RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK Training As A Guard Dog

Rhodesian ridgeback head study  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Patrick Swayze had one. Kylie Minogue misses hers. In the most recent years, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have been increasingly popular among celebrities and dog lovers alike. Originating in South Africa and initially bred to help hunt lions, these highly remarkable dogs are quite known for their boundless energy and guard dog characteristics. Being protective of their owner and family is a Ridgeback's almost inherent trait; the challenge is to make them a good in doing so. Rhodesian Ridgeback guard dog training should not be that complicated. If you just bought a new pup or a professional Ridgeback breeder, the following tips will be of help to you.

Start early. You can train a ridgeback to be a guard dog at any age, but it is highly ideal to begin while he is still a puppy. He will be delighted in learning new things, and so dog training at the age of 6 months to a year old would be best.

Socialize. One of the best ways to get started with training a Rhodesian Ridgeback pup is to socialize them. Get them acquainted with their surroundings. Noises and distractions should be something that they can be indifferent to.

Schedule. Providing a set schedule allows both you and your Ridgeback to have a routine. Remember that Rhodesian Ridgebacks are highly energetic dogs that need a lot of exercises; running around the block or starting with a long walk can warm them up and help them focus more on training.

Sit! 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 obey easily. Treats are also going to help greatly in getting them excited about dog training, but be cautious: you do not want your dog to be treat-dependent in following your orders.

Speak! Barking is considered "dog-speak" for canines, and in training your Ridgeback, you should be able to teach them to bark when someone arrives at your home. While this is almost like a dog's default reaction, it would be helpful to also teach them to stop when they are told. Start with praising the dog for barking and customize another command to let them know that the visitor is not a stranger.

Secure. Unlike other dogs, Ridgebacks are eager and expected to follow orders from their master. While it is tempting to show others that your dog is obedient, a good guard dog should be able to distinguish the master's commands and that of strangers.

Select. In the event that your dog needs to deal with a potential trespasser, only choose the parts of the body that your Rhodesian Ridgeback should attack. Extremities such as arms or legs are the most common, and dog training should also include the command "drop" to release the dog's mouth from the stranger.

Rhodesian Ridgeback training should not be so difficult if you just continue to be consistent, patient with them and quick to praise. Like any other dog, ridgebacks also need the love and warmth that comes with taking care of a pet. Dog training should be a fun bonding experience for you and him, no matter how aggressive and dangerous these guard dogs may seem to be.

By Lea Mullins Lea Mullins discusses all Rhodesian Ridgeback training as a Guard Dog. Learn more about Dog training, Walking your Dog without pulling on leash and more from TrainPetDog.com. Article Source: EzineArticles

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RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK - How To Prevent Your Dog From Biting

Rhodesian Ridgeback (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known not only for the distinct fan-like ridge along their backs. This breed is originally known as the African Lion Hound also makes excellent companions and guard dogs. Part of Rhodesian Ridgeback training is correcting unwanted behavior such as biting. Biting may be a typical guard dog's natural instinct, but with guidance, you can prevent yourself from having big problems (and destroyed furniture) in the long run.

Anyone with a dog in their home will understand how canines like to nip, chew and bite -- ridgebacks are no exception. While the ridgeback is not necessarily a dangerous dog, they can be a bit aloof towards strangers and can also be a bit stubborn without the proper dog training.

When should I teach my dog? Training a Rhodesian Ridgeback when they are young is most ideal. Ridgeback pups are still eager to learn and enjoy socializing with others. Younger dogs have a greater tendency to "bite" when they're teething. It goes away when they age, but you would also still have to be patient when your older dog starts to bite or show improper behavior. What can you do to prevent them from biting?

1. Use toys. You may find yourself picking up destroyed objects from your house with their chewing. To keep this from happening, make sure you give them enough chew toys to play with. This keeps them happy and entertained, thus lessens the need to be destructive.

2. Socialize them. Rhodesian Ridgebacks also have a strong pack instinct, so regular play with family members and other pets is recommended. Socializing your ridgeback goes beyond getting them familiarized with traffic or noises. Letting them play with other dogs allows them to understand that it is not acceptable to bite at will.

3. Do not punish. Excessive punishment, kicking or slapping a Rhodesian Ridgeback will not do you any good. There is rarely any difficulty with training this breed since they are very intelligent and loyal to their master. Ignoring them if they did something wrong would already be a good indicator of punishment. Unlike other sporting dogs, the Ridgeback may not put up with aggression by the owner --- it responds more to positive reinforcement and rewards.

4. Show them who's boss. Although the Ridgeback may be a great family dog, part of their temperament would be it having less of a servitude nature compared to other dogs. Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a greater tendency of treating you as their equal rather than their master if you're not conscious.

