| This wonderful breed was bred originally to hunt | | | | stand and wait for his food. Put his bowl of food |
| lions and their size and appearance will often give | | | | down in front of him but don't let him go to it yet. |
| the impression that they might be an aggressive | | | | Tell him to stay and then wait for a few seconds |
| dog, in actual fact they are a very placid, gentle | | | | before giving him a command to eat. It will only |
| breed. Although gentle, they are still very loyal and | | | | take a few times of doing this for him to know |
| protective of their human family. Because they | | | | what is expected of him. * Always make the dog |
| are such a large breed and are quite powerful it is | | | | enter or exit the house last. When you are going |
| important to have proper training with your | | | | through a door, don't let him rush past you, make |
| Ridgeback so that they become well socialized | | | | him wait until all humans have gone through the |
| and also so you can take them for a walk | | | | door and then let him through. * Always use an |
| without them ripping your arm out of the socket. | | | | authorative voice when disciplining your dog and |
| They will need daily exercise and it is best to be | | | | stand over him to give him the impression that |
| able to take them out for a walk without | | | | you are bigger and stronger and this will let him |
| worrying about being able to control them. | | | | know that you are his superior. It is important for |
| Although this breed are generally not aggressive, | | | | a large dog breed to know his place in the pack, |
| they are very big and because of their size they | | | | after all you don't want a large, strong dog being |
| can sometimes, unintentionally, cause injury by | | | | the boss of the house. He needs to know that |
| accidentally knocking someone over. This is | | | | you are his superior and he must obey your |
| particularly so with small children so it is important | | | | commands. Dog Training Classes Attending dog |
| to supervise children while around large dogs. | | | | training classes is important with any dog as it |
| Ridgebacks just don't realize how big they actually | | | | helps socialize them and also helps them learn |
| are and when they get excited they can easily | | | | basic commands like sit, stand, stay, heel. After |
| jump up and knock someone over. All dogs are | | | | attending dog training classes you should be able |
| naturally pack animals and every pack has a | | | | to walk your dog without him pulling you along or |
| leader. A Ridgeback will at some point try to | | | | without him trying to chase every other dog he |
| assume the leadership role and it is very | | | | sees. Dogs love to please their masters and love |
| important to let your puppy know from a young | | | | to receive praise, so use lots of praise when |
| age that his place is NOT at the top of the pack. | | | | training and your dog will love to continue doing |
| Your dog needs to learn that you are the leader | | | | well to please you. If you train your Rhodesian |
| of the pack and all human family members are | | | | Ridgeback puppy well and teach him they basic |
| above him in the pack heirachy. Once he learns | | | | commands from an early age and let him know |
| this then he will happily accept his position. | | | | that you are his master, then you will have a |
| Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very intelligent and as a | | | | very manageable and pleasant dog. Then your |
| result are reasonably easy to train. Here are a | | | | dog will give you the respect and trust that you |
| few tips on how to teach your dog his position in | | | | demand of him. Remember that cute little puppy |
| the pack: * When eating dinner, always eat | | | | will grow up to be a very large dog, so look past |
| before you feed the dog. Let your dog wait until | | | | those puppy dog eyes and give him the discipline |
| the family have finished eating before he gets | | | | that will turn him into a lovely, obedient dog. |
| fed. * When you feed your dog let him sit or | | | | |