Your thoughts on German commands - Page 1

I have never trained in schutzhund before but have a young pup I hope to do some work with. I intend to train using English commands which although perfectly acceptable seems from my limited knowledge to be an option not taken by many despite the fact most of us are not German. I realise it can be a novelty or maybe there are other reasons but dog training is difficult enough without doing it in a language that is not our own. I wouldn't speak Irish to an Irish Wolfhound or Belgian to a Belgian Shepherd so why German to a German Shepherd ?. Please don't jump all over me for this I know many prefer to use German commands which I have no issue with as it is a personal choice I just don't follow the reasoning behind the popularity of it and why so many feel that when they start in Schutzhund they have to Google German commands to keep in with the rest of the club members. All thoughts welcome.

John.

The people who I know that use German commands have dogs that have been imported from German and therefore its easier to all the dogs on one system rather than switch back to English for some dogs and German for others.

Another benefit I have found for using alternative commands as many others cant mess with your dog when you are trying to tell them something.  Also when getting our dogs to "speak" I always use something different as it is not something I want others doing.

Thx never thought about someone else giving commands to your dog I always assumed it was just a follow the crowd reason for using another language.

I think the words are generally shorter, I would rather say "Revier" than something like, "Blind search" or "Find." IMO, they are usually shorter.

Another reason I use them is because they are my dog's "Formal Commands". Whenever I use German, they know they have to do it immediately, because it's training time. While just sitting around in the house, I can tell my dogs to just "Be quiet", and "Go lay down." Just simpler in my opinion.

-Emily.

you wouldn't speak Belgian to a Belgian shepherd because the speak Flemish and French in Belgium not Belgian :p

If your dog will obey commands given by a total stranger, you've probably got a golden retriever, not a GSD!

Just my opinion...

I think those using the German commands do it more for the sake of tradition, or because they want people to think they have a high-priced German import...

Hi russgroves

There always has to be one smart axx to all replys on this. Do they speak English in America or is it American?I dont think that was what chkm8 was getting at.Beepy & My gsdRebel have given very valid reasons to your question.There is also another ansewer I would give.There are those pathetic people in the show scene that think if they speak German to their dogs in the ring that foreign Judges might think that their exhibit is a German Dog & it might give them an advantage when the exhibit is placed

Regards

Ally

Ally - I hadnt thought of that one - but then I dont show enough for that to be a consideration!

Ja doch! You can train your dog with words from any language-use what you feel is appropriate. I guess the only guidance I can offer is that the dog should be trained to "come" or "stay" using words that people normally use. This will help the veterinary staff who have to deal with the dog.

Language choice aside, the command words of choice (a) should never be more than two (2) syllables, (b) have a unique sound, and (c) should not be words used in everyday speech in the household. It is for this reason one should never use the word(s) "Bad!" or "Bad dog!" to correct the behaviour of a dog. A preferable word in this case is "Pfui!" as it is not one the dog will hear often unless it is directed at him. An intelligent dog can learn several different words for the same command. 

But, if the dog is used for Schutzhund sport, then it would be appropriate to train the dog with the words used on the field. I think that stands to reason, as the dog may have more than one (1) handler in his career. If there is nothing else, at least there is consistency.

Regards, and good luck,

Bob-O

 Another reason to use a second language is to use one off-field and in the house, and use a second one on the field and in training. However, if one butchers the languages one uses, as so many do, it is probably just better to stick with English. There is no requirement for you to use anything but the native language commands.