Welcome to the German Shepherd club! So, you’ve brought home your new pup and now you’re looking for the lowdown on training? You’re in the right place. We’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about raising your new best friend.

German Shepherds are legendary for their work ethic. They’re part of the working dog group for a reason; they’re quick learners who love having a job to do and thrive with clear, kind guidance. While they’re known for being brave and loyal, they’re actually big softies at heart.

The Zigzag app features puppy programmes tailored specifically to your dog’s breed, including a dedicated path for German Shepherds. We don’t just stop at the breed, though; our programmes are carefully timed to align with those crucial development stages, so your pup gets the right lessons exactly when they need them.

Plus, if you ever feel a bit stuck, you’ll have a team of expert puppy coaches available 24/7 to talk you through any worries or offer a helping hand.

This guide gives you the full training plan in blog format, but if you want your German Shepherd puppy’s training laid out step by step as you go, it’s much easier to follow the journey in the free Zigzag app.  Download Zigzag free now.

Quick answer: how do you train a German Shepherd puppy?

• Start from 8 weeks old
• Use positive reinforcement
• Train daily in short sessions
• Focus on recall, toilet training, and socialisation first.
• Slowly add in distractions to increase difficulty.

Prerequisites for training your German Shepherd puppy

What age can I start to train my German Shepherd puppy?

You can start training your German Shepherd the moment they step through the door. At this age, they’re like little sponges, soaking up everything around them. Plus, you get to enjoy those famous head tilts while they figure out what you’re asking.

What do I need to train my German Shepherd puppy?

You don’t need a mountain of gear, but a few basics will make life easier:

• A collar and ID tags: It’s a legal requirement in most places and it keeps them safe.
• A harness: These are generally more comfortable for a pup than a collar when they’re learning to walk on a lead.
• A training lead: A 2m lead with adjustable rings is a classic choice for GSDs, and our guide to puppy training leads can help you choose one.
• Treats: They’ve usually got a great appetite for work, so regular kibble often does the trick, but keep some high-value treats handy for the tricky stuff. Here are some of our favourite healthy puppy training treats.
• Toys: Most German Shepherds are total toy-motivated clowns. They love to play, so having a few favourites is a great reward. Learn more in our article on puppy toys.
• A crate or safe resting area: Helpful for sleep training, routine, and teaching your puppy how to relax.

Good to know about training German Shepherd puppies

What are German Shepherds bred for?

The name gives it away as they were originally bred to herd sheep and be big and noisy enough to keep predators at bay. We usually think of them as the ultimate police dog because they are so brilliant at protecting and searching, but deep down, those instincts to move sheep around are still there.

Alsatians vs German Shepherds – what’s the difference?

There’s actually no difference at all. Before World War II, people in the UK and Europe called them Alsatians because of the region they came from, which was the German-French border area of Alsace-Lorraine. Meanwhile, the German Shepherd name stuck in the US and eventually became the standard name we use across the world today.

German Shepherd behaviours

German Shepherds have some classic behaviours that are naturally part of who they are, like the need to protect or being triggered by movement. It’s not a bad thing; they just get a bit activated when they see something moving around.

You should know these are perfectly normal behaviours because they are intrinsically rewarding. This means they are so deeply embedded into their DNA that it just feels that good for your pup to do them.

PRO TIP: Many German Shepherd owners see these natural behaviours as problems. Lunging at a car or barking at a stranger does look like a problem to us, doesn’t it?

But there is no need to stress. The key is to manage their behaviour and train them in day-to-day life from the very beginning. By using breed-specific training, those things you might see as problems can start to fade away.

What does this have to do with how I train my German Shepherd puppy?

Breeds were created to do different jobs, so knowing the context and breed traits can really help you train your German Shepherd puppy better. It helps you understand why they do certain things the way they do and how you can work with their natural rhythm.

What breed traits matter most in training German She∂ƒpherds?

