technique for teaching down is to have your dog sit and then to lure them toward the ground. Do this by holding a treat on the ground a foot or two in front of them.
2. Don’t force them to the ground. Use the lure to get them moving into the down position. You may have to let them smell and see the lure in your hand.
3. Once they go into position properly, say the word down and give them the treat. Repeat the down position 10 times correctly.
4. Try having your dog perform down from both the sit position and from a standing position.
5. You’ll find if you teach the down both ways when you train more advanced commands later they’ll be easier since your dog understands down to mean to go into the down from any previous position they were in.

It sometimes helps to take the treat and move under the nose and head, toward their bodies, in which case your dog should fold their legs under them to smell the treat.

Work on the down command in different areas of your home and in varying distracting, but safe, environments so your dog learns to follow your command more reliably.

The Stay Command

Teaching the stay command takes plenty of patience and practice.

It’s a difficult command because holding a stay is hard for dogs because of a lack of impulse control, but you teach impulse control with repetition and by lengthening out hold long your dog holds the stay position.

The command is still in the beginner training category list because it is an essential skill.

How to teach a German Shepherd to “stay”:

1. To teach your dog to stay, begin by having your dog go into their sit position first.
2. Say the command stay in and then take one step back while keeping your eyes engaged in your dog’s eyes. It’s useful to find a hand command for the stay that you haven’t used previously in another command.
3. If your dog stands up to follow you—as they probably will—tell your dog to sit again. Lure them with a treat back into position.
4. Then, once they sit, say stay. Take a shorter step back, so that your dog doesn’t want to follow you.
5. You can increase the steps you take back from your dog before you return to them for their reward.
6. Lengthen this distance slowly as your dog learns impulse control and the stay command.
7. Ultimately, your dog will stop following you, sit, and stay in its position. They will need more training for longer distances.

When you practice teaching your German Shepherd the “stay” outdoors, always use the long lead or their leash so they stay safe while they are in training.

Stay in safe areas to avoid your dog running off to chase a car, person, or animal.

The Only German Shepherd Training Equipment You Need

You could go out and spend a few hundred dollars on lots of tools to help you train your German Shepherd.

But there are just a few items you need to train your GSD and they won’t break your bank.

Basic obedience equipment includes:

Try this reflective leash with a padded handle to comfort your hands when you have a strong pulling German Shepherd. You’ll be thankful you got a padded handle during all your training…. trust me!

It’s better to have a reflective leash when walking your dog at night so others can see you in the dark.

Buy a long leash of at least 20 feet for outdoor training. A long leash helps you maintain control while still allowing your dog to enjoy a playful romp and roll.

This is the long leash many training professionals prefer because the clips withstand pulling and hold up well to consistent, daily use.

Your final necessity is a breakaway collar.

Don’t take a chance that you can always watch your dog or puppy and help them if they get caught by their collar.

Use this safe breakaway collar for peace of mind and your puppy or dog’s safety. Can you see how in the picture the leash buckles will unclamp and allow your dog to escape if they’re caught while playing outside?

They can even be used indoors for the same reason… they’ll allow your dog to free themselves if ever hung up.

Use Treats in Your German Shepherd Training Commands for Faster Results

Don’t forget to purchase some tasty treats of your choice.

It’s better to pick a strong-smelling treat that is easy to give during training, such as these chewy and healthy training bite-sized treats.

But, you can also use pea-sized amounts of fresh-cooked chicken or small bits of cheese.

Treats serve as positive reinforcement during your training, and they help speed up your dog’s progress.

It is vital to use your dog’s favorite training treats to get the best results.

Pay attention to your dog during training, and you can tell which treats are their favorite by their willingness to perform the training.

Try a higher value reward a few times to see if your dog performs better for you if they’re struggling with a command. Buy a treat that is healthy and low in calories, preferably pick one from this list of the Best Healthy Treats for Your German Shepherd.

Treats are how you pay your dog for their work. They also help build a positive bond between training and you, so that your dog is happy to engage in their training sessions.

These are some of the same tools I used to train my own GSD, so they’re tested in real-world situations with a hyper and powerful German Shepherd.