5. Be consistent. Once you start dog training, you must make sure that everyone in the house provides consistent commands. All the members of the family should have the exact same orders as well as hand signals so as not to confuse them.

6. Be preventive. Do not wait for the threat of your Ridgeback to bite before you begin dog training them. A lot of dog owners nowadays just go through the motions and wait for someone to get bitten before they start researching and preparing. Do not let this happen to you. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are loyal, loving and great family dogs, it's all just a matter of putting their protective instincts to good use and stop them from biting!

By Lea Mullins Lea Mullins shares tips on Rhodesian Ridgeback training and how to stop bad behavior. Find information about Dog care, dog training and more from TrainPetDog.com. Article Source: EzineArticles

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RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK Dog History

The modern day Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, sleek handsome hound that possesses exceptional qualities as a hunter, protector as well as companion. But this was not always the case, at least as far as the large size and lithe refined looks were concerned. The fact is the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog of today actually originated from very humble beginnings. It is believed that the Rhodesian Ridgeback heritage harks back to the pariah dogs of the nomadic Khoi Khoi people (Hottentots).

Rhodesian Ridgeback (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Khoi dogs were typically small, slender and somewhat jackal-like in appearance. These dogs seldom attained a height in excess of 171/2 inches and were so far removed from the appearance of the latter day Rhodesian Ridgeback dog that Kolb, a German settler in circa (1705 - 1712) was moved to observe that "...he is such a piece of ugliness, of the dog kind, as is not to be seen, perhaps in any other part of the world. Tho' he has a thousand good qualities, you see nothing in his features that is indicative of 'em. Appearance never gave such a lie as it does in him..."

Kolb was not alone amongst those early settlers in his unflattering observations that ridiculed the native dogs of the Khoi Khoi people, but as one they all had to concede that they had never come across a dog that exhibited such exceptional bravery, courage and loyalty. Moreover the "ugly" looking dog possessed a unique versatility in dogs being watchdog, hunter, herder and protector all rolled in one. So it was no surprise that they deemed it extremely desirable to crossbreed their larger imported breeds from Europe with the fierce native local breeds.

Such a heritage goes a long way in explaining the African Lion Dog's (Rhodesian Ridgeback) legendary courage with respect to confronting much larger foes such as lions.

Origins Of The Ridge Of The Rhodesian Ridgeback

There are various schools of thought postulating how the characteristic ridge found on the back of the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog came into being. This ridge of hair for which evidently the dog breed is named, grows along its back in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat; which is to say the hair found on the ridge grows towards the dogs head not its tail. As for the origins of this ridge, it is more than likely that it was another trait passed on from the Khoi dogs when crossbred with the larger European dog breeds.

The real mystery however, leading to the differing school of thoughts, is in explaining how very different dog breeds found on different continents and separated by large masses of water, both came to possess such a distinguishing and characteristic ridge of hair on their back. In Thailand on the island of Phu Quoc there exists a breed of dog that also has a dorsal ridge which however is quite distinct from that of the Rhodesian Ridgeback in that it has a long head, erect ears and typically its eyes are reddish in color. The hair found on the ridge of this dog breed is substantially longer, coarser and darker than that of the rest of its body.

This paradox of two distinct dog breeds both sporting a dorsal ridge of hair yet separated by thousands of miles has led some researchers to conclude that Phu Quoc dogs or some ancestral derivative was responsible for exporting the trait to from Thailand to their African counterparts in the southern portion of Africa. This theory has been widely embraced by many much in part to the fact that their was significant sea traffic trade passing through Phu Quoc.

Yet an equally strong argument and perhaps more accurate is that the characteristic ridge of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was actually indigenous to Africa (indeed for thousands of years several African dogs have sported ridged backs) and was exported to Phu Quoc in congress with the human cargo that was part of the booming slave trade between both shores.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Temperament

As mentioned earlier, the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback dog comes from a long line of canines that were legendary for their courage and versatility in duty performance. Thus it should come as no surprise that today's Rhodesian Ridgeback dog possess many of the same qualities.

Not too long ago the Rhodesian Ridgeback was referred to as the African Lion Dog or the Rhodesian Lion Hound because it was actually selectively bred to hunt lion. Now don't get me wrong, contrary to many a misguided belief, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is not, and never was a lion killer. Fact is it

would be the most exceptionally dog indeed that could kill an adult healthy lion (male lions weigh up to as much as 500 lbs and lioness typically scale in at 260lbs). Simply put there isn't a dog alive that is a match for a full grown lion.

By Kayyne Nynne Article Source: EzineArticles

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