• German Shepherds are incredibly loyal and have strong but fun personalities.
• Many feel a strong bond with one person. It takes a village to raise a dog though, so try your best to get the whole family involved in training sessions.
• Because they’re a large breed, early training matters if you want them to be manageable as adults. You wouldn’t want your German Shepherd as an adult to be jumping up at strangers at the park because you definitely don’t want to make a scene.
• They’ve got high energy levels and require a lot of exercise and an active home life. They’re definitely not the kind of dog who’d enjoy becoming a couch potato.
• German Shepherd puppies need plenty of exposure to the wonders of the outside world when they’re young. Their socialisation window is often shorter than in some other breeds, and we’ve got more on that below.

What instincts should you expect from a German Shepherd?

• This is a good one to prepare for: they probably won’t lose that guarding and herding instinct completely. Actually, it simply just won’t happen. Because of this, it’s much better to give them an appropriate outlet so they don’t feel the need to bark at or chase anything that moves.
• They generally prefer to live in the countryside where there’s room to run and space to imagine a life of protecting sheep on a hillside. They’ll also adapt to city life as long as you remember every day’s a school day for them to learn new things and you provide plenty of brain games and other things to think about.
• They’ve got a strong sense of smell, so they’ll always be thrilled to play a game of tracking or searching.
• Given their love for sports and adrenaline-filled bodies, they’ll be quite happy going out in all weathers and getting filthy in the mud. So yes, this also means you’ll be getting wet, caught in thunderstorms or gale-force winds. But your German Shepherd simply must go out.
• Don’t let their police background fool you. German Shepherds are often affectionate and they’ve worked for the praise of shepherds for years. Give them lots of encouragement to feed their soft side as well.
• They’re sensitive dogs who thrive on human company. Make sure you do lots of alone time exercises when they’re young to help prevent them struggling when left alone.

PRO TIP: If your pup switches off or starts acting silly, it’s often a sign of stress. They might resort to nipping or barking because it’s what they know. If that happens, shift to some play, let them have some downtime, and revisit training later. We want training to be joyful, not a chore.

Why socialisation matters for German Shepherd puppies

All puppies have a socialisation window. This is a sensitive period where they’re at their most eager to learn about the world and make connections that affect how they view things, often for the rest of their lives.

Within this window, there’s another one called the fear period. This is when puppies learn to interpret hazards, such as children, loud noises, or unfamiliar surfaces. For German Shepherds, the time they have to process these hazards is shorter than other breeds, so it’s vital to socialise them early so you don’t run into any trouble later.

Studies show that German Shepherd puppies are actually more afraid of new objects and sounds than other breeds. It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it, considering they’re often the ones in charge of saving us from danger.

Easy ways to socialise your German Shepherd puppy

• Find out what your breeder is doing to socialise your puppy before they leave them. Good puppy socialisation programmes to ask about are Puppy Culture and Avidog.
• Follow the exercises in this training article. We don’t want to brag, but we give great advice.
• Don’t be afraid to take your puppy out before they’re vaccinated, but do it safely. German Shepherd puppies get quite big and hefty, so why not invest in a buggy for your puppy to keep them safe? It’ll save your arms from working extra hard too.
• At Zigzag, we’re of the opinion that the benefits of early socialisation outweigh the risks of disease when exposing unvaccinated puppies to the outdoors. We’re not alone in this thought as the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior agrees.

German Shepherd puppy training plan: weeks 0-8

Here’s a quick snapshot of what to focus on each week:

Week	Focus	Key training	Socialisation	Goal
Week 0 (homecoming)	Settling in	Name, bonding, routine	Household noises, gentle handling	Build trust and safety
Week 1	Foundations	Sit, recall, toilet training, crate training	Garden, surfaces	Confidence and routine
Week 2	Early exposure	Lead intro, name in garden, fetch, drop	Sounds, people, car	Positive experiences
Week 3	Control basics	Recall outside, down, no jumping	Scent games, visitors, short drives	Listening outside
Week 4	Behaviour shaping	Loose lead walking, settle, recall games	Meet dogs, puppy class	Calm behaviour
Week 5	Real-world training	Recall with distractions, lead walking outside	Cafés, lifestyle-specific exposure	Generalisation
Week 6	Skill building	Following on walks, harder repetitions	New environments	Consistency
Week 7	Reliability	Stay, off-lead recall in a secure area	Walks with other dogs, puppy agility	Control and focus
Week 8	Polishing skills	Hand target, nose work, training in busy places	Joggers, cyclists, final checklist items	Real-life readiness

