Training a Large Dog

On the most basic of levels, there is not a huge difference between training a small terrier and a German Sheppard. While larger dogs provide obvious size differences, the basics of training remain the same. Repetition, positive reinforcement and patience are always necessary. The main difficulty arises, not from training a larger dog, but from the fact that a poorly trained large dog is more dangerous than a poorly trained small dog. A clear example of this can be seen when thinking about the two dogs mentioned early. A small, tea-cup sized terrier that is overly aggressive or playful, is annoying at best; they are so small that they can't really harm anyone or anything around them. The same temperament issues with a German shepherd could be catastrophic if the dog is jumping on a small child or an unknown stranger. Large dogs are also more likely to cause problems for their owner if they are not properly trained to walk on a leash.

The key for training larger dogs is to focus more on the establishment of respect. Using eye contact and a strong, deep tone will communicate to your large dog that you are the alpha male. Once they see you in the alpha position, they will respect you and therefore become much more likely to follow your directions. Once relationship lines have been created, training a large dog is not any more difficult than smaller dogs. If an owner uses consistent commands and rewards their large companion with treats, training should go fairly smoothly. In the case of many large dog breeds, they are actually better mannered than smaller breeds of dogs. Larger dogs still have a great connection to the owner, and are eagerness to please, but have a much calmer temperament than small dogs. If good habits are trained at a young age, your large breed of dog will be well-mannered and well-liked.