Training language - Page 1

Hey everyone. I'm getting ready to get a second German Shepherd, and had a question about using a different language for training. Our current boy is trained in German, and I'm wondering if it would be helpful to train our next dog in a different language so I can focus on having one dog obey a specific command (and not both of them) even when I'm with both dogs.

Thoughts?

I believe it would save your dogs from getting confused when you ask one to do something and you don't want the other to do it. I trained my dogs in different languages for this reason, but the release command is "okay" for both and ... It has caused some confusion, but nothing major.

"Okay" is never such a great idea for a release command for any dog; too commonly used by their human in every other sphere ! (Having said that, I have often fallen into the same trap myself ).

I think they learned to generalize it since it's used so often. They know the difference between me saying "okay" to a person and "okay" to release them.

Thanks for the replies. Btw, I've found the German word "los" (pronounced with a long "o" and sharp "s") to be a nice release command. It has the loose meaning of "go", and doesn't sound like any English word.

You could teach them in different languages and a common one in case you want to work them together.

Have always taught mine in both English and German (as well as hand signals) and have never had any problems.  Usually when working one the other is in a stay at a distance but if I think they may break I will give the stay hand signal directed toward that dog.  Depends on your circumstances and how you are going to work them.  With me I work them more together than separately.

Dogs are very SIMPLE thinking...DON'T confuse yourself...

~Bob~

2 dogs, one trained in dutch, one in german. One is now almost 9, the other just turned 6. From working and training around each other, they have both learned the others commands and will respond appropriately lol. It is more in the way the command is spoken, then the actual command. Food for thought.

I always though German was very impressive sounding and definitely if pronounced correctly does give some impact on the command; however whatever you chose to use be very consistent now and forever. Do not create a problem for your dog or other family members...with a different language. Also just food for thought. My current boy is trained in English as the hub's can't remember German commands or I really should say, does not want to remember German.

Another thought is that if for some reason you get separated from your dog, hopefully never, but it does happen; most people would not be able to help him or her if trained in another language and he/she would not be able to understand them. Nan

Listen to Q and Melba...
In case you really want to train them together, teach them to listen to their name, like "Hasso, sit", "Inka, stay"...
Dogs are able to learn pretty fast, they react to pronounciation, hand signals, and body language, the "word" in itself is not that important, as long as the handler doesn´t change.