The raising and training of a German Shepherd (or any other breed) are not areas that can be thoroughly covered in this space. There are many books and websites devoted to these areas and suggested references will be mentioned below.

First and foremost, dog ownership is a responsibility. A sound German Shepherd makes an excellent companion and training prospect. An unsound German Shepherd is a disaster waiting to happen. Temperament is inherited, a direct result of the dog's breeding, and along with environment, determines what kind of companion you will end up with through training. Purchase your German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder.

Just as humans are not born well-behaved, neither are puppies. We've all seen the results of children who have not had adequate parenting. And we've all seen dogs who were not adequately trained. Just as with children, patience, persistence and consistency are the key concepts.

Almost all "behavior problems" are perfectly normal canine activities that occur at the wrong time or place or are directed at the wrong object. The puppy or dog will eliminate on the carpet instead of outside. The puppy or dog will chew on furniture or shoes instead of his or her own toys. The key to preventing or treating behavior problems is teaching the dog to redirect his natural behavior to outlets that are acceptable in your home.

Ideally, once you have committed to responsible dog ownership you will sign up for an obedience class. Taking a class is a lot more productive than training by yourself. Training a puppy or dog is as much training you as it is teaching the dog. If you can't find the time for a class, you will find it very difficult to make the time for proper training. Obedience training should be fun and rewarding for both you and your puppy or dog. At the very least, it will make living together far more enjoyable.

Remember that if you don't work on what you learned in class at home, it won't do you much good. Two sessions of five or ten minutes of training on a daily basis is the minimum amount of time to spend. Bring your expectations of polite behavior into everyday life. Many commands can be reinforced in connection with ordinary household activities. Be sure to engage in daily bonding activities such as teaching your puppy or dog tricks, playing games, and grooming.

Below are some tips for training and a few books that you may find helpful.

• Start the training of your puppy or dog as soon as you get him or her. If you wait, the puppy or dog will pick up bad habits that have to be un-learned.
• Make sure you have the proper equipment (leashes, collars, etc.), rewards, methodology, and attitude (patient and ready to praise sincerely) before you begin.
• Don't ask a dog to do something and not follow through. When you give a command, follow through and enforce it.
• Always use your dog's name in a positive way. Do not use it in conjunction with reprimands.
• Make sure the dog knows what you want and how to comply with the command.
• Never train your dog when you're feeling grouchy or impatient.
• Try to prevent misbehaving rather than punishing your puppy or dog after the fact.
• One command equals one response. Give your puppy or dog only one command maximum of one repetition to be sure he or she heard, then gently enforce it. Repeating commands tunes your dog out and makes him believe you are bluffing.
• Dogs do not understand maybe or sometimes. They only understand always or never. It cannot be okay for your puppy or dog to jump up on you only when you have old clothes on. They do not know the difference.
• Children can undo all the work an adult has done in training the puppy because a small child is neither firm nor consistent with the pup.
• When selecting an obedience class, make sure that you have at least one reputable recommendation for a particular trainer.
• For more on why and how to train your puppy or dog, visit Gwen Bohnenkamp at Perfect Paws or Robin Kovary at the American Dog Trainers Network site.
• Visit the American Dog Trainers Network for tips on selecting a training class.
• The home page for the American Dog Trainers Network is a comprehensive resource center for dog owners.
• For additional information, visit Pam Young, LVT, an obedience/agility instructor and dog behavior consultant at Dog Training Basics
• Katie Greer at Agility Ability also has good information on basic dog training, whether or not you are thinking about agility work in the future.
• There are many other sites with basic puppy and dog training information. Just search on the phrase "basic dog training" and you'll be on your way.

The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller who has been a dog trainer for over 30 years. She is a leading proponent of positive dog training techniques, and her columns on training are regularly read by thousands in publications such as Whole Dog Journal. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), an organization dedicated to the promotion of positive dog training. She also is the founder of Peaceable Paws Dog & Puppy Training.

The Other End of the Leash by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D. ~ The Other End of the Leash shares a revolutionary, new perspective on our relationship with dogs, focusing on our behavior in comparison with that of dogs. An applied animal behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell looks at humans as just another interesting species and muses about why we behave the way we do around our dogs, how dogs might interpret our behavior, and how to interact with our dogs in ways that bring out the best in our four-legged friends.

Training Your German Shepherd Dog by Dan Rice ~ Virtually every aspect of training is covered, including housebreaking and paper training, basic obedience, teaching the animal to obey both verbal commands and hand signals, retrieving, and walking on a leash. Also covered are humane methods of breaking a dog's bad habits, such as begging, jumping on people, unnecessary barking, and biting or showing other forms of aggressive behavior. Training the German Shepherd Dog begins with praise and other associative learning methods. The author advises owners on setting realistic goals. Filled with instructive full-color photos.

Training the German Shepherd Dog by John Cree ~ Expert advice and guidance for all German Shepherd owners. Whether you have ambitions to enter your dog in competition or merely wish to strengthen your partnership with a pet, this book will enable you to make the most of the exceptional intelligence and character that is typical of the breed. Covering all aspects of training, and with a strong emphasis on understanding the breed's psyche, this book is a comprehensive and invaluable companion for all GSD enthusiasts and trainers, both novice and experienced. John Cree has also written Understanding the German Shepherd Dog (see below).

Understanding the German Shepherd Dog by John Cree is for all those who share their lives with a German Shepherd dog. More than a simple training manual, and more than a study of the Shepherd's psychology, it is both a highly readable insight into the character of the breed and a heartfelt tribute to a truly remarkable animal. Draws on the author's experience as a lifelong owner and trainer of GSD's, using real examples, considers the ways in which the breed's typical characteristics can manifest themselves, and the factors that can influence them. An important reference for the new owner and a fresh insight for the experienced owner or trainer.