Basic commands - can you train in 2 languages?

[cooperskin]

Has anyone trained their shepherd in both English and German? What about if one person uses English and another uses German?

[angelaw]

yes, even one trained in english picked up the german commands without being taught (from the dog that learned in German) and vice versa.

[Colorado]

I had a friend who trained his Schutzhund GSD in both German and English. He did this because his wife was worried she would tell the dog to "go lie down" to get some personal space while doing laundry only to forget and find the dog in the same down an hour later.

So for his dog, "lie down" meant "Look, go lie down. If you want to get up to circle twice to get more comfortable, that's fine. If you need to get up and get a drink, that's fine." Whereas "platz" meant we are competing and/or "I am serious". His dog wouldn't get up from a platz until released (within reason--she was only a beginning Schutzhund dog).

It was like that will many commands. English meant do it but in a lazy sort of way. German meant do it NOW, do it properly. Commands that needed no "serious" counterpart were just taught in English.

[cooperskin]

Colorado - Awesome explanation, I like that. Thanks for the quick reply guys.

[ShatteringGlass]

Although Sydney isnt a GSD, she knows "Down" & "Platz" both mean the same thing and obeys both commands.

[girlll_face]

I taught Bella English first, along with doing the hand signals...after she understood them and obeyed them, I taught her the German words with the same hand signals as English so she knew what I wanted...now she can do her commands with English, German, and hand signals all seperately.

[cooperskin]

I haven't thought about hand signals, that would be neat to do as well. I'll have to do some searching for what the hand signals are.

[mjbgsd]

I use English for around the house and for formal training I use German. My dogs both understand that when I use english, it's to be more relaxed. When I use German they understand that it's time to be serious.
Though because Cody's retired he doesn't really hear the German unless I'm doing training with Isa.

[Brightelf]

Grimm has German and hand signals only here. No English. Silliest command? "Kuss-Kuss!" (give me a kiss) As if I have to ask.

[cooperskin]

Originally Posted By: BrightelfGrimm has German and hand signals only here. No English. Silliest command? "Kuss-Kuss!" (give me a kiss) As if I have to ask.

Ha ha, that's the truth - if my face is within tounge range (which seems to be getting longer by the day!) I get a kiss. Thanks for the replies everyone.