German Shepherd Commands In German
Training

17 German Shepherd Commands In German – Complete With Audio

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Welcome to our complete list of German Shepherd commands in German. Knowing these is essential for training your dog to be obedient. This list includes beginner, intermediate and advanced commands for your GSD. We will also provide audio files for most of the pronunciations in the German language!

There are two main types of commands when training in obedience. You will be using hand signals and word commands. This article will only be addressing all of the verbal commands needed to train your dog. These are the most important and will teach your GSD how to behave properly. Without further ado, here is the list!

Basic German Shepherd Commands In German:

Hier:

EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
ComeHier

Instructions:

This basic command is used to get your German Shepherd to come forward towards you. It is very straight forward and simple to train. To begin, make sure you are somewhere free of any distractions. Show your GSD a treat at a distance. Lure your dog towards you with the treat in your hand. Reward him/her with the treat when he/she comes to you. Do this several times and then start saying the word “Hier” when your dog walks towards you. Repeat the process until your dog can come without using a treat.

Platz:

GSD Lying Down In Platz Position
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
DownPlatz

Instructions:

This basic command teaches your GSD to get into the down position on their stomach. Similar to “hier,” you want to entice them with a treat. Start by holding the treat a couple of feet in front of them on the ground. Then lure them down onto the ground in front of you. Let them smell the treat if you have to. After they get into the proper position, say the word “Platz” and reward them with the treat. Repeat this several times. Practice this command from sitting and standing positions.

Voraus:

German Shepherd Command Go Out Voraus
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
Go OutVoraus

Instructions:

This command trains your GSD to leave the area they are currently in. It can be used for several different reasons including sending your dog out to retrieve game during hunting or just to leave the situation if small children are around. It is also useful for redirecting bad behaviors.

Start in an area where the treat will be clearly visible on the floor or ground. The driveway is a good place just make sure your they are on a leash. With your dog next to you, let him/her smell the treat and then throw it up to 10 feet away, simultaneously pointing your index finger in the same direction.

Praise him/her when they walk over to the treat. Once they eat it, tell them to “hier” and get them to come back to you. Repeat the training several times until you can point, say “Voraus” and your dog goes out without actually throwing the treat. Once he/she starts to walk out, toss them the treat. Repeat this extending the distance each time until they can go the full 10 feet.

Nein:

EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
NoNein

Instructions:

This is an essential training command for your GSD and usually one that dogs learn on their own due to circumstances. Simply tell them “Nein” with a firm tone when they are misbehaving. Don’t yell or scream at them or they will be scared of you.

Once they stop the bad behavior and look at you, redirect their attention with something more appropriate. For instance, if they are chewing on your furniture, say no to stop them and then offer them one of their chew toys or a treat.

Sitz:

Man Instructing GSD To Sit Sitz
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
SitSitz

Instructions:

This is one of the first commands most dogs learn and one of the easiest to teach. Take a treat and let your dog smell it. Then slowly raise it above their head. Your German Shepherd should respond by lifting his/her head up and hopefully sitting down.

Reward your dog with the treat as soon as he/she sits down. Continue to repeat the process until your GSD understands the command. Now that he/she is sitting down for the treat, use the word “Sitz” instead of the treat.

Bleib:

Man Directing German Shepherd To Stay Put Bleib
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Text)
StayBleib(bly’b)

Instructions:

“Bleib” is the German command for training your dog to “stay” put and not move or follow you. Although still basic, it may take a bit more work than some of the others. Begin training by starting him/her off in a sitting position. Then start slowly walking backward. If your GSD stays put, give him/her a food reward.

Now try the same thing but instead of the treat, say the word “Bleib.” Once they can stay put when you start backing up, reward him/her with a treat. Remember to use small lean treats and use less and less as the training goes on. Gradually increase the distance until your dog can stay put for up to 10 seconds.

Anhalten:

EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
StopAnhalten

Instructions:

Like Stay, the “Anhalten” command, can take some patience and timing to get it right. It will teach your German Shepherd to be completely still close up and from a distance. We recommend using a lead. To begin, tell your GSD to stay. Then walk away from him/her to a distance of approximately 30 feet.

Turn around facing your dog but avoid making eye contact so he/she isn’t motivated to run towards you. Now call your dog. Once they start to move, step forward, raise up your hand with the palm facing them and say the word “Anhalten” using a strong firm voice.