Overview of the training programme and topics

So you wanted the ultimate guide to training a German Shepherd puppy, didn’t you? Well, over the next 8 weeks we’ll be covering how to teach your German Shepherd all about:

• Sitting
• Lying down
• Learning their name
• Coming when you call them
• Walking nicely on a lead
• Playing fetch
• Sleeping in their crate
• Coping with being left alone
• Going to the toilet in the right place
• Teaching your German Shepherd puppy not to bark

How we build this programme: ‘Push Drop Stick‘

Push Drop Stick is a simple way to make training more challenging without overwhelming your puppy.

German Shepherds love learning, but they can also get bored if things are too easy – or frustrated if things are too hard. That’s why it helps to adjust the difficulty as you go.

Here’s how it works:

• If your puppy gets 5 out of 5 repetitions right, make the exercise a bit harder – this is a push
• If they get 3 or 4 right, keep things the same – this is a stick
• If they only get 1 or 2 right, make it easier – this is a drop

This way, training stays fun, your puppy keeps progressing, and you avoid frustration on both sides.

Week 1 – Training your German Shepherd puppy

This is the first week of training your new German Shepherd puppy. What’s it like to be a new puppy parent?

The first week is all about having fun and getting to know your German Shepherd puppy, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. They need to learn to trust you and believe that you’re the best thing ever. You’ll also be cleaning up pee and staring at them adoringly. Here are a few activities to get your pup’s brain going and get you started in the right direction.

Socialisation exercises to do this week	Training to do this week	Husbandry tasks to do this week
Let your puppy explore the garden	Name Sit	Brushing
Teach your puppy about surfaces	Recall Retrieve	Hand touch
Take them out in a bag or stroller to learn about the world	Crate training Toilet training Alone training Quiet training	Handling

Sleep training

Sleep training with your German Shepherd puppy shouldn’t be too much of a problem. They’re sensitive souls and like to know where you are, so don’t worry if they sleep in your bedroom for the first few weeks. You can always move them to where you’d like them to sleep once they’re more settled.

For more, learn how to get a puppy to sleep through the night.

Alone training

German Shepherds love to be around people, but they can also learn to cope quite well on their own. We just need to start them off early and make sure you’re doing something to work on this every day. No training happens overnight, and alone time training is no different.

For more, learn how long you can leave your pup alone.

Toilet training

Training your German Shepherd puppy to go to the toilet where you want should be a breeze. They aren’t usually difficult to house train because they love doing anything they can to make you happy.

Quiet training

German Shepherds are known for liking the sound of their own voice. That makes sense, because they want to guard you and alert people to danger. What can they do? They just love you. Still, you might want them to be quiet when asked.

For more, learn how to stop your puppy barking.

Socialisation exercises to do this week

German Shepherds are a little special when it comes to puppy socialisation. They tend to be more sensitive and, as we mentioned before, they’ve got a smaller socialisation window than other breeds.

This week we recommend:

• Letting your German Shepherd puppy explore the garden
• Teaching your puppy about different surfaces
• Taking them out in a bag or a stroller to learn about the world

You can also check out our step-by-step socialisation programme in the Zigzag app for more information. It’s personalised specifically for your breed, so you can download it and start your trial today.

Training to do this week

Your German Shepherd is going to love training, but don’t rush it. There’s no need to do more than the basics so early on. Instead, focus on socialisation and exercises that build their confidence. You can find plenty more of these in the Zigzag app.

This week you’ll be working on:

• How to teach your German Shepherd puppy their name
• How to teach your German Shepherd puppy to sit
• Recall training for your German Shepherd puppy
• Retrieve and fetch, which should be easy for your German Shepherd puppy

Preventing resource guarding

German Shepherd puppies aren’t usually too much of a problem with resource guarding. They love to engage with you, so try doing lots of fetch and drop games with them. This helps them learn to give things up without any issue.

