German Shepherd dog

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.

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.

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...

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

 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.

I use German commands on the field and then English commands around the house.  Platz mean LAY DOWN RIGHT NOW, RIGHT HERE!  Lay down means go somehwere else, and laydown (but if they just leave and not lay down, i dont care). 

Its a lot easier, for me anyways, for the dogs to know both.

Jessica Gainer

I'm gonna train my next dog using French commands because they have more sylables on average which is good for emphasis.

I use a very similar method as Jessica does....  My dogs are in the house and other people in the house may tell the dog  to do something and not care if it is slow, or maybe happens eventually or if the dog releases tiself, etc.  So, for my OB I use words that will bring the world crashing down on my husbands head if he uses them. 

You may find that just the way YOU say a specific word is enough to make the dog only obey you saying it.  I don't  say two syllables on the "hier" command.  It is short, hard, and fast.  It is somehting to think aobut when you are training and how you speak.  Don't say your words any differently than usual when it really matters.  The dog is listening and looking at you and is much more aware of what you are doing than you are....  At least that is what I have learned with myself and my dogs.

Darcy

I use German commands for formal training. However, I say "out" (instead of "aus") and "sit" (instead of "sitz") because the English commands can be said quickly and in a more "clipped" manner which results in a faster response to the commands.

There are too damned many German commands with "s" and "z" sounds to confuse the dog. I hate it in protection when a  handler says "aus" and stretches the command into  "aaaaaow-sssszzz". Geez, it's no wonder that the poor dog munches on the sleeve and is slow to out.

Actually, after watching me handle a dog in my first championship schutzhund events, one of the top competitors made this suggestion to me.

For the blind search, I also say "revier" instead of "voran", where I may easily say "voraus"--without thinking.

Pronunciation:

German is a more cut language spoken more in the throat and back of the mouth. As such it gives it a more serious tone that dogs seem to respond quickly to. English words are generally spoken at the front of the palate, and as such lack the inherent gutteral quality that German commands do.

I find that anything which allows you to say the command quick and seriously works. German, English... If you can bark out lines like a French Foreign Legion drill sargent go with that.

I used to live near Canada, learned a lot of "harsh" Quebeqois french from the truck-drivers; so I like to expand my dogs' vocab to French as well. I like the way it sounds; especially at the Canada shows *grin*

sueincc: Well especially since "voraus" is a big no-no now too.

Really? That's news to me. What the heck else do you say on the send away?

Are you perhaps thinking of the German word "packihn" used of the courage test (also, a term no longer in favor).

"Fass" is the politically incorrect word in Germany.

Chris

 There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with using the command "voraus" unless you cannot keep it straight from "voran". The only word you will find trouble with is to command the dog to bite.

I agree with Langhaar......use whatever you like as long as you are consistent and they are not everyday words. IF you intend your dog to ever be worked by someone else, it helps to be consistent with the accepted language. Others have a point, as do I, in that if something ever happens to you or the dog is lost, a dog knowing only a foreign language is often assumed to be untrained. In a rescue or shelter situation, that can work to the disadvantage of the dog.