kinkeebug asked:
i’ve heard many times that training your dog with German commands is better and easier for the dog. some people claim that the intonation and pronunciation of German is somehow easier for dogs to get. is this true? i have a beautiful pitbull girl, who’s very sweet and an overall very good dog. she’s been acting up lately, chewed up a pillow, not coming when i call and not dropping her toy when i tell her too. any videos or websites anybody recommends? all genuine good advice is welcome and appreciated. thanx in advance!
thank you sooo much guys, i’ve got mixed responses but overall says german is better. i’ll try some tips you guys gave. if not, german it is. thanks again! wunderbar!
Julio
i’ve heard many times that training your dog with German commands is better and easier for the dog. some people claim that the intonation and pronunciation of German is somehow easier for dogs to get. is this true? i have a beautiful pitbull girl, who’s very sweet and an overall very good dog. she’s been acting up lately, chewed up a pillow, not coming when i call and not dropping her toy when i tell her too. any videos or websites anybody recommends? all genuine good advice is welcome and appreciated. thanx in advance!
thank you sooo much guys, i’ve got mixed responses but overall says german is better. i’ll try some tips you guys gave. if not, german it is. thanks again! wunderbar!
Julio
Delores
i hav actually heard they way Germans speak is easierfoe dogs. like Das ist Bad to say it was bad
Comment by levonn381 — May 23, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Tina
Yes,they say it is best.We hired someone to train our dogs and somtimes they taught our dogs in German.It really works.
Comment by Ashley Tisdale's Neighbor — May 26, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
Chester
Dogs generally have an easier time distinguishing sharp and/or guttural sounds, which is why you’ve heard that German is better.
However, changing your language won’t turn your dog into Lassie. She can distinguish your words and hear you just fine from across the room.
One thing about training in another language is that other people can’t command your dog around. In one way it’s good, but in other ways, who cares? Dogs are smart enough not to run up to every stranger just because he says come. And there might be a situation (like if you’re injured) that a stranger and your dog would benefit if the stranger could give your dog familiar commands.
Changing the language might make a slight difference, but I don’t think hugely. I think that German may be more useful for people who work their dogs over long distances (certain sports, herding, police work, etc.) and in activities where obedience has to be instantaneous (like police and protection work). The dog might be able to make out the words better from a distance or when he’s in high drive. Then again, many trainers of all of the above sports use English perfectly well.
Comment by Cleoppa — May 29, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Douglas
Yes it is easier.Believe it or not.They are use and more successful and easier training when you are teaching them German.Most cops make their canines learn german.It is easier and they will respond better to your commands.Thx
Comment by StingWrestler — June 1, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Angel
Sorry, but that is so stupid. Dogs don’t understand any human languages, so it doesn’t really matter what language you teach them in. If you say it enough, they will eventually get it!!!
Comment by mommies_little_nerd — June 5, 2009 @ 4:15 am
Sylvia
Comment by greekman — June 7, 2009 @ 1:44 am
Samantha
I don’t know. My dog responds to English, Spanish, and hand signals equally well. She’s a smart Beagle. However, I think some of it has to do with how you train your dog.
Comment by la buena bruja — June 7, 2009 @ 5:25 am
Jackie
Jawöhl, mein führer!
Comment by Nine Crimes — June 8, 2009 @ 10:50 am
Ellen
Commands with words that end in a hard a or o like no as opposed to stop or ya instead of come and naming you dog Ava or Leo seems to have better response but if you don’t speak German all the time it may not really be a good idea
Comment by Charles C — June 10, 2009 @ 11:33 am
Virginia
It is easier, but only if you speak German. I would train the dog in english. Pits are very smart, and she will learn quickly.
Comment by Go Spurs Go — June 13, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
Emma
its more about tone than what you say.. using a upbeat tone and saying good puppy, good girl, good boy is just as effective as saying it in anyother language.. dont confuse the dog by training it that NO is the word for something bad and then teaching it something totally different in german. go with one or the other NOT BOTH. Training isnt instant it takes hard work. and sometimes a professional needs to get involved.
Good luck!
Comment by ChrissyLicious — June 15, 2009 @ 11:03 pm
Brett
Just speaking clearly helps your dog understand the commande
I have herd that German is better but I have also herd and read that if you speak clearly and farm that it doesn’t matter what language you speak.
Comment by K.C — June 17, 2009 @ 6:50 am
Donald
Please, don’t even think about it.
If you can’t afford proper classes, get several good books on basic dog training and behavior.
Look at it as a long time investment in your dog.
If you fvck up the training it matters not if it’s in english or german.
Comment by Rahaaa — June 17, 2009 @ 9:00 pm
Carolyn
It doesn’t matter what language you use if your method of training isn’t working. The only time I recommend switching back and forth between languages is when English commands start sounding like each other, like Down and Bow, or if you yourself are fluent in another language.
If your dog is ‘acting up’, the problem can be solved very simply:
#1 – Exercise! The most important thing you can do for any dog is to give it enough exercise. Here’s how you know if your dog has had enough exercise – sit down on a couch and try to watch the TV. If your dog is pacing, in your face, and obviously antsy, get up and go jog with her. If your dog is sound asleep on her dog bed, exercise isn’t the issue (which is a good thing on your part). Which means you should…
#2 – Obedience train. As sweet as your pittie is, she’s not totally obedience trained. And, as hurtful to our pride as it is, we oftentimes have to take two steps back and reinforce simple commands. Take your dog on a long leash and walk forward. Randomly run back the other way, and when the dog is following you, say Come! or Recall!. When she gets to you, click and treat her. Repeat repeat repeat in all situations and at all times of the day. For giving up toys, give her a stuffed toy. Let her hold it. Then, hold a yummy piece of meat in front of her nose and say Give or Drop It. She’ll let go of the toy and you reward her with the meat. Soon, you can take away the food and the behavior will be rock solid. Hope that helps you! =)
Comment by 3DogMom — June 20, 2009 @ 12:13 am
Cory
You can train your dog using nothing but four letter words. The neighbors might not like it, but the dog won’t care.
Comment by tom l — June 20, 2009 @ 1:53 am
Herman
I don’t know about all that, but law enforcement trains dogs with German commands so that perpetrators or other civilians are less likely to confuse the dogs by trying to give them commands.
Comment by JeN — June 21, 2009 @ 3:29 am
Clarence
German commands came with dog sport of schutzhund long time ago. Schutzhund people using it now to show respect to the Germany where their sport came from. ( Like TKD people using Korean for their martial art training)
Most Schutzhund dogs are the best trained dogs, but it’s not because German commands they using. It’s because they spend hundreds of hours training their dogs. Good trainers and helpers are also good part of well trained dogs.
You can use any command you like, as far as you know how to train your dog. In your case, finding a trainer who can help you. Every dog is different. Video, web site and books are great, but they cannot teach you how to deal with each dog’s different personality. Good luck !
Comment by novak-9 — June 21, 2009 @ 10:39 pm