The mere fact that your German Shepherd understands you at all is already quite impressive, but would your dog respond better to your commands if they were in German? Would they be able to understand it better than other languages?
German Shepherds are intelligent dogs that will respond to the German language if trained to do so. Dogs, in general, will respond to whatever language or words you often use or chose to use in their training. Using the German language for dog training is not specific to the German Shepherd breed.
So what is it exactly that gets your German Shepherd, or any dog, to take heed? The wonderful thing you should note is that dogs are adaptable, and with the right kind of attention, they will be able to follow your lead quite easily. German Shepherds are exceptionally terrific pets to have, no matter what language you use in your household.
Do Dogs Respond Better To German Commands?
German is a popular language for trainers to use for training dogs. German is said to contain words that are short and potent – perfect for commands for your dog. Dogs need specific terms without unnecessary bits and bobs. Straightforward phrases like: “Stay,” “Fetch,” and “Outside” work better than full-on sentences when communicating with your pet.
That said, it’s not necessarily true that dogs respond to German command better just because the language leans towards the more strong-sounding. Yes – German can sound quite assertive, and it could be an excellent language to use for dog training. Still, it is entirely up to you as the owner in which language you want to train your dog.
Dogs respond to you and if you are comfortable in the German language, then teach your canine to “Gib Laut!”. Teaching them to “Bark!” will be just as effective, though. You are in control of your voice and speech and how bold your command voice is. Teach your puppy the exact firm-sounding words in English, and the result should be the same.
If you choose the solid German language for training, the only requirement is to prepare your dog in German from the day you make it a part of your family. It’s essential to train your puppy in a language comfortable to you and anyone interacting with your dog. You need to be assertive and sure of yourself; otherwise, your dog will become confused.
Why Are They Called German Shepherds?
Having some insight into the German Shepherd breed’s history could clarify some confusion regarding the German Shepherd naming and why these dogs don’t necessarily respond to the German language.
As the name suggests, German Shepherds originated in Germany in the 19th century. The “German” in German Shepherd is not a reference to language, like humans. It simply indicates the origin of the breed, just like the Maltese Poodle breed originated in Malta.
Their primary use was that of local shepherd dogs. Still, their loyal and courageous character gained them popularity across the world. They soon became known as brilliant watch and guard dogs. German Shepherds also proved to be superb companions to humans. The breed spread across the globe, and today they are one of the top family dogs in the USA.
Do Dogs Actually Respond To A Human Language?
Do you think you have the walk to go with the talk to get your pup’s tail wagging or, on the other extreme, head lowering in shame? Knowing what makes your dog react to you can make communicating a lot easier for you and your dog. Let’s get acquainted with the basics of dog-talk.
Here’s the thing about dogs: they do not understand any specific human-created language. They hear sounds coming from your mouth and react in the associated manner as they see fit. Trained dogs will respond appropriately. Untrained dogs will respond in whatever way your body language tells them to – which could lead to them seeming disobedient.
And that’s the big secret. A dog’s language is body language associated with certain sounds and tone of voice. In a dog’s mind, we are gravely disabled: we walk on our hind legs all day and have no moving ears or wagging tails. They rely solely on our hand gestures and voice for communication.
Based on this body language and tone of voice insight, it’s clear to understand why Maltese Poodles, for example, can also understand commands in German and not just Maltese. German Shepherds, similarly, will get it if you communicate with them in a language like Spanish, Urdu or Korean.
Do You Need To Train Your Dog In A Specific Language?
Dogs have become life partners to many people and families. They have indeed become a part of the family and are always happy to see you. A lot of that family feeling has to do with the understanding between you and your dog.
Undoubtedly, many scientific studies look at the connection between a dog’s brain and the human language. It’s a crucial part of the daily life of dog owners and dogs in general. It is, however, not necessary to dig into the sciences to wrap your head around the dog-human language connection.
Having an obedient dog is a joy for the whole community. Getting your dog to that point can be time-consuming. Your pup will already be used to the language you speak in your household, so training it in that same language is usually the most effective option.
Training needs to be consistent, and you should feel confident in your ability to command your dog. As mentioned already, it is not required to use any specific language because dogs don’t necessarily understand the human language itself. Use a language that makes sense to you, and it will make sense to your dog too.
German Shepherds are good guard dogs, which was probably one factor that played a role when you decided on this specific breed. If you are comfortable with it, train your dog in a foreign language to your surroundings.
German could be a brilliant language to use in training your German Shepherd or any other watchdog. Your dog obeying commands in a foreign language to your surroundings guarantees that the culprit trying to harm you will not be demanding any attention from the dog. The only attention they will face is the vicious barking to scare them off.
Well-trained German Shepherds are very obedient dogs. Apart from scaring off the baddies, you might want to show yours off at obedience competitions. Commanding them in German or another foreign language could help keep your pup’s attention to only you.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherds are bright and intelligent. Originating in Germany two centuries ago doesn’t mean they only respond to the German language. It simply refers to precisely that: their origin. Naturally, a German Shepherd trained in German will react to the German commands.
German Shepherds are easy to train and fiercely loyal. Be consistent in your training, and you will have a very obedient furry best friend for life. Choose a language that you are comfortable with to train your dog in from the start, and stick to it. Teach any dominant person in your dog’s life the same commands in the language you chose for training.
Dog trainers may prefer training dogs in the German language because of its strong and straightforward words, but that doesn’t mean that your dog will respond better to it. You can train your dog to follow commands in a language that is native to you.
Ultimately, dogs do not understand any human-speaking language. What they do understand is the sounds that come from your mouth and the associated body language. Your tone of voice will mean a lot more to the receiving ears than the actual word you say.