Husbandry exercises to do this week

All puppies need work with handling and brushing, and your German Shepherd puppy will likely be no different. Make it a fun, positive experience so they learn that hands coming towards them are always a good thing. Oh, and use plenty of treats too.

This week focus on:

• Handling your puppy
• Brushing your puppy, because we hope that mane is looking gorgeous

Week 2 – Training your German Shepherd puppy

Week 2 has arrived and the fun has officially begun. How are you getting on with training your German Shepherd puppy? This week we’ll focus on socialisation and habituation, with a particular emphasis on new experiences and noises.

Training: There are many new things to learn and teach your German Shepherd puppy and they’ll likely devour everything you show them.
Husbandry: Yes, that coat is certainly in need of some TLC by now, so we’ll get to work on that glossy mane.

Socialisation exercises to do this week	Training to do this week	Husbandry tasks to do this week
Fireworks	Alone training Crate training Toilet training	Grooming
Watch the world go by outside your house	Name – in garden Recall – cue word
Play dress-up	Fetch Drop
Sit in the car	Sit – add cue word Lead walking
Invite friends over

Socialisation exercises to do this week

As we mentioned before, German Shepherds are a particularly sensitive breed when it comes to socialisation. It’s really important to keep up with these tasks so your puppy grows up feeling confident and able to adapt to new situations.

Fireworks: Because German Shepherds can be sensitive to noises, it’s a good idea to start playing these sounds at a low volume. You can create positive associations by pairing the noise with some tasty rewards.

Watch the world go by: Teaching your German Shepherd that there is a noisy world out there is vital so it doesn’t come as a surprise later on. Remember to carry them or use a stroller or dog buggy if they’re not fully vaccinated yet.

Playing dress-up: This is something for the humans to do rather than your pup. Wearing hats and scarves or using crutches and a walking frame will show your puppy a strangely dressed human. They’ll soon learn that these things aren’t so terrifying if they’re introduced correctly.

Get started with the car: There’s no need to embark on a long road trip just now. Instead, simply show them that the vehicle is an enjoyable place to be by feeding them some food and letting them play in there for a while.

Training to do this week

Alone training: Aim to progress on this week by week so it isn’t an issue when your German Shepherd is older.

Crate training: This is well worth persevering with. If you do it methodically, your German Shepherd puppy will grow to love their little den.

Teach them their name in the garden: We need to practice in different locations to keep things interesting. It also means they’ll learn to respond to you anywhere.

Recall training: It’s time to add a cue word.

Fetch and drop: Your German Shepherd puppy is going to go bonkers chasing down toys and bringing them back to you. Even though they aren’t natural retrievers, they enjoy the chase the most. It gives them a great outlet for that fiery need to chase things.

Sit: You can add a cue word for this now too.

Introduce lead walking training: We’ll start getting them used to the feeling of the lead this week.

Husbandry tasks to do this week

Brushing your puppy: Here is some good news. German Shepherd coats are fairly low maintenance as far as dog coats go. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t enjoy a bit of pampering. Brushing is a brilliant activity to do to bond with your puppy too because they can really feel your care through those soft strokes.

Week 3 – Training your German Shepherd puppy

It’s already week 3! We’ll go through the following subjects this week:

• Create a socialisation checklist: It’s a great idea to build a list that’s unique to you and your circumstances so you’re prepared for anything life throws at you.
• How to teach your German Shepherd puppy not to jump up: They’re growing fast, so now’s the time to learn how to keep those paws on the floor.
• Fitting a harness: We’ll get your German Shepherd puppy fitted for their harness in preparation for walkies.

Socialisation exercises to do this week	Training exercises to do this week	Husbandry tasks to do this week
Scent trails	Recall – outside in the garden	Harness fitting
Go for a drive	Four paws on the floor – not jumping up
Invite friends over	Down
Write a puppy socialisation checklist	Generalisation
	Alone training

Socialisation exercises to do this week

Scent trails: German Shepherds certainly have a nose for it! It’s time to get that tracking nose working.

Invite friends over: There is no need to overwhelm your puppy, but they can learn that people other than you are lovely too.

Go for a drive with your puppy: Let them explore the world a little more and get a bit more used to travelling.