Repeat until they learn to stop on your command. Go over to them and reward them with a treat. Make sure to not call them over to your right after they stop so they don’t get confused. Once they get it down good, start to extend the distance to your liking.

Now you can work on adding a second command after they stop. You can teach them some of the previous commands like down, sit or stay. This is great for keeping them out of danger in certain situations.

So Ist Brav:

Man Training GSD Good Praise So Ist Brav
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
Good (Praise)So Ist Brav

Instructions:

“So Ist Brav” is another basic command in German that teaches your dog that they are responding with the appropriate behavior. It is usually used to reaffirm them successfully obeying another command.

To teach your GSD “Good,” tell them to sit. As soon as your dog’s butt touches the ground, say the word “So Ist Brav” and give them some praise with a nice smile. You want them to learn that this is a positive word. Make the command short and concise without turning the word into a long drawn out yes.

Intermediate German Shepherd Commands In German:

Kriechen:

EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
CrawlKriechen

Instructions:

“Kriechen” is an intermediate command in German that teaches your dog to crawl on his/her belly on the floor or ground towards you. To begin, command your GSD to get into the down or “Platz” position. Tell him/her to stay. Reward him/her with a treat.

Now put a treat in your hand and lure your dog forward by holding it a few inches in front of his/her nose but close to the ground. Get them to follow the treat as you move back a little. As soon as they crawl forward, reward them with some quick praise and a treat.

Repeat this but start to increase the distance a little each time. Once your dog can crawl a few feet successfully, start saying the word “Kriechen” and get him/her to crawl forward, slowly moving back with the treat.

Once your German Shepherd has done this several times, you are ready for the next step. Get your dog into the down position and take a few steps back. Give your dog the “Kriechen” command and get them to crawl forward. If your GSD fails, go back to the previous step. If your dog succeeds, continue the process but without the food reward.

Bring

Male Dog Handler Teaching German Shepherd Fetch Stick
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
FetchBring

Instructions:

“Bring” is the German word to teach your German Shepherd fetch. This is one of the most basic commands that your dog should learn early on in their training. Begin by throwing a ball, stick or toy and getting your GSD to chase it. It may take a little encouragement but stay patient.

Praise or reward him/her for chasing the object. Repeat this several times. You can start with a short distance and keep increasing the length until he/she reaches approximately 30 feet. You can give your dog a little extra incentive by holding him/her back while you throw it. After a few seconds, release them and they should bolt for the object.

The next step is to get them to bring the object back to you. Call them back to you and praise and reward them if they successfully bring the object back to you. If you are having trouble getting him/her to come back, show them another toy.

Once they run back to grab the second toy, they should drop the original toy and take off after the second one. Repeat this process several times. Once they have this down, say the word “Bring” as you throw the object. When they successfully bring it back, praise and reward them for being obedient.

Fuss:

Male Dog Handler Dictating GSD To Heel Fuss
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
HeelFuss

Instructions:

“Fuss” is the German command for heeling on the left. This is the most common side and usually the preferred choice in competitions.

Begin by walking around either inside your house or outdoors. Call your GSD’s name and point to your left side, getting him/her to walk with you on that side. The moment your GSD comes to your side, say “Yes” and give them a food reward.

After several repetitions you can stop calling and pointing to your side. Let him/her walk over to you all by themself. Reward them. Now start increasing the difficulty level. Start walking in different patterns such as zig-zag and faster forcing him to lose his position and keep up, making his/her way back to the “Fuss” position.

Once they have this down, start walking and say the word “Fuss” to get them to heel on your left side without calling their name or pointing to your side. Repeat the process.

Gib Laut:

EnglishGermanPronunciation (Text)
Speak (Bark)Gib Laut(gheblout)

Instructions:

The command “Gib Laut” is used to get your GSD to bark or speak if you will. German Shepherds are fairly vocal so this shouldn’t be a problem. To begin, get your dog excited enough to bark. You can run around and even start jumping in you have to.

The instant your GSD barks, say the words “Gib Laut” and give them praise, a food reward or their toy. Continue the process several times making sure to only reward them when you ask them to bark. Also make sure that you only reward them for a single bark. You don’t want them barking several times.

Hopp:

EnglishGermanPronunciation (Text)
JumpHopp(hooop)

Instructions:

The command “Hopp” is used to teach your GSD to jump over objects. This is used a lot in obstacle courses as well as Schutzhund training. To begin, set up an obstacle in your yard that allows you to adjust the height. Start out at maybe an inch or two high.

