I want to train my dog in protection (gsd) any suggestions on what language to use. I heard that this type of dog responds better to german language. any insight? thanks

The dog responds best to something the handler can be consistent with. There is no best language to use. You can teach your dog to sit when you say cheese if you so choose!

Deanna, I just wanted to compliment you on your dogs. It's nice to see GSDs that aren't walking on their haunches.

I have trained mine in german, its common the decoys understand the trainers too. I am coincidering french on my new pup????? it personal prefrance. the dog understands the body language better than the words....

I always thought it'd be intesting for someone to teach their dog in Klingon... It really doesn't matter. They don't know language.

The nice thing about a language other than English is that most people won't know it and therefore won't do that annoying thing that some strangers do where they try to give your dog commands.

I know that some people involved in competition work will use German for the formal exercise commands that require speed and/or precision and use English for daily, basic commands.

 Quote: Amber Morgan

The nice thing about a language other than English is that most people won't know it

Amber, dear friend, you are assuming the OP lives in the United States. !

Good point...I should have said "native language." How very un-PC of me!

I have trained one of my GSD's in English (native language....trying to be PC for Judy), German, and football. Started to train in Spanish but have had to retire him from competition. I use several different command styles just so when in competition the decoys can't try to trick the dog by giving the commands. I started the football commands just as a joke but decided it might be useful. So as one of the previous posters stated you can train the dog in just about any language you prefer. BUT you might want to use what you are most comfortable with, because if you have to use the dog in a stressful situation you do not want to forget what commands to use. Don't want to waste time trying to remember what you need to say.
Good Luck
Terry

Judy and Amber: you two are a constant source of amusement for me. I thank you

Excellent point about using a more uncommon language to prevent the annoyance of having people ordering your dog around.

I've trained my dog mostly in English because I like the big difference in intonation/inflection of the commands (for example, "sit" and "dooowwnn" are very distinct sounds, easy even for a young puppy to tell the difference).

I also love the COME because it has a much harder, snappier sound than "hier" in German.

I am using the German "voraus" and "brings" as well, so I pick and choose which commands I like from different languages


Oh, and I use "bark" because it tends to excite the dog much more than the German "gib laut"... maybe because "bark" sounds more like a dog's bark. I tried for two days to get my dog (teasing him with a ball while he was back-tied) to bark with "gib laut" but failed.
I then tried "bark" and he picked it up in about 15 seconds.

I tried doing the exact same thing with "gib laut" again but he just looked at me funny

Oh well, I use what works. As cool as the German commands sound, I sometimes choose to stick to the English (or French or Japanese, whatever) because the particular sound appears to be easier for the dog to learn for a particular exercise.

This is just what I've noticed with my own dogs and I don't know if any of what I just wrote makes any sense.

Probably not - feel free to ignore my ramblings