Write a puppy socialisation checklist: As a German Shepherd owner, we recommend teaching them how to keep calm around livestock while they are young, especially if you live in the countryside. You don’t want any angry neighbours yelling at you because your puppy made their sheep go baaalistic. Pun intended! In all seriousness though, it’s illegal for dogs to worry sheep and we’re sure you don’t want to get in trouble with the real police dogs.

Training to do this week

Recall: It’s time to practice teaching your puppy to come when called while you’re outside.

Stop your puppy jumping up: This is a big one for a large dog like a German Shepherd. We want to start this now so they don’t bowl anyone over when they’re fully grown.

Generalisation: This is just a fancy way of saying you should practice your training in different locations. It helps your pup learn that a command means the same thing whether you’re in the kitchen or at the park.

Teach your puppy to lie down: Your German Shepherd puppy will likely ace this one, because they love to show off how clever they are.

Alone training: Keep on working on this in small steps. It’s all about building that confidence bit by bit.

Husbandry tasks to do this week

You’ll be fitting a harness on your German Shepherd puppy this week. Choosing a puppy harness can feel like a bit of a challenge because there are so many on the market, but here are our suggestions to help you pick the right one:

• A Y-shape: This ensures any pressure is distributed evenly across the body rather than being concentrated on the neck or across the chest where it might restrict their movement.
• No moving parts: It should never tighten or pinch your pup.
• Lightweight: Because German Shepherd pups are sensitive, especially when they’re small, the harness shouldn’t be overly heavy or have big, cumbersome buckles.
• Soft material: Something made of a soft fabric is great, and fleece-lined is even better.
• A good fit: It needs to be long enough in the back so it doesn’t bunch up under their arms.

Our favourite harnesses for German Shepherds are the Perfect Fit fleece-lined harness and the True Love harness.

Week 4 – Training your German Shepherd puppy

Week 4 is here! It’s been a whole month since you started training your German Shepherd puppy. To keep things fresh, we’ll introduce some new ideas:

• Push, Drop, Stick: This is our way of making exercises more difficult in a way that’s fair for your pup.
• Loose lead walking: It’s time to start teaching your German Shepherd to walk nicely by your side.
• Settle: Helping your pup learn how to relax and be calm when nothing much is happening.
• Meeting another dog: A big milestone for any young German Shepherd.
• Grooming sensitive areas: This will be an important one to get the hang of because your German Shepherd will shed quite a lot of hair. We want them to be comfortable with you brushing them everywhere.
• Looking for a puppy class: This is a fun one and a great way to meet other puppy parents.

Socialisation exercises to do this week	Training to do this week	Husbandry tasks to do this week
Meet another dog	Settle on a mat	Grooming sensitive areas
Find a puppy class	Lead walking
	Recall games
	Push/drop/stick on known exercises

Socialisation exercises to do this week

Meeting another dog: Meeting another dog isn’t only about your puppy running about like a wild thing. It’s also about your puppy learning to focus on you while another dog is nearby, as well as being comfortable in their presence. Calm older dogs are brilliant for this.

Find a good puppy class for your puppy: It’s really worth joining a class or finding a trainer for your German Shepherd. You’ll get fresh ideas, a professional to help with any hiccups, and a way to track your progress. Most importantly, it’s a brilliant chance for your pup to learn how to focus around other people and dogs from a young age.

Training to do this week

Settle on a mat: German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can sometimes make it difficult for them to relax while you’re out and about. They can be a bit bark first and ask questions later! It’s a great idea to do plenty of settle training and teach them how to quiet down so they can be as cool as a cucumber when you’re on the move.

Lead walking: No one wants a large dog pulling them down the street, so be sure to teach loose lead walking. Why not try some heelwork too?

Recall games: Try playing a game of tennis with your pooch! You can call them from person to person with treats on either side. You can find this, plus loads of other recall games, in our article on 50+ training games.

Husbandry tasks to do this week

Grooming and brushing sensitive areas: It’s time to get started with the trickier spots. For long-haired German Shepherds, this usually means the face, legs, and ears, as these bits tangle the most and can feel a little sensitive when brushed. Remember to go slowly and be extra careful. A good trick is to brush a sensitive area for just a moment while they’re enjoying some treats or a licking mat, then move back to an easier spot. Furminators are brilliant for getting out dead hair, but try not to go overboard as we don’t want a bald puppy!