Take your German Shepherd over to the hurdle and stand with him/her. Get his/her attention by holding out a treat. Let him/her smell it and then use an arching motion over the hurdle. Encourage him/her to jump over the hurdle saying the word “Hopp.”

This isn’t the easiest command so don’t get discouraged if it takes your GSD a day or two to get it. Stay patient and eventually he/she will make the jump. If you are still having trouble, you can jump over the obstacle yourself to inspire your dog.

Reward your dog with praise and a treat when he/she successfully makes it over the hurdle. Repeat the process until your GSD can jump over the obstacle on command. Repeat the process increasing the height each time. Now practice the jump with a little bit of a running start. Continue until your German Shepherd can run and jump over the obstacle successfully.

Ruhig:

Owner Telling Young German Shepherd Dog Quiet Ruhig
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Text)
QuietRuhig(roo-hig)

Instructions:

“Ruhig” is the German command used for getting your GSD to be quiet when they are barking. It is commonly used by the police to keep their dogs from alerting any criminals during an apprehension. First find something that makes your dog bark. Your doorbell is a great option because you can control the scenario.

To begin, hold a treat under your GSD’s nose. Now ring the doorbell and say the word “Ruhig.” Reward your dog when he/she stops barking. Repeat this several times until your dog can stay quiet on command.

Advanced German Shepherd Commands In German:

Fass:

Male Dog Handler Mandating GSD To Bite Fass
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Text)
BiteFass(fass)

Instructions:

“Fass” is the command to get your German Shepherd to bite an object. This is very advanced and we recommend a professional trainer in your area if you don’t have a lot of experience. Most owners want to teach their GSD how to stop biting. This is mainly used for police dogs or sport.

Wache:

EnglishGermanPronunciation (Audio)
Guard (Alert)Wache

Instructions:

“Wache” is the more advanced version of the German command “Gib Laut” or speak. This teaches a dog to guard the house or premises with an alert bark. To do this, a dog will have to be able to distinguish between a normal bark and an alert bark. We recommend finding a professional trainer for guard dog training if you want to implement this with your GSD.

Such:

Man Teaching German Shepherd Command Search Or Such
EnglishGermanPronunciation (Text)
SearchSuch(suuch)

Instructions:

“Such” trains your German Shepherd to search for an object and is considered advanced. Start by playing some fetch with your dog to get him/her excited about their toy. Now tell your GSD to sit or stay. You can use a leash if you need to keep him/her from following you while you place the toy.

Let your dog see the toy in your hand and then place the toy on the ground up to 10 feet away from your GSD. Make sure they can see where you placed it and walk back over to them.

Now say the command “Such” encouraging your German Shepherd to go and search for the toy. If your dog is on a leash, hold it while they go and grab the toy hopefully bringing it back to you. If your dog needs a little help, run over to the toy with him/her and get them to follow you back.

Once they have mastered this, you can increase the difficulty level and start hiding the toy. Start by hiding it close by and gradually extend the distance. You can up the level by using distractions. Eventually you can work your way up to searching a big field.

German Shepherd Command Tips:

  1. Use a clear, firm tone but never scream or yell at your GSD.
  2. Be consistent and train your dog for 10-15 minutes each day.
  3. Use small non-fatty dog treats to keep your dog lean and healthy.
  4. Make a list of the commands you want to teach your GSD and make a progress chart
  5. Don’t rush your dog and let them learn at their own pace.

Basic Training Equipment Needed:

There are lots of training tools for more advanced commands but to begin teaching your German Shepherd, you can start out with the basics.

  1. A short heavy-duty reflective leash with a padded handle that is 5-6 feet long.
  2. A long lightweight lead that is at least 20 feet long.
  3. A safe breakaway collar that will save your dog from getting caught or strangled.
  4. Plenty of small healthy non-fatty dog treats for reward.
  5. Plenty of your dog’s favorite chew toys.

In Closing:

Teaching these commands can be tough and you will need a lot of patience. But it can also be a lot of fun. GSDs are highly intelligent animals with an extremely high trainability. So, if your dog is ever having trouble learning a certain obedience command, don’t rush them and give them time to learn it. They will pick it up eventually. The German Shepherd’s brain is amazing and they are the third smartest ranked dog on the planet.

Please leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Do you have any personal experience with teaching any commands in German? Is there a command you would like to see added to the list? Let us know! We would love to hear your ideas!

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