Netizens Offer Ideas On How To Train Hyperactive German Shepherd Without Trainer Or Treats
Someone asked the internet for help training a hyperactive German Shepherd, and the replies came in hot. Not the usual “just hire a trainer” stuff, because OP specifically said no trainer and no treats.
So the comment section had to get creative fast. People talked about building a daily routine, using verbal praise and physical affection instead of snacks, and even clicking at the exact moment the dog does something right. Then there was the real-life angle: the dog needs exercise, needs mental work, and still somehow needs to learn manners at home.
And yes, one person’s “give him jobs” idea turned into the kind of plan you’d try immediately.
Here's the question that was asked to gather all of these interesting responses.
This comment definitely captured it best and provided OP with many practical ways to help them out.
Training a hyperactive German Shepherd without the use of treats or a trainer can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible. Here are some tips that may help:
Establish a routine: German Shepherds thrive on routine, so create a daily schedule that includes regular exercise, feeding times, and training sessions.
Use positive reinforcement: While you cannot use treats, you can still use positive reinforcement to reward good behavior. Praise your dog with verbal cues such as "good boy" or "good girl" and give them plenty of physical affection, such as belly rubs or scratches behind the ears.
Use a clicker: A clicker can be a useful tool for training a hyperactive dog. Click the clicker when your dog exhibits good behavior, and then follow it up with praise.
Exercise: Ensure your dog is getting enough exercise. A hyperactive dog needs plenty of activity to burn off excess energy. Take your dog for long walks, play fetch, or let them run around in a fenced yard.
Be patient: Training a hyperactive dog can be frustrating, so be patient and consistent. It may take some time, but with patience and persistence, your dog can learn to behave appropriately.
People really came in handy when it came to answering this question and sharing their opinions.
Hi! Lots of exercise—2 hours per day split into two outings if possible. Play games that involve running, jumping, frisbee, and ball catching. Socialize him safely with other dogs as much as possible; you need to try to wear him out as much as possible with a GSD. 😂
Give the dog jobs to do, like fetching slippers, socks, or a hairbrush—anything to make the dog think and stay challenged. Hide things in the house under cushions, stairs, or the settee, etc., and always reward with a small high-value treat, e.g., a small cooked piece of fresh chicken (about the size of an Oxo cube), and always praise the dog. Make him sit first before giving the treat.
Be consistent and regular with his training as much as possible; he will look forward to it.
Always be calm but firm. Set boundaries and be kind to GSDs; they don't respond well to shouting, hand-raising, or any form of aggression towards them.
Diet is definitely important. If the diet is too high in carbs, it will make the dog hyper, as carbs get converted into high blood sugar. This will make the dog hyper. Kibble is not good; it's ultra-processed junk food, convenience food with poor nutritional value.
Always wait 1 hour after vigorous exercise, especially for GSDs, before feeding the dog, as they are prone to torsion (twisted stomach), a serious condition.
Change the diet if you can to either a raw BARF diet or a home-cooked diet with fresh meat, veggies, sweet potatoes, greens, fish, sardines, boiled eggs, and crushed shells, along with some brown rice. These are the best diets.
I'm on my third GSD. I'm 68, and my current one I got as a rescue at 9 months old. He was as mad as a barrel full of monkeys. 🦙 He is now 6 years old and a balanced dog after lots of training and exercise (2+ hours a day), a good healthy diet, plenty of mental challenges, and good socialization with other people and dogs.
Hope this helps you. Good luck!
Everyone seemed to have pretty good advice on this situation.
If you seriously cannot afford training (you will also require training in how to handle a high-energy dog), it may be best to look for a new home for your dog. Not every person and every dog is well-matched.
Some high-energy dogs are best matched with a person who is a distance runner and needs a running companion. A new owner who has experience with GSDs and a large, safely fenced area would also be a good match.
You have a responsibility to your dog to find him a good owner who can handle the energy and activity this dog presents. Look for a GSD rescue group in your area to assist you in finding the right place for this dog. Some 4-H obedience training groups or agility groups might also be helpful in finding a new and improved home for your dog.
This dog is not suitable for a novice handler, except possibly under expert supervision.
Finding alternatives for rewards will be very beneficial.
Training a hyperactive German Shepherd without treats or a trainer requires patience and alternative rewards. Use praise, toys, or activities as positive reinforcement. Focus on basic commands, mental stimulation, and structured exercise.
Join our Quora Space dedicated to dog training for more tips and discussions on managing and training hyperactive dogs effectively.
The terrible twos in dogs is definitely a thing.
He's at an age where some dogs experience what is like the “terrible twos” for people. Especially large breeds can be full of energy, constantly getting into things and jumping all over people. Without training or treats, I would suggest going to a dog park or taking a long walk. Depending on the dog, a bike ride can help get some of the built-up energy out. Then work with your dog on some things you want to teach him afterward; the dog should be able to focus more after expending energy and associate his training work with the reward of going out for a walk or playing at the dog park.
OP’s no-trainer, no-treats rule set the tone, so commenters started swapping out rewards for praise, belly rubs, and clicker timing.
This is similar to canine enthusiasts coaching dogs that refuse treats, by finding what they crave.
While everyone agreed on burning energy, the best part was how specific they got about splitting exercise into two outings and stacking games like frisbee and fetch.
Then the ideas got extra practical, like hiding things under cushions and letting the dog “hunt” while staying safely social with other dogs.
Finally, someone dropped the “give the dog jobs” angle, fetching slippers and socks, and somehow that made the whole chaos feel manageable.
We feel that there are many points here that people touched on in the comments. There are definitely ways to train a dog, especially a German Shepherd, who typically has a lot of energy.
Hopefully, this helped the person asking the question.
OP might not need treats or a trainer, but that German Shepherd does need a full-time schedule.
Want a different angle on motivation, see how dog lovers chose toys over treats for training.
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