Week 5 – Training your German Shepherd puppy

Week 5 already! What little quirks have you spotted in your German Shepherd by now?

We’re going to be taking the lead walking and recall training outside this week. You’ll be grateful for that harness you taught your German Shepherd puppy to wear for this bit! If you think this training is as easy as a walk in the park, think again. For the time being, it’s all about training your puppy to learn how to walk properly and how to react to what’s going on around them.

For socialisation, start working on things that are vital to your lifestyle. For example, if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable around them, or if you enjoy sailing and need them to be happy near water. Getting your puppy exposed to these experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily.

Socialisation exercises to do this week	Training to do this week	Husbandry tasks to do this week
Go to the pub – you deserve it!	Alone training	Pretend nail clips
Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist	Recall – outside using a lead	Grooming
	Lead walking – outside
	Push/drop/stick on known exercises

Socialisation exercises to do this week

Go to the pub or a dog friendly café: You deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before? Take your mat along and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed Kong.

Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist: It doesn’t matter which ones you pick, just keep up the momentum.

Training to do this week

Alone training: Increasing their time alone is important for your puppy because it gives them essential coping skills.

Recall: Practice this outside using a lead and lots of rewards. It’s also a good idea to consider how you’ll deal with distractions. If your puppy is particularly sensitive to other dog walkers or very interested in other dogs, you’ll need to make yourself the best thing in the park. You should probably use a long line until you’ve done a bit more training.

Lead walking: Take this outside now. It takes some time to master loose lead walking, but with practice and patience, you’ll get there. Make sure you keep a strong pace going since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise them often to keep your puppy interested.

Push, Drop, Stick on known exercises: Let’s get those little brains going and make things trickier!

Husbandry tasks to do this week

Pretend nail clips: Simply holding a claw, pretending to clip, and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough for now. Don’t force this process, as we’ll want to move on to doing it for real shortly. Creating a positive association now will make the real thing much easier later on.

Week 6 – Training your German Shepherd puppy

It’s time to start truly honing your puppy’s skill set and talents; you’ve come a long way in just 6 weeks!

Socialisation exercises to do this week	Training to do this week	Husbandry tasks to do this week
Tick 3 things off your personal checklist	Following on walks	Check puppy’s mouth
	Push/drop/stick on known exercises

Socialisation exercises to do this week

Tick 3 more items off your socialisation checklist: Make sure your German Shepherd puppy is getting a well-rounded education in all of those sights and sounds. Variety is the spice of life, and for a GSD, it’s the key to a confident future.

Training to do this week

Following on walks: Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket Tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible!

Push, Drop, Stick: Keep working on the basics, but start making them a little harder. If they’ve mastered a 5-second sit, can they do 10? If they can sit in the kitchen, can they do it in the driveway?

Husbandry tasks to do this week

Start checking your puppy’s mouth and teeth: This may seem a bit unusual to your puppy, but their baby teeth will be falling out shortly. It’s crucial to keep an eye on what’s going on inside just in case they’ve kept any persistent baby teeth that might need a vet’s look-see.

Week 7 – Training your German Shepherd puppy

The 7-week itch! Nah, not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! It’s crucial to remember that while they may be physically growing quickly, they are still babies psychologically for a long time. Be kind to them and don’t expect too much too soon.

In Week 7 we’ll explore:

• Puppy agility: Yes, you can start already – yippee!
• Walking with a friend’s dog: Building those social skills in motion.
• Practising recall off-lead: Taking the big leap in a safe environment.
• Checking their ears: Teaching them that ear drops and handling are totally okay.

Socialisation exercises to do this week	Training to do this week	Husbandry tasks to do this week
Puppy agility	Wait	Pretend ear drops
Tick 3 things off your personal checklist	Walk with a friend’s dog
	Recall – off the lead
	Push/drop/stick on known exercises

Socialisation exercises to do this week

Have a go at puppy agility: Yes, you can start some exercises already! While jumping isn’t recommended until they are at least a year old to protect those growing joints, you can certainly play with tunnels or walking over poles flat on the ground.

Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist: How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm? Let them watch the animals from a safe distance and reward them for being such a calm, focused puppy.

Training to do this week

Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay: This is a brilliant skill to have and a great one to show off at the park once they’ve mastered it.

Go for a walk with a friend’s dog: We know you can’t wait to be a “pro” puppy parent and go on those nice weekend walks. Start by walking with a dog your puppy has already met. It might be hard for them not to get distracted at first, so keep the rewards coming and keep them interested in you rather than their playmate.

Recall off the lead: Make sure you do this in a secure, confined area. Bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy, and your best silly, high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd back regularly.

Push, Drop, Stick on known exercises: You have to keep things interesting since puppy brains are like sponges. Don’t make it too simple – German Shepherds truly enjoy the challenge of learning!

Husbandry tasks to do this week

Checking ears and ear drops: Get your pup used to you gently handling their ears. Touch an ear, give a treat. Lift the ear flap, give a treat. Look briefly inside, give a treat. You can even pretend to put drops in, without actually doing it, and reward them for staying still. It makes life much easier if they ever need real treatment later on.

Week 8 – Training your German Shepherd puppy

It’s the final week of our guide on how to train a German Shepherd puppy – two months already! You’ve both worked so hard, so let’s celebrate by polishing those skills and teaching them some fun new tricks.

In Week 8, we’ll be covering:

• Joggers and cyclists: Teaching them that these fast-moving objects shouldn’t be chased.
• Generalising exercises: Taking their behaviours on the road to different places.
• Scent work: Getting them to use that powerful nose to find hidden treasures.
• Nail trims: Ensuring they are completely relaxed when it’s time for a mani-pedi.

Socialisation exercises to do this week	Training to do this week	Husbandry tasks to do this week
Joggers and cyclists	Practice exercises in different locations	Nail trims
Tick 3 things off your personal checklist	Teach a hand target
	Introduce nose work
	Push/drop/stick on known exercises

Socialisation exercises to do this week

Joggers and cyclists: People exercising can, and likely will, trigger your German Shepherd’s natural instinct to eye, stalk and chase. While a jogger might be fast, we definitely don’t want your pup practising their pursuit skills on them! Pay extra attention to this by rewarding your puppy for staying focused on you whenever someone zooms past.

Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist: You’re nearly there! How about taking your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? It’s great exercise and builds amazing confidence.

Training to do this week

Practice in different locations: It’s time to test those skills in the real world. Try a few commands at a train station, a shopping centre, or a busy out-of-town retail park to help your pup generalise their training.

Teach a hand target: This is a firm favourite for pups and owners alike. Hand targeting, teaching your dog to touch their nose to your palm, is the foundation for fun tricks like leg weaving or even closing doors!

Introduce nose work: We mean it when we say your German Shepherd has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide-and-seek with their favourite toy to tap into those elite search skills.

Husbandry tasks to do this week

Trim your German Shepherd’s claws: It’s time for the real thing. Use a pair of clippers specifically designed for dogs, as GSD claws are notoriously tough. Make sure you use plenty of treats and only snip the very ends. There’s no need to go too low – you want to avoid the quick, the vein inside the claw, as cutting it hurts and can bleed quite a bit.

What’s next for your German Shepherd puppy?

Involving yourself in a dog sports club is a fantastic next step. Teaching your German Shepherd skills like agility, Treibball (that’s basically herding balls!), flyball, or hoopers using positive reinforcement is the perfect way to keep that sharp GSD brain ticking along.

While your German Shepherd is still young, it’s also worth continuing to work through other life skills and obedience training, like the ones we offer in the Zigzag app. Not only does this keep their mind fresh, but it’ll also make you look like a total pro at the park. Having them nail complex tricks will definitely make people think you’re some sort of dog-whispering magician!

Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview on when to start teaching your puppy anything next.

While this guide is designed to give you the full picture in blog format, it’s much easier to follow your puppy’s actual training journey day by day in the free Zigzag app.

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