Patrick Swayze had one. Kylie Minogue misses hers. In recent years, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have become increasingly popular with celebrities and dog lovers. Originally from South Africa and initially bred to help hunt lions, these remarkable dogs are well known for their boundless energy and watchdog characteristics. Protecting its owner and family is an almost inherent trait of a Ridgeback; the challenge is to make them good by doing it. Rhodesian Ridgeback guard dog training shouldn’t be that complicated. If you have just bought a new puppy or a professional Ridgeback breeder, the following tips will help you.
Start early. You can train a ridgeback to be a watchdog at any age, but it’s very ideal to start when it is still a puppy. He will be delighted to learn new things, so it would be best to train a dog at the age of 6 months to a year.
Socialize. One of the best ways to start training a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is to socialize him. Familiarize them with their surroundings. Noises and distractions should be something they can be indifferent to.
Calendar. Providing a set schedule allows you and your ridgeback to get into a routine. Remember that Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very energetic dogs that need a lot of exercise; Jogging around the block or starting out on a long walk can warm them up and help them focus more on training.
Sit down! and others. It is always beneficial to start dog training with basic commands. “Sit”, “down” and “stay” should be combined with clear hand signals for your ridgebacks to easily obey. Treats will also go a long way in getting them excited about dog training, but be warned – you don’t want your dog to be relying on treats to follow your commands.
Speak! Canines consider barking to be “dog talk” and when training your Ridgeback, you should be able to teach him to bark when someone comes to your home. While this is almost like a dog’s default reaction, it would also be helpful to teach them to stop when told. Start by praising the dog for barking and customize another command so you know the visitor is not a stranger.
Sure. Unlike other dogs, Ridgebacks are anxious and are expected to follow their master’s orders. While it is tempting to show others that your dog is obedient, a good watchdog should be able to distinguish commands from the master and from strangers.
Please select. In the event that your dog needs to deal with a potential intruder, only choose the body parts that your Rhodesian Ridgeback should attack. Limbs such as arms or legs are the most common, and dog training should also include the “release” command to free the dog’s mouth from the stranger.
Rhodesian Ridgeback training shouldn’t be that difficult if you just continue to be consistent, patient with them, and quick to praise them. Like any other dog, Ridgebacks also need the love and warmth that comes with caring for a pet. Dog training should be a fun bonding experience between you and him, no matter how aggressive and dangerous these guard dogs may seem.