German Shepherd Training Tip: Start Small and Build Up

It’s a smart idea to have a list of German Shepherd obedience commands that you can refer to.

Using a training command list for your German Shepherd allows you to identify the commands that you need to work on.

Place the list where you will see it often daily as a reminder to continue and work through your training.

This allows you to understand where your training is and to begin the next, more advanced steps with your dog. While you may not use all the commands or need them, it’s a good reference tool to have at hand.

Start with the beginning obedience items and keep adding a new command, preferably at a consistent pace. Once your GSD masters the new command, keep building on their training by adding in the next command.

When practicing your German Shepherd training commands don’t rush your dog.

Your German Shepherd is one of the world’s most intelligent breeds, but they still need to have the commands broken down into their smallest steps in order to have success.

Keep your training sessions short, around 5 minutes long.

And practice multiple times per day. 3 to 4 times daily is a great start to teach your GSD their commands.

Getting Started with German Shepherd Training Commands: Work Through the Basic List First

It’s never too early or too late to educate your GSD.

With a very young GSD, train for short periods. But train frequently throughout the day. Think of training in short bursts.

Around 6 months of age, your GSD should know the basic commands—sit, stay, down, no, and come.

But a young dog’s attention span is short, so be patient if your GSD isn’t learning the German Shepherd training commands as quickly as you want.

It’s a long list and can take years for you to fully train your GSD to advanced commands. But your dog may see too much training at once as punishment, so don’t give your dog too many commands or lengthy sessions.

Keep your dog’s attention by meeting their physical needs first and making sure their excess energy is spent. Use this guide on the perfect exercise routine for your German Shepherd.

How to Make German Shepherd Commands Training Easier

There’re many tips that will help keep your training manageable.

Here are some top tips that can increase your dog’s chance of success.

German Shepherd Training Tips

To be sure that your dog is ready to learn, see that you and your dog are:

If you or your dog show stress, are tired, or too full, you won’t have enough success during training.

You’ll have better results by training your dog when they are a little hungry—it gives them extra motivation to earn tasty treats.

Remember, your most important tool while training is your good attitude.

It’s much harder to muster positivity if you’re worked up or stressed out.

And a sick or over-excited dog is less responsive to any goodwill that comes their way.

If you or your dog doesn’t have the right attitude to train, allow yourself and your dog time to relax and rest. Try again the following day when you both are in better states of mind.

The Best Way to Phase Out Treats

It’s unwise and also unhealthy for your German Shepherd to expect a treat after every successful performance.

This means you it’s better to phase rewards out from your training exercises once they have a specific command down.

A positive way to phase out rewards once your dog has mastered a distinct command is to present the reward as part of the training of a new command.

Once your dog has mastered down, instead of providing a treat after giving them the down, offer them a lesser treat, verbal praise, or petting instead of their usual expected reward.

Your GSD will probably notice the reduction of the normal treat and let you know they’ve noticed.

This is a good time to move on to your next command where they’ll receive a tastier reward for performing a new skill.

Reintroducing Treats with a New Command

Show them you still have a treat ready by letting them see and sniff the hand with the treat. But now they have to work for it a little more than usual by learning a new command.

Once you have their attention, start teaching the new command. Offer the treat as a lure for the new command and then reward them when they’re successful.

You’ll find that your dog’s initial reluctance quickly ends.

You can also use a popular toy instead of treats when training. Be sure you use a safe and durable toy, which will last through a strong chewer, like one of these durable toys for powerful German Shepherd chewers.

Clicker Training Your German Shepherd

It’s also effective to use a clicker to train your dog.

A clicker is a small, hand-held tool that makes a slight clicking noise when you press a button.

It’s more distinct to some dogs to hear a click when they perform a command correctly, rather than your voice or a reward is given moments later than their correct action.

When teaching your dog training commands with the clicker, they’ll associate the clicking sound with positive reinforcement. Ultimately, the clicking sound becomes its own reward and you won’t need many food treats.

But you don’t even need a clicker to train your German Shepherd in their commands.

You can use your voice and see wonderful results using positive, reward-based training (also known as lure and reward training).

Changing Your Distance when Using the German Shepherd Training Commands

Give your dog the command from different distances.

Practice your training in different positions and in different places of your home. Don’t always stand in the exact same spot during training.

This teaches them that no matter where you’re standing, you still expect the command. Try stepping farther away every time you work through a command during your training session.

If your dog only performs the command from a short distance, then your goal is to take tiny steps back and give the command until you’re at the distance you want.

Increasing the distance your dog performs the command is challenging because they want to stay close to you naturally.

With time and repetition, you will train your German Shepherd to perform the command at almost any distance from you with success.

Vary Your Dog’s Training Setting

Once your dog masters a command in a quiet environment, try training them in a more distracting environment.

This could mean that you turn on the TV or radio, have your family in the room, or move near a window they like to look out.

They must learn that the place they initially learned the command—your quiet, comfortable home — isn’t the only spot where you require them to follow your commands.

Ultimately, your dog learns that you still expect them to obey you, no matter the location or environment.

Recognize they won’t learn as swiftly in challenging environments.

Sometimes it will take time to adjust to the idea that a local park is a place for learning too. Keep working with them and stay positive.

As you practice, your dog learns to tune out the distractions and pay more attention to your training and you. Remember to practice having your dog perform the command from different distances from you so they learn the command is the same, no matter your distance or location from them.

Keep working through the command list for your German Shepherd to ensure you’ve worked all the commands in a variety of environments.

And always, always, always…

Make sure your dog is safe!

Keep them on a short or long leash when outdoors! And stay aware of your surroundings, including busy roads, bicyclists, children playing, and other obstacles to avoid.

Is Your German Shepherd Not Listening to Your Training Commands?

If your German Shepherd is not listening to commands, then you need to go back to their basic training commands.

When they don’t perform as expected, work on breaking down the command into easier steps and move back to a quieter, less distracting training area.

Your dog might also be feeling unwell, stressed, or need more exercise or their meals. Consider all the reasons why your German Shepherd refuses to listen to you and don’t force them to train if they are ill or anxious.

You also need to train your German Shepherd not only to the basic commands but also in various locations and distances. This teaches them that when you give the command you expect them to comply, no matter what environment you’re in.

Don’t forget that it’s your responsibility to care for your dog and to meet their needs, including their emotional needs. You might need to take a day off your usual training every now and then to add some excitement to their lives.

How about learning How to Make Your German Shepherd Happy and seeing if you can get them to smile? 😁

Be sure to test your dog after each new command by having them perform the command repetitively and successfully (Remember the power of 10 concepts covered above?).

If they can’t get the command correct after multiple attempts at training, then step back from your training. Go back to the last command they performed right and begin from there.

Or, just play a game instead where you can incorporate your training. Try a few games from this list of fun German Shepherd Games!

Using the German Shepherd Training Commands the Right Way

The cornerstone for good training is consistency, positive rewards, timing, a favorable attitude, and patience.

Use this German Shepherd commands list to improve the relationship between you and your dog.

Begin with the easiest commands on the list for your German Shepherd and work your way through to the more difficult commands. Your GSD wants to please and is one of the smartest dogs.

But don’t push them too hard as too much training can be a stressor to them.

Having and using a list of German Shepherd training commands takes the stress off confusing the basic commands and gives you a goal to aim for.

Understanding how to use the list to create a well-behaved dog truly makes you a boss level trainer!

More Help and Support for the Best German Shepherd Training Commands Results

Training your German Shepherd also means understanding how they grow and learn.

A great resource to have on hand is Your German Shepherd Month-by-Month.

The valuable book gives you the tools for helping turn your playful pup into a happy, healthy, well-adjusted adult. The expert authors cover all the questions that a new owner generally has, as well answering questions you might not know to ask.

🐾 For an even more in-depth and interactive training course take a look at Brain Training for Dogs, the only online training course you’ll need to keep your highly intelligent breed thoroughly engaged and happy.

Don’t let German Shepherd training commands stress you or become a bore or not have enough training ideas for your quick-minded dog.

Enjoy a perfect performance using kind and scientifically-based training in a private group with thousands of others using a brain training program to train their dogs!